Ex-Comverse CEO Declared a Fugitive

U.S. authorities declared Tuesday that Jacob “Kobi” Alexander, the former Comverse Technology Inc. chief executive charged in a stock-option backdating case, is a fugitive and asked for the public’s help in finding him.

In a joint statement, the FBI and U.S. Marshal’s Service said Alexander was being sought “for his role in a multimillion-dollar stock options scheme.” It also said an Interpol notice for Alexander’s arrest was issued July 31.

“I have no idea where he is,” said his lawyer, Robert Morvillo. “I’ve been in Hawaii. He’s not in Hawaii. The last time I talked to him, he talked to me from Israel, three weeks to a month ago.”

Noting the warrant for Alexander’s arrest, Morvillo said he had been unable to reach his client, “so you can draw whatever inference you want from that fact.”

Alexander, 54, was the second former CEO charged in the government crackdown on stock-option manipulation.

Gregory Reyes, ex-CEO of Brocade Communications Systems Inc., was charged Thursday along with a former human resources manager.

A 12-count indictment accused them of conspiracy and false securities filings at the San Jose-based maker of computer equipment.