Elena Ambrosiadou runs the $2 billion IKOS Asset Management. Apparently, she is also a spymaster who delved into the lives of employees, as alleged by former portfolio manager Tobin Gover. Gover was originally hired by Ambrosiadou's now-estranged husband, Martin Coward. The lawsuit lays the blame for the spying on Ambrosiadou's desire to undermine her husband by firing Gover and his team.
Gover was fired in 2008. He says he was spied upon by Laura Merts, an operative trained in Israel in unarmed combat and counter-terrorism, according to the suit. Merts moved into an apartment in Cyprus adjacent to Gover's, and continued spying on Gover even after his firing.
Gover claims he was not the only victim of IKOS spies. After befriending Gover, Merts became the Gover family babysitter. Merts used the pseudonym Laura Van Egmond as she plied her trade on the unsuspecting Gover family.
Even though IKOS denied the allegations, Ambrosiadou did not offer a defense at trial. A default judgment against her thus ensued and Ambrosiadou has agreed to pay substantial damages, according to The Sunday Telegraph.
Needless to say, this affair has put a strain on the Ambrosiadou-Coward marriage. Ambrosiadou started divorce proceedings in 2009 when Coward left the firm, even though he still owns half of IKOS. A court in Cyprus has gagged Coward from discussing the matter. Too bad!
© 2011 Hedge Fund Writer LLC
