Ex-Con Businessman Hosts Lavish Birthday Bash at Kennedy Compound
Dennis Kozlowski, former CEO of Tyco, and his wife Kimberly are celebrating their birthdays at the historic Hyannis Port estate, sparking public surprise.
The historic Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, is set to host a joint birthday celebration for Dennis Kozlowski, the former CEO of Tyco, and his wife Kimberly. The event, billed as "An Evening in Camelot," marks Dennis Kozlowski's 80th and Kimberly's 60th birthdays.
The choice of venue has drawn public attention and surprise, given Kozlowski's past as a convicted felon. He was arrested more than two decades ago and later convicted in 2005 for looting over $100 million from Tyco. After serving six and a half years in prison, he was released on parole in 2014.
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute, which was gifted the main house of the compound by Vicki Kennedy in 2012, stated at the time that the property was intended for educational seminars and forums and was not to be rented to private individuals. A spokesperson for the institute did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kimberly Kozlowski addressed the controversy, stating that the couple was approached by someone from the EMK Institute and that they are not renting the property. Instead, she explained, they made a donation to the nonprofit to host the party on the lawn, where a tent will be erected. She likened the arrangement to "renting an event space" and described their party as reminiscent of the "old all-American family" depicted in Kennedy films.
Guests are reportedly encouraged to donate to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute via a barcode included on the invitations. Kimberly Kozlowski downplayed the donation amount, stating it "wasn't very big."
Critics have suggested that the Kozlowskis may be using the event to rehabilitate their image, particularly given their association with MAGA politics. The couple has been hosting events around Nantucket since Dennis Kozlowski's release from prison.
The Kennedy compound has long been a symbol of American political history, with homes owned by notable family members like John F. Kennedy Jr., Jacqueline Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy. It was famously the site of family touch football games, a tradition that contributed to its "Camelot" mythology.