Profiles: Witnesses | Back to Witnesses List
Dey, Kinsley Van
US Fact Witness
Mr. Dey, who is now deceased, worked for defendant Liggett Group Inc. for almost 15 years, rising from the assistant to the President of marketing in 1975 to President and Chief Executive Officer from 1977 to 1984. During his career at Liggett, Mr. Dey served in the following positions:
- 2/1975-6/1975: Assistant to the President, Marketing, Liggett Group Inc.
- 1975-1976: Vice President, Domestic Sales, Liggett Group Inc.
- 1976-1977: Assistant to the President, Marketing, Liggett Group Inc.
- 5/1977-12/1977: Chief Operating Officer, Liggett Group Inc.
- 12/1977-1984: President and Chief Executive Officer, Liggett Group Inc.
- 1977-1982: Board of Directors, Tobacco Institute
- 1978-1987: Executive Committee Member, Tobacco Institute
- 1980: Communications Committee Member, Tobacco Institute
During his time with the company, Mr. Dey was involved in virtually all aspects of the company's business, particularly research and public relations related to smoking and health issues, and as CEO, eventually oversaw Liggett's operations. Mr. Dey also played an instrumental role in coordinated tobacco industry activity, spending a large amount of time working on various Tobacco Institute ("TI") committees. He served on TI's Board of Directors from 1977-1982, on its Executive Committee from 1978-1987, and on its Communications Committee in 1980. Mr. Dey was also involved in Liggett's decision not to market the XA cigarette. In explaining this decision, Mr. Dey said that the purpose of the XA research, on which the company spent twelve years and millions of dollars, was for the purpose of producing a test cigarette yielding smoke condensate less carcinogenic to mouseskin, not to create a cigarette less hazardous to humans.
Source: United States' Factual Memorandum Pursuant to Order #470, Section V (tab 1)