John Rigas | |
|---|---|
 Rigas in 2018 | |
| Born | November 14, 1924 Wellsville, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 30, 2021 (aged 96) |
| Education | Management Engineering - (B.S.) |
| Known for | Founder of Adelphia Communications Corporation |
| Political party | Republican[citation needed] |
| Criminal charges | |
| Criminal penalty | 15 years imprisonment |
| Spouse | Doris Nielsen[citation needed] |
| Children | Timothy J. Rigas, Michael J. Rigas James P. Rigas Ellen Rigas Venetis[citation needed] |
| Parent(s) | Demetrios "James" Rigas Eleni Brazas Rigas[citation needed] |
John James Rigas (November 14, 1924 – September 30, 2021) was an American businessman who was one of the founders of Adelphia Communications Corporation, which at its peak was one of the largest cable TV companies in the United States. He was also the majority owner of the Buffalo Sabres franchise of the National Hockey League. In 2005, he was convicted on multiple charges of fraud and sentenced to 15 years in prison, serving nine of those years before being released due to declining health.