The B.C. government is trying to seize a Vancouver penthouse that has allegedly been used as an after-hours nightclub in defiance of COVID-19 rules.
The province’s director of civil forfeiture has filed a claim for the penthouse belonging to 42-year-old Mo Movassaghi.
The claim details a string of police raids, beginning in January and happening as recently as late August, during which as many as 199 people were found in the suite, which was set up as a club.
On Jan. 31, police reported that they were called to the penthouse and found 78 people inside, along with menus, liquor, point-of-sale terminals, multiple cash tills and a stripper pole.
The civil claim alleges those events continued, despite Movassaghi being ticketed, arrested, charged and convicted for a string of violations.
Movassaghi was eventually sentenced to one day in jail and 18 months probation for violating a public health order and illegally purchasing grain alcohol. He was also ordered to pay $5,500 in fines and a $750 victim surcharge.
In June, the director of civil forfeiture filed a claim for $8,740 in cash seized by police when they raided the downtown condo in January.
As of Monday, the condo was listed for sale for $3.3 million.
None of the allegations has been proven in court and a statement of defence has not been filed.