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Justice Department Seeks Forfeiture of Holmby Hills ‘Mega-Mansion’
Civil Complaint Alleges it Was Purchased With Proceeds of Armenian Corruption Scheme
By a MetNews Staff Writer
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Depicted above is the Holmby Hills mansion that the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking through a forfeiture proceeding. |
The U.S. Department of Justice yesterday announced it is seeking the forfeiture of “mega-mansion” in Holmby Hills that is listed for sale for $63.5 million, alleging that it was purchased with bribes paid to the family of Gagik Khachatryan, former Armenian Minister of Finance.
In a civil complaint filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, it is alleged that that businessman Sedrak Arustamyan paid Khachatryan and his family more than $20 million in bribes in exchange for favorable tax treatment of his businesses.
Khachatryan and his two sons, Gourgen and Artyom Khachatryan, are facing charges in Armenia of accepting bribes and Arustamyan is charged with paying bribes.
Known as the “Super Minister” in light of his broad powers, Khachatryan, 66, served as the Republic of Armenia’s chairman of the State Revenue Committee of from 2008-14 and as minister of finance from 2014-16.
The mansion is at 355 South Mapleton Drive. It was purchased by the sons on Aug. 6, 2010.
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