Tag: Mansion

BEL AIR/BEVERLY HILLS—The United States Department of Justice disclosed in a news release on July 8 that they reached a settlement regarding a mansion in Holmby Hills that belonged to the family of Gagik Khachatryan, a former government official in the Republic of Armenia. According to reports the property was previously listed for $63 million. It is located on Mapleton Drive and is 33, 652 square feet the Los Angeles Times reported.

In 2011, a trust benefiting Khachatryan’s sons purchased the property with funds provided by an Armenian businessman for $14 million. During that time, Khachatryan was the most senior official in charge of taxes and customs in the Republic of Armenia. His sons claimed that the funds were provided as loans by the businessman, while the United States alleged the loans, which were repeatedly extended without repayment, were covers for bribe payments. The payments are the subject of pending criminal prosecutions in the Republic of Armenia.

Terms of the settlement indicate the mansion will be forfeited to the United States. The United States will sell the property at the highest obtainable market price and retain 85 percent of the net proceeds of the sale. The remaining net proceeds of the sale will be delivered to the Khachatryan’s sons and a corporation they own. The U.S. Attorney General has the discretionary authority to transfer forfeited property to any foreign country that participated directly or indirectly in the seizure or forfeiture of the property. The offices that brought the case intend to recommend transfer of some or all of the forfeited proceeds to the Republic of Armenia.

The FBI’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force (EOCTF) and U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. The EOCTF consists of multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Glendale Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The Justice Department’s Official of International Affairs, the Republic of Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office, and Armenian investigative authorities also provided critical assistance.

The Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in MLARS, in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies and often with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption. Individuals with details about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to kleptocracy@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail) or https://tips.fbi.gov/.

By Trevor

BRENTWOOD—NBA player Blake Griffin, who currently plays for the Detroit Pistons has purchased a mansion in Brentwood for about $5.9 million. The 31-year-old Oklahoma native bought the property from Jordana Leigh, the represented seller working with Rodeo Realty, while Ron Smith and David Berg from Smith & Berg Partners at Compass represented Griffin in the transaction.

The home has 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths and is 5,893 square feet and sites on a 0.53 acre lot. It is 155.59 percent more expensive than other properties in the region, with the median price being $2,299,000. The single family home was built in 1936 and costs $997 per square foot.

The home has a  kitchen furnished with Brazilian granite, custom cabinets, a Viking range, Bosch dishwashers, and a family room with a fireplace and tall windows. Off the living room are media and billiard rooms. Additionally, there is a private terrace and covered seating with another fireplace.

The pool has a waterfall along with a spa. The guest suite has its own patio overlooking the area, and the upstairs has a grand master bedroom with another fireplace and three walk-in closets. Other amenities include a gym, a place to play pool, and wine cellar.

Griffin started playing in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009. He was signed to the Detroit Pistons in 2018. Some most notable achievements include the John R. Wooden Award (2009), the NBA Rookie of the Year Award (2011), the NBA All Rookie Team (2011), and Best Breakthrough Athlete in 2011 at the ESPY Awards.

By Janette Fu