$30M Beverly Hills mansion owned by Kurdish general caught in bribery scheme faces seizure
Federal authorities are making moves to seize a luxurious $30 million Beverly Hills mansion after filing a civil complaint alleging that its Kurdish general owner, Mansour Barzani, defrauded the government to acquire it.
Barzani purchased the property in 2018 and later spent $30 million on renovations. The Department of Justice claims that Barzani was involved in a bribery scheme with a Virginia-based defense contractor that received over $700 million from the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency for fuel deliveries during Operation Inherent Resolve, the US fight against ISIS.
The contractor’s officers allegedly used government funds to bribe Barzani for exclusive access to deliver jet fuel in Kurdistan for the US military and coalition forces at Erbil International Airport. Barzani reportedly received “hundreds of millions of dollars” in government contracts through a $0.25-per-liter-of-fuel bribe.
According to the complaint, the contractor’s officers expressed fear of losing the contract if they failed to deliver the fuel, stating, “[I]f we don’t deliver, it’s a failure on our part and we lose the contract. Right now we are looking like a snake without a head to [Defense Logistics Agency].”
Barzani allegedly transferred the illicitly obtained money to a trust to fund the purchase and renovation of the Beverly Hills mansion at 945 Foothill Road. The property boasts four bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and spans over 10,000 square feet. Originally purchased for $20 million in 2018, the mansion is now valued at approximately $28.5 million, as per Zillow.
Deputy Chief Michael B. Redmann and Senior Trial Attorney Steven Parker from the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics, and Forfeiture Section (MNF) are handling the case in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Mansour Barzani is the son of former Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani and the younger brother of current Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. The California Post reached out to the Justice Department for further comment on the matter.
In conclusion, the case involving the seizure of the Beverly Hills mansion owned by Mansour Barzani due to alleged fraud and bribery highlights the government’s efforts to combat corruption and hold individuals accountable for unlawful activities. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in fraudulent schemes and the importance of upholding integrity in financial transactions.
