U.S. Seizes Luxury Real Estate From Sanctioned Russian Oligarch

Washington D.C./25.02.23/Turan: The U.S. Justice Department on Friday filed civil asset forfeiture claims against 6 luxury properties in the United States that are owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, a billionaire chairman of the Renova Group, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

The properties were purchased between 2008 and 2017 by shell companies controlled by Vekselberg, according to the prosecutors.

Valued at $75 million in total, they include a duplex in Manhattan, a 9,000-square foot weekend house in Southampton, New York, and two luxury beachfront condominiums on Fisher Island, an exclusive enclave of Miami Beach.

“For years, Russia’s weaponization of corruption has relied on opaque legal structures – and Western enablers – to move, hide, and spend stolen wealth, enriching its oligarchs and ultimately resourcing the war in the Ukraine,” said Homeland Security Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo.

These actions are part of a broad effort by American law enforcement officers, said the special agent.  “Today we continue our active measures and remove jewels from the crown of yet another oligarch, stripping him of the luxury assets he so cherishes,” Arvelo added.

Following Putin's invasion of Ukraine last yeae, Vekselberg’s 255-foot yacht was seized by Spanish officials. Weeks later, U.S. federal prosecutors issued a subpoena to longtime Vekselberg associate Viktor Voronchenko, seeking records related to the real estate. One week later, Voronchenko flew to Dubai and from there. to Moscow, where he is believed to be residing since.

Alex Raufoglu