The Justice Department is trying to seize six properties worth $75 million dollars from Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a new court filing that the homes are the proceeds of sanctions evasions and are being used in an international money laundering scheme.
This move by the Justice Department is part of Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement group working to enforce economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Vekselberg’s alleged crimes include smuggling communications and security equipment from the United States to Russia in a scheme that goes back to 2017. On top of that, he is accused of smuggling hazardous gas detectors and other software from the U.S. to North Korea.
Yachts have already been seized at the request of the United States government. They include the $90 million, 255-foot Tango, which could be a tender next to the $300 million, 348-foot vessel Amadea. French Authorities seized Roman Abramovich’s $120 million dollar Riviera mansion.
The Treasury Department has blocked or frozen more than $30 billion in sanctioned Russian assets since the war began.
Here’s a look at some of the properties the Justice Department is trying to seize now:
- 19 Duck Pond Lane, Southampton, New York 11968
This nine bed, 11 bath, 9,200-square-foot stunner is worth $12.9 million. It includes a bar, a room with a projector to watch movies, a swimming pool and a tennis court.
- 515 Park Avenue, Units Units 21 and 2I, New York, New York 10022
It’s four bedrooms, four baths, and 3,700 square feet. It was last listed in March of 2022 for 14.6 million. It recently had a complete renovation down to the studs. It comes with a separate studio apartment for a live-in staff member. The building itself is a full service condo complex with a doorman and full-time concierge.
- 7002 Fisher Island Drive, Unit 7002 PH2, Miami Beach, Florida 33109.
- 7183 Fisher Island Drive, Units 7182 and 7183, Miami Beach, Florida 33109
As if it couldn’t get any more exclusive, there’s also a penthouse on Fisher Island in Miami worth an estimated $30 million. It’s 9,400 square feet, seven bedrooms and 7.5 baths. This private island is only accessible by a private ferry and has properties owned by the rich and famous including Oprah Winfrey and Andrei Agessi.
