The U. S. Department of Justice wants to seize a Los Angeles mega-mansion allegedly purchased with bribes paid by an Armenian businessman to the family of Gagik Khachatryan, a former high-ranking Armenian public official.

The Justice Department writes:

"Gagik Khachatryan, 66, who was known as the “Super Minister,” because of his significant responsibilities, served as Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia from 2008 to 2014 and as Minister of Finance for the Republic of Armenia from 2014 to 2016. 

In the complaint, which was filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the United States alleges that businessman Sedrak Arustamyan paid Khachatryan and his family more than $20 million in bribes in exchange for favorable tax treatment of his businesses. The bribe payments allegedly were used to purchase the Holmby Hills property, which had been recently listed for sale for $63,500,000.

Gagik Khachatryan and his sons are charged in Armenia with receiving bribes in violation of the criminal code of the Republic of Armenia. Criminal charges are also pending in Armenia against Arustamyan for paying bribes."

In August 2019, Armenian law enforcement agents searched the residences of Gagik Khachatryan and several persons affiliated with him.

Afterwards, Gagik Khachatryan and Karen Khachatryan (a former high-ranking official of the State Revenue Committee and Gagik’s nephew) were arrested on suspicion of large-scale embezzlement and abuse of official power. 

In October 2020, Gagik Khachatryan was released on bail for health reasons.

Khachatryan is reported to be in Armenia.

Top photo: Gagik Khachatryan