Andy sends us a link to an incredible story by AFP about how prosecutors are preparing to seize a 36-story skyscraper on 5th Avenue in New York City which is allegedly owned by the Iranian government;
A federal judge ruled in favor of the government’s suit this week, saying the building’s owners had violated Iran sanctions and money laundering laws.
Manhattan Federal Prosecutor Preet Bharara said the decision upholds the justice department claims the owner of the building “was (and is) a front for Bank Melli, and thus a front for the Government of Iran.”
Bharara said the funds from selling the building would provide “a means of compensating victims of Iranian-sponsored terrorism.”
Prosecutors allege the building’s owners, the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corporation, transferred rental income and other funds to Iran’s state-owned Bank Melli.
According to the article, the building has been owned by Iran since the Shah was ruling the country. I’m just surprised that it took prosecutors this long to seize it. They should have done it back in 1979.
The wheels of justice turn slow, but THIS slow? Seriously?
Maybe they were just trying to be sure of their evidence?
It only took them thirtyWHAT years?!?
It’s New York City, what do you expect? I’m surprise that Iran didn’t call it a Mosque so they didn’t have to pay any taxes on the money they launder out of it.