Vancouver penthouse party host sentenced to one day in jail, given fine

VANCOUVER — A Vancouver man who was accused of defying public health orders by running a makeshift nightclub inside his penthouse has pleaded guilty to three charges, and was sentenced to one day in jail.

Mohammad Movassaghi was sentenced Wednesday. In addition to the day in jail, which Judge Ellen Gordon noted has already been served, Movassaghi was given a $5,000 fine and 18 months’ probation.

He’ll also have to complete 50 hours of community service work.

Movassaghi pleaded guilty earlier this month to two counts of failing to comply with an order of a health officer dating back to January and one count of disobeying a court order from a charge in March.

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Police used a search warrant in January to enter what they described as a makeshift nightclub and more than $17,000 in fines were issued against him and guests in the home.

The warrant alleged that the condo had a stripper pole and spot and mood lighting, and a woman told police that people were asked to remove their shoes to prevent noise.

Another warrant issued in January alleged a McDonald’s bag containing 100 cheeseburgers had been ordered for the suite and police could hear cheering, yelling, loud music and a lot of voices coming from inside the apartment.