Condo owner accused of hosting large parties files complaint against VPD

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The owner of a downtown penthouse apartment that police say has been converted into a “makeshift nightclub” in violation of provincial COVID-19 restrictions, has filed a complaint against the Vancouver police.

Mohammad Movassaghi claims VPD officers damaged his property when they paid a visit to his luxury condo inside Telus Garden Residences on Saturday, according to the Province.

Police had received a report of a party with more than 100 people at a suite. Movassaghi, who denies his home is a party spot, said police arrived around 10:30 p.m.

“One of the officers attempted to film inside my unit through the peephole,” he said in a complaint to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner.

He also said police blocked the fire exit door and the fire exit hallway in the complaint.

So, here's the apparent poster for the party at a "makeshift nightclub" at a Downtown #Vancouver condo this weekend. The condo owner has done this at least four times this month, say police. Thoughts? BG story: https://t.co/ux7cxl57lW https://t.co/BDxqe640bh pic.twitter.com/rkydJm3LAr

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) January 25, 2021

According to the VPD, Saturday’s party was the fourth one that the apartment owner had hosted this month.

The condo owner, however, could be arrested, Vancouver police told NEWS 1130 on Monday.

Police said they could hear “voices and music and loud noises” coming from the suite, but the owner refused to come to the door.

“Because the actual owner of the apartment refused to come out to be issued his ticket, we’re going to be working with Crown Counsel now requesting a warrant for his arrest,” Sgt. Steve Addison explained Monday. “Hopefully once that warrant is approved he can be arrested and released by a judge with conditions that will be a little bit more strict and hopefully encourage him more to abide by the health orders that are in place.”

The doorman was issued more than $2,500 in tickets, including a $2,300 ticket for holding an unlawful social gathering and a $230 ticket for not wearing a face covering.

Premier John Horgan said Wednesday B.C. isn’t currently looking to increasing current fines for people who violate public health orders, but he didn’t have the patience for the condo owner.

“We’re taking steps to ensure that the full force of the law comes down on those – particularly those that are violent – but particularly those that are also trying to find ways to circumvent the rules, to find loopholes,” he said at the time.

“We talk about COVID fatigue; it’s COVID exhaustion let’s be honest about this. People are frustrated. They’re angry and when they see other people, disregarding the very rules that they’re trying to abide by, it’s offensive to them it’s offensive to me.”

The owner of a downtown penthouse apartment that police say has been converted into a “makeshift nightclub” in violation of provincial COVID-19 restrictions, has filed a complaint against the Vancouver Police. https://t.co/OBgHuaPkVk pic.twitter.com/kjnla1hmFN

— CityNews 1130 Vancouver (Inactive) (@news1130) January 29, 2021

-with files from Liza Yuzda