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Kurdistan’s Barzani Family Spends $47 Million on Two Beverly Hills Homes


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I'm wondering if this article will make it to the gazette. Wish I knew how to submit it because I'm sure all the sheep of Kurdistan would love to know where their money is going...

 

U.S.

Kurdistan’s Barzani Family Spends $47 Million on Two Beverly Hills Homes

Location:
 
Beverly Hills, Calif.
Price:
 
$47 million
Size:
 
20,829 square feet and 11,838 square feet

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is one of Southern California’s biggest tourist draws outside of Disneyland, its glitzy collection of designer boutiques — Chanel, Hermès, Bottega Veneta and more — forming their own sort of Magic Kingdom to lure gawkers, and sometimes serious shoppers, from around the world. The residential streets just north of the main shopping drag have their own peculiar theme park-like quality, too, with rows of ornate mansions and perfectly manicured yards.

The city’s omnipresent tour buses have taken to meandering up and down these palm tree-lined streets, frequently stopping to allow occupants to photograph this or that celebrity’s house. But on a busy avenue just a few blocks from Rodeo, one house draws attention despite not having a Hollywood pedigree. Maison 613, as the property is known, was long owned by a non-famous businessman, yet lookie-loos flock to the property. On a recent Sunday, a slow-driving Nissan pulled over across the street from the house, the driver emerging with a tripod camera to snap pictures.

 

 

 

It’s not hard to see what fascinates the tourists. Watch a marketing video for the property, and the magnitude of Maison 613 comes into focus. Up for sale two years ago with a $40 million pricetag, the listing boldly proclaimed that the house “sets a new standard for elegance, beauty and sophistication in the residential landscape of Beverly Hills.” Perhaps that’s true, but the colossal structure also utterly obliterates its neighbors in sheer size alone. Within the mega-mansion’s nearly 21,000 square feet of gilt-trimmed living space are a beauty salon, elevator, indoor basketball court, 17 bathrooms and even a bowling alley. And from the street, the European-influenced architecture invokes Versailles, its towering limestone face festooned with a bonanza of Corinthian columns, intricate moldings and decorative quoins. The house looks like money — a remarkably showy sort of money.

 

A mile north of Maison 613 lies another mansion that might as well be its older, slightly smaller sister. Foothill Manor, as it is known, was built in the 1970s and spans “just” 12,000 square feet, yet is every bit as opulent as Maison 613, with more Corinthian columns, hand-carved architectural moldings and gold leaf everywhere. It’s also more private than Maison 613, with its perimeter a forest-like collection of mature plantings. But the house is so tall that even the giant trees surrounding it can’t shield its roofline from public view.

Yet even though Maison 613 and Foothill Manor were designed to impart conspicuous wealth, the names of their current owners are shrouded in secrecy. Maison 613 sold last year for $27 million in an all-cash deal, according to records, one of the biggest transactions ever closed in the Beverly Hills Flats neighborhood. The listed buyer, an LLC, is named after the property’s address and links back to a small, nondescript law office in Fairfax, Virginia.

Just three months before Maison 613’s big sale, Foothill Manor transferred for $20 million in another all-cash deal. Again, the listed buyer is a mysterious LLC named after the property’s address; it, too, was registered by the same Virginia law office. As Nick Shaxson once neatly put it for Vanity Fair, there are only two things we can say with certainty about the new owners: “They are extremely wealthy, and [they] … don’t want you to know who they are and how they got their money.”

 

 

 

Dive deep into records, however, and one name is linked to both Beverly Hills properties: Haval Dosky, a Virginia-based, ethnically Kurdish man with longstanding ties to Mansour and Masrour Barzani, the two most prominent sons of former Iraqi Kurdistan president Masoud Barzani.

For centuries, the Barzani family have been the de facto rulers of the Middle East’s autonomous Kurdistan region, currently based the mountains north of Baghdad, Iraq. Though Kurdistan exists strictly as an imaginary country, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has its own legislature, army and foreign policy, essentially making it a state in all but name. And the Barzanis’ influence among the Kurds is so great that supporters and critics alike have coined the cheeky nickname Barzanistan for the oil-rich region. From 2005 to 2017, Masoud Barzani served as president of the KRG, during which time he established himself as one of the U.S.’s staunchest allies in the Middle East.

Barzani’s tenure as president was also marred by controversy. Critics alleged that he and his family secretly held a virtual monopoly on various commercial businesses, reaping tens of billions from their telecommunications empire and other endeavors. Though Barzani himself denied any involvement with commercial enterprises, a local newspaper accused Barzani and his Kurdistan Democratic Party of collecting large profits from illegal oil smuggling into Iran. And a $47 million purchase of Beverly Hills real estate by his sons could be construed as providing evidence of some form of corruption.

But stories of the Barzani sons’ vast wealth are nothing new. Though he’s publicly issued a denial, avid real estate watchers widely believe that Masrour Barzani was the anonymous buyer of a gigantic mansion in McLean, Virginia, that ranks as one of the largest homes in the entire state. (The ornate house, immodestly christened Chateau Noble de McLean, bears an almost eerie resemblance to Maison 613 and Foothill Manor.) And if local reports are to be believed, Mansour Barzani once lost $3.2 million in a single night while gambling at a Dubai casino.

 

 

 

Back in Beverly Hills, determining exactly who owns Maison 613 is made more complicated by the fact that the Barzanis don’t actually seem to live in this house. Nor does anyone, for that matter. A recent visit to the premises found there were various weather-damaged neighborhood flyers stuck in the front gate, as if the property has been vacant for some time. There are no cars in the drive; at night, the house remains conspicuously dark.

Much like Maison 613, Foothill Manor is also vacant. Signs posted on the driveway gate state that a major interior remodel of the home has recently begun, rendering the place uninhabitable. But according to neighbors, the giant house was occupied for most of the past year by Sodabeh “Soodi” Khoshdaman, a U.K.-based woman who they said is a mistress of one of Masoud Barzani’s sons, and the mother of a boy carrying the Barzani surname.

Whatever Khoshdaman’s actual ties to the Barzani clan, they appear to have reaped extraordinary financial rewards for her. British land registry records reveal that in December 2016, she paid £10.9 million (approximately $14 million USD at current conversion rates) in an all-cash deal for a fixer-upper house in London’s shockingly expensive neighborhood of Kensington, the same pocket of town where other residents include Formula One racing heiress Tamara Ecclestone, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour, Roman Abromovich and Lakshmi Mittal, one of India’s richest men. And, of course, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Like Foothill Manor, however, Khoshdaman’s London residence is currently unoccupied, the property engaged in a multi-year, multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion that includes the addition of a full basement level. The local refurbishment specialists at BTL Property Ltd have been hired, surely at massive expense, to design and oversee the home’s extensive remodel. And when complete, the Khoshdaman mansion will quite possibly rank as the largest and most lavish house on her block — a block in what is arguably the poshest area of London.

 

 

 

The extravagance of these Virginia, Beverly Hills and London homes is unfathomable to other Kurds, many of whom struggle to earn a living. About 5.5% of Iraqi Kurdistan’s population subsists on less than $80 per month, and while the region is economically prosperous compared to the rest of Iraq, even the reasonably successful Kurdish doctors only earn the monthly equivalent of a couple thousand USD. On top of that, there is widespread political unrest — last month, President Trump made the controversial decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria, a move harshly criticized by the Barzanis and other prominent Kurdish politicians, who described it as “a stab in the back.” Since the troop removal, 130,000 Kurds have fled their homes, and hundreds more have reportedly been slaughtered.

All that bloodshed seems worlds apart from the manicured neighborhoods of Beverly Hills. On a recent Sunday afternoon, the only thing disturbing the peace is a black Range Rover, whose driver honks at a Lexus for pausing too long at a nearby stop sign. On the sidewalk, a young Asian tourist strolling along stops in front of Maison 613, gazing up at it for a few seconds before turning to face the street. Behind him, the home’s towering façade looms cold and dark, like a residential version of Mount Rushmore. Then he raises his camera and snaps a selfie.

Jeff Hyland of Hilton & Hyland and Ron de Salvo of Coldwell Banker jointly held the Maison 613 listing; Stacy Gottula at The Agency held the listing on Foothill Manor. John Yarborough of Bennion Deville Homes repped the Barzanis.

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Wow I cannot believe someone would dispute these people are Un convicted felons. Let’s take the little “o” for example. How does this person that has never done anything for a living except being a community organizer (what ever that is) never owned a business never invented anything, him or his militant, subversive, horse faced old woman, end up with millions & millions of dollars! These to thugs have acquired multi million dollar properties in Chicago, Washington DC & Martha’s Vineyard.,, that we know of! I’m not trying to be ugly or anything, if you’re that stupid to believe that it doesn’t cost millions to just to do the up keep on these properties it is my opinion you need to go get your head checked! So don’t think that sorry creepy crazy uncle joe and his crack head son we’re the only ones in that billion dollar aid  package to Ukraine! JMHO you Red ruby givers if you are really invested in this deal (IQD), you’ll be broke with in a year after you cash out! I hope I get to meet you cause I’ll relieve you of a few bucks! (LOL). I could submit to you many more criminal charges against all of these un convicted felons! Our department of un Justice is full of corruption and to be investigated, NOW! JMHO!! :salute:

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23 minutes ago, horsesoldier said:

In your face huh. No attempt to conceal. Finger in your eye. Teflon coated, Can’t touch us. That’s brazen and a level of arrogance you don’t see too often. Such contemptuous behavior.

This is the part that just really turns my stomach!  

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 2019/11/17 07:14:22
 

The Office of the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government Masroor Barzani, strongly denied the latter's purchase of "Villa" in America.
"In the past few days, a US website published false news about the prime minister's purchase of a villa. Unfortunately, this inaccurate news was published by local media in an irresponsible manner," the office said in a statement.
"We completely deny this news and the legal ways will be taken in this regard."

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61317.jpg?width=750&&height=375

 
2019/11/17 15:31
  • The number of readings 354
  • Section: Monitoring
  •  

Barzani palaces scandal in America .. Kurdish forces demand to open the file of family corruption and the fate of smuggled oil money

BAGHDAD / Obelisk: The new generation movement, called on Sunday, November 17, 2019, to open the files of corruption in the sale of oil in the Kurdistan region, indicating that all the money to sell oil goes outside the framework of the state budget or government banks.

The leader of the movement, Mohammed Raouf, said that the competent authorities to verify all the files of corruption in Iraq and the Kurdistan region.

Raouf added that the file of corruption in the region is shortened in the sale of oil and the transfer of funds to influential parties in the region without restriction or annexation to the treasury of the state as is customary in all countries.

The Variety magazine revealed in a report last Saturday, the value of the palaces bought by Mansour Barzani, son of Massoud Barzani, former president of the Iraqi Kurdistan region in Los Angeles.

The magazine said in a report that Mansour, son of Massoud Barzani, the former president of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, bought two palaces in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, one worth $ 20 million and the second $ 27 million.

Follow the obelisk 

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/182308/فضيحة-قصور-آل-بارزاني-بأمريكا-قوى-كردية-تطالب-بفتح-ملف-فساد-العائلة-ومصير-اموال-النفط-المهربة

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Political

Sunday, November 17, 2019 04:53 PM

| The number of readings: 200

 

irq_1944497564_1573998799.jpg&max_width=300

 

Office of Nechirvan Barazni issues clarification on "Villa"

 

 

BAGHDAD / .. The Office of the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Nechirvan Barzani, on Sunday, a clarification statement on the purchase of "Villa."

The office said in a statement that "one of the US websites recently published, a report lacks the lowest credibility by citing the name of the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government with regard to the purchase of {Villa} abroad, and regrettably that some of the local media re-circulated the reported site Misleading and unprofessional. "

"While the prime minister's office denies the authenticity of what was published by the American website in full and in detail, it confirms that he follows legal procedures against anyone who promotes false reports like this."

http://aynaliraqnews.com/index.php?aa=news&id22=127064

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3 hours ago, yota691 said:
masrour-barzani.jpg

Well there you have it, all a bunch of lies according to this politician. 
Just when I was about to give up on the Barzani family for stealing billions of dollars in oil money this fine upstanding member of society steps up with the real truth. I’m sure your sheep appreciates the clarification....

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Office of the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government issues clarification on the purchase of "Villa" in America

Political | 03:36 - 17/11/2019

 
image
 
 

 

BAGHDAD -
The office of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government Masroor Barzani, on Sunday, the latter's purchase of a villa in America.
The office said in a statement received / Mawazine News / a copy, that "one of the US websites recently published, a report lacks the lowest credibility by citing the name of the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding the purchase of a villa abroad, unfortunately that some of the local media returned Dealing with the website mentioned in a misleading and unprofessional manner.
He added, "As the Office of the Prime Minister denies the authenticity of what was published by the US site in full and in detail, it confirms that he follows the legal procedures against anyone who promotes false reports such as this."

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New Generation Movement calls for opening corruption files in Kurdistan

By AhadNA3 17/11/2019 03:15 PM | Read

New Generation Movement calls for opening corruption files in Kurdistan

 

The new generation movement called on Sunday to open the files of corruption in the sale of oil in the Kurdistan region, indicating that all the money to sell oil goes outside the framework of the state budget or government banks.

The leader of the movement, Mohammed Raouf, said that "the competent authorities to verify all the files of corruption in Iraq and the Kurdistan region."

Raouf added, "The file of corruption in the region is shortened in the sale of oil and the transfer of money to influential actors in the region without restriction or annexation to the state treasury, as is customary in all countries."

It was Variety magazine The US revealed in a report the value of the palaces bought by Mansour Barzani, son of Massoud Barzani, former president of the Kurdistan region of Iraq in Los Angeles.

The magazine said in a report that "Mansour son of Massoud Barzani, former president of the Kurdistan region of Iraq (Barzistanistan) bought two palaces in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, the value of one $ 20 million and the second $ 27 million." Finished 2

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  • 2 weeks later...

US: Media Outlet Apologizes to PM Barzani for "Untruthful” Reports

The news outlet published a report stating PM Barzani recently purchased a lavish property in the US

 BasNews   28/11/2019 - 23:59  Published inKurdistan
 

ERBIL - A US-based media outlet has apologized to Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani for spreading "incorrect" information on the Kurdish premier's purchase of an "extravagant" property in the United States.

A few day earlier, a report "falsely" linked the name of PM Barzani with the purchase of a villa in the US, with the premier's office soon refuting the allegations, and vowed to take legal actions against the media outlet.

Alhurra, apart from apologizing to the Kurdish premier for "the mistake", it also said that it had already removed the story from the website.

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