The owner of a Vancouver penthouse who ran a private nightclub in his home during the COVID-19 pandemic – complete with cash machines, menus and doormen – has been sentenced to a day in jail..Mohammad Movassaghi was also sentenced to 18 months probation, along with 50 hours of community service after pleading guilty earlier this month in B.C. provincial court on counts of violating a public health order and keeping liquor for sale contrary to the Liquor Control and Licensing Act..Movassaghi had spent seven days in jail between the time of his arrest and his sentencing on Wednesday..In January 2020, the 42-year old resident of 777 Richards Street was removed in handcuffs and police handed out more than $17,000 in fines to dozens of guests..It was the second time in a week officers had busted the man allegedly running the nightclub..“Our officers found 78 people inside the three-level apartment, and none of them were wearing masks,” said Sgt. Steve Addison at the time..“There were menus, tables, point-of-sale terminals, and cash tills.”.Officers issued each party-goer a $230 ticket for attending a non-complaint event – contrary to the Emergency Program Act. Movassaghi was arrested under the Public Health Act and taken to jail..CTV reported court also heard that police found multiple point-of-sale machines, two cash bars, and drink menus advertising cocktails that cost between $9 and $26. There was also bottle service offered for up to $1,500..Photo exhibits released to CTV showed chairs set up around a stripper pole with a $5 bill at the bottom, multiple liquor bottles and plastic cups around the unit, signage and menus with the name “Granny’s Exotic Lounge” at the top, stanchions used to control lines, and a DJ booth..Judge Ellen Gordon said it was clear it wasn’t a normal party..“I have parties. Or I did, prior to the pandemic. And I invite people, whether there are uninvited guests or not,” Gordon said..“But I don’t have stripper poles. I don’t charge admission. I don’t charge for liquor. This isn’t a party.”.Movassaghi apologized to the court..“I just want to take this opportunity to apologize to your honour and the public for what’s taken place. I understand I made an error in judgement,” he said..“Since that incident, I have made sure to follow the health care act”.“You are remarkably fortunate with the position that the Crown has taken,” Gordon told Movassaghi..“Because had the Crown been seeking a period of incarceration, you need to know I would have imposed it.”.She said if someone who had been at the parties became infected and died, she would have considered that manslaughter..“What you did, sir, is comparable to individuals who sell fentanyl to the people on the street who die every day,” Gordon said..“There’s no difference. You voluntarily assumed a risk that could kill people in the midst of a pandemic.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
The owner of a Vancouver penthouse who ran a private nightclub in his home during the COVID-19 pandemic – complete with cash machines, menus and doormen – has been sentenced to a day in jail..Mohammad Movassaghi was also sentenced to 18 months probation, along with 50 hours of community service after pleading guilty earlier this month in B.C. provincial court on counts of violating a public health order and keeping liquor for sale contrary to the Liquor Control and Licensing Act..Movassaghi had spent seven days in jail between the time of his arrest and his sentencing on Wednesday..In January 2020, the 42-year old resident of 777 Richards Street was removed in handcuffs and police handed out more than $17,000 in fines to dozens of guests..It was the second time in a week officers had busted the man allegedly running the nightclub..“Our officers found 78 people inside the three-level apartment, and none of them were wearing masks,” said Sgt. Steve Addison at the time..“There were menus, tables, point-of-sale terminals, and cash tills.”.Officers issued each party-goer a $230 ticket for attending a non-complaint event – contrary to the Emergency Program Act. Movassaghi was arrested under the Public Health Act and taken to jail..CTV reported court also heard that police found multiple point-of-sale machines, two cash bars, and drink menus advertising cocktails that cost between $9 and $26. There was also bottle service offered for up to $1,500..Photo exhibits released to CTV showed chairs set up around a stripper pole with a $5 bill at the bottom, multiple liquor bottles and plastic cups around the unit, signage and menus with the name “Granny’s Exotic Lounge” at the top, stanchions used to control lines, and a DJ booth..Judge Ellen Gordon said it was clear it wasn’t a normal party..“I have parties. Or I did, prior to the pandemic. And I invite people, whether there are uninvited guests or not,” Gordon said..“But I don’t have stripper poles. I don’t charge admission. I don’t charge for liquor. This isn’t a party.”.Movassaghi apologized to the court..“I just want to take this opportunity to apologize to your honour and the public for what’s taken place. I understand I made an error in judgement,” he said..“Since that incident, I have made sure to follow the health care act”.“You are remarkably fortunate with the position that the Crown has taken,” Gordon told Movassaghi..“Because had the Crown been seeking a period of incarceration, you need to know I would have imposed it.”.She said if someone who had been at the parties became infected and died, she would have considered that manslaughter..“What you did, sir, is comparable to individuals who sell fentanyl to the people on the street who die every day,” Gordon said..“There’s no difference. You voluntarily assumed a risk that could kill people in the midst of a pandemic.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694