Vancouver man who police say ran condo nightclub pleads guilty to health charges

Apr 28, 2021 | 1:16 PM

VANCOUVER — A Vancouver man arrested on allegations he was running a makeshift nightclub inside his penthouse has pleaded guilty to three charges, including failing to follow orders of a health officer. 

Mohammad Movassaghi was sentenced today to one day in jail, a $5,000 fine and 18 months’ probation after previously pleading guilty.

Judge Ellen Gordon noted his one-day jail sentence has already been served, but he’ll also have to complete 50 hours of community service work. 

Movassaghi pleaded guilty 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. 

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.  

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2021. 

The Canadian Press