LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kazakhstan’s largest city is suing its former mayor, claiming he and his family looted public funds and used them to buy mansions in Southern California and a $67 million luxury hotel in New York.
The racketeering lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles federal court names Viktor Khrapunov, his wife, their children and other family members.
The city of Almaty claims that Khrapunov stole some $300 million by selling state-owned property to family controlled buyers.
The lawsuit claims money was used to buy property, including luxury cars and multimillion-dollar homes in Beverly Hills and the Studio City area of Los Angeles.
Khrapunov, who is also a former government minister, is wanted in Kazakhstan on criminal charges and now lives in Switzerland.
He didn’t immediately reply to an email request for comment.
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