The 2 males swaggered across the constructing, residents recall, boasting of being federal brokers as in the event that they had been one other amenity on the Crossing, a luxurious condominium advanced on the District’s waterfront with a wellness middle in its basement and an infinity pool on its roof.
Washington, D.C
Guns, drones, luxury apartments: Motive of accused police posers still unclear
At some point in January, when a resident posted an image on the condominium Fb web page displaying {that a} parking ticket machine within the storage had been smashed, Taherzadeh responded with seeming authority: “It was dedicated by a visitor of a resident within the constructing. All events are identified.”
Taherzadeh, in accordance with prosecutors, apparently gained entry to the condominium constructing’s safety system and stored a binder with names of occupants and their contact info.
However earlier this month, when FBI brokers wearing ballistic vests and armed with rifles streamed into constructing, residents of the Crossing started to understand they had been dwelling amongst alleged posers, not protectors. Prosecutors charged Taherzadeh and Ali with impersonating federal legislation enforcement and accused them of lavishing presents on actual brokers who lived within the D.C. condominium constructing — together with one officer assigned to guard the primary woman. Authorities mentioned they seized a stockpile of firearms, ammunition, police gear, surveillance gear and identification playing cards after looking residences Taherzadeh rented by means of a non-public safety firm.
Now, as the federal government investigates whether or not the boys could have bribed members of the Secret Service who lived within the constructing and threatened nationwide safety, questions nonetheless stay over the motive behind the alleged ruse.
The Crossing, in messages to residents, say they “charged market-rate rents for all residences” and by no means “requested, engaged, contracted, or paid both of these people to carry out providers of any type on the constructing.” Representatives of the condominium advanced repeatedly denied interview requests.
The Publish interviewed a number of individuals who lived in buildings with Taherzadeh, each on the Crossing and one other advanced in D.C., and reviewed courtroom paperwork outlining allegations towards the 2 males. Residents spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of they feared for his or her security.
Taherzadeh, 40, and Ali, 35, have been on residence detention after a federal decide launched them earlier this month, saying that prosecutors “proffered zero proof the defendants supposed to infiltrate the Secret Service for a nefarious function, and even that they particularly focused the Secret Service.”
Reached by telephone April 19, Taherzadeh declined to remark, as did his lawyer. In courtroom paperwork, the attorneys deny a scheme to infiltrate the Secret Service as the federal government has alleged. In an interview, Ali’s lawyer Gregory Smith mentioned “the details haven’t matched the rhetoric up to now.”
The Secret Service put 4 staff linked to the case on depart, although the FBI characterised them in courtroom papers as witnesses who appeared to have been duped by a well-executed ploy.
Because it seems, in accordance with courtroom paperwork and interviews with those that beforehand lived in a constructing with Taherzadeh, the Secret Service was not the primary who mentioned they had been fooled. Lawsuits assert that Taherzadeh by means of his firms had not paid hire at two different luxurious condominium buildings within the District. A potential sample of deception, it seems, was a minimum of three years outdated.
‘We Chased Him For Years’
It was the summer time of 2020, the peak of the pandemic, and two males had been consuming on the roof of the Carver Flats in Northwest Washington. The buddies, who had met a couple of months prior, nursed vodka Purple Bull and beer.
It appeared like a comparatively commonplace evening till Taherzadeh wanted a refill and invited his buddy, who spoke on the situation of anonymity over security issues, all the way down to his condominium. Inside, the buddy mentioned he noticed rows of laptop screens flashing dwell safety footage from inside and outdoors their constructing. Rifles, pistols and tactical gear had been saved in circumstances round the lounge.
Taherzadeh had informed the buddy that he labored for the Division of Homeland Safety and investigated gang violence, and the buddy had observed him strolling across the constructing with a 9mm gun strapped to his waist. One evening that summer time, when racial justice protests following the police killing of George Floyd turned particularly violent within the District, the buddy mentioned Taherzadeh stood atop the condominium in tactical gear with binoculars, apparently keeping track of town.
The buddy mentioned the sheer extent of police and surveillance gear in Taherzadeh’s condominium was staggering, nevertheless it didn’t shock him. He mentioned he left that evening feeling like he had actual perception into the lifetime of a federal agent. He mentioned he returned to Taherzadeh’s condominium later that summer time and fired an air-soft pellet gun on the wall.
The arrange with police gear, safety gear and surveillance know-how noticed by the buddy is much like what FBI brokers would later describe in a legal affidavit charging Taherzadeh and Ali whereas they lived on the Crossing. The boys had been typically seen in areas of each buildings at instances they had been presupposed to be off limits to residents, in accordance with those that lived within the condominium complexes.
Court docket data present Taherzadeh’s safety firm leased three residences on the Carver beginning in fall 2019. The corporate didn’t pay hire on any of the models, in accordance with a lawsuit filed in April 2020 by Carver’s administration, and a decide ordered the corporate to pay greater than $145,000 in again hire and charges and hire by means of the top of the contract.
In an announcement, a lawyer for Carver’s administration firm mentioned D.C.’s “restrictive laws” prevented the advanced from taking on residences when hire was not paid, which “principally supplied free housing to those folks for over 9 months.” No lawyer was listed in courtroom paperwork for the know-how firm or Taherzadeh.
Different lawsuits accused Taherzadeh’s firms of comparable failed hire funds. Collectively, they paint an image of a person who has left behind him a path of collectors and attorneys, leaping from one condominium advanced to a different.
“We chased him for years,” lawyer Thomas A. Mauro informed The Washington Publish shortly after the boys had been arrested. Mauro represents One Hill South, luxurious residences on the Southwest Washington waterfront, the place Taherzadeh rented two penthouses in 2018 by means of a know-how firm he mentioned he ran on the time. The residences collectively rented for barely lower than $10,000 monthly.
Mauro mentioned Taherzadeh offered himself as the corporate president and supplied tax returns that confirmed a month-to-month earnings of $70,000. The advanced homeowners mentioned he didn’t pay hire and sued him for greater than $63,000 in funds. The case remains to be lively.
By the point he left One Hill South, Taherzadeh was operating a safety firm known as USSP, which he sometimes called the USA Particular Police. He used that identify to hire residences on the Carver, after which once more a 12 months later in 2020 on the Crossing, the place he listed the USA Particular Police because the occupant of a minimum of one of many models, in accordance with courtroom filings. The homeowners of the Crossing in July 2021 took Taherzadeh’s firm to courtroom, saying it had didn’t pay for residences that ranged in hire from $2,300 to almost $5,300 a month. The constructing homeowners received a virtually $223,000 judgment.
No lawyer was entered for any of the defendants within the three lawsuits.
America Particular Police has a number of completely different addresses and folks on its board, in accordance with leases and company data. Within the Crossing lawsuit, the corporate is listed as occupying an workplace on Pennsylvania Avenue, six blocks from the White Home and a brisk 10-minute stroll to the State Division. However on an early April go to after the police raid, there was no obvious proof of a United States Particular Police workplace, and a receptionist mentioned she’d by no means heard of the corporate.
The Crossing lease additionally lists a person named Kevin Fuller as related to the USA Particular Police. Prosecutors mentioned in courtroom paperwork that Ali referred to Fuller as his direct supervisor however Taherzadeh later admitted throughout questioning after his arrest that Fuller is “false and fictitious particular person.”
Way back to 2018, D.C. police had issues about the USA Particular Police, in accordance with prosecutors. When Taherzadeh utilized to the District to register the corporate, town authorities expressed fear that the identify risked “conveying false authority” by showing to be federal legislation enforcement.
They required that he use “USSP” as an alternative, in accordance with federal courtroom paperwork.
A 12 months later, town denied his utility to be an armed particular police officer, prosecutors mentioned, citing a previous home violence conviction in Virginia. D.C. police granted him a license as an unarmed particular police officer — which is principally a safety guard with arrest powers at designated properties, per D.C. police and courtroom filings — in 2020.
Taherzadeh later admitted to legislation enforcement that his firm’s identify was an “embarrassing misrepresentation that obtained uncontrolled,” in accordance with courtroom paperwork filed by his protection.
Ali’s lawyer mentioned Taherzadeh employed his consumer as an worker for the USA Particular Police, which Ali believed contracted with the federal government. In letters to the federal decide, members of Ali’s household who reside within the area described him as a “devoted father” who will not be “a hazard to anybody.” Prosecutors had been initially involved about journeys Ali had made abroad however later backed away from these allegations.
Prosecutors now worry the boys used the corporate as a part of a scheme to ingratiate themselves with actual members of the U.S. Secret Service on the Crossing.
Contained in the excessive rise on First Avenue, in accordance with prosecutors, Taherzadeh carried a firearm, flashed a particular police officer badge, snapped selfies in tactical gear and even as soon as was seen interacting with a D.C. police officer whereas carrying homeland safety gear. He additionally grew near actual federal brokers within the constructing, in accordance with prosecutors, and started to supply them lavish presents.
Taherzadeh, in accordance with authorities, supplied a Secret Service agent assigned to safety element of First woman Jill Biden a number of objects. He gave the agent a holster for a handgun, supplied the usage of an assault rifle price $2,000, and as soon as loaned the agent’s spouse a purported authorities car and gave her a generator, in accordance with prosecutors.
Taherzadeh additionally befriended two brokers assigned to guard the White Home advanced. Authorities mentioned he gave one in all them a drone, a gun locker and a rent-free condominium for a 12 months price greater than $48,000 — saying Homeland Safety Investigations had authorized additional rooms as a part of his operations. Prosecutors mentioned he gave the opposite agent a penthouse condominium valued upward of $40,000 for a few 12 months.
“It issues us, the forms of gadgets and favors that got, and whether or not any could have been bribes,” Assistant U.S. Lawyer Joshua S. Rothstein mentioned in asking that the boys stay jailed pending trial.
An amended affidavit launched April 19 revealed extra allegations towards Taherzadeh and Ali. Throughout their years on the Crossing, prosecutors mentioned the self-advertised brokers additionally recruited a former marine to be “deputized” by means of D.C. police as a particular police officer. Taherzadeh administered two urine checks and a fingerprint check, and Ali took him to a firearms vary in Maryland as a part of the “recruitment course of,” in accordance with prosecutors. The unnamed recruit went into D.C. police’s headquarters twice final summer time — as soon as upon instruction from Taherzadeh, and as soon as accompanied by Ali — however didn’t seem to obtain the license, in accordance with the legal affidavit.
Federal prosecutors mentioned their alleged scheme was uncovered in March within the easiest of how. A postal inspector investigating an assault on a mail provider on the constructing heard Taherzadeh and Ali had witnessed the assault and had been representing themselves to tenants as brokers with the Division of Homeland Safety.
He handed on the data to the Division of Homeland Safety’s Workplace of the Inspector Common, which referred it to the FBI. Quickly sufficient, a squad of closely armed federal brokers interrupted afternoon espresso hour on the Crossing.
Of their residences, authorities mentioned they discovered a cache of police gear that included all the things from handguns to a sledgehammer to police parking placards to a machine that creates and packages playing cards that can be utilized to entry authorities services. Taherzadeh later turned in an assault rifle he mentioned he saved in Virginia and registered in 2018.
Taherzadeh and Ali had been arrested at a restaurant April 6.
Weeks into the investigation, it stays unclear what, if something, the boys wished from the federal brokers in trade for his or her presents. Each have pleaded not responsible. Taherzadeh mentioned he had “no intention of compromising any federal agent” and acted out of a “need for friendship”; whereas Ali mentioned he had gotten carried away in a scheme he didn’t absolutely perceive and believed he was working for a official safety firm, in accordance with paperwork filed by their protection attorneys in federal courtroom.
The Secret Service has downplayed any danger to nationwide safety, however a number of former Secret Service officers harassed that the alleged ruse reveals vulnerabilities amongst staff who’re presupposed to be skilled to identify scammers or spies however as an alternative had been apparently tricked.
Crossing administration, in emails to residents, mentioned they’ve since enlisted the assistance of an advisory agency with experience in nationwide safety to suggest enhancements to their protocols. By late April, legislation enforcement had been nonetheless making an attempt to find out whether or not the boys had compromised another federal officers, whereas prosecutors warned that they had been “not merely taking part in dress-up.”
Some residents of the Crossing, in the meantime, are livid. They mentioned in interviews and on inside messaging boards that they’re apprehensive about their private safety and are contemplating authorized motion towards the Crossing. They sought luxurious and security, they mentioned, and as an alternative allegedly lived amongst faux brokers with actual weapons.
Magda Jean-Louis contributed to this report.
Closing time! One last call for decking the hall and wrapping up your holiday cheer.
Celebrate Hanukkah with menorah lightings in Clarendon and National Landing and Kwanzaa at the Anacostia Community Museum and The Kennedy Center.
Though decorations are already deeply discounted, it’s your last weekend to check out plenty of Christmas classics, too.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is all about catching up. Get extra sleep, exchange those not-quite-right gifts and check out some cool stuff you may have missed in the holiday hustle.
For one, it’s the finale weekend for the Washington Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” We’re sorry to report that Tommy and Aimee Cho will not be on stage.
4 things to know about the weekend
See these holiday displays before they’re gone
Free pick
Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park
Through Fri., Woodbridge
🔗 Details
Stroll the boardwalk covered with lights, enjoying characters and a holiday market. It’s free to visit. It’s friendly to pets, strollers and wheelchairs.
Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park
Through New Year’s Eve, Gaithersburg
🔗 Details
Drive past hundreds of illuminated displays and trees on this 3.5-mile path. Tickets must be purchased in advance and cost $15 to $25 per vehicle.
Free pick
Seasons Greenings
Through Jan. 5, U.S. Botanic Garden
🔗 Details
The Conservatory and Garden have transformed into the ultimate holiday wonderland with botanical wreaths and décor, thousands of poinsettias and iconic D.C. landmarks made from plants.
Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special
Through Jan. 5, ARTECHOUSE DC in Southwest, $17+
🔗 Details
The holidays can be a bit much sometimes with all of the hustle and bustle. Take some time to soothe your mind by visiting Artechouse’s Holiday Special: Tingle Bells. The ASMR-inspired experience soothes your senses with calming soundscapes and captivating visuals.
The newest addition to the multi-sensory experience is the Spectacular Factory, where you’ll feel like you landed in a dream in a holiday gift factory that came to life.
Can’t-miss museum exhibits
Free pick
“OSGEMEOS: Endless Story”
Through August, Hirshhorn Museum
Colorful and whimsical, this exhibit of twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo’s art takes over a full floor of the Hirshhorn with an incredible amount of work from paintings and sketches to larger-than-life sculptures. Make sure to grab timed tickets and stop by the Basquiat × Banksy exhibit, too.
Free pick
“Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment”
Through Jan. 19, the National Gallery of Art in D.C.
🔗 Details
Don’t miss the only U.S. stop for this exhibit on the origins of the impressionist art movement. It’s filled with heavy hitters like Paul Cézanne and Claude Monet, plus lesser-known artists. Stop by to warm up after a morning ice skating in the Sculpture Garden!
JewCE: The Jewish Comics Experience
Through March 2025, Capital Jewish Museum, $10 (for non-members and those over 12 years old)
🔗 Details
In this new exhibit, you can explore 100 years of Jewish cartoons, comics, and graphic novels at the Capital Jewish Museum. Learn about the Jewish origins of iconic comic book superheroes from the 1930s through the 1960s.
A comic experience isn’t complete without reading a comic or two! After you’re done taking it all in, hang out in the reading room and enjoy comics, graphic novels, creator biographies, and works represented in the galleries.
Free pick
In Slavery’s Wake
Through June 8, 2025, National Museum of African American History and Culture, free (timed passes required for museum)
🔗 Details
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is opening its newest exhibit called “In Slavery’s Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World.” The multi-lingual experience is the museum’s first international traveling exhibition and will explore how racial slavery, colonialism and Black freedom-making influence the world.
The exhibit will be split into six sections on Concourse Level C and features 100 objects, 250 images, and 10 multi-media interactives and films.
The Future Scene: New Year’s Eve with the family
Free pick
Noon Yards Eve
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Yards Park
🔗 Details
A balloon drop at noon? We’re in! Let the little ones get in on the New Year’s Eve fun early with carnival games, a magic show, bounce houses and more. Take a selfie under the 13-foot illuminated Swinging Bells on The Yards’ Sun Deck, too.
First Night Alexandria
Starts at 2 p.m., $10-$22 to enter festival
🔗 Details
The longstanding family-friendly festival will celebrate its 30th year with music, arts and community at the center of Historic Old Town Alexandria. The festival will begin with performances for children and a day party for all ages.
The first round of fireworks is set to go off at 6 p.m. over the waterfront.
If you’re not ready for bed yet, explore Old Town for live music, comedy and more on 12 stages inside churches, stores and more until another round of fireworks at midnight.
Tickets for the festival range from $10 to $22 with free admission to children ages two and under.
Visit Alexandria has a list of great places for spotting fireworks even if you don’t go to the festival.
New Year’s Eve dance parties through the decades
Dance New Year’s Eve away with cover bands and DJs playing the greatest hits from their favorite eras.
Go old school cool with Peaches O’Dell and her 11-piece, big band orchestra at Black Cat’s New Year’s Eve Swing Ball. At The Anthem, Sammy Rae & The Friends blend indie rock band, jazz, soul and funk.
Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA at The Atlantis delivers a one-of-a-kind ’70s vibe while The Fillmore Silver Spring has a Black Sabbath cover band.
All about the ’80s? You’ll want to see The Legwarmers at the State Theatre in Falls Church, The Reagan Years at The Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg or the Ultimate 80’s NYE Dance Party with DJ D at Jammin Java in Vienna.
Show off your ’90s and Y2K fashion for White Ford Bronco at The Lincoln Theatre or Uncle Jesse, a ‘90s and early aughts cover band at Farm Brew Live in Manassas.
Love T.K.O., the Howard Theatre’s party with Mariah The Scientist, channels all eras of R&B.
If you’ve ever worn ripped tights as a fashion statement, maybe Indie Sleaze New Year’s Eve with Melina and Dahger at Songbyrd is your vibe.
Concerts this weekend
The Shirks, 8 p.m. Friday, Black Cat, $20
D.C. band plays classic, ‘70s-style punk rock – short and fast. Opener Baby Alcatraz and the Aurelions offer early rock & roll inspired instrumentals. Details.
“Salad Days” 10th Anniversary Party, 8 p.m. Saturday, Black Cat, $20
This celebration of the seminal documentary about D.C.’s punk scene features performances by D.C. supergroup Hammered Hulls, featuring Alec MacKaye and Mary Timony, and Birthday Girl DC – a terrific teen indie rock trio of D.C. alternative rock progeny with a bright future. Details.
More things to do in D.C.
Kwanzaa programs at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum: Events daily, Dec. 26-31, Southeast D.C., free
DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular: Through Jan. 4, National Building Museum (401 F Street NW), free
Sculpture Garden Ice Rink: Daily, National Gallery of Art, $12 ($6 for skate rentals)
National Christmas Tree: Through Jan. 1, The Ellipse at President’s Park, free
Light Yards: Through Jan. 1, The Yards Park, free
Hot To Go – A Chappell Roan party: Fri., 9 p.m., 9:30 Club, $22
Best of DC Comedy Showcase: Fri. and Sat., DC Improv, $22+
The Legacy of the Dibinga Sisters and OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center (Kwanzaa celebration): Fri., The Kennedy Center, free
Seasons Greenings: Through Jan. 5, U.S. Botanic Garden, free
& Juliet: Through Jan. 5, The Kennedy Center, $45-$239
Life of Pi: Through Jan. 5, The Kennedy Center, $49-$179
Things to do in Maryland
Washington DC Temple Festival of Lights: Through Jan. 1, 9900 Stoneybrook Dr, Kensington, free
Disco Biscuits: Fri. and Sat., Fillmore Silver Spring, $60+
Winter Wonderland Extravaganza on the Farm: Sat., Charity’s Hope Family Farm in LaPlata, $7.18
Things to do in Virginia
Silent Disco! at Punch Bowl Social Arlington: Sat., 4238 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, $10+
Winter Walk of Lights: Nov. 8 to Jan. 5, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, $18-$22
Aurora’s Winter Circus Adventure: Through Dec. 29, Dulles Town Center, $35+ (adult)/$28+ (child)
Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.
Washington, D.C
Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D.: December updates from Eastern North Carolina and Washington, D.C. — Neuse News
WASHINGTON – D.C. police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man accused of committing fraud and theft at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown.
The incident occurred on Sunday, November 24, around 3 p.m. at the luxury hotel located on the 2800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect arriving at the hotel in a Porsche SUV. He was seen wearing dark pants and a puffy winter coat, carrying a backpack. The man entered the hotel and was observed speaking with an employee at the front desk.
According to police, the suspect then dined at the hotel’s restaurant, ordering various items and charging them to a room number he was not registered to.
Following his meal, he proceeded to the hotel gym for a workout before leaving the premises and driving away in the Porsche.
Detectives are urging anyone who recognizes the suspect to contact them. A reward of $1,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.
Attempts to reach the Four Seasons Hotel management for comment were unsuccessful, as they declined to discuss the incident.
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