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Feds Charge Owner Of Prominent Chinese Restaurant

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Jun 18, 2009 8:20 pm US/Mountain

Feds Charge Owner Of Prominent Chinese Restaurant

Written by Brian Maass

THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) ― Federal prosecutors have charged the owner of a popular Thornton restaurant with money laundering in connection with a massive Asian marijuana cultivation operation.

Dan Tang, 46, owner of Heaven Dragon restaurant, appeared in federal court Thursday afternoon. The federal money laundering charge carries a maximum 20 year prison term.

"We're hopeful and confident the truth in this matter will be told and this is the beginning of that process, said Michael Axt, one of Tang's lawyers. Axt declined further comment.

Authorities say that between Jan. 1, 2007, and Feb. 16, 2008, Tang was involved in a series of financial transactions aimed at concealing the proceeds from a major pot growing operation. Investigators say Tang helped buy homes up and down the Front Range for employees, family members and friends that were then used to grow marijuana.

Authorities have said they seized some 24,056 marijuana plants from 25 growing operations along with about $3 million.

Tang had been celebrated as an embodiment of the American Dream.

He emigrated to the U.S. from China in 1980 with hardly anything. But his Thornton restaurant grew in popularity and he fed politicians and presidents.

The restaurant is lined with photos of Tang with politicians like former president George W. Bush, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giulani and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

"Dan Tang presented himself to the community as being a successful businessman," said the DEA's Jeffrey Sweetin. "In reality, he was also a successful drug dealer."

Tang is free on a personal recgnizance bond. He is due back in federal court next month. If convicted, federal authorities say he could also lose $1.8 million in cash and property.


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