A businessman whose house was firebombed in the summer is now under investigation for tax fraud, we can reveal. Chris Lessani’s Glasgow home was among more than a dozen places raided by HM Revenue & Customs officers last week.
The early-morning operation in Glasgow and Edinburgh also saw searches carried out at Sanctuary nightclub and burger chain BRGR. Lessani, 37, runs Sanctuary and previously said he owned BRGR.
A source said: “There is a probe into the business dealings of Chris Lessani. Officers from HMRC arrived early on November 23 at his address and a number of premises he’s been involved in running. They carried out searches in connection with suspected income suppression and failing to declare taxes.”
It is understood there have been no arrests but tills, laptops and paper files were seized. Lessani was targeted in a suspected fire-raising incident at his home on August 6. His car was set alight and the blaze spread to the house in Knightswood. He and his family were unharmed.
Police said last night no one had been arrested or charged and enquiries were continuing. In April 2017, Sanctuary was targeted by two fire-raisers who reversed a burning car into the building in Glasgow’s west end.
The building housing Sanctuary was sold last year to a man who has also been targeted by fire-raisers. Brendan Hegarty, who bought the venue – which is still run by Lessani – for £650,000 and drafted in a private security firm for help after his £3million Glasgow home was hit by fire twice in 24 hours in May 2021.
Lessani did not respond to requests for comment. HMRC said it couldn’t comment on individuals’ tax affairs.
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