Calgary real estate mogul Riaz Mamdani charged with domestic assault

A well-known Calgary real estate mogul and once-victim of a near fatal shooting has been charged with domestic assault.

Riaz Mamdani, 53,was chargedon Nov.28following an argument with his girlfriend at his Mount Royal home, CBC News has confirmed.

But in a statement issued by his lawyer, Mamdani calls the allegations "unfounded."

"The complainant's allegations against Mr. Mamdani are unfounded and part of a campaign to obtain a financial windfall from the breakdown of a casual personal relationship," said defence lawyer Cory Wilson.

Wilson added that he has advised Mamdani not to make any further comment until the matter is resolved by the courts.

• Real-estate mogul ID'd as man shot in Rolls Royce outside Calgary mansion

The Strategic Group CEO and philanthropist is a polarizing character in Calgary's real estate market.

In 2018, one of Mamdani'scompaniespaid a partial settlement ofmore than $2 million ina class-action lawsuit that alleged a scheme involving a complex web of investments in a southeast Calgary strip mall.

There was no finding of guilt or liability against Mamdani or his companies.

As part of the settlement agreement,all of the claims against Mamdani and his companies weredismissed.

Shot 6 times

In December 2016, Mamdani was shot six times through the window of his Rolls Royce Phantom while pulling out of the driveway of his Mount Royal mansion.

Police called the targeted attackan attempted murder. A motive has never been identified.

No arrests have ever been made in that case.

In January 2020, Strategic Group's bid to put more than 50 properties under creditor protection wasrejected by a judge. Those properties, with mortgages totalling nearly $651 million, were instead placed in receivership.

A month earlier,Mamdanicited the city's high office vacancy rate and prolonged economic downturn for forcing the company into an "incredibly challenging environment."