In spite of the task force formed to seize Russian yachts itself being disbanded, the authorities are still desperate to keep hold of the seized $325 million Amadea superyacht, which is costing American taxpayers $1 million every month

The Department of Justice now finds itself in the shoes of Russian oligarchs who lost control of their prized superyachts. The reason? Task Force KleptoCapture, the unit formed in March 2022 to enforce sanctions on Russian billionaires, has been dissolved with the end of the Biden administration. Yet, despite the task force’s shutdown, U.S. authorities remain unwilling to relinquish the 348-foot Amadea, a $325 million floating masterpiece that no one, neither its alleged owner nor its seizer, wants to give up.

A coast guard boat sails pasts the Amadea. Image – X / @Zagonel85

The U.S. has long battled claims that the six-deck yacht was wrongfully seized as an asset of sanctioned billionaire Suleiman Kerimov. Adding to the legal wrangling, Russian businessman Eduard Khudainatov insists he is the rightful owner of the vessel, which was confiscated in Fiji three years ago and has since been languishing in San Diego for over two years.

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The Amadea recently underwent dry dock repairs at the expense of taxpayers in Everett, Washington. Image – X / @DanKingImages

The government has poured a staggering $30 million of taxpayer funds into its upkeep, justified, perhaps, given its Michelangelo-inspired ceilings, onboard cinema, and dedicated party deck.

Andrew Adams was the head of Klepto Capture.

But even as maintenance costs bleed American taxpayers $1 million a month, the DOJ refuses to let go. At a recent hearing before U.S. District Judge Dale Ho in Manhattan, government lawyers made it clear they are not backing down, despite the KleptoCapture unit’s disbandment.

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Now, the case hinges on Judge Ho’s ruling: if he dismisses Khudainatov’s claim, the DOJ keeps its trophy. If not, the legal battle will march toward trial, and the fight over Amadea will continue, with taxpayers footing the bill.

The Tango was seized by Spanish authorities while working with the FBI

The taskforce also seized in April 2022, the $120 million Tango in Spain, a luxury yacht owned by Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselber, and two of Roman Abramovich’s aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 and a Gulfstream G650ER worth more than $400 million. In February 2024, US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced that the KleptoCapture Task Force had “restrained, seized, and obtained judgments to forfeit nearly $700 million in assets.