A charity bigwig accused of stealing $23 million in a California homeless services fraud appears to be just as terrified of the cameras as he is of a potential prison term.
Alexander Soofer, 42, whom authorities accuse of living the high life on Golden State taxpayers, did all he could to avoid being photographed during his court appearance before Judge Theresa McGonigle on Monday.
After pleading not guilty and being released on a $610,000 bond, his attorney, Michael Freedman, said his client would be making “no comment” while shielding him from cameras.
Prosecutors allege Soofer’s nonprofit Abundant Blessings siphoned off millions in taxpayer cash meant to combat homelessness. He allegedly used the money to bankroll a lavish lifestyle that included a $7 million Westwood home, a $125,000 Range Rover, his children’s private school tuition and luxury trips to Hawaii’s White Lotus Hotel.
Soofer was not always so camera shy.
The California Post can reveal he once eagerly mixed with LA’s Persian-American elite. In newly obtained photos, Soofer and his wife are seen partying with about 300 guests at an eight-bedroom, 10-bathroom Beverly Hills mansion in 2017.
The lavish bash cost more than $100,000 and featured fresh sushi, an open bar and a belly dancer, according to sources who attended.
The Soofers dressed to impress. Soofer wore a designer blue suit and shirt, while his wife, Ashley Afraimian, wore a white lace dress, a gray sweater and a gold watch.
Afraimian’s father, Saeid Aframian, has also been in the criminal spotlight.
Aframian was convicted in 1984 of credit card fraud and receiving stolen property, according to a Los Angeles Times article. The then-prosperous jewelry store owner as a fence for a cross-country holdup gang, sourced confirmed.
His daughter was just seven when he was arrested at a Bel-Air home.
“Ashley watched her father handcuffed and now her husband,” the source said.
He did not returns calls seeking comment.
Aframian spent two years in a California prison before opening another jewelry store. He now lives in a $9 million gated Bel Air mansion.
The party home was owned by Shahram Bral, an heir to a deceased real estate mogul, who appears prominently in the photos alongside his late parents, Yafa and Said Bral.
Bral has had brushes with the law himself. Court records show he was accused in 2001 for allegedly hitting his then-wife, Bahareh Bral, and that a temporary restraining order was issued.
“He hit my nose, causing a nosebleed. He then released me, walked across the room and threw a shoe at me, hitting me on the right side of my head,” his ex-wife told investigators in court documents.
It’s not known if he was ever charged and calls to Bral by The California Post were not returned.
However, a party guest and former associate described Bral as “kind of a sleazeball.”
“They had security, which I thought was strange. It wasn’t like there was anyone famous there,” the source said.
“It was a kiss-the-ring situation. Everyone was just trying to talk to the most important person.”
Soofer faces up to 37 years behind bars if convicted on all charges.
“That’s how you stay wealthy, you steal things. What’s the saying? Rules for thee but not for me,” the source said. “You know right from wrong, but you choose wrong.”
Meanwhile, Soofer’s court appearance on Monday came as prosecutors filed an additional 18 fraud charges, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
He again faces up to 37 years in prison if found guilty.
A party guest and source who was once close to Bral described him as “kind of a sleazeball.”
“They had security which I thought was strange, it wasn’t like there was anyone famous there,” the source said.
“It was a kiss the ring situation, everyone was just trying to talk to the most important person.”
Soofer was released on a $1.5 million bond and could face more than three decades behind bars if convicted.
“That’s how you stay wealthy, you steal things. What’s the saying? ‘Rules for thee but not for me’, that’s why I wasn’t surprised. You know right from wrong but you choose wrong,” the source said.