A rogue landlord who threatened tenants and committed fraud while amassing a multi-million property empire is being pursued for crime profits.
Mark Fortune has enjoyed a lavish lifestyle through his business dealings, including driving a Ferrari and escaping to a luxury home in France.
It emerged this week that prosecutors are pursuing the 51-year-old under Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) legislation.
But the bid to seize assets has now dragged on for more than three years as efforts continue to untangle his complex financial affairs.
At one point during the long-running saga, Crown Office experts believed Fortune may have had up to £4.6million in assets which could be subject to seizure.
In 2017, Fortune said he owned 70 flats and faced a long list of allegations over poor maintenance and mistreatment of tenants.
The confiscation case was launched shortly after Fortune was sentenced over a host of charges at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in September 2016.
Fortune admitted offences including making threats of violence against Alvaro Espinosa in 2013 in the city’s Bruntsfield while demanding he pay rent.
The tycoon also pled guilty to a number of frauds where prospective tenants responded to his Gumtree adverts for properties to rent, paying him deposits for accommodation which never materialised.
Fortune also threatened a lawyer chasing him for unpaid council tax.
He also tried to intimidate the rector of posh Edinburgh Academy after his son was removed from the school.
The POCA case was called at the city’s sheriff court last week.
Sheriff Nigel Ross commented on the protracted nature of the proceedings and suggested measures to try to speed up its resolution.
Solicitor Gillian Law, representing Fortune, who appeared in the dock, said the defence was engaging a specialist accountant to study evidence.
She added there was a hope some evidence could be agreed with the Crown.
Sheriff Ross set the next hearing for March.
It’s not known exactly how much prosecutors are currently seeking to seize from Fortune.
A Crown Office spokeswoman said the figure couldn’t be disclosed as it was a “live” investigation and was subject to change.
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