2,000 bottles of wine owned by California-based brand Ocean Fathoms were recently seized and destroyed according to an August 9 press release from the office of the Santa Barbara District Attorney (DA). The company, known for selling luxury wines they’ve aged underwater, was found to be operating without a license to sell alcohol or permission to discharge products into U.S. waters. Founders Emanuele Azzaretto and Todd Hahn plead guilty to misdemeanor charges for these actions as well as investor fraud on July 17.
The plea agreement called for the destruction of the bottles, which were valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the founders are required to pay $50,000 in restitution to the investor they defrauded.
