Ossoff’s Father Met With Chinese ‘Dignitaries’ While Touring His China-Built Yacht

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff's millionaire father met with Chinese "dignitaries" while touring a 60-foot yacht he purchased from a China-based shipbuilder tied to Communist Party officials.

Richard Ossoff, who has bankrolled his son's upstart political career, commissioned China-based Jet-Tern Marine to build the custom vessel in 2008, U.S. Coast Guard records show. Before shipping the yacht to the United States, the company held a "sea trial" for "customers Heather and Richard Ossoff, of Atlanta, Georgia, USA," in order to test the million-dollar vessel's performance, with "many" Chinese dignitaries in attendance.

"The Selene 1519 sea trial was attended by the customers, many dignitaries from Pingsha and Zhuhai, the press, the Deputy Governor, the Bureau Chief, and the editor of China Boating magazine," a since-deleted press release stated. "At many times as many as 40-50 people were aboard but the large yacht never felt crowded."

The yacht boasted a state-of-the-art steering system, an "extensively modified inside" featuring a "quite open and bright" galley and salon area, a lazarette "laid out perfectly" for scuba equipment, and a utility room with a "spacious work area for Mr. Ossoff," according to the release. While it's unclear how much Ossoff's father paid for the yacht, a similar model is listedby Florida Yachts International for $1.3 million.