Another Star to shine in Broomfield

• This restaurnt was opened with money from drugs and money laundering with Dan Tang's operation - Heaven Dragon. Feds Charge Owner Of Prominent Chinese Restaurant Written by Brian Maass Reporting Brian Maass E-mail THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) ? Click to enlarge1 of 2 Dan Tang leaves the federal court house in downtown Denver. The Thornton restaraunt owner is facing charges of money laundering. CBS Click to enlarge2 of 2 Visit the CBS4 Investigates section. Close numSlides of totalImages Related Slideshows Colorado Mug Shots Related StoriesAsian Pot Ring Busted, Noted Restaurateur Suspect (3/7/2008) Related LinksDan Tang Story Archive More Investigates Stories Federal prosecutors have charged the owner of a popular Thornton restaurant with money laundering in connection with a massive Asian marijuana cultivation operation. Dan Tang, 46, owner of Heaven Dragon restaurant, appeared in federal court Thursday afternoon. The federal money laundering charge carries a maximum 20 year prison term. "We're hopeful and confident the truth in this matter will be told and this is the beginning of that process, said Michael Axt, one of Tang's lawyers. Axt declined further comment. Authorities say that between Jan. 1, 2007, and Feb. 16, 2008, Tang was involved in a series of financial transactions aimed at concealing the proceeds from a major pot growing operation. Investigators say Tang helped buy homes up and down the Front Range for employees, family members and friends that were then used to grow marijuana. Authorities have said they seized some 24,056 marijuana plants from 25 growing operations along with about $3 million. Tang had been celebrated as an embodiment of the American Dream. He emigrated to the U.S. from China in 1980 with hardly anything. But his Thornton restaurant grew in popularity and he fed politicians and presidents. The restaurant is lined with photos of Tang with politicians like former president George W. Bush, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giulani and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. "Dan Tang presented himself to the community as being a successful businessman," said the DEA's Jeffrey Sweetin. "In reality, he was also a successful drug dealer." Tang is free on a personal recgnizance bond. He is due back in federal court next month. If convicted, federal authorities say he could also lose $1.8 million in cash and property.

• I have also been waiting for a good Chinese restaurant between Denver and Boulder. I tried Heaven Star a couple of weeks ago and am disappointed to say that I am still looking. Most of the Dim Sum there was mediocre and the Shrimp Dumpling (har gau) was the worst I have ever had.

• I'm looking forward to Heaven Star opening, too. I'm out of town at the moment, but hope to be home (Broomfield) by January 21. It would be a nice homecoming to see dim sum in my hamlet. Kevon, I've got a few reviews of non-chains in the Broomfield area at http://broomfieldrestaurantreviews.com. It's not a total wasteland, but I can see how you might feel that way at first glance. We don't have D Bar but we do have Bloom.

• Dang, my family has an annual winter brunch, this year scheduled for Jan. 25. Hope Heaven Star opens in time. I have been lobbying for dim sum, and am thrilled to hear that Heaven Star is part of the Super Star family. Between downtown and Boulder is kind of a restaurant wasteland. We can always use one more good non-chain in the Wheatridge-Arvada-Westminster-Broomfield corridor.

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