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According to Zhao’s claim, he and Yuan agreed that Zhao would purchase and manage the farm properties as a director for State Agriculture, and instead of receiving a salary, Zhao would eventually receive a third of the profits from the leasing or sale of the land.

In 2012, State Agriculture bought 47 parcels of land for $3.7 million in Saskatchewan, and also a condo in Regina for the administration of the venture, legal filings say. Zhao completed “all or the majority of the work,” related to the farm investment venture, his claim alleges.

In late February 2015, Yuan negotiated an agreement with an unidentified buyer that was to purchase the Saskatchewan farm properties from State Agricultural for $7.8 million, according to Zhao’s claim. The claim says the agreement was to be executed on or before May 25, 2015.

“Mr. Zhao understands that State Agriculture ended up selling the farmlands for significant profit,” Zhao’s claim states.

But the estate of Gang Yuan has not paid Zhao a third of the profits from the Saskatchewan land sales or leasing of the lands, Zhao’s claim alleges, arguing that is a breach of contract.

“As a result of the breach of contract, Mr. Zhao suffered and continues to suffer loss and damage,” the claim states.

Zhao’s name is the only one listed on B.C. registry filings for Green Land Agricultural. Zhao’s listed address on the company filings is 3333 The Crescent, a Shaughnessy mansion. The 11,000 square-foot property, which “was built for the former lieutenant-governor of B.C.” according to an MLS listing, is owned by the estate of Gang Yuan and a trust company. In June it was listed for sale at $17.88 million, according to MLS data, down from a previous listed price of $18.8 million.

Zhao is asking for a full accounting of the profits from the farmland venture, and asking for a trust interest in any of the land or properties in Saskatchewan owned by State Agriculture or the estate of Gang Yuan.

The estate of Gang Yuan has yet to respond to Zhao’s civil claim.

Allegations in the civil cases concerning Yuan’s assets have not been proven in court.

scooper@postmedia.com