Four individuals, including Gaston Kolker, 49, of Connecticut, Michael Goldfine, 66, of New York, Astrid Jasnis, 52, of Argentina, and Joanna O’Donnell, 56, of Sherman Oaks, California, have been indicted for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and conspiracy to make false statements to a bank.
According to the indictment filed on November 7, 2024, and unsealed on December 16, 2024, the defendants allegedly made false statements to FDIC-insured banks in order to initiate and maintain a business transmitting money on behalf of others, many of whom were foreign nationals in Argentina.
The defendants allegedly opened and maintained numerous accounts under false pretenses, claiming the accounts were held in the names of companies engaged in the importing and exporting of goods, when the defendants were operating the accounts for an unlicensed money transmitting business that transferred funds on behalf of others.
The defendants are also charged with operating, and conspiring to operate, a money transmitting business without a license.
Gaston Kolker was arrested in Connecticut on December 13, 2024, and made his initial appearance in Hartford that day. He was released on $250,000 bond.
Michael Goldfine self-surrendered on December 13, 2024, and made his initial appearance in New York City that day. He was released on $100,000 bond.
Joanna O’Donnell self-surrendered and made her initial appearance in San Francisco on December 16, 2024. She is currently released on $100,000 bond following a hearing before Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on December 20, 2024.
Astrid Jasnis remains at large.
United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG) Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner, and San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen M. Sherwood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) made the announcement.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, defendants each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 & 1014, conspiracy to make false statements to a bank, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 & 1960, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, and 18 U.S.C. § 1960, operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert David Rees is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kay Konopaske and Veronica Hernandez.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, FDIC-OIG, and USPIS.
Gaston Kolker, Michael Goldfine, Joanna O’Donnell, and Astrid Jasnis are charged with the following crimes: operating, and conspiring to operate, an unlicensed money transmitting business; conspiracy to make false statements to a bank; and operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert David Rees with the assistance of Kay Konopaske and Veronica Hernandez.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, FDIC-OIG, and USPIS.
The indictment alleges that the defendants made false statements to FDIC-insured banks in order to initiate and maintain a business transmitting money on behalf of others.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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