Niati, Bank Fraud, Georgia 2024

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Georgia Business Owner Admits Guilt in Scheme to Evade U.S. Sanctions

A Georgia businessman and his company have admitted guilt in a scheme to evade U.S. national security laws, authorities announced Tuesday.

Dali Bagrou, owner of World Mining and Oil Supply (WMO) of Dacula, Ga., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to Conspiracy, while his company pleaded guilty to Violation of the Export Control Reform Act, according to David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

The scheme, which began in 2016, involved Bagrou and his company working with a Russian government-controlled business to purchase a power turbine from a U.S.-based manufacturer for approximately $17.3 million. The Russian company intended to use the turbine on a Russian Arctic deepwater drilling platform, but was expressly prohibited by the U.S. Department of Commerce without a license.

As part of his plea, Bagrou agreed to forfeit a home purchased with illicit proceeds, valued at approximately $800,000. The home is located in the Atlanta area.

The conspirators, who were arrested in 2019, had attempted to conceal the true end user of the turbine by submitting false documentation to both the U.S. manufacturer and the U.S. government.

‘The conspirators in this case were attempting to enrich themselves by evading trade sanctions put in place to protect the national security of the United States,’ said Estes. ‘Thanks to outstanding effort by our law enforcement partners, these defendants are now being held accountable for their violations of the law.’

Bagrou faces up to five years in prison and substantial financial penalties, followed by up to three years of supervised release. His company, WMO, is subject to a sentence of up to five years’ probation, along with significant fines and financial restitution.