Related Federal Cases
- CA Inc, False Claims Act Violations, California 2023 · Texas
- David Hobart Payne, Bribery, California 2024 · New York
- John Brewer, Bid-Rigging Conspiracy, California 2024 · New York
- Zhengquan Zhang, Computer Code Theft, California 2024 · New York
- Marcela Heredia, Wire Fraud, California 2009 · Puerto Rico
Multi-Million-Dollar Sanctions Violations Uncovered in California
U.S. authorities have filed a civil forfeiture complaint against $3.4 million in proceeds from the sale of a music studio in Burbank, California, alleging that the funds are linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. The case marks the latest move in a long-running investigation into Deripaska’s activities in the United States.
As alleged in the indictment, Deripaska, an Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated National, used a series of companies and associates to earn over $3 million in proceeds from the sale of the music studio in 2019. The direct owner of the studio was an entity named Ocean Studios California LLC, which held a bank account at Wells Fargo.
The indictment, returned by a grand jury in the Southern District of New York in 2022, charges Deripaska and his associates Olga Shriki and Natalia Mikhaylovna Bardakova with a conspiracy to violate sanctions. The charges stem from Deripaska’s efforts to have two of his children born in the United States in 2020 and 2022, as well as to purchase goods for Deripaska from the United States.
Deripaska was sanctioned by OFAC in 2018 for his support of the Russian government and for his activity in the Russian energy sector. The sanctions were imposed in connection with the U.S. government’s finding that the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation in Ukraine constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
As alleged in the indictment, Deripaska paid Shriki to provide various services for his benefit in the United States, including the sale of the music studio and the arrangement for his children to be born in the United States. These services were performed in violation of the sanctions imposed by OFAC.
According to court documents, Deripaska, through a series of shell companies, acquired the music studio for over $3 million in 2008. The studio was sold in 2019 for $3.4 million, with the proceeds allegedly being beneficially owned by Deripaska.
The FBI and Task Force KleptoCapture are committed to stopping individuals from obfuscating their activities to violate sanctions. today’s forfeiture filing shows the FBI’s commitment to enforcing the national security laws of the United States and ensuring any violation of these laws and sanctions is punished accordingly.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
