WASHINGTON (CHATNEWSTV) — A Russian national has been indicted for conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions by aiding a sanctioned oligarch, Konstantin Malofeyev, in transferring $10 million and launching a television network.
Alexey Komov, 53, of Russia, is charged with helping Malofeyev employ an American citizen to build a Russian TV network and orchestrating the illegal transfer of Malofeyev’s U.S.-based investment to a Greek associate, according to a superseding indictment unsealed Thursday.
“The indictment alleges Alexey Komov played an essential role in a multi-faceted scheme to violate and evade U.S. sanctions imposed on a significant financier of Russian aggression in Ukraine,” said Menno Goedman, co-director of Task Force KleptoCapture.
Komov allegedly conspired with Malofeyev and others to violate sanctions imposed in 2014 under Executive Order 13660, which froze the assets of individuals supporting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
The indictment claims Komov facilitated the recruitment of U.S. citizen Jack Hanick to work on a Russian television network for Malofeyev, negotiating contracts, housing, and visas. Even after Malofeyev was sanctioned, Komov helped oversee Hanick’s continued work.
Komov is also accused of arranging the transfer of Malofeyev’s $10 million investment in a Texas bank through a shell company to a Greek associate. The transfer was backdated to evade sanctions, according to court documents.
The U.S. previously seized $5.4 million from Malofeyev’s Texas bank investment. In February, the Justice Department authorized transferring these funds to support Ukrainian veterans.
“Alexey Komov facilitated the efforts of Konstantin Malofeyev, a key financier of Russian separatist groups, to flout U.S. sanctions,” said Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. “This office will continue to hold accountable those who undermine U.S. national security goals.”
Komov, believed to be in Russia, faces charges of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and conspiracy to do so. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The FBI is investigating the case, with prosecution led by the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture. The task force focuses on enforcing sanctions and economic countermeasures against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and Komov is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
