The US Division of Justice announced on Thursday that prices have been filed in opposition to Dimitri Simes, a Russian-born US citizen and former adviser to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential marketing campaign. Simes is accused of working for a sanctioned Russian state tv community and laundering the proceeds from his involvement.
The first indictment alleges that Simes and his spouse took half in a scheme to assist Channel One Russia to bypass sanctions implemented by the U.S. Treasury’s Workplace of Overseas Belongings Management (OFAC) on Could 8, 2022, for being below the management of or appearing on behalf of the Russian authorities.
The indictment additionally alleges that the couple laundered greater than $1 million and obtained perks, together with a private automotive and driver for his or her work with Russia’s Channel One, starting in June 2022.
The second indictment accuses Anastasia Simes, Dimitri’s spouse, of taking part in a scheme to violate US sanctions for the advantage of sanctioned Russian oligarch Aleksandr Yevgenyevich Udodov. Udodov was sanctioned in February 2023 for his involvement in Russia’s administration consulting sector. Since then, Anastasia and others allegedly bought artwork and antiques from US and European galleries for Udodov, storing them in her Virginia residence earlier than transport them to Russia. In return, Anastasia Simes reportedly obtained reimbursements and repair charges, whereas laundering cash to hide these unlawful transactions. Images of the gadgets saved of their residence included as proof.
Simes and the Washington suppose tank he led, the Middle for the Nationwide Curiosity, performed a key function in particular counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference within the 2016 election and doable Trump marketing campaign ties. The report highlighted Simes’ interactions with Trump’s interior circle, together with Jared Kushner. Earlier than one assembly, Simes despatched Kushner a letter outlining speaking factors on Russia for Trump and shared unfavorable details about Invoice Clinton, which was later handed alongside to the marketing campaign.
These indictments come amid rising issues about Russia’s makes an attempt to intrude within the upcoming US election by means of on-line disinformation and propaganda. Federal authorities charged two RT staff on Wednesday with secretly funding a Tennessee firm that produced pro-Russian content material.
Within the assertion asserting the fees, US Lawyer Matthew M. Graves mentioned:
These defendants allegedly violated sanctions that have been put in place in response to Russia’s unlawful aggression in Ukraine, . . . Such violations hurt our nationwide safety pursuits—a incontrovertible fact that Dimitri Simes, with the deep expertise he gained in nationwide affairs after fleeing the Soviet Union and turning into a U.S. citizen, ought to have uniquely appreciated.
Source / Picture: jurist.org
