Current:Home > My2 charged in case of illegal exports for Russian nuclear energy-InfoLens
2 charged in case of illegal exports for Russian nuclear energy
View Date:2024-12-23 11:33:27
BOSTON (AP) — Two men have been charged with illegal smuggling and conspiring to violate export controls by selling equipment to Russia’s nuclear energy industry, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston said Monday.
Sam Bhambhani, 55, of North Attleboro, Mass., and Maxim Teslenko, 35, of Moscow, were each indicted on one count of smuggling and one count of conspiracy to violate and evade export controls, commit smuggling, and defraud the United States.
“This case underscores our unwavering commitment to enforcing U.S. export laws and safeguarding national security,” Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy said in a statement. “The defendants are alleged to have engaged in a sophisticated scheme to evade export controls, deceiving the government about the true destination of sensitive technology and putting critical national interests at risk.”
Cases like the one involving Bhambhani and Teslenko are relatively common. In January, a Kansas businessman pleaded guilty to illegally exporting sensitive aviation technology to Russian companies in violation of U.S. sanctions. Two years ago, the Biden administration announced a series of criminal charges and sanctions related to a complicated scheme to procure military technologies from U.S. manufacturers and illegally supply them to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
From 2015 to 2021, prosecutors alleged that Bhambhani and Teslenko conspired to export laser welding machines to the Ural Electromechanical Plant, or UEMZ, in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The export documents were allegedly falsified to conceal the fact that the equipment was going to UEMZ.
UEMZ is a subsidiary of Rosatom, a Russian state corporation that oversaw the country’s civilian and military nuclear program.
No one answered at a phone number listed for Bhambhani and it was unclear if he has a lawyer. Bhambhani was arrested Sept. 9 and released following a court appearance. Teslenko remains at large overseas.
If convicted, the pair face a sentence on the smuggling charge of up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The conspiracy charge carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
veryGood! (521)
Related
- Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a response
- Report: Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence could miss rest of season with shoulder injury
- 'Joker 2' actor pans DC sequel as the 'worst film' ever: 'It has no plot'
- AP Top 25: Oregon remains No. 1 as Big Ten grabs 4 of top 5 spots; Georgia, Miami out of top 10
- AIT Community Introduce
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Shares Reaction to BFF Teddi Mellencamp's Divorce
- The 15 quickest pickup trucks MotorTrend has ever tested
- Report: Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence could miss rest of season with shoulder injury
- The results are in: Peanut the Squirrel did not have rabies, county official says
- Kelly Rowland and Nelly Reunite for Iconic Performance of Dilemma 2 Decades Later
Ranking
- Steelers shoot for the moon ball, but will offense hold up or wilt in brutal final stretch?
- Elon Musk says 'SNL' is 'so mad' Trump won as he slams Dana Carvey's impression
- Beyoncé's Grammy nominations in country categories aren't the first to blur genre lines
- Republican David Schweikert wins reelection in affluent Arizona congressional district
- Ex-Marine misused a combat technique in fatal chokehold of NYC subway rider, trainer testifies
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Red Velvet, Please
- Fire crews gain greater control over destructive Southern California wildfire
- Trump announces Tom Homan, former director of immigration enforcement, will serve as ‘border czar’
Recommendation
-
When is 'The Golden Bachelorette' finale? Date, time, where to watch Joan Vassos' big decision
-
Suspect arrested after deadly Tuskegee University homecoming shooting
-
Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico
-
Maine dams face an uncertain future
-
Mason Bates’ Met-bound opera ‘Kavalier & Clay’ based on Michael Chabon novel premieres in Indiana
-
Singles' Day vs. Black Friday: Which Has the Best Deals for Smart Shoppers?
-
'Joker 2' actor pans DC sequel as the 'worst film' ever: 'It has no plot'
-
Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia Explains Why She’s Not Removing Tattoo of Ex Zach Bryan’s Lyrics