NY Man and Co. Plead Guilty to Exporting Computer Equipment to Iran via UAE
The Bureau of Industry and Security has announced that Jeng "Jay" Shih and his New York company, Sunrise Technologies and Trading Corporation, pleaded guilty on October 7, 2011 to conspiracy to illegally export U.S.-origin computers from the U.S. to Iran through the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Under the terms of the plea and related BIS civil and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) settlements, Shih and his company will forfeit $1.25 million.
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Shih and Others Exported to Iran Through Dubai Without a License
According to court documents, as early as about 2007, Shih conspired with a company operating in Dubai and Tehran, Iran, to procure U.S.-origin computers through Sunrise and export those computers from the U.S. to Iran, through Dubai, without first obtaining a license or authorization from OFAC. In April 2010, the defendants caused the illegal export of 368 units of computer-related goods to Dubai, which were later sent to Iran. Later that month, the defendants also caused the illegal export of 158 additional units of computer-related goods, and subsequently an additional 185 units.
Shih and Company Denied Export Privileges for 10 Years
In addition to the plea and settlements, Shih and Sunrise are denied export privileges for 10 years, although this penalty will be suspended provided that neither Shih nor Sunrise commits any export violations.
(See ITT's Online Archives 11042527 for BP summary of Shih and his company and two other individuals and another company being indicted on these charges.)
Subsequently posted OFAC notice as "Enforcment Information for Oct 14, 2011" available here.