Four Charged for Illegal Exports to Iran and China; Two Resided in Iran
The Department of Justice announced charges against four men for exporting various goods from the U.S. to Iran and China. The goods include carbon fiber, which has a wide variety of uses, including in gas centrifuges that enrich uranium and in military aircraft and strategic missiles. The four individuals charged are Hamid Reza Hashemi, a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen who resides in Iran; Peter Gromacki, a U.S. citizen and resident of Orange County, N.Y.; Amir Abbas Tamimi, an Iranian citizen and resident of Iran; and Murat Taskiran, a Turkish citizen. Hashemi, Gromacki, and Tamimi are in custody in the U.S., DOJ said.
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All four are charged with violating the International Emergency Economic Power Act, among other things. None obtained the requisite approval for these transactions from either the Office of Foreign Assets Control or Bureau of Industry and Security.
Hashemi, Taskiran Exported Carbon Fiber to Iran, DOJ Alleges
Hashemi is alleged to have violated IEEPA by working with others, including Taskiran, to arrange for the export of carbon fiber from the U.S. to his company in Tehran, Iran, DOJ said.
From 2007 until his arrest, Hashemi lived and worked in Iran, and operated a company in Tehran that procured carbon fiber from various brokers. Taskiran was the Managing Director of a company in Turkey. For example, in March and April 2008, Hashemi, Taskiran, and a Europe-based broker, successfully arranged for the shipment of carbon fiber from the U.S. to the Iranian Company, DOJ said. The European broker bought carbon fiber from a U.S. supplier, and arranged for the supplier to export it from the U.S. to Europe. The broker then used a European freight forwarder to send the carbon fiber from Europe to United Arab Emirates, and arranged for the carbon fiber to be sent from the UAE to the Iranian Company operated by Hashemi.
Hashemi was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport as he entered the U.S. Dec.1. Charged with one count of conspiracy to violate IEEPA, and two substantive IEEPA violations, he faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison. Taskiran has been charged with one count of conspiracy to violate IEEPA and one substantive IEEPA violation, and faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
DOJ says Gromacki Shipped Carbon Fiber to China
Gromacki is alleged to have violated IEEPA by using his company in Orange County, N.Y., to export carbon fiber from the U.S. to China., DOJ said. In June 2007, Gromacki arranged for the export of more than 6,000 pounds of carbon fiber from the U.S. to Belgium, which was then shipped to China, it alleged. In addition, and in connection with this export, Gromacki made various false statements on a shipper’s export declaration form, concerning: the ultimate consignee of the shipment; the ultimate country of destination of the shipment; and whether an export license was required for the shipment.
Gromacki has been charged with one count of conspiracy to violate IEEPA, one substantive violation of IEEPA, and one count of making false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the U.S. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, DOJ said.
Tamimi Attempted Export of Helicopter Parts to Iran, DOJ Alleges
Tamimi is alleged to have violated IEEPA by working to export helicopter component parts from the U.S. to Iran, through South Korea. He was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport as he entered the U.S. on Oct. 5.
Beginning in November 2011 and until his arrest, Tamimi attempted to arrange for the export of helicopter component parts from the U.S. to Iran, through Korea, DOJ alleged. The components were for a particular helicopter that can be used for military purposes, including for reconnaissance, tactical insertion, and as a missile platform.
Tamimi, has been charged with conspiracy to violate IEEPA and one substantive IEEPA violation. He faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.