Iran’s procurement network had an Orange County – Latest News
Federal prosecutors have alleged that an Orange County technology govt, Jamshid Ghomi, 63, spent years supplying US tools to Iran’s nuclear program and to entities linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Meanwhile, he loved a snug life in Newport Coast, one of Orange County’s most unique enclaves.
The case exposes a blind spot in how America thinks about national security.
Ghomi, a 63-year-old twin U.S.-Iranian citizen, was taken into custody at his luxurious ocean-view property on costs of violating federal export controls, pulling back the curtain on what prosecutors describe as a extremely coordinated exploitation of home commerce pipelines.
Ghomi was perp walked by federal brokers. He is set to seem in Santa Ana federal courtroom Wednesday afternoon. CA Post
According to the unsealed federal felony criticism, Ghomi spent more than a decade quietly anchoring a procurement network for Iran’s nuclear weapon program and its elite terrorist drive.
The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that the operation started in 2011 with purchases via personal eBay and PayPal accounts earlier than increasing into direct relationships with American suppliers.
Federal authorities additionally allege that between 2014 and 2018 alone, more than 275 tons of enterprise {hardware} moved via the network. They additionally allege that Ghomi was nonetheless negotiating direct purchases from US technology distributors as just lately as 2023.
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The mechanics described within the criticism weren’t notably subtle. Hardware was allegedly routed via freight forwarders and middleman corporations within the United Arab Emirates. Shipping paperwork was altered. Commercial invoices have been eliminated.
Investigators say superior US elements have been hid inside bigger shipments earlier than persevering with on to Iran. Internal communications cited by prosecutors show members referring to Iran merely because the “Motherland.”
Federal authorities additionally allege that more than $15 million moved via offshore entities linked to the operation between 2011 and 2024. Public reporting signifies that Ghomi claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit for a number of years whereas residing in a custom-built Newport Coast property reportedly valued at $35 million.
The money linked to the operation allegedly moved via entities and accounts spanning the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, Turkey and the UAE earlier than finally reaching the United States.
Ghomi, 63, of Newport Coast, was charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. CA Post
Americans typically affiliate hostile governments with cyberattacks, espionage operations and stolen secrets and techniques.
But the allegations towards Ghomi describe one thing far more mundane: buy orders, suppliers, freight corporations, delivery manifests and wire transfers.
Federal prosecutors have introduced related instances within the latest previous.
Ghomi’s sprawling property occupies the tip of a cul-de-sac on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
CA Post
In Houston, authorities charged a twin national accused of buying plane elements and aviation technology destined for Iran via intermediaries within the Gulf.
In one other California case, prosecutors alleged that superior processors and communications tools have been bought within the United States earlier than being routed via third international locations to clients in Iran.
The merchandise have been completely different. The corporations have been completely different. Yet the allegations adopted a acquainted sample: American technology allegedly moved via industrial provide chains earlier than reaching clients who couldn’t legally buy it instantly.
Most immigrants come to the United States, construct profitable lives and contribute to the nation. The overwhelming majority by no means come close to an export-control investigation or sanctions case.
Prosecutors allege that Ghomi maintained substantial business ties in Iran whereas working freely inside the United States. According to prosecutors, Ghomi lived, labored and prospered in Southern California whereas sustaining business pursuits tied to Iran.
The allegations describe somebody who was already established inside the American financial system, already conducting business and already taking part in odd industrial life.
Newport Coast is understood for ocean views, gated neighborhoods and multimillion-dollar houses. It is just not a place most people affiliate with Iran’s nuclear program. Yet prosecutors allege that half of a procurement network serving establishments tied to that program operated from there.
For a nation that spends monumental sources making an attempt to keep delicate technology away from hostile regimes, that truth is troublesome to disregard.
Mr. Cohen is CEO of RealEye, a Tel Aviv-based security company.
