In a significant legal case, Brian Assi, also known as Brahim Assi, was found guilty of a serious crime: conspiring to send U.S.-made drill rigs to Iran. This act is a violation of U.S. sanctions laws, which are rules set by the government to prevent certain countries from receiving American goods.
The Crime and Conviction of Brian Assi
Brian Assi was convicted by a federal jury, meaning that a group of citizens decided he was guilty after hearing evidence against him in court. He faced multiple charges, including violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This law allows the U.S. government to control trade and financial transactions with countries that pose a threat to national security. In simple terms, the law prevents U.S. goods from being sold to certain countries, including Iran.
Brian Assi worked as a salesman for a big company that made heavy machinery, like drill rigs. He was based in the Middle East but worked for a company with a production plant in northern Florida. Instead of selling the machinery legally, Assi conspired with people in Iran to send the drill rigs there without getting the necessary permissions from the U.S. government. This is similar to sneaking candy into a movie theater when it’s against the rules.
Assi worked with individuals affiliated with Sakht Abzar Pars Co. (SAP-Iran) in Tehran to export the machinery. He and his co-conspirators devised a plan to disguise the actual destination of the equipment.
The Deceptive Scheme
Brian Assi’s plan involved using a middleman, or distributor, based in Iraq, who would serve as the official buyer of two U.S.-made blasthole drills. These drills are important machines used in mining to create holes for explosives. Instead of sending them directly to Iran, Assi thought he could bypass the rules by claiming they were for Iraq.
This scheme was very clever but also illegal. Brian Assi worked with a freight forwarding company to ship the drills from the U.S. to Turkey, where he believed they could be sent to Iran. He hid the involvement of his Iranian contacts from his employer, making it seem like everything was above board.
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To keep up the deception, Assi provided false information in the Automated Export System (AES). This system is like a big database that keeps track of exports from the U.S. When the freight forwarder submitted details about the shipment, Assi made sure to list the Iraq distributor as the final destination. However, he knew that the true destination was Iran.
This kind of trickery is serious. U.S. officials have emphasized that any efforts to evade sanctions against countries like Iran threaten both national security and economic stability. It’s important for the government to enforce these rules to prevent sensitive equipment from falling into the wrong hands.
Response from Officials
After the conviction of Brian Assi, several officials made statements highlighting the importance of enforcing U.S. sanctions. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said, “The defendant schemed to unlawfully export U.S.-origin mining drills to Iran, while deceiving his employer into believing that they were being sent to Iraq.” He expressed confidence in the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable those who violate these sanctions.
Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce, also weighed in, stating, “As this verdict makes clear, no matter how hard you try to obfuscate your scheme to send restricted U.S. items to Iran, we will work tirelessly to bring your conduct to light and ensure you face justice.” This means that the authorities are serious about stopping people like Brian Assi who try to break the rules.
U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida added that attempts to hide illegal transactions represent a threat to the nation’s economic and national security. He emphasized that today’s verdict shows the government’s determination to hold those who violate the rules accountable for their actions.
In total, Brian Assi transferred about $2.7 million from Turkey through the U.S. as part of this plan. His actions have serious implications for both international trade and national security.
Brian Assi is set to be sentenced on January 7, 2025. His case serves as a reminder of the importance of following laws and regulations when it comes to exporting goods, especially to countries with which the U.S. has restrictions.
