U.S. Attorney Damian Williams | U.S. Department of Justice
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, announced the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment against Alexey Komov. Komov is charged with conspiracy and violations of U.S. sanctions due to his involvement with sanctioned Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev. The charges allege that Komov assisted Malofeyev in recruiting American citizen Jack Hanick to launch and operate a television network in Russia.
According to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, "As alleged, Alexey Komov facilitated the efforts of Konstantin Malofeyev – an oligarch closely tied to Russian aggression in Ukraine who has been determined by OFAC to have been one of the main sources of financing for the promotion of Russia-aligned separatist groups operating in the sovereign nation of Ukraine – to flout U.S. sanctions."
Menno Goedman, Co-Director of Task Force KleptoCapture, stated: "The indictment alleges Alexey Komov played an essential role in a multi-faceted scheme to violate and evade U.S. sanctions imposed on a significant financier of Russian aggression in Ukraine."
FBI Assistant Director James E. Dennehy added: "Alexey Komov, a Russian national, allegedly conspired with an American citizen and a sanctioned Russian oligarch to develop a Russian cable network to promote anti-Western propaganda."
The indictment details that Executive Order 13660 was issued in 2014 as part of addressing the national emergency regarding Ukraine's situation. This order blocked property related to individuals threatening Ukraine's peace or materially assisting such activities.
Malofeyev was designated as a Specially Designated National by OFAC in December 2014 for his financial support for separatism in Crimea. Despite this designation, it is alleged that Malofeyev continued employing Hanick on the Russian TV Network with Komov's assistance.
Additionally, it is claimed that Malofeyev and Komov conspired to transfer ownership of a shell company involved in a $10 million investment at a Texas bank to Malofeyev's Greek associate, violating sanctions regulations.
Komov faces charges carrying potential sentences up to 20 years each under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Damian Williams praised the FBI's investigative work and acknowledged support from various departments within the Department of Justice.
