A federal grand jury in Oakland has indicted four individuals for allegedly operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and conspiring to make false statements to a bank. The indictment, filed on November 7, 2024, and unsealed on December 16, 2024, names Gaston Kolker from Connecticut, Michael Goldfine from New York, Astrid Jasnis from Argentina, and Joanna O’Donnell from Sherman Oaks, California.

The defendants are accused of making false statements to FDIC-insured banks to initiate and maintain a money transmitting business for foreign nationals in Argentina. They allegedly opened accounts under false pretenses by claiming they were for companies involved in importing and exporting goods. In reality, these accounts were reportedly used for an unlicensed money transmitting business.

Kolker was arrested in Connecticut on December 13, 2024, appeared initially in Hartford the same day, and was released on a $250,000 bond. Goldfine self-surrendered on the same date in New York City and was released on a $100,000 bond. Both are set to appear before Magistrate Judge Peter H. Kang in San Francisco on January 21, 2025. O'Donnell also self-surrendered and appeared initially in San Francisco on December 16; she is out on a $100,000 bond following her hearing with Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim. Jasnis remains at large.

United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey announced the charges alongside FBI Special Agent Robert K. Tripp; FDIC-OIG Special Agent Ryan Korner; and USPIS Inspector Stephen M. Sherwood.

The indictment serves as an allegation of crimes committed; all defendants remain innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If convicted of conspiracy or operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business or making false statements to a bank under various sections of U.S.C., each defendant could face up to five years imprisonment per violation plus fines.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert David Rees is leading the prosecution with support from Kay Konopaske and Veronica Hernandez after investigations by the FBI, FDIC-OIG, and USPIS.