The USA tries to capture the assets of oligarch Vekselberg

The US is seeking to seize six luxury properties in New York and Florida, valued at $75 million, tied to oligarch Viktor Vekselberg as it continues to pursue assets of wealthy Russians a year after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Prosecutors in Manhattan on Friday asked a court for forfeiture of the properties in New York City, Southampton, New York, and Fisher Island, Florida, claiming they’re the proceeds of sanctions violations. The government claims they are involved in international money laundering by Vladimir Voronchenko, who was charged this month.

“Today’s action, filed on the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, seeks forfeiture” of the properties “maintained by funneling millions of dollars into the United States,” Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.

Prosecutors claim that after Vekselberg was deemed a Specially Designated National subject to US sanctions in April 2018, Voronchenko and a family member directed 25 wire transfers into the account of a US lawyer to maintain and service the properties. 

Voronchenko, a childhood friend of Vekselberg’s, was charged earlier this month with participating in a scheme to make more than $4 million in payments to maintain four of the properties and attempting to sell two of them. 

The US last month charged two businessmen with helping to operate Vekselberg’s yacht.

Sourse: Bloomberg