The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit for civil forfeiture of funds received from the sale of a music studio

A civil forfeiture complaint was filed today for $3.4 million in proceeds from the sale of a music studio in Burbank, California. The complaint alleges that the proceeds, which are beneficially owned by russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, are the proceeds of sanctions violations. An indictment charging Deripaska with sanctions violations had been unsealed on Sept. 29, 2022, and Deripaska remains at large.

“As the allegations in the complaint once again demonstrate, those who have illicitly accumulated great wealth in support of lawlessness and international chaos invariably turn to the safety and stability of the United States’ rule of law principles in order to preserve their ill-gotten gains. It is predictable, hypocritical, and illegal,” said Co-Director Michael Khoo of Task Force KleptoCapture.

“We are nearly three years into russia’s unprovoked further invasion of Ukraine, but today’s actions show that Task Force KleptoCapture remains vigilant and fully engaged in its mission to protect the American financial system against the abuses of criminal actors.”

“Today’s filing of a civil forfeiture complaint against over $3 million in illicit proceeds of Oleg Deripaska exemplifies this office’s commitment to utilizing all available legal remedies to enforce our critical sanctions program,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York.

“We remain committed to piercing the opaque financial networks utilized by sanctioned oligarchs attempting to illegally transact business in U.S. dollars.”

“As alleged, Oleg Deripaska, an OFAC Specially Designated National, through a series of companies and associates attempted to earn over $3 million in proceeds from the sale of a California-based music studio,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy of the FBI.

“Today’s forfeiture filing shows the FBI’s commitment to stopping individuals from obfuscating their activities to violate sanctions. The FBI will continue to enforce the national security laws of the United States and will ensure any violation of these laws and sanctions is punished accordingly.”

Source: United States Department of Justice