California tech boss accused of smuggling equipment to Iran
BBC • • nation
Key Points:
- Jamshid Ghomi, a dual US-Iranian citizen and CEO of Tehran-based Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh Co. Ltd., was arrested in Newport Coast, California, for allegedly smuggling sensitive US-origin computer systems to Iran, including to its nuclear and military sectors, violating US sanctions.
- Ghomi is charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and faces up to 20 years in prison; his arraignment is scheduled for July 13.
- Prosecutors allege that from 2014 to 2018, Ghomi arranged the illegal shipment of over 250 metric tonnes of networking equipment to Iran, earning more than $10 million annually, with some sales benefiting Iran's regime-sensitive entities.
- He is also accused of laundering over $15 million between 2011 and 2024 through intermediaries across multiple countries, falsely reporting these funds as "foreign inheritance" to tax authorities.
- Authorities plan to seize Ghomi's assets, including his $35 million Newport Beach mansion, which was partially financed by the proceeds of his alleged illegal activities.