The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, alongside Menno Goedman, Co-Director of Task Force KleptoCapture, and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Office, announced charges against Alexey Komov. Komov is accused of conspiring with Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev to violate U.S. sanctions by employing an American citizen to establish a television network in Russia.
According to the unsealed indictment, Komov collaborated with Malofeyev to recruit Jack Hanick for this project. The charges also include allegations that they attempted to transfer a $10 million investment from a U.S. bank to Greece in violation of sanctions blocking Malofeyev's assets.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated: "As alleged, Alexey Komov facilitated the efforts of Konstantin Malofeyev...to flout U.S. sanctions." He emphasized the commitment to hold accountable those undermining national security goals.
Menno Goedman commented: "The indictment alleges Alexey Komov played an essential role in a multi-faceted scheme...Task Force KleptoCapture will continue to disrupt schemes perpetrated by Komov and other sanction evaders."
FBI Assistant Director James E. Dennehy noted: "Alexey Komov...allegedly conspired with an American citizen and a sanctioned Russian oligarch...This alleged conspiracy violated laws designed to protect the national security of the United States."
Executive Order 13660 was issued in 2014 amid Ukraine's situation, blocking properties linked to actions threatening Ukraine's peace and stability. In December 2014, OFAC designated Malofeyev as a Specially Designated National due to his financial support for separatism in Crimea.
The indictment alleges that from at least 2012, Komov helped Malofeyev recruit Hanick for a new Russian cable television network. Despite sanctions imposed on Malofeyev in December 2014, Hanick continued working on the network with Komov's assistance.
In addition to recruitment activities, Komov allegedly aided Malofeyev in transferring ownership of a shell company related to a Texas bank investment worth $10 million, violating sanctions regulations.
Komov faces charges under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act with potential sentences up to 20 years per charge. The prosecution is managed by the Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit alongside attorneys from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Section.