By Rabia Iclal Turan
WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Justice Department said Thursday that Virginia-based Russian television contributor Dimitri Simes and his wife Anastasia Simes have been indicted on charges of conspiring to violate US sanctions and laundering more than $1 million.
It said the couple is accused of two separate schemes benefiting US-sanctioned Russian entities.
In the first indictment, the couple is accused of providing services to Channel One Russia, a state-owned broadcaster sanctioned by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in May 2022.
Despite the sanctions, the couple allegedly continued working with the broadcaster, receiving more than $1 million, a personal driver and a Moscow apartment stipend, among other benefits, according to the Justice Department.
The couple is also charged with laundering the proceeds of these illegal transactions.
In the second indictment, Anastasia Simes is accused of purchasing art and antiques for sanctioned Russian oligarch Aleksandr Udodov. The items were allegedly sourced from US and European galleries and stored in Virginia before being shipped to Russia. In return, she received reimbursements and service fees.
Both the Simeses, who remain at large and are believed to be in Russia, face multiple charges, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
US authorities also unsealed an indictment Wednesday against two employees of Russian broadcaster RT and seized 32 internet domains on accusations of interference in the November presidential elections.
In a statement following the announcement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the agency is taking three steps to counter Kremlin-backed media outlets' "malicious operations" to influence US elections.
Russia denied any attempts to interfere in the US elections, dismissing the charges.