Category: MIL-OSI

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Justice Department Reaches Settlement to Recover Los Angeles Mansion Purchased by Family of Former Armenian Government Minister

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Justice Department reached a settlement for a civil forfeiture case against a mansion in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles belonging to the family of Gagik Khachatryan, a former government official in the Republic of Armenia. 

In 2011, a trust benefiting Khachatryan’s sons purchased the property with funds provided by an Armenian businessman. At the time, Khachatryan was the most senior official in charge of taxes and customs in the Republic of Armenia. The sons claimed that the funds were provided as loans by the businessman, while the United States alleged the loans, which were repeatedly extended without repayment, were covers for bribe payments. The payments are also the subject of pending criminal prosecutions in the Republic of Armenia.

Under the terms of the settlement, the mansion will be forfeited to the United States. The United States will then sell the property at the highest obtainable market price and retain 85% of the net proceeds of the sale. The remaining net proceeds of the sale will be delivered to the Khachatryan’s sons and a corporation they own. The Attorney General has the discretionary authority to transfer forfeited property to any foreign country that participated directly or indirectly in the seizure or forfeiture of the property. The offices that brought the case intend to recommend transfer of some or all of the forfeited proceeds to the Republic of Armenia.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California; Acting Assistant Director in Charge Krysti Hawkins of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office; and U.S. Marshal David M. Singer made the announcement.

The FBI’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force (EOCTF) and U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. The EOCTF is composed of multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Glendale Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The Justice Department’s Official of International Affairs, the Republic of Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office, and Armenian investigative authorities also provided critical assistance.

Trial Attorney Hunter Smith of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Maxwell Coll for the Central District of California prosecuted the case.  

The Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in MLARS, in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies and often with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption. Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to kleptocracy@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail) or https://tips.fbi.gov/.

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Defense News: USS Hershel “Woody” Williams Commanding Officer Relieved of Duties

Source: United States Navy

The relief occurred as a result of an investigation into the soft grounding of Hershel “Woody” Williams near the port of Libreville, Gabon on May 9, 2024. While the investigation is still open, sufficient findings of fact emerged during the investigation to warrant the relief of the commanding officer.

The U.S. Navy holds commanding officers to the highest standard and takes action to hold them accountable when those standards are not met. Naval leaders are entrusted with significant responsibilities to their Sailors and their ships.

Capt. Mitchell will be temporarily assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic. Capt. Michael Concannon will assume duties as interim commanding officer onboard Hershel “Woody” Williams. There is no impact to the command’s mission or schedule due to the relief.

The Hershel “Woody” Williams, a Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base is currently forward deployed to U.S. Naval Forces Africa.

For questions related to this release, contact U.S. Sixth Fleet / Task Force SIX Public Affairs at cne_cna_c6fpao@us.navy.mil

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Defense News: USS Blue Ridge and USCGC Waesche Arrive in Cam Ranh, Vietnam

Source: United States Navy

During the port visit, 7th Fleet, USS Blue Ridge and CGC Waesche leadership will meet with the Vietnam People’s Navy, Vietnam Coast Guard, and Khanh Hoa leadership. Events during the visit include subject matter expert exchanges and community relations activities. 

Crew members and the 7th Fleet staff will participate in community relations and cultural events to give back to the community and engage with the people of Khanh Hoa to further strengthen U.S.-Vietnam relations in line with the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

As the 7th Fleet flagship, Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy. This is the second time the USS Blue Ridge has come to Vietnam since the United States and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1995.

The 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.
 

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Defense News: USNS Burlington Departs for Continuing Promise 2024 Deployment

Source: United States Navy

During this iteration of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Continuing Promise mission, the 14th since 2007, Burlington will stop in Jamaica, Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, and Panama to share knowledge and provide side-by-side professional expertise with international partners.
 
“One of the major benefits of being aboard the USNS Burlington for Continuing Promise 2024 is that this ship is incredibly versatile and has the ability to conduct a variety of mission types,” said Lt. Cmdr. Zachary Smith, mission commander for Continuing Promise 2024.
 
Christened in 2018, the USNS Burlington is the tenth Spearhead-class ship. It is also the first ship in service named to honor Burlington, Vermont, the state’s largest city. The ship has an off-load ramp for vehicles to move on and off the ship and a flight deck rated to be capable of receiving U.S. Navy helicopters. Operated by a crew of 22, it is capable of transporting over 300 personnel. Of the U.S. Navy personnel onboard, there are 18 unique enlisted job specialties and 10 unique officer specialties to support eight different mission areas.
 
“The better we can learn to work together during missions such as Continuing Promise the better we can work together as we respond to the real-world challenges that will inevitably come,” said Smith.
 
The first mission stop for Burlington will be Kingston, Jamaica. While there, embarked medical personnel will work with local medical practitioners to provide enhanced direct patient care, share knowledge and expertise, and strengthen partnership between the U.S. military and Jamaican civilian and military officials.
 
“It’s important to contribute to other countries… and help out any way we can,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Ricardo Maldonado, a dental technician from Navy Medical Readiness Training Command Portsmouth. While providing assistance to the dental officer onboard, he expects to put smiles on people’s faces by providing them with the medical attention they need.
 
Pharmacists, optometrists, nurses, biomedical technicians, optometrists, dentists, and general practitioners will be among the 30 U.S. Navy medical professionals sharing their expertise and working with local patients.
 
Just as in past iterations of Continuing Promise, an integral part of the mission is the United Nations’ (UN) Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiative. WPS is derived from a UN resolution signed in 2000 that recognizes women are disproportionally affected by crisis and conflict and aims to provide better support and protection to provide a safer environment in their communities.
 
“Continuing Promise 2024 will feature at least two multi-day seminars in each location discussing the prevention of gender-based violence, in addition to discussions with the military forces of each partner nation regarding women in the military as it relates to the initiative,” said Smith. “WPS is a cornerstone of the USSOUTHCOM and U.S. 4th Fleet mission because they believe that societies are more peaceful and prosperous when women and men have equal rights, liberties, dignities, and access to resources.”
 
These seminars are an important way to share knowledge on and provide tools to prevent gender-based violence and improve cooperation on stopping gender inequality.
 
USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security and stability. Learn more about USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet at https://www.fourthfleet.navy.mil, https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT
 

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Alaska Businesswoman Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

An Alaska woman pleaded guilty on Wednesday to evading taxes on income she earned from the business she operated.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Tina H. Yi, of Anchorage, was the sole owner and operator of SJ Investment LLC, a hotel, bar and liquor store in Nome, Alaska, that did business as Polaris HBL. Yi created the business in approximately April 2007 and operated it until approximately October 2017, when the physical property was destroyed in a fire.

From approximately 2014 to 2018, Yi maintained two sets of financial records relating to the business’ income and expenses, one of which accurately captured SJ Investment’s income and expenses, and one that understated the business’s income. Yi provided the false records to her accountant to prepare her tax returns. As a result, her 2014 through 2018 tax returns were all false.

Yi caused a total tax loss to the IRS of over $550,000.

Yi is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 11, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bradley for the District of Alaska are prosecuting the case.