US Charges Russian TV Presenter for Violating Sanctions And Money Laundering

The US Department of Justice has charged “Dimitri Simes,” the popular television host, and  “Anastasia,” his spouse, for “breaching the sanctions and money laundering.” as the White House aims to resist the “Kremlin influence activities” prior to the upcoming presidential election in the US.

Dimitri Simes has connections with people close to “Donald Trump”, and sources stated he had left the country with his partner and moved to Russia.

Dimitri Simes Accused of Violating U.S. Sanctions

Although the Office of Foreign Assets Control  (OFAC) of the US, sanctioned Channel One in 2022, owned by the Russian state, it banned financial dealings with the station.

Dimitri Simes, still a well-known television speaker and producer of this station, has been accused of accepting more than “$1m (£759,000), a luxurious car along with the driver, an allowance for a department in Moscow” as a reimbursement.

Anastasia’s Role in Money Laundering

His spouse, Anastasia, was involved in crime, as she was also accused of “Money Laundering,” and investigation findings declared, “both are accused of hiding the source of funds obtained by illicit money through the operation of Channel One.”

55-year-old Anastasia Simes was accused of buying antiquities and expensive artwork on behalf of “Sanctioned Russian oligarch Aleksandr Udodov.” She stored these art pieces in their house in US Virginia to avoid detection and then smuggled them to Russia.

The source of buying valuable art pieces was “Galleries and auction houses,” and these places were used to launder money in Europe and the United States.

Sentences Of Twenty Years

If the couple is found guilty of each accused crime, they may be sentenced to 20 years for them. Justice Department stated in a report, “In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, and after that, both left the United States and are currently thought to be in Russia.”

Remarks of Dimitri Simes Jr

Their son, “Dimitri Simes Jr,” posted on X, “Joe Biden and his stooges are impotent cowards.”

“Our family is safe and sound in Russia. We will not be intimidated. In fact, we’re only going to get louder. Stay tuned!” He added.

“Biden administration wanted to sentence his father for exposing its suicidal Ukraine policy.” He claimed.

Simes Tied to Trump Associates

Simes had been connected with associates of Donald Trump, also involved in the investigation of Robert Mueller into whether Russia had tried to influence US elections in 2016. During the course of the investigation, he was not accused of anything.

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• OFAC Fined State Street With $7.5 Million For Violating Russian Sanctions

Simes Charged After Simonyan Sanctions

The new charges against Simes were announced a day after the US treasury department sanctioned “Margarita Simonyan,” who operates in the Russian state-controlled TV channel RT, along with nine other staff members.

American Influencers Linked with Kremlin Funds

They were sanctioned for spreading false information in the United States, including famous “Conservative American influencers” who received “millions of dollars” from the Russian authorities as Kremlin cash without even knowledge.

“Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson,” U. S influential personalities, have replied in a statement about the association with content creation companies in the U.S. and regarding receiving “approximately $10m”  from Russian media to post the videos supporting Moscow and Ukraine War.

Blaze Media Fires Lauren Chen

The conservative media company “Blaze Media” declared on 9 September 2024 that it is terminating its contract with YouTube influencer “Lauren Chen.” She started a company with her husband, “Tenet Media.”

According to the US Justice Department indictment and media reports, the company received up to $10m from people linked with the Russian government.

Conservative figures have to get paid through this money to make online video content to influence the US presidential election 2024.

Profile of Simes

Simes, 76-year-old man from Huntly, Virginia, was a popular “Political speaker” from Russia who frequently discussed “pro-Kremlin” ideas on TV and in his publications. Despite his accent, the Simes couple speak English fluently.

He was the Ex-president of “The Center for the National Interest think tank” founded by Richard Nixon and describes himself as “America’s voice for strategic realism.”

Matthew Graves  Statement on Sanctions Violations

“Such violations harm our national security interests – a fact that Dimitri Simes, with the deep experience he gained in national affairs after fleeing the Soviet Union and becoming a US citizen, should have uniquely appreciated.” as per the report.