Money laundering

Published on: January 28, 2021

U.S. Government Seizes $7 in Iranian Assets Using Civil Forfeiture

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the government has collected $7 million of illegally obtained Iranian cash using civil forfeiture.

According to the DOJ press release, the funds are the United States’ share of a civil forfeiture investigation into a complex global conspiracy that sought to violate U.S.-imposed international economic sanctions on Iran. The alleged conspiracy involved several Iranian citizens and a U.S. citizen, who purportedly transferred an estimated $1 billion worth of Iranian-owned assets to accounts across the globe.

Published on: December 17, 2020

Two Illinois Businessmen Accused of Embezzling Funds Related to Pere Marquette Hotel Complex Development

by Brian Silber

Two Illinois businessmen have been indicted for their alleged role in a scheme to embezzle revenue from hotels in Peoria in order to enrich themselves and their business interests from 2008 to 2018.

Gary E. Matthews, 78, and Monte J. Brannan, 67, both of Peoria, are charged with mail fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering. The 67-years old suspect faces an additional three counts of concealment of bankruptcy assets. It is unclear if they have acquired legal representation.

Published on: December 15, 2020

New Jersey Man Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining $5.6 Million in COVID-19 Relief Loans

by Brian Silber

A man from Sussex County, New Jersey, is accused of fraudulently obtaining a loan of over $5 million from a federal COVID-19 relief program meant to help American businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Azhar Sarwar Rana, 30, of Newton, New Jersey, is charged with one count of bank fraud and one count of money laundering. He was considered a flight risk and was ordered held without bail. It is unclear if he has acquired legal representation.

Published on: December 4, 2020

Maryland Lawyer Charged in Scheme to Obtain Over $12.5 Million in Somali Government Funds

by Brian Silber

A Maryland lawyer faces charges for his alleged role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $12.5 million in Somali government assets.

Jeremy Wyeth Schulman, 47, of Bethesda, Maryland, was indicted Wednesday on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and bank fraud; three counts of wire fraud; one count of mail fraud; one count of bank fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and four counts of money laundering. It is unclear if he has acquired an attorney.

Published on: December 2, 2020

Owner and Employees of Illinois Child Care Centers Accused of Defrauding $6.1 Million from State Program

by Brian Silber

The owner of five Illinois child care centers and several of her employees have been charged for their alleged involvement in a fraud scheme that pocketed millions of dollars from a state program meant to help low-income families afford child care.

Aleesha McDowell, 41, of Mokena, IL, is charged with 12 counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. Her employees, who are also charged with various counts of wire fraud in the same indictment, are: Nicole Lacey, 36, of Burnham, IL; Stacy Sims, 43, of Chicago, IL; Janelle Jordan, 40, of Chicago, IL; Lauren Coley, of Phoenix, AZ; Shavon Johnson, 47, of Country Club Hills, IL; and Sean Blunt, 44, of Matteson, IL. Attorney information was not available for any of the defendants.