The US Department of Justice has published a list of lawsuits against Russian oligarchs and their allies, totaling 70 criminal charges against individuals and 5 charges against legal entities, with a combined asset confiscation sum of approximately $700 million.
Officials also reported the arrests of two American intermediaries associated with one of the sanctioned Russian oligarchs. “The Justice Department is more committed than ever to cutting off the flow of illegal funds that are fueling Putin’s war and to holding accountable those who continue to enable it,” stated US Attorney General Merrick Garland.
The Washington Post suggests that the Biden administration plans to increase financial pressure on Putin in response to the invasion of Ukraine and the death of Russian political figure and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny in prison.
The US Justice Department has already filed civil suits for the confiscation of two luxurious Miami apartments valued at $2.5 million, belonging to sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Perevalov. Separate charges have been filed against a local official for an alleged scheme involving the management of a luxurious yacht owned by sanctioned Russian Vladislav Osipov. Osipov faces accusations of 17 crimes, including bank fraud, money laundering, sanctions violations, and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government.
Previously, the U.S. State Department announced a reward of up to $1 million for any information on Osipov that could lead to his arrest and conviction, as reported by Voice of America.
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