DOJ charges crypto executive with laundering $530M for sanctioned Russian banks
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged the founder of cryptocurrency company Evita with 22 violations for allegedly laundering more than $500 million through U.S. banks and cryptocurrency exchanges, on behalf of sanctioned Russian entities.
Luii Gugnin, identified as George Goognin on Evita’s website, is also the president, compliance officer, and treasurer of the company, which operates Evita Investments and Evita Pay, based in Florida.
Banks, financial institutions—and cryptocurrency companies—are required to follow specific compliance processes to reduce the risk of fraud and money laundering by criminals.
Related articles
-
ArticleChinese money-laundering networks moved $312B in dirty money through the U.S.
Suspicious activity reports filed by U.S. financial institutions show that Mexican drug cartels and human traffickers are laundering dirty funds through Chinese money laundering networks (CMLNs) operating in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
-
ArticleOperators of crypto platform plead guilty to enabling money laundering
The owners of cryptocurrency mixing service Samourai Wallet pleaded guilty to transmitting more than $200 million in criminal transactions, according to the Department of Justice.
-
News BriefVenture capital firm self-reports sanctions violations of M&A target to DOJ, receives declination
After self-reporting that a recently purchased subsidiary broke U.S. sanctions and export control laws, a Texas-based venture capital fund will receive no penalty from the U.S. Department of Justice.
More from Regulatory Enforcement
-
ArticleFINRA fines First Trust $10M for allegedly giving too-generous gifts to brokers
First Trust Portfolios has been fined $10 million by FINRA for allegedly providing excessive meals, gifts, and other incentives to broker-dealers.
-
ArticleCompliance officers accused of helping criminals run $346 million international payment fraud network
Four U.S. citizens were arrested in California Wednesday in connection with a massive, $346 million international credit card fraud scheme based in Germany, in which compliance officers were allegedly complicit, according to the DOJ.
-
News BriefFinCEN flags $9 billion in Iranian shadow-banking activity, citing SARs filings from U.S. banks
Approximately $9 billion of potential shadow-banking flows tied to Iranian networks in 2024, according to a new analysis from FinCEN. The report highlights how illicit funds are making their way through financial institutions as they meet the requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).