US Justice Department Makes Historic Criminal Resolution in Illicit Iranian Oil Sale and Transport
The U.S. Justice Department has announced the first-ever criminal resolution involving the illicit sale and transport of Iranian oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. Suez Rajan Limited pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate sanctions and was sentenced to three years of corporate probation and a fine of nearly $2.5 million. The operating company of the vessel carrying the contraband cargo, Empire Navigation, agreed to cooperate and transport the Iranian oil to the United States. The oil is now subject to a civil forfeiture action, with the U.S. alleging that it is connected to terrorism and money laundering. The funds forfeited may be directed to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.