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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks on Enforcement Actions to Disrupt and Prosecute Russian Criminal Activity
“Today’s announcements are part of a series of actions that the Justice Department has recently taken to disrupt and prosecute criminal activity associated with Russia,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will continue to work alongside our international partners to hold accountable those who break our laws, threaten our national security, and harm our allies. Our message to those who continue to enable the Russian regime through their criminal conduct is this: It does not matter how far you sail your yacht. It does not matter how well you conceal your assets. It does not matter how cleverly you write your malware or hide your online activity. The Justice Department will use every available tool to find you, disrupt your plots, and hold you accountable.”
“As Russia and its aggression continues, we have our eyes on every yacht and jet, we have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate purchased with dirty money and on every bitcoin wallet filled with the proceeds of theft and other crimes,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cyber criminals will not find safe haven.”
“We’re continuing to conduct a thorough and methodical investigation, but as we’ve shown we’re not going to wait for investigations to end to act,” said Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher Wray. “We’re going to act as soon as we can with whatever partners are best situated to help to protect the public. This announcement today shows the value of the FBI’s technical expertise and unique authorities both as a law enforcement agency and an intelligence service.”
A Russian national is charged with violating U.S. sanctions arising from the 2014 Russian undermining of democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine. According to the indictment, which was unsealed in the Southern District of New York, Konstantin Malofeyev, 47, of Russia, is charged with conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions and violations of U.S. sanctions in connection with his hiring of an American citizen, Jack Hanick, to work for him in operating television networks in Russia and Greece and attempting to acquire a television network in Bulgaria. As alleged, Malofeyev also conspired with Hanick and others to illegally transfer a $10 million investment that Malofeyev made in a U.S. bank to a business associate in Greece, in violation of the sanctions blocking Malofeyev’s assets from being transferred. Along with the indictment, the United States issued a seizure warrant for Malofeyev’s U.S. investment. Malofeyev remains at large and is believed to be in Russia.
Updated January 20, 2025
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