US Charges Russian TV Contributor Dimitri Simes with Sanctions Violations

The U.S. Justice Department has charged Dimitri Simes and his wife Anastasia with schemes to violate U.S. sanctions. They laundered funds and benefited from Channel One Russia. Additionally, Anastasia purchased art for a sanctioned oligarch. These actions come amidst the U.S. ramping up sanctions against Russia.

The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday announced charges against Virginia-based Russian television contributor Dimitri Simes and his wife, Anastasia Simes, alleging involvement in two separate schemes to violate U.S. sanctions.

According to prosecutors, the couple laundered funds and received over $1 million, a personal car, and a stipend for an apartment in Moscow from Channel One Russia, a sanctioned Russian broadcasting station. Anastasia Simes also faces charges for purchasing art and antiques for Russian oligarch Aleksandr Yevgenyevich Udodov, who was sanctioned in February 2023.

The indictments were revealed alongside other legal actions by the U.S. aimed at curbing alleged Russian meddling in the 2024 presidential elections and cyberattacks against Ukraine. Simes, a U.S. citizen since 1973, remains at large and believed to be in Russia.

(With inputs from agencies.)