Former Trump Adviser Indicted for Sanctions Violations and Money Laundering

Former Trump adviser Dimitri Simes and his wife face charges for violating sanctions and money laundering in connection with Russian state TV.

At a Glance

Dimitri Simes and his wife Anastasia charged with violating U.S. sanctions and money laundering
Allegedly received over $1 million from sanctioned Russian state TV network Channel One
Charges stem from work performed after Channel One was sanctioned in 2022
Couple believed to be in Russia, could face up to 20 years in prison per count if convicted

Charges Against Former Trump Adviser

The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted Dimitri Simes, a former adviser to Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, and his wife Anastasia Simes on charges of violating sanctions and money laundering. The couple is accused of working for Russia’s Channel One, a state-owned television network that was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to the indictment, the Simes allegedly received over $1 million in payments, along with a personal car, driver, and a stipend for an apartment in Moscow for their work with Channel One since June 2022. This arrangement violated U.S. sanctions imposed on Russian state media entities.

Scope of the Allegations

The charges against Dimitri and Anastasia Simes are extensive. Dimitri Simes is accused of serving as a presenter and producer for Channel One, while Anastasia Simes allegedly engaged in separate activities that violated sanctions. The Justice Department claims that Anastasia Simes received funds from sanctioned Russian businessman Alexander Udodov to purchase art and antiques, which were then stored at their Virginia home before being shipped to Russia.

“These defendants allegedly violated sanctions that were put in place in response to Russia’s illegal aggression in Ukraine,” U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves said in a statement announcing the charges. “Such violations harm our national security interests — a fact that Dimitri Simes, with the deep experience he gained in national affairs after fleeing the Soviet Union and becoming a U.S. citizen, should have uniquely appreciated.”

The former Trump campaign adviser is accused of participating in a “scheme to violate U.S. sanctions for the benefit of sanctioned Russian broadcaster Channel One Russia."https://t.co/sGskgMHi5p

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) September 5, 2024

Background and Implications

Dimitri Simes, 76, has a long history in U.S.-Russia relations. He emigrated from the Soviet Union in 1973, became a U.S. citizen, and even served as an informal adviser to President Richard Nixon. His involvement in Trump’s 2016 campaign, including arranging a foreign policy speech, brought him under scrutiny during special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. While Simes was not charged in relation to the Mueller probe, his current legal troubles highlight ongoing concerns about foreign influence in U.S. politics.

The Justice Department on Thursday charged former Trump 2016 campaign adviser Dimitri Simes with violating U.S. sanctions against Russia.

Story: https://t.co/Pj87d9Kw3V pic.twitter.com/yKKhOBVJhp

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) September 6, 2024

“I assumed that what I was saying on Russian TV would not be to the liking of the Biden administration, but I also assumed that as long as it was just my opinion and was presented as such, it was not something for which I could be prosecuted,” he told the newspaper.

The indictments against the Simes couple come amid heightened vigilance against Russian propaganda and potential interference in U.S. elections. The charges underscore the U.S. government’s commitment to enforcing sanctions related to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and protecting national security interests.