Tech CEO Accused of Secret Shipments to Iran

Former CIA station chief Dan Hoffman offers his perspective on the allegations surrounding tech CEO Jamshid Ghomi. He discusses the success of the FBI’s counter-intelligence efforts in revealing Ghomi’s alleged illicit activities. Hoffman also highlights the potential risks to U.S. national security and Iran’s nuclear program enhancement through U.S. technology.

A dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, Ghomi, faces accusations of aiding Iran’s military and nuclear program by acquiring sensitive American technology. Federal prosecutors allege that millions from this scheme funded the construction of his mansion in Newport Beach.

Ghomi, 63, residing in Newport Coast, is charged with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions law. The accusations involve selling export-restricted networking, security, and encryption equipment to Iran, including entities connected to its military and nuclear enrichment activities. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated that Ghomi enriched himself by supplying U.S. technology to Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization and other sanctioned entities.

His arrest is part of a broader crackdown on Iranian procurement networks. Federal authorities have charged several Iranian nationals with acquiring U.S. technology for military purposes.

Prosecutors claim Ghomi’s $35 million mansion was partly financed with illegal proceeds from the tech sales. Ghomi founded and leads Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh Co. Ltd. (FPR), a Tehran-based firm allegedly involved in sourcing sophisticated U.S. equipment and directing it to Iranian entities via intermediaries in the UAE.

Investigators reveal that the scheme generated millions for Ghomi, who masked the origin of the funds before transferring them to the U.S. He reportedly laundered money through a network of offshore companies and exchange houses across several regions, including the British Virgin Islands.

Court documents indicate over $15 million connected to Ghomi’s business flowed into American financial accounts, supporting his residence construction. Authorities discovered false descriptions in the transfers, such as “Buying Goods” and “For Consulting Fees.” Moreover, Ghomi allegedly misreported income to the IRS as foreign inheritance while claiming minimal income on federal tax returns.

Despite owning a 14,000-square-foot mansion, court reports show his highest recorded annual income at approximately $20,684. Authorities noted multiple claims of the Earned Income Tax Credit, meant for lower-income workers.

The mansion construction involved $7 million in foreign-source wire transfers linked to the sanctions-evasion scheme. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the importance of enforcing laws prohibiting business with state sponsors of terrorism.

Investigators assert that FPR provided U.S.-made products to Iran’s sensitive organizations. These included the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and others connected to military. Since 2017, they supplied networking equipment to AEOI, which handles Iran’s nuclear program and was sanctioned by the U.S. State Department in 2020.

Ghomi reportedly delivered over 250 metric tons of equipment to Iran between 2014 and 2018. The prosecution accuses him of making hundreds of restricted tech purchases, knowingly breaching sanctions, and actively hiding the operation.

Evidence suggests Ghomi used front companies in the UAE to disguise shipment destinations and instructed associates to omit his name from shipment documents. If found guilty, Ghomi may face up to 20 years in prison.