Exclusive | Iran tech boss arrested at $35M SoCal mansion on charges of selling US hardware to Iranian military and nuclear programs
Federal agents pounced on the opulent $35 million Newport Beach mansion of an Iranian tech boss charged with supplying US computer hardware to the Iran’s military and nuclear programs in a daring predawn raid on Wednesday.The California Post was there as the FBI arrested Jamshid Ghomi, 63, of Newport Coast, who was charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and is expected to appear Wednesday afternoon in Santa Ana federal court.The businessman, who is a dual citizen of Iran and the US, is accused of selling computer hardware to the Iranian government for use in its military and nuclear operations.Prosecutors allege Ghomi made millions on those deals and invented elaborate schemes to hide the transactions.“Ghomi is accused of aiding our declared enemies by selling U.S.-origin computer networking parts to Iran and earning millions of dollars in violation of U.S.
sanction laws,” said Los Angeles’ top federal prosecutor Bill Essayli.“We will hold him accountable by seeking an appropriate prison sentence and by seizing his assets, including his $35 million Newport Beach mansion,” he added.Early Wednesday morning, dozens of agents dressed in tactical gear and carrying automatic weapons gathered early at a parking lot in tony Newport Beach near the accused Ghomi’s palatial pad.From there, agents sped in a convoy to the property at 31 High Water within an exclusive gated community, encircling the mansion’s manicured grounds before calling for him to come out.“What’s going on?” asked one of the stunned occupants of the mansion, as two of Ghomi’s adult sons and his wife were led outside by agents.More agents carrying power tools and evidence boxes entered Ghomi’s the Italianate estate, while an interpreter arrived to interview him. Ghomi eventually emerged after the interview and was taken into custody by agents who placed him in a silver SUV.In addition to allegedly violating US sanction laws, federal auth...