‘The facts are shocking’: Dual Iranian-U.S. millionaire arrested for delivering American tech to Tehran military

By Bob Unruh

Jamshid Ghomi's mansion in Newport Beach, California (U.S. Justice Department photo)
Jamshid Ghomi’s mansion in Newport Beach, California (U.S. Justice Department photo)

The federal government has arrested and is charging a millionaire with dual Iranian-U.S. citizenship for providing tech to the Islamic regime that could help its military in its fight against the United States.

According to acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, “Today, Jamshid Ghomi, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen who lives in a $35 million mansion in Orange County, California, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with selling computer technology to Iranian companies and Iran’s government — including technology to help with Iran’s military and nuclear program.”

He continued, “These allegations assert that the defendant violated U.S. sanctions against Iran, aided one of our nation’s enemies, supported Iran’s nuclear program, and got rich doing it. Not only is he being arrested today, but we also are beginning the process of seizing his mansion, which was purchased with his illegal proceeds. Thanks to the work of @USAttyEssayli’s office, @CommerceGov and @IRS_CI’s Los Angeles Field Office, he will face the full force of justice.”

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U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli explained, “The facts [in] the case we are announcing today are shocking. Jamshid Ghomi is accused of violating U.S. sanctions laws by providing technological equipment to the government of Iran, including its military and nuclear program. He did this while living and enjoying the freedoms our great country provides. Today, he is under arrest and will face the full force of justice.”

According to a report at Fox News, Ghomi is accused of “conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.”

The allegations are that he procured “sophisticated U.S.-origin networking, security, and encryption equipment for Iranian customers — including the Iranian regime’s nuclear and military establishment.”

The Department of Justice said, “As alleged, Ghomi enriched himself by supplying U.S. technology to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and other sanctioned entities responsible for Iran’s nuclear program. The National Security Division will hold accountable those who violate our laws to further Iran’s nuclear ambitions.”

The report explained Ghomi is thought to have moved over $15 million from Iran into his U.S. bank accounts and a separate escrow account, “falsely reporting the money to the IRS as a foreign inheritance.”

The report said, “His federal tax returns reported almost no income with his highest reported income in any year being $20,684. He allegedly claimed a tax break intended for low- to moderate-income working individuals and families, in seven different tax years while reporting more than $1.7 million in mortgage interest and $1.25 million in state and local real-estate taxes on his federal income tax returns.”

Federal agents executed a predawn raid at Ghomi’s $35 million Newport Beach mansion.

Bob Unruh

Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is currently a news editor for the WND News Center, and also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially. Read more of Bob Unruh's articles here.


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