3 Convicted In Plot To Sell Electronics To Russia Illegally
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Three former employees of a Texas company were convicted in Brooklyn Monday of taking part in a scheme to illegally export microprocessors and other technology to Russia.
Alexander Posobilov, Shavkat Abdullaev and Anastasia Diatlova were convicted in Brooklyn U.S. District Court in Brooklyn after a monthlong trial.
The three were originally indicted in October 2012 along with eight other people who worked at Arc Electronics Inc. in Houston. Prosecutors said they sold over $30 million in microelectronics from 2008 to 2012, circumventing U.S. laws that forbade it.
``These defendants were key players in a sprawling scheme to illegally export sophisticated technology to Russia,'' U.S. Attorney Robert Capers said in announcing the convictions.
Richard Lind, attorney for Abdullaev, said his client ``was wrongfully convicted'' and planned on appealing the conviction.
Posobilov's and Diatlova's attorneys did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
The most serious counts each carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
Alexander Fishenko, owner of the company, pleaded guilty in September to crimes including money laundering, obstruction of justice and acting as an agent of the Russian government in the United States. Four others also pleaded guilty.
The remaining three people have pleaded not guilty.
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