Russian agent and Ukrainian politician Derkach indicted in the U.S.

A sanctioned Ukrainian politician with connections to Russian intelligence services was struck with new criminal allegations concerning his purported purchase of two buildings in Beverly Hills, California, ABC reported.

Derkach is accused of bank fraud and money laundering

In a seven-count indictment, Derkach is accused of conspiring to break the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, bank fraud, money laundering, and four further charges of money laundering. 

Derkach is accused of concealing his interest in the deals while buying the two California houses in contravention of recent U.S. sanctions.

Derkach is accused of trying to influence the election

Andrii Derkach, a Ukrainian lawmaker who the U.S. has designated as a Russian agent, has been charged with trying to sway the 2020 presidential election by meeting with Rudy Giuliani and spreading false information about Joe Biden to him, according to federal prosecutors in Brooklyn and the Justice Department’s KleptoCapture task force. 

Derkach is also accused of trying to influence the election by meeting with Rudy Giuliani.

“The conduct of this Kremlin asset, who was sanctioned for trying to poison our democracy, has shown he is ready, willing, and capable of exploiting our banking system to advance his illicit goals,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “The U.S. will not be a haven where criminals, oligarchs, or sanctioned entities can hide their ill-gotten gains or influence our elections. This office and our law enforcement partners will use every tool available to prosecute those who evade sanctions and abuse the U.S. financial system. We will identify, freeze and seize criminal proceeds whenever and wherever possible.”

Derkach was sanctioned for working with Russian intelligence to influence the U.S. election

According to prosecutors, Derkach, still at large, was sanctioned for allegedly working with Russian intelligence services to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election while conspiring to get a happy life in the U.S.

According to the allegation, Derkach, a member of a pro-Russian political group in Ukraine, allegedly conspired to buy two luxury apartment buildings in Beverly Hills while concealing his interest in the transactions from U.S. financial institutions. 

If found guilty, he may spend up to 30 years in prison.

Derkach ran websites spreading false information

According to Treasury authorities, Derkach allegedly ran two websites that assisted in disseminating false information about American officials.

Together with news anchor Chanel Rion, Giuliani traveled to Ukraine in 2019. The two met with Derkach for an interview and took documents from him. 

Federal prosecutors probed Giuliani’s activities in Ukraine in New York, but they opted not to press charges earlier this year.