Two individuals have been accused of engaging in illegal activities by unlawfully smuggling and plotting to evade export controls while selling equipment to Russia’s nuclear energy industry. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston disclosed that Sam Bhambhani, a 55-year-old from North Attleboro, Mass., and Maxim Teslenko, a 35-year-old from Moscow, were indicted on charges of smuggling and conspiracy to violate export controls, among other offenses. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy emphasized the significance of enforcing U.S. export laws to protect national security, condemning the defendants’ alleged efforts to deceive the government about the destination of sensitive technology.
Instances similar to the allegations against Bhambhani and Teslenko are not uncommon. Earlier this year, a Kansas businessman admitted guilt for unlawfully exporting aviation technology to Russian entities in violation of U.S. sanctions. Furthermore, two years ago, the Biden administration unveiled criminal charges and sanctions linked to unlawfully obtaining military technologies from American manufacturers for supply to Russia during the conflict in Ukraine.
Between 2015 and 2021, prosecutors claim that Bhambhani and Teslenko conspired to export laser welding machines to the Ural Electromechanical Plant in Yekaterinburg, Russia, disguising the recipient’s identity in falsified export documents. The Ural Electromechanical Plant operates under Rosatom, a Russian state-owned corporation overseeing the country’s civilian and military nuclear programs.
Attempts to reach Bhambhani for comment were unsuccessful, and his legal representation status remains unclear. Bhambhani was arrested on September 9, appeared in court, and was subsequently released. On the other hand, Teslenko, who is currently abroad, has yet to be apprehended.
In the event of conviction, Bhambhani and Teslenko could face severe penalties. The smuggling charge carries a potential sentence of up to a decade in prison, along with three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000. Likewise, the conspiracy charge could result in a five-year prison term, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
