6 accused of selling satellites to Iran; prosecutors say scheme resulted in satellite launch
By APTuesday, June 8, 2010
6 accused in scam to sell satellites to Iran
GREENBELT, Md. — A Maryland man and five Iranian citizens are accused of violating the trade embargo against Iran by conspiring to sell technology used to launch a telecommunications satellite.
Federal prosecutors say the hardware and technology sold in the $10 million scheme enabled the launch of the Iranian-owned satellite from Russia in 2005.
Prosecutors say 49-year-old Nader Modanlo of Potomac and his conspirators brokered an agreement between a Russian-owned company and a customer in Iran to build and launch satellites. The six men are accused of setting up shell companies that concealed Iranian involvement.
Modanlo is an American citizen who was born in Iran. He was arrested Tuesday morning, and electronic court records did not list an attorney for him. His five Iranian conspirators remained at large.
