Alexander Fishenko: Russian Agent Captured In Texas
A Russian has been captured in Texas. A high-tech micro-electronics company employee pleaded guilty to being an “unregistered Russian agent” on Wednesday. Alexander Fishenko, 49, was accused of illegally exporting millions of dollars worth of micro-electronics equipment to his homeland during he past decade.
Alexander Fishenko was naturalized in the United States in 2003, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. He holds dual citizenship status in both America and Russia. The 19 charges levied against the Russian agent include circumventing export laws and money laundering. Fishenko was acting as an unregistered Russian agent via his Arc Electronics firm, the report also states.
Newser: Texas businessman or secret Russian agent? Alexander Fishenko was both http://t.co/KpALGjosVF pic.twitter.com/yvDpTfmOE2
— Weld Bessid (@mauritaniafrica) September 10, 2015
“Fishenko lined his pockets at the expense of our national security,” according to statements made by the acting United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Kelly T. Currie to CNN. “This prosecution highlights the importance of vigorously enforcing United States export control laws. [Fishenko] led a conspiracy to obtain advanced, technologically cutting-edge microelectronics from manufacturers and suppliers located within the United States and to export those high-tech goods to Russia.”
The technology equipment Fishenko reportedly sent back home to Vladimir Putin’s Russia include analog to digital converter and microprocessors. Both of the items are strictly regulated due to their potential for use in missile guidance systems, radar equipment, and surveillance endeavors. The Russian spy was the CEO of the Houston-based Arc Electronics. The company was founded in 1998. Fishenko also reportedly aided in the running of a Moscow-based procurement firm called Apex. The firm was reportedly a certified supplier of military equipment for the Russian government.
https://youtu.be/Z_xfUjKm6i4
In 2008, the unregistered Russian agent reportedly circumvented U.S. export law by declaring Arc Electronics as a manufacturer of traffic lights. The company did not reportedly make traffic signals, but instead purchased them through American suppliers. Fishenko stood accused of using “convoluted” shipping route and accepting funds through shell companies.
The Wall Street Journal report also stated that Arc Electronics sent more than $50 million of electronics back home to Russia from 2002 to 2012. Alexander Fishenko reportedly did so without acquiring an export license. Fishenko could be sentenced to up to 16 years in prison for his crimes. The maximum penalty for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Arms Export Control Act is more than 100 years behind bars.
[Image via: Carsten Reisinger/Shutterstock.com]
