U.S. Treasury sanctions three financial firms and a Russian national that were part of a plan to unfreeze $1.5 billion in shares owned by Oleg Deripaska

  • The U.S. has sanctioned three companies and a Russian national involved in an alleged scheme by Oleg Deripaska to unfreeze $1.5 billion in shares
  • Deripaska tried to sell his shares in an Austrian construction company through a sanctions-evasion scheme
  • The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted associates and professional-services providers of Deripaska and other sanctioned Russian oligarchs

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on three companies and a Russian national for their involvement in an alleged scheme by Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska. The scheme aimed to unfreeze over $1.5 billion in shares that Deripaska controls in an Austrian construction company. Deripaska, who has been under U.S. sanctions since 2018, attempted to sell his shares in the company through a complex divestment plan that authorities described as a sanctions-evasion scheme. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has been targeting associates and professional-services providers of Deripaska and other sanctioned Russian oligarchs. This latest action is part of a series of measures taken by the U.S. to address such activities. Last year, a former FBI agent was charged for accepting secret payments from Deripaska for investigating a rival oligarch. The U.S. Treasury has now sanctioned Rasperia Trading, Titul, and Iliadis, along with their owner Dmitrii Beloglazov, for their involvement in the deal. The sale of the shares fell apart due to the sanctions on Deripaska, as the prospective buyer was unable to proceed. The U.S. Treasury warns businesses to be skeptical of divestment schemes involving shell companies or proxies linked to sanctioned oligarchs.

Factuality Level: 3
Factuality Justification: The article provides specific details about the sanctions imposed on Oleg Deripaska and the companies involved in the alleged scheme. However, it lacks in-depth analysis and context, and it does not provide a balanced perspective on the situation. The article also contains some unnecessary background information and repetitive details.
Noise Level: 2
Noise Justification: The article provides a detailed and relevant analysis of the recent sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska and associated companies. It includes information on the background of the individual, the reasons for the sanctions, and the specific actions taken by the U.S. government. The article stays on topic, supports its claims with examples, and offers insights into the implications of the sanctions.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The article pertains to the sanctions imposed by the U.S. on three companies and a Russian national involved in an alleged scheme by Oleg Deripaska to unfreeze more than $1.5 billion in shares he controls in an Austrian construction company. This could impact the financial markets and companies involved in the scheme.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Rating Justification:
Public Companies: Strabag (null)
Private Companies: Rasperia Trading,Titul,Iliadis
Key People: Oleg Deripaska (Russian billionaire), Charles McGonigal (former high-level agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation), Dmitrii Beloglazov (owner of Titul), Brian Nelson (Treasury Undersecretary), Dylan Tokar (author)

Reported publicly: www.wsj.com