Estonian Firm Asks Court to Take All Its Assets Over Export Control Violations
Estonian electronics exporter By Trade OU asked a court to issue a sentence against the company that would require it to forfeit all its assets as punishment for violating U.S. export controls against Russia. Filing a sentencing memorandum with the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, By Trade OU offered up its remaining assets, totalling over $337,000, since it would not be able to pay any fine ordered by the court "due to its financial resources." The company said it would then "cease operations" (United States v. By Trade OU, D. Conn. # 22-00110)
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By Trade OU said that from 2018 to 2022, it knowingly engaged in a conspiracy to export and reexport from the U.S. to Russia a "Moore 500 Series CPWZ Precision Jig Grinder, knowing that such export and reexport to Russia was contrary to the laws and regulations of the United States." The company pleaded guilty in December.
"It is indisputable that Defendant has been cooperative in the investigation of the instant offense and clearly demonstrated recognition and affirmative acceptance of responsibility for its actions," the company said, adding that it wouldn't be able to pay a fine and it would be "impractical to order probation since Defendant, as a business entity, will be liquidated soon."