The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has secured the forfeiture of two luxury Miami condominiums that were maintained, transferred, and leased in violation of sanctions against Russian national Viktor Perevalov.
The forfeited properties have a combined value of approximately $1.8 million and were seized in a court-ordered default judgment and final order of forfeiture entered on Jan. 7. As alleged in the complaint, Perevalov and Valeri Abramov were co-founders of VAD, AO, a Russia-based construction company responsible for constructing the Tavrida Highway in the Russian-occupied Crimea Region of Ukraine.
On Jan. 26, 2018, pursuant to Executive Order 13685, the US Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Victor Perevalov, Valeri Abramov, VAD, AO, and others following the Russian invasion of Crimea. OFAC added Perevalov, Abramov, and VAD, AO to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. OFAC never issued a license, which was required for anyone to transact with, or on behalf of, Perevalov and Abramov. Perevalov was re-designated by OFAC in December 2024 for operating in the construction sector of the Russian economy.
The DOJ stated the condominiums were maintained, transferred, and leased in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. It was determined that a Miami real estate agent retained to manage the properties transferred the two condominiums owned by Perevalov to a limited liability company set up to obfuscate Perevalov’s interest in the properties. Following the transfer, the properties continued to be leased, generating proceeds used to maintain them.
“Today’s successful forfeiture once again demonstrates that the attempt to hide assets behind nominees and shell companies is a risky short-term game with real long-term costs,” said Co-Director Michael Khoo of the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture. “The prosecutors and agents who investigated and brought this case are the proof that the United States has the people, the tools, and the will to vigorously enforce our nation’s sanctions programs.”
