Order Temporarily Denying Export Privileges, 13077-13079 [2012-5221]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2012 / Notices
select industries in arts, entertainment,
and recreation sector, the survey
produces estimates of admissions
revenue. Beginning in March 2013, with
the introduction of a new QSS sample,
the QSS will also provide estimates of
revenue for the accommodation
subsector and estimates for interest
income, loan fees, fees and
commissions, financial planning and
investment management, and net gains
and losses from brokering for select
finance and insurance industries.
Firms are selected for this survey
using a stratified design with strata
defined by industry, tax status, and
estimated size based on annual revenue.
The sample consists of approximately
18,000 firms and consists of a
subsample of firms from the larger
Service Annual Survey. Each quarter the
QSS sample is updated to reflect the
addition of new businesses and the
removal of firms that have gone out-ofbusiness.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis
uses the survey results as input to its
quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
and GDP by industry estimates. The
estimates provide the Federal Reserve
Board and Council of Economic
advisors with timely information to
assess current economic performance.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services use the QSS estimates to
develop hospital-spending estimates for
the National Accounts. Other
government and private stakeholders
also benefit from a better understanding
of important cyclical components of our
economy.
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
II. Method of Collection
We will collect this information by
mail, facsimile, Internet, and a
telephone follow-up.
15:06 Mar 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the
proposed collection of information; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including through the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB
approval of this information collection;
they also will become a matter of public
record.
Dated: February 28, 2012.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012–5189 Filed 3–2–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0607–0907.
Form Number: QSS–1(A), QSS–1(E),
QSS–2(A), QSS–2(E), QSS–3(A), QSS–
3(E), QSS–4(A), QSS–4(E), QSS–5(A),
QSS–5(E), QSS–6(A), QSS–6(E), QSS–
7(A), QSS–7(E), QSS–8(A), QSS–8(E),
QSS–9(A), QSS–9(E), QSS–0(A), QSS–
0(E), QSS1P(A), QSS1P(E), QSS4f(A),
QSS–4f(E).
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Businesses or other
for-profit organizations, not-for-profit
institutions, and government hospitals.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
23,500.
Estimated Time per Response: 15
minutes: QSS–1(A), QSS–1(E), QSS–
2(A), QSS–2(E), QSS–3(A), QSS–3(E),
QSS–5(A), QSS–5(E), QSS–6(A), QSS–
6(E), QSS–7(A), QSS–7(E), QSS–8(A),
QSS–8(E), QSS–9(A), QSS–9(E), QSS–
VerDate Mar<15>2010
0(A), QSS–0(E), QSS1P(A), QSS1P(E).
10 minutes: QSS–4(A), QSS–4(E),
QSS4f(A), QSS–4f(E).
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 20,900.
Estimated Total Annual Cost:
$692,835.
Respondents Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 182.
Order Temporarily Denying Export
Privileges
Delfin Group USA LLC, 4950 Virginia
Avenue, North Charleston, South Carolina
29405. 650 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta,
Georgia 30022. Marcos Baghdasarian, 4950
Virginia Avenue, North Charleston, South
Carolina 29405. 650 Saint Regis Lane,
Alpharetta, Georgia 30022. Bagdel
Corporation, 4950 Virginia Avenue, North
Charleston, South Carolina 29405. 650 Saint
Regis Lane, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022. Naren
Sachanandani, P.O. Box 9645, Q4–280,
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone,
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Do-It FZC,
P.O. Box 9645, Q4–280, Sharjah Airport
International Free Zone, Sharjah, United
Arab Emirates. Respondents.
Pursuant to Section 766.24 of the
Export Administration Regulations
(‘‘EAR’’ or the ‘‘Regulations’’),1 the
1 The EAR is currently codified at 15 CFR parts
730–774 (2011). The EAR are issued under the
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
13077
Bureau of Industry and Security (‘‘BIS’’),
U.S. Department of Commerce, through
its Office of Export Enforcement
(‘‘OEE’’), has requested that I issue an
Order temporarily denying, for a period
of 180 days, the export privileges under
the EAR of:
1. Delfin Group USA LLC, 4950 Virginia
Avenue, North Charleston, South
Carolina 29405.
650 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta,
Georgia 30022.
2. Marcos Baghdasarian, 4950 Virginia
Avenue, North Charleston, South
Carolina 29405.
650 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta,
Georgia 30022.
3. Bagdel Corporation, 4950 Virginia
Avenue, North Charleston, South
Carolina 29405.
650 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta,
Georgia 30022.
4. Naren Sachanandani, P.O. Box 9645,
Q4–280, Sharjah Airport
International Free Zone, Sharjah,
United Arab Emirates.
5. Do-It FZC, P.O. Box 9645, Q4–280,
Sharjah Airport International Free
Zone, Sharjah, United Arab
Emirates.
Legal Standard
Pursuant to Section 766.24(b) of the
Regulations, BIS may issue a TDO upon
a showing that the order is necessary in
the public interest to prevent an
‘‘imminent violation’’ of the
Regulations. 15 CFR 766.24(b)(1). ‘‘A
violation may be ‘imminent’ either in
time or degree of likelihood.’’ 15 CFR
766.24(b)(3). BIS may show ‘‘either that
a violation is about to occur, or that the
general circumstances of the matter
under investigation or case under
criminal or administrative charges
demonstrate a likelihood of future
violations.’’ Id. As to the likelihood of
future violations, BIS may show that
‘‘the violation under investigation or
charges is significant, deliberate, covert
and/or likely to occur again, rather than
technical or negligent [.]’’ Id. A ‘‘lack of
information establishing the precise
time a violation may occur does not
preclude a finding that a violation is
imminent, so long as there is sufficient
reason to believe the likelihood of a
violation.’’ Id.
Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (50
U.S.C. app. §§ 2401–2420 (2000)) (‘‘EAA’’). Since
August 21, 2001, the Act has been in lapse and the
President, through Executive Order 13222 of August
17, 2001 (3 CFR, 2001 Comp. 783 (2002)), which
has been extended by successive presidential
notices, the most recent being that of August 12,
2011 (76 FR 50661 (Aug. 16, 2011)), has continued
the Regulations in effect under the International
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701,
et seq.) (‘‘IEEPA’’).
E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM
05MRN1
13078
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2012 / Notices
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background and Findings
OEE has presented evidence that
beginning in or about mid-2010, and
continuing thereafter, Delfin Group USA
LLC (‘‘Delfin’’) and its president,
Markos Baghdasarian (‘‘Baghdasarian’’),
have conspired with multiple entities
and individuals, including entities and
individuals located in the United Arab
Emirates (‘‘UAE’’), to export U.S.-origin
items subject to the Regulations from
the United States to Iran, via
transshipment through the UAE,
without obtaining the required
authorization from the U.S.
Government. Delfin/Baghdasarian have
used Bagdel Corporation (‘‘Bagdel’’), a
freight forwarding company, to facilitate
the export and attempted export of the
items—polymers and lubricating oils or
oil additives, including aviation engine
lubricating oils—from the United States
to Iran via the UAE. Baghdasarian is the
chief executive officer of Bagdel.
The evidence indicates that beginning
in or about June 2010, Delfin/
Baghdasarian conspired with Naren
Sachanandani (‘‘Sachanandani’’) and
his company Do-It FZC and others to
develop a scheme to obtain U.S.-origin
items for Iranian customers or potential
customers, including Pars Oil & Gas
Company (‘‘Pars Oil’’), a subsidiary of
the Iranian-government owned National
Iranian Oil Company. Do-It FZC is
located at the Sharjah Airport
International Free Zone in the UAE.
Pursuant to this scheme, the items
exported by Delfin and forwarded by
Bagdel or others would be re-labeled or
re-packaged after they arrived in the
UAE and transshipped on to Iran.
Delfin/Baghdasarian have filed at
least 17 shipper’s export declarations
(‘‘SEDs’’) between February 3, 2011 and
January 29, 2012, that relate to the
export of the items in quantities valued
in the millions of dollars in the
aggregate and that identify Do-It FZC or
another UAE general trading company
as the ultimate consignee. Open source
information indicates that
Sachanandani is the owner of Do-It FZC,
which is listed as the ultimate consignee
on 15 of the 17 SEDs, and evidence also
indicates that Do-It FZC and the other
UAE general trading company are not
end users of such items, especially in
such large quantities.
As provided in Section 746.7 of the
Regulations, no person may export to
Iran any item that is subject to the EAR,
if such transaction is prohibited by the
Iranian Transactions Regulations
(‘‘ITR’’) 2 and has not been authorized
by OFAC. Under Section 560.204 of the
2 31
CFR Part 560.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:06 Mar 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
ITR, the exportation, reexportation, sale
or supply, directly or indirectly, from
the United States of any goods to Iran
is prohibited by the ITR, including the
exportation, reexportation, sale or
supply of items from the United States
to a third country, such as the UAE,
undertaken with knowledge or reason to
know that the items are intended for
supply, transshipment, or reexportation,
directly or indirectly, to Iran. OFAC
authorization was not obtained for any
of the export transactions at issue. The
evidence shows that Respondents were
aware of the prohibitions on exporting
U.S.-origin items to Iran and developed
a scheme to evade these prohibitions.
When OEE sought documents from
Delfin relating to an export transaction
in or about late August 2011, those
efforts were ignored by Delfin and no
documents or other cooperation
provided. More recently, U.S. law
enforcement and customs agents have
been able to administratively detain
several recent Delfin exports or
attempted exports at U.S. ports
concerning which Do-It FZC was listed
as the ultimate consignee. Additionally,
OEE has issued redelivery orders in
accordance with Section 758.8 of the
Regulations for additional shipments
that had left the United States, but had
not reached Do-It FZC.
These administrative measures,
however, contain limitations and
provide U.S. law enforcement and
customs agents with an extremely short
window in which to attempt to detect
and then seek to stop a shipment once
an SED has been filed. Moreover,
administrative detentions by U.S.
Customs and Border Patrol are not
indefinite and OEE re-delivery orders
rely on the cooperation of vessel owners
or other carriers to turn shipments
around and/or on foreign governments
to timely intercept and detain
shipments after they have arrived in
their countries. The issuance of a TDO
provides a more comprehensive and
effective approach to preventing
imminent violations before they occur,
by giving notice to persons and
companies in the United States and
abroad that they should cease dealing
with the Respondents in export
transactions involving items subject to
the EAR.
OEE submits, in sum, that violations
of the EAR are imminent as defined in
Section 766.24 of the Regulations. I
agree based on the evidence of
Respondents’ deliberate, significant, and
deceptive conduct designed to procure
and export U.S.-origin items from the
United States to Iran, including via
transshipment through the UAE,
without the required U.S. Government
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
authorization. I also find that the
conduct in this case is deliberate,
significant, and likely to occur again
absent the issuance of a TDO. Therefore,
I find that a TDO naming Delfin Group
USA LLC, Marcos Baghdasarian, Bagdel
Corporation, Naren Sachanandani, and
Do-It FZC is necessary, in the public
interest, to prevent an imminent
violation of the EAR.
This Order is being issued on an ex
parte basis without a hearing based
upon BIS’s showing of an imminent
violation.
I. Order
It is therefore ordered:
First, that the Respondents, DELFIN
GROUP USA LLC, 4950 Virginia
Avenue, North Charleston, South
Carolina 29405 and 650 Saint Regis
Lane, Alpharetta Georgia 30022;
MARCOS BAGHDASARIAN, 4950
Virginia Avenue, North Charleston,
South Carolina 29405 and 650 Saint
Regis Lane, Alpharetta Georgia 30022;
BAGDEL CORPORATION, 4950 Virginia
Avenue, North Charleston, South
Carolina 29405 and 650 Saint Regis
Lane, Alpharetta Georgia 30022; NAREN
SACHANANDANI, P.O. Box 9645, Q4–
280, Sharjah Airport International Free
Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates;
and DO–IT FZC, P.O. Box 9645, Q4–
280, Sharjah Airport International Free
Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
and each of their successors or assigns
and, when acting for or on behalf of any
of the foregoing, each of their officers,
representatives, agents or employees
(each a ‘‘Denied Person’’ and
collectively the ‘‘Denied Persons’’) may
not, directly or indirectly, participate in
any way in any transaction involving
any commodity, software or technology
(hereinafter collectively referred to as
‘‘item’’) exported or to be exported from
the United States that is subject to the
Export Administration Regulations
(‘‘EAR’’), or in any other activity subject
to the EAR including, but not limited to:
A. Applying for, obtaining, or using
any license, License Exception, or
export control document;
B. Carrying on negotiations
concerning, or ordering, buying,
receiving, using, selling, delivering,
storing, disposing of, forwarding,
transporting, financing, or otherwise
servicing in any way, any transaction
involving any item exported or to be
exported from the United States that is
subject to the EAR, or in any other
activity subject to the EAR; or
C. Benefitting in any way from any
transaction involving any item exported
or to be exported from the United States
that is subject to the EAR, or in any
other activity subject to the EAR.
E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM
05MRN1
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2012 / Notices
Second, that no person may, directly
or indirectly, do any of the following:
A. Export or reexport to or on behalf
of a Denied Person any item subject to
the EAR;
B. Take any action that facilitates the
acquisition or attempted acquisition by
a Denied Person of the ownership,
possession, or control of any item
subject to the EAR that has been or will
be exported from the United States,
including financing or other support
activities related to a transaction
whereby a Denied Person acquires or
attempts to acquire such ownership,
possession or control;
C. Take any action to acquire from or
to facilitate the acquisition or attempted
acquisition from a Denied Person of any
item subject to the EAR that has been
exported from the United States;
D. Obtain from a Denied Person in the
United States any item subject to the
EAR with knowledge or reason to know
that the item will be, or is intended to
be, exported from the United States; or
E. Engage in any transaction to service
any item subject to the EAR that has
been or will be exported from the
United States and which is owned,
possessed or controlled by a Denied
Person, or service any item, of whatever
origin, that is owned, possessed or
controlled by a Denied Person if such
service involves the use of any item
subject to the EAR that has been or will
be exported from the United States. For
purposes of this paragraph, servicing
means installation, maintenance, repair,
modification or testing.
Third, that, after notice and
opportunity for comment as provided in
section 766.23 of the EAR, any other
person, firm, corporation, or business
organization related to a Denied Person
by affiliation, ownership, control, or
position of responsibility in the conduct
of trade or related services may also be
made subject to the provisions of this
Order.
Fourth, that this Order does not
prohibit any export, reexport, or other
transaction subject to the EAR where the
only items involved that are subject to
the EAR are the foreign-produced direct
product of U.S.-origin technology.
In accordance with the provisions of
Section 766.24(e) of the EAR, the
Respondents may, at any time, appeal
this Order by filing a full written
statement in support of the appeal with
the Office of the Administrative Law
Judge, U.S. Coast Guard ALJ Docketing
Center, 40 South Gay Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21202–4022.
BIS may seek renewal of this Order by
filing a written request with the
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Export Enforcement in accordance with
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:06 Mar 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
the provisions of Section 766.24(d) of
the EAR, which currently provides that
such a written request must be
submitted not later than 20 days before
the expiration date. A Respondent may
oppose a request to renew this Order in
accordance with Section 766.24(d),
including by filing a written submission
with the Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Export Enforcement,
supported by appropriate evidence. Any
opposition ordinarily must be received
not later than seven days before the
expiration date of the Order.
Notice of the issuance of this Order
shall be given to Respondents in
accordance with Sections 766.5(b) and
766.24(b)(5) of the Regulations. This
Order also shall be published in the
Federal Register.
This Order is effective immediately and
shall remain in effect for 180 days.
Issued this 25th day of February 2012.
Donald G. Salo,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Export Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2012–5221 Filed 3–2–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–588–850]
Certain Large Diameter Carbon and
Alloy Seamless Standard, Line, and
Pressure Pipe (Over 41⁄2 Inches) From
Japan: Preliminary Results of the
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
(‘‘Department’’) preliminarily
determines that JFE Steel Corporation
(‘‘JFE’’); Nippon Steel Corporation
(‘‘Nippon’’); NKK Tubes (‘‘NKK’’); and
Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
(‘‘SMI’’) made no shipments of
merchandise subject to the antidumping
duty order on certain large diameter
carbon and alloy seamless standard,
line, and pressure pipe (over 41⁄2 inches)
from Japan during the period June 1,
2010, through May 31, 2011. Interested
parties are invited to comment on the
preliminary results.
DATES: Effective Date: March 5, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sergio Balbontin, AD/CVD Operations,
Office 1, Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th
Street and Constitution Avenue NW.,
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
13079
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202)
482–6478.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On June 1, 2011, the Department
published a notice of opportunity to
request an administrative review of the
antidumping duty order on carbon and
alloy seamless standard, line, and
pressure pipe (over 41⁄2 inches) from
Japan for the period June 1, 2010,
through May 31, 2011. See Antidumping
or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding,
or Suspended Investigation;
Opportunity To Request Administrative
Review, 76 FR 31586 (June 1, 2011). On
June 30, 2011, United States Steel
Corporation (‘‘U.S. Steel’’), a domestic
producer of the subject merchandise,
made a timely request that the
Department conduct an administrative
review of JFE, Nippon, NKK, and SMI.
On July 28, 2011, in accordance with
section 751(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930,
as amended (‘‘the Act’’), the Department
published in the Federal Register a
notice of initiation of this antidumping
duty administrative review. See
Initiation of Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Administrative
Reviews, Requests for Revocations in
Part and Deferral of Administrative
Reviews, 76 FR 45227 (July 28, 2011).
On August 4, 2011, Nippon submitted
a letter to the Department certifying that
it made no shipments or entries for
consumption in the United States of
subject merchandise during the period
of review (‘‘POR’’). On August 31, 2011,
the Department issued its antidumping
duty questionnaire to JFE, NKK, and
SMI. On September 1, 2011, September
9, 2011 and September 19, 2011, SMI,
NKK, and JFE, respectively, submitted
letters to the Department certifying that
each company made no shipments or
entries for consumption in the United
States of subject merchandise during the
POR.
Scope of the Order
The products covered by the order are
large diameter seamless carbon and
alloy (other than stainless) steel
standard, line, and pressure pipes
produced, or equivalent, to the
American Society for Testing and
Materials (‘‘ASTM’’) A–53, ASTM A–
106, ASTM A–333, ASTM A–334,
ASTM A–589, ASTM A–795, and the
American Petroleum Institute (‘‘API’’)
5L specifications and meeting the
physical parameters described below,
regardless of application. The scope of
the order also includes all other
products used in standard, line, or
pressure pipe applications and meeting
the physical parameters described
E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM
05MRN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13077-13079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5221]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
Order Temporarily Denying Export Privileges
Delfin Group USA LLC, 4950 Virginia Avenue, North Charleston,
South Carolina 29405. 650 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta, Georgia
30022. Marcos Baghdasarian, 4950 Virginia Avenue, North Charleston,
South Carolina 29405. 650 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta, Georgia
30022. Bagdel Corporation, 4950 Virginia Avenue, North Charleston,
South Carolina 29405. 650 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta, Georgia
30022. Naren Sachanandani, P.O. Box 9645, Q4-280, Sharjah Airport
International Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Do-It FZC,
P.O. Box 9645, Q4-280, Sharjah Airport International Free Zone,
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Respondents.
Pursuant to Section 766.24 of the Export Administration Regulations
(``EAR'' or the ``Regulations''),\1\ the Bureau of Industry and
Security (``BIS''), U.S. Department of Commerce, through its Office of
Export Enforcement (``OEE''), has requested that I issue an Order
temporarily denying, for a period of 180 days, the export privileges
under the EAR of:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The EAR is currently codified at 15 CFR parts 730-774
(2011). The EAR are issued under the Export Administration Act of
1979, as amended (50 U.S.C. app. Sec. Sec. 2401-2420 (2000))
(``EAA''). Since August 21, 2001, the Act has been in lapse and the
President, through Executive Order 13222 of August 17, 2001 (3 CFR,
2001 Comp. 783 (2002)), which has been extended by successive
presidential notices, the most recent being that of August 12, 2011
(76 FR 50661 (Aug. 16, 2011)), has continued the Regulations in
effect under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1701, et seq.) (``IEEPA'').
1. Delfin Group USA LLC, 4950 Virginia Avenue, North Charleston, South
Carolina 29405.
650 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022.
2. Marcos Baghdasarian, 4950 Virginia Avenue, North Charleston, South
Carolina 29405.
650 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022.
3. Bagdel Corporation, 4950 Virginia Avenue, North Charleston, South
Carolina 29405.
650 Saint Regis Lane, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022.
4. Naren Sachanandani, P.O. Box 9645, Q4-280, Sharjah Airport
International Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
5. Do-It FZC, P.O. Box 9645, Q4-280, Sharjah Airport International Free
Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Legal Standard
Pursuant to Section 766.24(b) of the Regulations, BIS may issue a
TDO upon a showing that the order is necessary in the public interest
to prevent an ``imminent violation'' of the Regulations. 15 CFR
766.24(b)(1). ``A violation may be `imminent' either in time or degree
of likelihood.'' 15 CFR 766.24(b)(3). BIS may show ``either that a
violation is about to occur, or that the general circumstances of the
matter under investigation or case under criminal or administrative
charges demonstrate a likelihood of future violations.'' Id. As to the
likelihood of future violations, BIS may show that ``the violation
under investigation or charges is significant, deliberate, covert and/
or likely to occur again, rather than technical or negligent [.]'' Id.
A ``lack of information establishing the precise time a violation may
occur does not preclude a finding that a violation is imminent, so long
as there is sufficient reason to believe the likelihood of a
violation.'' Id.
[[Page 13078]]
Background and Findings
OEE has presented evidence that beginning in or about mid-2010, and
continuing thereafter, Delfin Group USA LLC (``Delfin'') and its
president, Markos Baghdasarian (``Baghdasarian''), have conspired with
multiple entities and individuals, including entities and individuals
located in the United Arab Emirates (``UAE''), to export U.S.-origin
items subject to the Regulations from the United States to Iran, via
transshipment through the UAE, without obtaining the required
authorization from the U.S. Government. Delfin/Baghdasarian have used
Bagdel Corporation (``Bagdel''), a freight forwarding company, to
facilitate the export and attempted export of the items--polymers and
lubricating oils or oil additives, including aviation engine
lubricating oils--from the United States to Iran via the UAE.
Baghdasarian is the chief executive officer of Bagdel.
The evidence indicates that beginning in or about June 2010,
Delfin/Baghdasarian conspired with Naren Sachanandani
(``Sachanandani'') and his company Do-It FZC and others to develop a
scheme to obtain U.S.-origin items for Iranian customers or potential
customers, including Pars Oil & Gas Company (``Pars Oil''), a
subsidiary of the Iranian-government owned National Iranian Oil
Company. Do-It FZC is located at the Sharjah Airport International Free
Zone in the UAE. Pursuant to this scheme, the items exported by Delfin
and forwarded by Bagdel or others would be re-labeled or re-packaged
after they arrived in the UAE and transshipped on to Iran.
Delfin/Baghdasarian have filed at least 17 shipper's export
declarations (``SEDs'') between February 3, 2011 and January 29, 2012,
that relate to the export of the items in quantities valued in the
millions of dollars in the aggregate and that identify Do-It FZC or
another UAE general trading company as the ultimate consignee. Open
source information indicates that Sachanandani is the owner of Do-It
FZC, which is listed as the ultimate consignee on 15 of the 17 SEDs,
and evidence also indicates that Do-It FZC and the other UAE general
trading company are not end users of such items, especially in such
large quantities.
As provided in Section 746.7 of the Regulations, no person may
export to Iran any item that is subject to the EAR, if such transaction
is prohibited by the Iranian Transactions Regulations (``ITR'') \2\ and
has not been authorized by OFAC. Under Section 560.204 of the ITR, the
exportation, reexportation, sale or supply, directly or indirectly,
from the United States of any goods to Iran is prohibited by the ITR,
including the exportation, reexportation, sale or supply of items from
the United States to a third country, such as the UAE, undertaken with
knowledge or reason to know that the items are intended for supply,
transshipment, or reexportation, directly or indirectly, to Iran. OFAC
authorization was not obtained for any of the export transactions at
issue. The evidence shows that Respondents were aware of the
prohibitions on exporting U.S.-origin items to Iran and developed a
scheme to evade these prohibitions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ 31 CFR Part 560.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
When OEE sought documents from Delfin relating to an export
transaction in or about late August 2011, those efforts were ignored by
Delfin and no documents or other cooperation provided. More recently,
U.S. law enforcement and customs agents have been able to
administratively detain several recent Delfin exports or attempted
exports at U.S. ports concerning which Do-It FZC was listed as the
ultimate consignee. Additionally, OEE has issued redelivery orders in
accordance with Section 758.8 of the Regulations for additional
shipments that had left the United States, but had not reached Do-It
FZC.
These administrative measures, however, contain limitations and
provide U.S. law enforcement and customs agents with an extremely short
window in which to attempt to detect and then seek to stop a shipment
once an SED has been filed. Moreover, administrative detentions by U.S.
Customs and Border Patrol are not indefinite and OEE re-delivery orders
rely on the cooperation of vessel owners or other carriers to turn
shipments around and/or on foreign governments to timely intercept and
detain shipments after they have arrived in their countries. The
issuance of a TDO provides a more comprehensive and effective approach
to preventing imminent violations before they occur, by giving notice
to persons and companies in the United States and abroad that they
should cease dealing with the Respondents in export transactions
involving items subject to the EAR.
OEE submits, in sum, that violations of the EAR are imminent as
defined in Section 766.24 of the Regulations. I agree based on the
evidence of Respondents' deliberate, significant, and deceptive conduct
designed to procure and export U.S.-origin items from the United States
to Iran, including via transshipment through the UAE, without the
required U.S. Government authorization. I also find that the conduct in
this case is deliberate, significant, and likely to occur again absent
the issuance of a TDO. Therefore, I find that a TDO naming Delfin Group
USA LLC, Marcos Baghdasarian, Bagdel Corporation, Naren Sachanandani,
and Do-It FZC is necessary, in the public interest, to prevent an
imminent violation of the EAR.
This Order is being issued on an ex parte basis without a hearing
based upon BIS's showing of an imminent violation.
I. Order
It is therefore ordered:
First, that the Respondents, DELFIN GROUP USA LLC, 4950 Virginia
Avenue, North Charleston, South Carolina 29405 and 650 Saint Regis
Lane, Alpharetta Georgia 30022; MARCOS BAGHDASARIAN, 4950 Virginia
Avenue, North Charleston, South Carolina 29405 and 650 Saint Regis
Lane, Alpharetta Georgia 30022; BAGDEL CORPORATION, 4950 Virginia
Avenue, North Charleston, South Carolina 29405 and 650 Saint Regis
Lane, Alpharetta Georgia 30022; NAREN SACHANANDANI, P.O. Box 9645, Q4-
280, Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab
Emirates; and DO-IT FZC, P.O. Box 9645, Q4-280, Sharjah Airport
International Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates and each of
their successors or assigns and, when acting for or on behalf of any of
the foregoing, each of their officers, representatives, agents or
employees (each a ``Denied Person'' and collectively the ``Denied
Persons'') may not, directly or indirectly, participate in any way in
any transaction involving any commodity, software or technology
(hereinafter collectively referred to as ``item'') exported or to be
exported from the United States that is subject to the Export
Administration Regulations (``EAR''), or in any other activity subject
to the EAR including, but not limited to:
A. Applying for, obtaining, or using any license, License
Exception, or export control document;
B. Carrying on negotiations concerning, or ordering, buying,
receiving, using, selling, delivering, storing, disposing of,
forwarding, transporting, financing, or otherwise servicing in any way,
any transaction involving any item exported or to be exported from the
United States that is subject to the EAR, or in any other activity
subject to the EAR; or
C. Benefitting in any way from any transaction involving any item
exported or to be exported from the United States that is subject to
the EAR, or in any other activity subject to the EAR.
[[Page 13079]]
Second, that no person may, directly or indirectly, do any of the
following:
A. Export or reexport to or on behalf of a Denied Person any item
subject to the EAR;
B. Take any action that facilitates the acquisition or attempted
acquisition by a Denied Person of the ownership, possession, or control
of any item subject to the EAR that has been or will be exported from
the United States, including financing or other support activities
related to a transaction whereby a Denied Person acquires or attempts
to acquire such ownership, possession or control;
C. Take any action to acquire from or to facilitate the acquisition
or attempted acquisition from a Denied Person of any item subject to
the EAR that has been exported from the United States;
D. Obtain from a Denied Person in the United States any item
subject to the EAR with knowledge or reason to know that the item will
be, or is intended to be, exported from the United States; or
E. Engage in any transaction to service any item subject to the EAR
that has been or will be exported from the United States and which is
owned, possessed or controlled by a Denied Person, or service any item,
of whatever origin, that is owned, possessed or controlled by a Denied
Person if such service involves the use of any item subject to the EAR
that has been or will be exported from the United States. For purposes
of this paragraph, servicing means installation, maintenance, repair,
modification or testing.
Third, that, after notice and opportunity for comment as provided
in section 766.23 of the EAR, any other person, firm, corporation, or
business organization related to a Denied Person by affiliation,
ownership, control, or position of responsibility in the conduct of
trade or related services may also be made subject to the provisions of
this Order.
Fourth, that this Order does not prohibit any export, reexport, or
other transaction subject to the EAR where the only items involved that
are subject to the EAR are the foreign-produced direct product of U.S.-
origin technology.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 766.24(e) of the EAR,
the Respondents may, at any time, appeal this Order by filing a full
written statement in support of the appeal with the Office of the
Administrative Law Judge, U.S. Coast Guard ALJ Docketing Center, 40
South Gay Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-4022.
BIS may seek renewal of this Order by filing a written request with
the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement in
accordance with the provisions of Section 766.24(d) of the EAR, which
currently provides that such a written request must be submitted not
later than 20 days before the expiration date. A Respondent may oppose
a request to renew this Order in accordance with Section 766.24(d),
including by filing a written submission with the Assistant Secretary
of Commerce for Export Enforcement, supported by appropriate evidence.
Any opposition ordinarily must be received not later than seven days
before the expiration date of the Order.
Notice of the issuance of this Order shall be given to Respondents
in accordance with Sections 766.5(b) and 766.24(b)(5) of the
Regulations. This Order also shall be published in the Federal
Register.
This Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect
for 180 days.
Issued this 25th day of February 2012.
Donald G. Salo,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2012-5221 Filed 3-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P