Federal agents swarmed a lavish $35 million Newport Coast mansion before dawn Wednesday and arrested an Iranian-born tech executive accused of secretly supplying American computer hardware to Iran’s military and nuclear programs.
Jamshid Ghomi, 63, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, was taken into custody after FBI agents descended on the sprawling estate inside an exclusive gated community in Newport Coast. He faces charges of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and was expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon in Santa Ana federal court.
Prosecutors say Ghomi made millions by illegally exporting U.S.-made computer networking equipment to Iran and used an elaborate web of front companies and intermediaries to conceal the transactions.
“Ghomi is accused of aiding our declared enemies by selling US-origin computer networking parts to Iran and earning millions of dollars in violation of US sanction laws,” said Los Angeles U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.
“We will hold him accountable by seeking an appropriate prison sentence and by seizing his assets, including his $35 million Newport Beach mansion,” he added.
Agents clad in tactical gear and armed with automatic weapons assembled before sunrise before moving in convoy to the property at 31 High Water. They surrounded the home and ordered occupants to come outside.
“What’s going on?” one stunned occupant asked as agents escorted Ghomi’s wife and two adult sons from the residence.
Investigators carrying evidence boxes and power tools entered the Italian-style estate while an interpreter spoke with Ghomi inside. He later emerged and was placed into a silver SUV.
Jamshid Ghomi’s home. (Department of Justice)
Federal authorities are also investigating possible money laundering, tax evasion and other crimes.
According to prosecutors, Ghomi’s computer company generated more than $10 million a year in revenue while he allegedly reported no more than $20,000 in income to the IRS.
Investigators say Ghomi spent more than a decade using Tehran-based company Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh, which he founded, to acquire U.S. networking equipment for customers in Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions.
Authorities allege he arranged shipments involving more than 250 tons of controlled American technology and used his own eBay and PayPal accounts to make hundreds of purchases that were ultimately sent to Iran.
Prosecutors say Ghomi negotiated directly with suppliers in Minnesota and Nebraska before routing the equipment through a front company in the United Arab Emirates and ultimately to his company in Iran.
Jamshid Ghomi. (Department of Justice)
He allegedly relied on freight forwarders and intermediaries in Dubai to disguise Iran as the true destination of the hardware.
According to court documents, Ghomi and his associates referred to Iran as the “Motherland” in internal communications regarding the procurement operation.
Prosecutors say the equipment was supplied to hundreds of Iranian businesses and government entities, many of which were already under U.S. sanctions. A relatively small but significant portion of those sales allegedly benefited the regime’s military and nuclear establishment.
Ghomi’s most prominent asset is his 14,000-square-foot estate perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The property sits at the end of a cul-de-sac and is protected by iron gates. Six chandeliers are visible from the front entrance, while twin fountains flank a custom-tiled entryway.
Essayli said the arrest underscores the federal government’s determination to enforce sanctions as the United States wages war in Iran.
“Our nation’s laws prohibiting doing business with one of the world’s largest state sponsors of terrorism must be enforced and obeyed,” he said.
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