In the Matter of: Alexander Brazhnikov, Jr., Respondent; Final Decision and Order

Published date11 March 2021
Record Number2021-05022
SectionNotices
CourtIndustry And Security Bureau
13876
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OMB Control Number: 0579–0332.
Summary of Collection: Section 901–
905 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7
U.S.C. 1901) authorize the Secretary of
Agriculture to issue guidelines for
regulating the commercial
transportation of equine for slaughter,
by persons regularly engaged in that
activity within the United States.
Specifically, the Secretary is authorized
to regulate the food, water, and rest
provided to the equines equines while
they are in transit and to review related
issues be appropriate to ensuring that
these animals are treated humanely. To
implement the provisions of this Act,
the Veterinary Services program of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) has established
minimum standards to ensure the
humane movement of equines for
slaughter.
Need and Use of the Information:
APHIS will collect information in the
form of owner-shipper certificates of
fitness to travel to slaughter facility;
certificate of veterinary inspection;
application of backtags; collection of
business information on any person
found to be transporting horses to a
slaughtering facility; and recordkeeping.
The collected information is use to
ensure that equines being transported
for slaughter receive adequate food,
water, and rest and are treated
humanely. If the information was
collected less frequently or not
collected, APHIS’ ability to ensure that
equines destined for slaughter are
treated humanely would be significantly
hampered.
Description of Respondents: Business
or other for profit, Individuals or
Households, and Federal Government.
Number of Respondents: 332.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion ; Recordkeeping, and
Third-Party Disclosure:
Total Burden Hours: 8,608.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
Title: National Veterinary Services
Laboratories Request Forms.
OMB Control Number: 0579–0430.
Summary of Collection: The Animal
Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301–
8317) provides the Secretary of
Agriculture broad authority to prohibit
or restrict, through orders and
regulations, the importation or entry of
any animal, article, or means of
conveyance if USDA determines that the
prohibition or restriction is necessary to
prevent the introduction or spread of
any pest or disease of livestock within
the United States. Disease prevention is
the most effective method for
maintaining a healthy animal
population.
In connection with this disease
prevention mission, the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
National Veterinary Services
Laboratories (NVSL) safeguard U.S.
animal health and contribute to public
health by ensuring that timely and
accurate laboratory support is provided
by their nationwide animal health
diagnostic system.
Need and Use of the Information:
APHIS will collect information using VS
Form 4–9, Request for Reagents or
Supplies; VS Form 4–10, NVSL
Customer Contact Update; and VS Form
4–11, NVSL Application for Laboratory
Training and; VS Form 12, NVSL
Laboratories Kit and Instrument Order
form. These forms are used to safeguard
the U.S. animal population from pests
and diseases. If the information was
collected less frequently or not
collected, APHIS would be unable to
process reagent orders or provide
requested training.
Description of Respondents: Foreign
Federal Government; Individuals or
households; Businesses; State, Local or
Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 1,115.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 1,223.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
Title: Standardizing Phytosanitary
Treatment Regulations: Approval of
Cold Treatment and Irradiation
Facilities; Cold Treatment Schedules;
Establishment of Fumigation and Cold
Treatment Compliance Agree.
OMB Control Number: 0579–0450.
Summary of Collection: The United
States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) is responsible for preventing
plant diseases or insect pests from
entering the United States, preventing
the spread of pests and noxious weeds
not widely distributed into the United
States, and eradicating those imported
pests when eradication is feasible. The
Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701—et
seq.) authorizes the Department to carry
out this mission. Under the Plant
Protection Act, the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is
authorized, among other things, to
regulate the importation of plants, plant
products, and other articles to prevent
the introduction of plant pests into the
United States. The phytosanitary
treatment regulations established
generic criteria that allows for the
approval of new cold treatment and
irradiation facilities; cold treatment
schedules; and the establishment of
fumigation and cold treatment
compliance agreements.
Need and Use of the Information:
APHIS will collect information using
PPQ form 519, Compliance Agreements,
PPQ form 530, Limited Permit and other
collection activities to provide generic
criteria for new cold treatment and
irradiation facilities, cold treatment
schedules, and the establishment of
fumigation and cold treatment
compliance agreements.
Description of Respondents: Business
or other for profit, State, Local, and
Tribal Government; Federal Government
(Foreign).
Number of Respondents: 92.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting;
Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 196.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021–05055 Filed 3–10–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
[Docket No. 19–BIS–0001]
In the Matter of: Alexander Brazhnikov,
Jr., Respondent; Final Decision and
Order
This matter is before me upon a
Recommended Decision and Order on
Sanction (‘‘Sanction RDO’’) of an
Administrative Law Judge (‘‘ALJ’’). On
January 26, 2021, the ALJ referred the
Sanction RDO to me pursuant to 15 CFR
766.17(b)(2). In the Sanction RDO, the
ALJ found that Respondent Alexander
Brazhnikov, Jr. (‘‘Respondent’’) violated
15 CFR 764.2(d) by conspiring with
others to violate the Export
Administration Regulations (currently
codified at 15 CFR parts 730–774)
(‘‘EAR’’ or ‘‘Regulations’’) by exporting
regulated items to Russian End-Users on
the Entity List without the required
licenses. The ALJ recommended that a
denial of export privileges for 15 years
be assessed against Respondent. For the
reasons set forth below, I affirm the
Sanction RDO and issue the attached
Order imposing sanction.
As described in further detail below,
on April 21, 2020, in this same case, the
ALJ issued an Order Partially Granting
Motion for Summary Decision
(‘‘Summary Decision Order’’) in which
he found that Respondent had violated
the EAR. The ALJ attached the
Summary Decision Order to the
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1
Unless otherwise indicated, I have reproduced
the violation alleged in the Charging Letter exactly
as it is written. It includes all of the footnotes in
the charging section. The numbering of the
footnotes is different because the Charging Letter
had additional footnotes prior to the charging
section.
2
Brazhnikov pled guilty to all three counts of the
Criminal Information in Case No. 2:15–CR–300–01
(D. N.J.). [The remainder of the footnote references
an earlier footnote in the Charging Letter that was
not part of the charging section.]
3
A Schedule B number is a ten-digit number used
in the United States to classify physical goods for
export to another country.
4
These two transactions were among the overt
acts specifically alleged in Count Three (Conspiracy
to Violate IEEPA) of the Criminal Information to
which Brazhnikov pled guilty in the U.S. District
Court for the District of New Jersey ....
Brazhnikov admitted under oath that he was the
owner, chief executive officer, and principal
operator of the following four New Jersey-based
companies—ABN Universal, Inc., ZOND–R, Inc.,
Telecom Multipliers, and Electronic Consulting,
Inc.—and that these companies were used in
furtherance of the conspiracy.
5
The items were designated EAR99 under the
Regulations, which is a designation for items
subject to the Regulations but not listed on the
Commerce Control List. 15 CFR 772.1.
6
VNIITF has been on the Entity List since June
30, 1997. 62 FR 35,334 (Jun. 30, 1997). The VNIITF
Entity List listing has at all times relevant hereto
included VNIITF’s full name, the ‘‘VNIITF’’
acronym, and various VNIITF aliases (and related
acronyms), including the Federal State Unitary
Enterprise Russian Federal Nuclear Center—
Academician E.I. Zababkhin All-Russian Scientific
Research Institute of Technical Physics
(‘‘FGUPRFYaTs-VNIITF’’). FGUPRFYaTs-VNIITF
was added to the listing as an alias of VNIITF on
December 17, 2010. 75 FR 78,883 (Dec. 17, 2010).
7
See 15 CFR 744.11 and Supplement No. 4 to
part 744 of the Regulations (2008–2014).
8
In its Motion, BIS attached a copy of the
Criminal Information, Plea Agreement, Transcript
of Plea Hearing, and Judgment. Pursuant to 15 CFR
766.22(c), I have considered these documents in my
review.
Sanction RDO. I affirm the Summary
Decision Order as well.
I. Background
A. Respondent’s Criminal Conviction
On June 11, 2015, Respondent pled
guilty to a three-count Criminal
Information in the U.S. District Court for
the District of New Jersey. Count Three
charged Respondent with conspiracy to
willfully export from the United States
to Russia electronic components under
the jurisdiction of the Department of
Commerce without first having obtained
the required licenses from the
Department of Commerce, in violation
of 18 U.S.C. 371. The object of the
conspiracy was to evade the EAR by
supplying controlled electronics
components to Russian end-users,
including defense contractors licensed
to procure parts for the Russian military,
the Federal Security Service of the
Russian Federation (FSB), and Russian
entities involved in the design of
nuclear weapons and tactical platforms.
The overt acts alleged in furtherance of
the conspiracy included that on or about
November 20, 2013, and on or about
April 23, 2014, Respondent and his co-
conspirators caused the export of
electronic components obtained from
certain U.S. manufacturers to Russia on
behalf of ‘‘a banned entity for which no
export license could have lawfully been
obtained.’’ Respondent specifically
admitted to engaging in these overt acts
as part of his plea allocution.
B. BIS Charging Letter
In a Charging Letter filed on April 22,
2019, the Bureau of Industry and
Security (‘‘BIS’’) alleged that
Respondent committed one violation of
the EAR, stemming from his
involvement in a conspiracy to violate
the Regulations in connection with the
export to Russia of U.S.-origin electronic
components and other items subject to
the Regulations. The violation alleged in
the charging letter is as follows:
1
Charge 1 15 CFR 764.2(d)—Conspiracy
1. Beginning in at least January 2008, and
continuing through at least June 2014,
Brazhnikov conspired and acted in concert
with others, known and unknown, to bring
about acts that constitute violations of the
Regulations. The purpose of the conspiracy
was to evade the Regulations in connection
with the export to Russia of U.S.-origin
electronic components and other items
subject to the Regulations, including to
Russian entities on BIS’s Entity List,
Supplement No. 4 to Part 744 of the
Regulations.
2. Brazhnikov pled guilty in the U.S.
District Court for the District of New Jersey
on June 11, 2015, to having conspired to
violate the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (‘‘IEEPA’’) (in violation
of 18 U.S.C. 371), as well as to having
conspired to smuggle goods from the United
States (in violation of 18 U.S.C. 554) and to
commit money laundering (in violation of 18
U.S.C. 1956(h)).
2
3. Brazhnikov admitted under oath as part
of his plea allocution that he and his co-
conspirators acquired U.S.-origin electronic
components and other items while routinely
concealing from the U.S. manufacturers and
distributors of the items who the intended
end users were and where they were located.
4. Brazhnikov admitted under oath to
further concealing the actual intended end
users in an attempt to avoid detection by the
U.S. Government, including by re-packaging
and re-labeling the items and then having
them shipped to various falsely-identified
recipients and false addresses in Russia,
some of which were vacant apartments or
storefronts controlled by his Russian co-
conspirators. If Brazhnikov had exported the
items directly to a recipient or address on
BIS’s Entity List, it raised the possibility that
the shipment would have been flagged or
stopped by the U.S. Government. He also
admitted that he and his Russian co-
conspirators established a number of foreign
bank accounts in third countries in the
names of front companies, in order to conceal
from the U.S. Government, the source of the
funds and the identities of the end-users.
Brazhnikov would receive funds laundered
through these front accounts in third
countries, rather than directly from the end
users in Russia.
5. Brazhnikov also admitted under oath to
having systematically falsified shipping
documents to understate the value of the
U.S.-origin items he was exporting, in order
to evade the requirement to file Electronic
Export Information (‘‘EEI’’) with the U.S.
Government via the Automated Export
System (‘‘AES’’). An EEI filing was required
to be made in the AES for each export of
items subject to the Regulations when the
value of the items under a single Schedule
B or Harmonized Tariff Schedule number is
more than $2,500. 15 CFR 758.l (2008–2014);
see also 15 CFR 30.37 (2008–2014).
3
6. Brazhnikov’s overt acts in furtherance of
the conspiracy also included, inter alia,
exporting U.S.-origin electronic components
subject to the Regulations to the All-Russian
Scientific Research Institute of the Technical
Physics (‘‘VNIITF’’) in Russia, without the
required BIS licenses, on or about November
20, 2013, and on or about April 23, 2014,
respectively.
4
These items were designated
EAR99
5
under the Regulations and valued at
approximately $26,732 and $19,937,
respectively.
7. VNIITF was at all times relevant hereto
listed on the Entity List, Supplement No. 4
to Part 744 of the Regulations.
6
Pursuant to
Section 744.11 of the Regulations and
VNIITF’s Entity List entry, a BIS export
license was at all relevant times required to
export any item subject to the Regulations to
VNIITF, including the electronic components
described in Paragraph 6, supra.
7
8. Brazhnikov engaged in the unlicensed
exports described above knowing that that
[sic] no BIS export license had been sought
or obtained. He continued to do so,
moreover, even after though [sic] BIS Special
Agents conducted an outreach visit with him
on or about January 23, 2013, during which
the Special Agents discussed, inter alia, both
the licensing requirements for exports to
Russia and EEI filing requirements.
9. In so doing, as alleged in Paragraphs 1–
8, supra, Brazhnikov violated Section
764.2(d) of the Regulations.
C. Summary Decision Order
On December 16, 2019, BIS filed a
motion for summary decision pursuant
to 15 CFR 766.8. BIS argued that as a
result of Respondent’s criminal
conviction for Count Three, there was
no genuine issue of material fact as to
whether he had violated the EAR as
alleged in the Charging Letter, and that
BIS was entitled to a summary decision
as a matter of law.
8
On February 10,
2020, Respondent filed an opposition to
the motion.
On April 21, 2020, the ALJ issued the
Summary Decision Order. The ALJ
determined that BIS had met its burden
to show that there was no genuine issue
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of material fact as to the allegations
supporting the violation alleged in the
charging letter, and accordingly found
that Respondent violated 15 CFR
764.2(d). As BIS had not argued for a
particular sanction in its motion, the
ALJ ordered the parties to submit
written briefs stating their position as to
an appropriate sanction. The ALJ did
not certify his ruling in the Summary
Decision Order to the Under Secretary
for final decision.
D. Sanction RDO
On May 29, 2020, BIS submitted a
brief requesting that the ALJ recommend
that Respondent’s export privileges be
denied for at least 15 years. On that
same day, Respondent filed a brief
arguing that a six-month denial period
was appropriate.
On January 26, 2021, the ALJ issued
the Sanction RDO recommending a 15-
year denial period. In the Sanction RDO,
the ALJ again found that Respondent
had violated 15 CFR 764.2. As
previously stated, the Sanction RDO
incorporated the Summary Decision
Order as an attachment. The ALJ
referred the Sanction RDO to me for
review and final decision.
II. Review by Under Secretary
A. Introduction
Under Section 766.17(b)(2) of the
EAR, in proceedings such as this one,
the ALJ shall issue a recommended
decision that includes recommended
findings of fact, conclusions of law, and
findings as to whether there has been a
violation of the EAR or any order,
license or authorization issued
thereunder. If the ALJ finds that one or
more violations have been committed,
the ALJ shall recommend an order
imposing administrative sanctions, or
such other action as the ALJ deems
appropriate. The ALJ must also
‘‘immediately certify’’ the record to the
Under Secretary for a final decision in
accordance with Section 766.22 of the
EAR.
The Under Secretary shall issue a
written order affirming, modifying or
vacating the recommended decision and
order of the ALJ based on the written
record for decision, including the
transcript of any hearing, and any
submissions by the parties concerning
the recommended decision. 15 CFR
766.22(c).
On February 5, 2021, I issued a notice
to the parties clarifying that my review
of this case would include both the
Sanction RDO and the incorporated
Summary Decision Order and, taking
note that Respondent had been
representing himself, gave the parties
additional time, until February 17, 2021,
to respond to both decisions.
B. Submissions of the Parties in
Response to the ALJ’s Decisions and
Orders
On February 17, 2021, BIS submitted
a response recommending that I find
that Respondent had violated the EAR
and affirm the recommended sanction.
Respondent did not submit a response
or a reply to the BIS response.
C. Review of Summary Decision Order
and Sanction RDO
In the Summary Decision Order and
again in the Sanction RDO, the ALJ
correctly found that ‘‘[b]etween January
2008 through June 2014, Respondent
violated 15 CFR 764.2(d) by conspiring
with others to violate the EAR by
exporting regulated items to Russian
end-users on BIS’ Entity List without
the required licenses.’’ Respondent, in
pleading guilty to Count Three of the
Information, admitted to all of the
material facts alleged in the Charging
Letter. The District Court, in accepting
the Defendant’s guilty plea, determined
that there was a factual basis to support
the plea. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(b)(3)
(‘‘Before entering judgment on a guilty
plea, the court must determine that
there is a factual basis for the plea.’’).
As the ALJ concluded in the
Summary Decision Order, under the
doctrine of collateral estoppel,
Respondent cannot challenge the
underlying facts that he admitted to in
his criminal case. See SEC. v. Bilzerian,
29 F.3d 689, 694 (D.C. 1994)
(‘‘[C]ollateral estoppel prohibits
relitigation of an issue of fact or law that
has been decided in earlier litigation.’’).
In this case, the Charging Letter
included underlying facts from
Respondent’s criminal case that
establish as a matter of law that
Respondent violated Section 764.2(d).
The Sanction RDO recommended an
order imposing a denial of export
privileges for 15 years as a penalty
against Respondent. In recommending
this penalty, the ALJ noted the years-
long scheme, the sophisticated effort to
evade detection, the deliberateness of
the violation, and that the end-user for
the transactions described in the
Charging Letter was an organization on
BIS’s Entity List that poses a risk to U.S.
national security. The ALJ’s analysis in
support of the recommended sanction
was well-reasoned and persuasive. I
agree with his determination that a 15-
year denial of export privileges is
appropriate.
III. Conclusion and Final Order
Based on my review of the written
record and for the reasons described
above, I affirm the recommended
finding in the Summary Decision Order
and Sanction RDO that Respondent
violated the EAR as alleged in the
Charging Letter, and affirm the
recommended sanction of a 15-year
denial of export privileges in the
Sanction RDO.
Accordingly, it is therefore ordered:
FIRST, that for a period of Fifteen (15)
years from the date that this Order is
published in the Federal Register,
Alexander Brazhnikov, Jr., with a last
known address of 234 Central Avenue,
Mountainside, New Jersey 07092, and
when acting for or on his behalf, his
successors, assigns, representatives,
agents, or employees (hereinafter
collectively referred to as ‘‘Denied
Person’’), 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 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 engaging 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 from any
other activity subject to the EAR.
SECOND, that no person may, directly
or indirectly, do any of the following:
A. Export or reexport to or on behalf
of the Denied Person any item subject to
the EAR;
B. Take any action that facilitates the
acquisition or attempted acquisition by
the 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 the 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 the Denied Person of
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9
The Export Administration Regulations, 15 CFR
parts 730–774, were promulgated under the Export
Administration Act of 1979 (‘‘EAA’’), formerly
codified at 50 U.S.C. 4601–4623. The offenses in
this case occurred between January 2008 and June
2014. Although the EAA had expired prior to 2008,
the President, through Executive Order 13,222 of
August 17, 2001, and through successive
Presidential Notices, continued the EAR in full
force and effect under the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (‘‘IEEPA’’), codified at 50
U.S.C. 1701, et seq. Accordingly, at the time the
offenses occurred, BIS had jurisdiction over this
matter pursuant to the IEEPA and the EAR. The
EAA was repealed in 2018, with the enactment of
the Export Control Reform Act (‘‘ECRA’’). See 50
U.S.C. 4826. The ECRA provides BIS with
permanent statutory authority to administer the
EAR. The ECRA specifically states that all
administrative or judicial proceedings commenced
prior to its enactment are not disturbed by the new
legislation. See Id. Accordingly, BIS currently has
jurisdiction over this matter, as it did at the time
of the alleged offenses.
any item subject to the EAR that has
been exported from the United States;
D. Obtain from the 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 the Denied
Person, or service any item, of whatever
origin, that is owned, possessed or
controlled by the 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, after notice and opportunity
for comment as provided in Section
766.23 of the EAR, any person, firm,
corporation, or business organization
related to the Denied Person by
ownership, control, position of
responsibility, affiliation, or other
connection in the conduct of trade or
business may also be made subject to
the provisions of this Order.
FOURTH, that this Order shall be
served on Alexander Brazhnikov, Jr. and
on BIS, and shall be published in the
Federal Register. In addition, the ALJ’s
Summary Decision Order and the
Sanction RDO described above, shall
also be published in the Federal
Register, except for the section with the
Recommended Order in the Sanction
RDO.
This Order, which constitutes the
final agency action in this matter, is
effective upon publication in the
Federal Register.
Dated: March 5, 2021.
Jeremy Pelter,
Senior Advisor for Policy and Program
Integration, Performing the Nonexclusive
Functions and Duties of the Under Secretary
of Commerce for Industry and Security.
United States of America
Department of Commerce
Bureau of Industry and Security
In the Matter of: Alexander Brazhnikov, Jr.,
Respondent
Docket No. 19–BIS–0001
Recommended Decision and Order on
Sanction
Issued: January 26, 2021
Issued By: Hon. Michael J. Devine,
Presiding
Appearances
For the Bureau of Industry and Security
Gregory Michelsen, Esq., Opher
Shweiki, Esq., Deborah A. Curtis,
Esq., U.S. Department of Commerce,
Room H–3839, 14th Street &
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington,
DC 20230
For Respondent
Alexander Brazhnikov, Jr., pro se, 234
Central Ave., Mountainside, NJ 07092
I. Procedural History
This case arises from Alexander
Brazhnikov, Jr.’s (Respondent) violation
of the Export Administration
Regulations (EAR or Regulations). Prior
to the institution of this administrative
proceeding, Respondent pled guilty in
the U.S. District Court for the District of
New Jersey on June 11, 2015, to, inter
alia, having conspired to violate the
International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (IEEPA), the statutory
scheme that gave effect to the EAR.
9
On April 22, 2019, the Bureau of
Industry and Security (BIS or Agency)
initiated this administrative proceeding
by issuing a Charging Letter against
Respondent alleging one violation,
conspiracy to violate the EAR, under 15
CFR 764.2(d). The charge read as
follows:
Charge 1 15 CFR 764.2(d)—Conspiracy
1. Beginning in at least January 2008, and
continuing through at least June 2014,
Brazhnikov conspired and acted in concert
with others, known and unknown, to bring
about acts that constitute violations of the
Regulations. The purpose of the conspiracy
was to evade the Regulations in connection
with the export to Russia of U.S.-origin
electronic components and other items
subject to the Regulations, including to
Russian entities on BIS’ Entity List,
Supplement No. 4 to Part 744 of the
Regulations.
2. Brazhnikov pled guilty in the U.S.
District Court for the District of New Jersey
on June 11, 2015, to having conspired to
violate the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (‘‘IEEPA’’) (in violation
of 18 U.S.C. 371), as well as to having
conspired to smuggle goods from the United
States (in violation of 18 U.S.C. 554) and to
commit money laundering (in violation of 18
U.S.C. 1956(h)).
3. Brazhnikov admitted under oath as part
of his plea allocution that he and his co-
conspirators acquired U.S.-origin electronic
components and other items while routinely
concealing from the U.S. manufacturers and
distributors of the items who the intended
end users were and where they were located.
4. Brazhnikov admitted under oath to
further concealing the actual intended end
users in an attempt to avoid detection by the
U.S. Government, including by re-packaging
and re-labeling the items and then having
them shipped to various falsely-identified
recipients and false addresses in Russia,
some of which were vacant apartments or
storefronts controlled by his Russian co-
conspirators. If Brazhnikov had exported the
items directly to a recipient or address on
BIS’ Entity List, it raised the possibility that
the shipment would have been flagged or
stopped by the U.S. Government. He also
admitted that he and his Russian co-
conspirators established a number of foreign
bank accounts in third countries in the
names of front companies, in order to conceal
from the U.S. Government, the source of the
funds and the identities of the end-users.
Brazhnikov would receive funds laundered
through these front accounts in third
countries, rather than directly from the end
users in Russia.
5. Brazhnikov also admitted under oath to
having systematically falsified shipping
documents to understate the value of the
U.S.-origin items he was exporting, in order
to evade the requirement to file Electronic
Export Information (‘‘EEI’’) with the U.S.
Government via the Automated Export
System (‘‘AES’’). An EEI filing was required
to be made in the AES for each export of
items subject to the Regulations when the
value of the items under a single Schedule
B or Harmonized Tariff Schedule number is
more than $2,500. 15 CFR 758.1 (2008–2014;
see also 15 CFR 30.37 (2008–2014).
6. Brazhnikov’s overt acts in furtherance of
the conspiracy also included, inter alia,
exporting U.S.-origin electronic components
subject to the Regulations to the All-Russian
Scientific Research Institute of the Technical
Physics (‘‘VNIITF’’) in Russia, without the
required BIS licenses, on or about November
20, 2013, and on or about April 23, 2014,
respectively. These items were designated
EAR99 under the Regulations and valued at
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While the Charging Letter stated the value of
the transactions as $26,732 and $19,937, the
invoices produced by BIS to support this allegation
showed that the amounts were listed in rubles, not
dollars. This discrepancy did not affect the ALJ’s
determination that Respondent violated the EAR.
11
15 CFR 766.17(b)(2) states, in pertinent part, ‘‘If
the administrative law judge finds that one or more
violations have been committed, the judge shall
recommend an order imposing administrative
sanctions, as provided in part 764 of the EAR, or
such other action as the judge deems appropriate.’’
approximately $26,732 and $19,937,
respectively.
10
7. VNIITF was at all times relevant hereto
listed on the Entity List, Supplement No. 4
to Part 744 of the Regulations. Pursuant to
Section 744.11 of the Regulations and
VNIITF’s Entity List entry, a BIS export
license was at all relevant times required to
export any item subject to the Regulations to
VNIITF, including the electronic components
described in Paragraph 6, supra.
8. Brazhnikov engaged in the unlicensed
exports described above knowing that no BIS
export license had been sought or obtained.
He continued to do so, moreover, even after
though [sic] BIS Special Agents conducted an
outreach visit with him on or about January
23, 2013, during which the Special Agents
discussed, inter alia, both the licensing
requirements for exports to Russia and EEI
filing requirements.
9. In so doing, as alleged in Paragraph 1–
8, supra, Brazhnikov violated Section
764.2(d) of the Regulations.
Neither party requested a hearing in
this case, and accordingly, the ALJ
issued an Order on October 18, 2019,
holding that the parties had waived
their right to a hearing and the case
would proceed on the record, and
further setting forth a schedule for
discovery, motions, and final briefs. See
15 CFR 766.6(c) and 766.15.
On December 16, 2019, BIS filed a
Motion for Summary Decision with
supporting documentation, contending
Respondent’s criminal conviction in
U.S. District Court demonstrates there is
no dispute Respondent committed a
violation of the EAR under 15 CFR
764.2(d). In response, Respondent filed
an opposition to the motion.
On April 21, 2020, the ALJ issued an
Order Partially Granting Motion for
Summary Decision (Summary Decision
Order), finding Respondent’s arguments
did not create a genuine issue of
material fact and that BIS was entitled
to a decision as a matter of law that
Respondent violated the EAR under 15
CFR 764.2(d). Respondent did not
dispute his conviction and did not
object to the documents BIS attached to
its Motion, which included his plea
allocution. Respondent was thus
collaterally estopped from denying the
facts set forth in the Charging Letter, as
they were the same facts to which
Respondent admitted through his guilty
plea in the federal criminal case.
Accordingly, the ALJ found Charge 1
proved, but reserved ruling on the
sanction. The Summary Decision Order
included Recommended Findings of
Fact and Recommended Ultimate
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
Law. See Attachment A.
On May 29, 2020, BIS submitted a
final brief contending Respondent
should be denied export privileges for at
least 15 years. On the same date,
Respondent filed a brief, in the form of
a letter, arguing that deprivation of
export privileges for six months would
be a sufficient sanction.
The record is now ripe for decision on
sanction.
II. Recommended Findings of Fact
Regarding Sanction
After considering the whole record,
including the parties’ final briefs, and
the Summary Decision Order, I find the
following facts proved by preponderant
evidence:
1. As part of the conspiracy lasting
between January 2008 and June 2014,
Russian customers, including Russian
defense contractors, paid Respondent and his
co-conspirators to procure the U.S.-origin
electronics. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 4 at p.
18 (Respondent’s Plea Allocution)).
2. To conceal the source of the funds and
thus the identities of the Russian customers,
Respondent and his co-conspirators
established bank accounts held by foreign
shell companies and moved the funds from
the Russian customers to those bank
accounts. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 4 at pp.
17–21 (Respondent’s Plea Allocution)).
3. Respondent deliberately concealed the
identities of the true end-users (including the
VNIITF) of the electronics from the U.S.
vendors and U.S. authorities by utilizing
New Jersey corporations founded by
Respondent to repackage the items for export
to Russia, and by shipping the items to false
addresses in Russia, e.g., vacant apartments.
(Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 4 at pp. 21–22
(Respondent’s Plea Allocution)).
4. Respondent falsified the value of the
exported items to evade the requirements for
filing EEI forms, in an attempt to conceal the
extent of the activities from U.S. authorities.
(Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 4 at p. 22
(Respondent’s Plea Allocution)).
5. Respondent and his co-conspirators
were responsible for illegal export
transactions totaling over $65 million. (Mot.
for Summ. Dec., Ex. 4, p. 24 (Respondent’s
Plea Allocution)).
III. Discussion
A. Burden of Proof
The Administrative Procedure Act
(APA) governs proceedings for
administrative penalties for EAR
violations. 5 U.S.C. 554, et seq. See 50
U.S.C. 4819(c)(2) (‘‘Any civil penalty
under this subsection may be imposed
only after notice and opportunity for an
agency hearing on the record in
accordance with sections 554 through
557 of Title 5.’’) Pursuant to the APA,
the burden in this proceeding lies with
BIS to prove the charge against
Respondent by reliable, probative, and
substantial evidence. 5 U.S.C. 556(d).
The ‘‘reliable, probative, and
substantial’’ standard is synonymous
with the ‘‘preponderance of the
evidence’’ standard of proof. Steadman
v. SEC, 450 U.S. 91, 102 (1981); In the
Matter of Abdulmir Madi, et al., 68 FR
57406 (October 3, 2003).
As noted in the Summary Decision
Order, BIS has already established there
is no genuine dispute of material fact
concerning the alleged violations.
Concrete Pipe & Products v.
Construction Laborers Pension Trust,
508 U.S. 602, 622 (1993). Therefore, at
this stage of the proceedings, those facts
in the Summary Decision Order are
established. However, BIS still retains
the burden to prove any additional
aggravating facts offered in support of
its request for sanction with
preponderant evidence, meaning BIS
must show the fact’s existence is more
probable than not. 5 U.S.C. 556(d). After
determining which facts have been
proven by preponderant evidence, it is
then up to the ALJ to determine an
appropriate sanction.
11
B. Determining an Appropriate Sanction
Section 764.3 of the EAR describes
the permissible sanctions BIS may seek
for the violation charged in this
proceeding: (1) A civil penalty, (2) a
denial of export privileges under the
Regulations, and (3) an exclusion from
practice. See 15 CFR 764.3. Supplement
Number 1 to 15 CFR part 766, titled
Guidance on Charging and Penalty
Determinations in Settlement of
Administrative Enforcement Cases
(‘‘Penalty Guidance’’), provides non-
binding guidance on penalty
determinations in the context of
settlement discussions between BIS and
respondents in administrative
enforcement cases. The Penalty
Guidance was created to aid settlement
negotiations, and does not create any
right or obligation as to what penalty or
sanction BIS may seek after litigation;
however, it provides helpful guideposts
for considering an appropriate sanction
even in the context of a litigated
enforcement action.
1. Aggravation
The Penalty Guidance discusses
actions that may be considered
‘‘aggravating factors.’’ Such actions
include conduct that shows the
respondent knew he/she was violating
U.S. laws or regulations, i.e., a
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BIS demonstrated by preponderant evidence
that Respondent shipped items to VNIITF in
violation of the EAR, as set forth fully in the
Summary Decision Order.
13
BIS cites to the information provided by the
Nuclear Threat Initiative on its website, https://
www.nti.org/learn/facilities/926/.
deliberate intent to violate the EAR;
intentional concealment of conduct for
the purpose of misleading authorities or
other parties involved in the
transaction; and conduct that implicates
U.S. national security and/or U.S.
foreign policy, e.g., by exporting items
to individuals/organizations on BIS
‘‘Entity List.’’ See 15 CFR part 766,
Supp. No. 1, at § III ‘‘Aggravating
Factors.’’
As addressed in the Findings of Fact,
above, Respondent admitted to engaging
in deliberate acts with his co-
conspirators meant to conceal their
actions, including creating bank
accounts for shell companies to conceal
the true source of the funds, using his
New Jersey-based corporations to
repackage and ship the items to the
Russian end-users, shipping
components to false addresses to
conceal the true identity of the Russian
end-users, and falsifying the value of the
exports to evade EEI filing requirements.
Respondent admitted to these acts in his
plea allocution before the Federal
District Court, and accordingly BIS has
proven these facts by preponderant
evidence. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 4
(Respondent’s Plea Allocution)). A
party’s deliberateness in violating the
EAR and concealment of the conduct
are aggravating factors that are given
substantial weight. See 15 CFR part 766,
Supp No. 1, at §§ III(A) and IV(B). There
is no dispute that Respondent willfully
and deliberately used sophisticated
tactics to evade detection by U.S.
authorities and to conceal the identities
of the true end-users from the U.S.
vendors.
In its final brief, BIS asserts that
pursuant to section 764.3 of the
regulations, BIS may seek
administrative sanctions including a
civil penalty of up to $307,922 per
violation or twice the value of the
transaction upon which the penalty is
imposed, whichever is greater. BIS also
states that in view of the $65 million
criminal forfeiture imposed in regard to
the criminal action, BIS is not
recommending an additional civil
penalty in this matter, but contends
Respondent’s conduct is of such a
serious nature that a 15-year denial of
export privileges is ‘‘not only necessary
but proportionate to other cases,
especially considering the activities of
the prohibited end-users at issue such as
VNIITF.’’ (BIS Final Brief, p. 9).
12
BIS
argues that VNIITF assists Russia in the
development of its nuclear weapons
program.
13
VNIITF is currently, and was
at the time of Respondent’s conduct, on
BIS’ Entity List. The Entity List was
established to identify organizations
that pose a significant national security
concern:
The Entity List (supplement no. 4 to part
744) identifies persons reasonably believed to
be involved, or to pose a significant risk of
being or becoming involved, in activities
contrary to the national security or foreign
policy interests of the United States. The
entities are added to the Entity List pursuant
to sections of part 744 (Control Policy: End–
User and End–Use Based) and part 746
(Embargoes and Other Special Controls) of
the EAR.
15 CFR 744.16 (emphasis supplied).
The degree to which the conduct
implicates national security concerns
due to the sensitivity of the items
exported or the nature of the recipient
of the exports is another factor that is
given substantial weight. Here, the
recipient, VNIITF, is considered an
organization to which exports must be
carefully controlled because of potential
harm to the national security or foreign
policy. Respondent’s conduct in
providing VNIITF with electronic
components is highly troubling.
2. Mitigation
The Penalty Guidance likewise
discusses actions that may be
considered ‘‘mitigating factors.’’ Such
actions include immediate cessation of
the unlawful conduct once it was
discovered, quick and decisive efforts to
ascertain the cause and extent of the
violation, and exceptional cooperation
with the agency to investigate and
resolve violations. See 15 CFR part 766,
Supp. No. 1, at § III ‘‘Mitigating
Factors.’’
In his Final Brief, Respondent
presents the following in support of his
contention that a six-month denial of
export privileges is appropriate:
[C]onsidering that throughout the whole
time of COVID–19 I have been working at the
forefront and providing services to the
community, as well as a small amount of
offense, I believe that deprivation of export
privileges for 6 months will be sufficient
sanctions.
Resp. Final Brief, p. 1.
Respondent did not elaborate on his
efforts to aid those impacted by COVID–
19 or explain why that should be
considered a mitigating factor in these
administrative enforcement
proceedings.
In his opposition to BIS’ Motion for
Summary Decision, Respondent did not
acknowledge his responsibility for his
violations of the EAR, but instead
asserted that his father took
responsibility for the charges.
Respondent’s failure to acknowledge his
responsibility came after he pled guilty
in the criminal case and formally
admitted in a plea hearing before a U.S.
District Court judge that he had engaged
in the violations and acts of
concealment discussed above. In
addition to avoiding an admission of
responsibility, Respondent has not
presented any evidence that he will
implement an export compliance
program, or make any effort to ensure
his activities comport with export
regulations, if he is allowed to continue
in the export business. Likewise, he has
not demonstrated cooperation in any
significant manner with BIS in the
present case. A mere contention of some
form of community service relating to
the COVID–19 pandemic is not evidence
and does not present any valid basis for
mitigation of sanctions for the charged
violations.
3. Analysis of Respondent’s Conduct in
Comparison With Other Administrative
Penalty Cases
BIS points to the imposition of a 10-
year denial of export privileges in the
case In the Matters of: Trilogy
International Associates, Inc., William
Michael Johnson, Respondents, 83 FR
9259 (Mar. 5, 2018). In Trilogy, the
course of conduct lasted from January
2010 through May 2010, wherein the
respondents exported an explosives
detector and 115 analog to digital
converters to Russia. The Under
Secretary of Commerce for Industry and
Security found the respondents were
‘‘willfully ignoring, or, at best, blinding
themselves to their compliance
obligations.’’ 83 FR at 9262. Trilogy did
not involve export of items to an
organization on the Entity List, and the
time period of the illegal acts was much
briefer than Respondent’s four-year
course of conduct. Moreover, unlike the
instant case, the respondents in Trilogy
were found to have ‘‘willfully ignored’’
or ‘‘blinded themselves’’ to the
regulations, as opposed to having
engaged in extensive, deliberate
concealment efforts. As such, a harsher
penalty for Respondent seems
appropriate.
BIS also cites two cases in which
administrative enforcement actions
were brought against the respondents
after they had been convicted of
conspiracy to violate the IEEPA under
18 U.S.C. 371 and 50 U.S.C. 1705, as in
the instant case, by exporting items to
Russian end-users. In those cases, In the
Matter of: Alexey Krutilin, 82 FR 43218
(Sep. 14, 2017) and In the Matter of:
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The Entity List is found in Supplement No. 4
to 15 CFR Part 744. It designates foreign persons,
businesses, and organizations to which export is
prohibited without a license.
Dmitrii Karpenko, 82 FR 43217 (Sep. 14,
2017), the Office of Export Enforcement
proceeded under 15 CFR 766.25, which
allows the immediate imposition of an
administrative penalty without the need
for a charging letter and opportunity for
hearing, but restricts the penalty to a
maximum ten-year denial of export
privileges. The respondent in Krutilin
was given the maximum ten-year denial
penalty. The respondent in Karpenko
was given a five-year denial penalty.
Neither of those cases mentioned the
involvement of Russian organizations
on the Entity List.
Another case cited by BIS involving a
clearly deliberate violation of export
control regulations is In the Matter of:
Yavuz Cizmeci, 80 FR 18194 (Apr. 3,
2015), wherein the respondent aided
Iran Air in procuring a Boeing 747 in
direct violation of a Temporary Denial
Order (‘‘TDO’’). The TDO, issued on
June 6, 2008, prohibited a company
called Ankair from ‘‘directly or
indirectly, participating in any way in
any transaction involving the Boeing
747 . . . .’’ Yet, on June 26, 2008, the
respondent, CEO of Ankair, assisted in
transferring possession of the plane to
Iran Air. The transaction value was
estimated at approximately $5.3 million.
The respondent settled the
administrative enforcement action and
agreed to a $50,000 civil penalty and a
20-year denial of export privileges.
While this case is factually distinct,
both cases involve intentional violations
of the EAR and transactions in the
millions of dollars.
4. Sanction Determination
Respondent violated the EAR by
conspiring with others to, inter alia,
export electronic components to an
organization on the Entity List.
Respondent further admitted to
engaging in a years’ long, sophisticated
scheme to evade detection by U.S.
authorities. The deliberateness of
Respondent’s violations and
concealment efforts, the extent of the
activity, and the fact that Respondent
helped to export controlled items to an
organization that is considered to pose
a risk to U.S. national security, all
justify an extensive period of denial of
export privileges. Respondent failed to
provide any mitigating evidence.
Considering the 20-year denial imposed
in Cizmeci, the ten-year denials
imposed in Trilogy and Krutilin, and the
five-year denial imposed in Karpenko, a
15-year denial of export privileges for
Respondent’s conduct is comparable to
sanctions imposed in similar cases and
reasonable when considered in light of
the applicable Penalty Guidance factors.
Accordingly, I find that a 15-year denial
of export privileges is appropriate.
IV. Conclusions of Law
1. Respondent and the subject matter of
this proceeding are properly within the
jurisdiction of BIS pursuant to the Export
Control Reform Act of 2018 and the EAR. 50
U.S.C. 4826; 15 CFR parts 730–774.
2. Between January 2008 through June
2014, Respondent violated 15 CFR 764.2(d)
by conspiring with others to violate the EAR
by exporting regulated items to Russian end-
users on BIS’ Entity List without the required
licenses.
V. Recommended Order
[Redacted Section]
This Recommended Decision and
Order is being referred to the Under
Secretary for review and final action by
overnight carrier as provided under 15
CFR 766.17(b)(2). Due to the short
period of time for review by the Under
Secretary, all papers filed with the
Under Secretary in response to this
Recommended Decision and Order must
be sent by personal delivery, facsimile,
express mail, or other overnight carrier
as provided in 15 CFR 766.22(a).
Submissions by the parties must be
filed with the Under Secretary for
Export Administration, Bureau of
Industry and Security, U.S. Department
of Commerce, Room H–3898, 14th Street
and Constitution Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20230, within twelve
(12) days from the date of issuance of
this Recommended Decision and Order.
Thereafter, the parties have eight (8)
days from receipt of any responses in
which to submit replies. See 15 CFR
766.22(b).
Within thirty (30) days after receipt of
this Recommended Decision and Order,
the Under Secretary shall issue a written
order, affirming, modifying, or vacating
the Recommended Decision and Order.
See 15 CFR 766.22(c). A copy of the
regulations regarding review by the
Under Secretary can be found in
Attachment B.
[Signature of Michael J. Devine]
Michael J. Devine
U.S. Coast Guard Administrative Law Judge
Done and dated January 26, 2021, at
Baltimore, Maryland
Attachment A: April 21, 2020 Order
Partially Granting Motion for
Summary Decision
Attachment B: Review by Under
Secretary, 15 CFR 766.22
Attachment A
United States Department of Commerce
Bureau of Industry and Security
Washington, DC
In the Matter of: Alexander Brazhnikov, Jr.
Respondent
Docket No. 19–BIS–0001
Order Partially Granting Motion for
Summary Decision
Issued: April 21, 2020
Issued By: Hon. Michael J. Devine,
Presiding
Appearances
For the Bureau of Industry and Security
Gregory Michelsen, Esq., Joseph V. Jest,
Esq., Deborah A. Curtis, Esq., U.S.
Department of Commerce, Room H–
3839, 14th Street & Constitution Ave.
NW, Washington, DC 20230
For Respondent
Alexander Brazhnikov, Jr., pro se, 234
Central Ave., Mountainside, NJ 07092
I. Preliminary Statement
The Bureau of Industry and Security
(BIS) initiated this administrative
enforcement action against Alexander
Brazhnikov, Jr. (Respondent) by serving
a Charging Letter against him on April
22, 2019. BIS brought one Charge
against Respondent, under 15 CFR
764.2(d), alleging he conspired with
others to do acts that constitute
violations of the Export Administration
Regulations (EAR).
As the basis for Charge 1, BIS alleged
Respondent conspired with others from
January 2008 through June 2014 to
export regulated electronic components
from the U.S. to Russian customers
listed on BIS’s ‘‘Entity List’’ without the
required licenses.
14
BIS supports Charge
1 with Respondent’s June 11, 2015
guilty plea and subsequent conviction
in the U.S. District Court for the District
of New Jersey of conspiracy to violate
the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (IEEPA) by acting with
others to cause the export of electronic
components from United States
manufacturers to Russia on behalf of an
entity for which no export license could
have lawfully been obtained. According
to the Charging Letter, the facts
underlying the criminal case are the
same as the facts underlying this
administrative action.
On December 16, 2019, BIS filed a
Motion for Summary Decision, arguing
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Respondent’s conviction demonstrates
there is no dispute Respondent
committed a violation of the EAR under
15 CFR 764.2(d). Respondent filed a late
response on February 10, 2020, listing
his contentions in three numbered
paragraphs, arguing (1) his father took
responsibility for all of the actions
alleged in the Charging Letter, (2) BIS
did not prove that ‘‘these parts were
U.S.-Origin,’’ and (3) the total cost of the
exported items listed in two sample
invoices attached by BIS to its Motion
for Summary Decision was $734.58. For
the reasons set forth below, the
undersigned is PARTIALLY GRANTING
BIS’ Motion for Summary Decision.
II. Recommended Findings of Fact
1. Respondent pled guilty to a federal
criminal charge of conspiracy to violate the
International Emergency Economic Powers
Act (IEEPA) in the U.S. District Court for the
District of New Jersey on June 11, 2015, Case.
No. 2:15–CR–00300–WJM–1. (Mot. for
Summ. Dec., p. 4–5; Ex. 2; Ex. 3; Ex. 4; Ex.
5).
2. Between January 2008 and June 2014,
Respondent exported electronic components
from U.S. vendors to Russian end-users.
(Mot. for Summ. Dec., pp. 5–6, 8; Ex. 4 at p.
17–18).
3. On or about November 20, 2013,
Respondent exported multiple shipments of
electronic components to the All-Russian
Scientific Research Institute of Technical
Physics (VNIITF) Academician E.I.
Zababakhina. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 2 at
p. 15; Ex. 4 at p. 24; Ex. 11).
4. Some of the items in the November 20,
2013 shipments were electronic components
on the Commerce Control List under ECCN
EAR99. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 9).
5. On or about April 23, 2014, Respondent
exported electronic components to VNIITF
Academician E.I. Zababakhina. (Mot. for
Summ. Dec., Ex. 2 at p. 15; Ex. 4 at 24; Ex.
12).
6. The components in the April 23, 2014
shipment were on the Commerce Control List
under ECCN EAR99. (Mot. for Summ. Dec.,
Ex. 10).
7. BIS placed the VNIITF on the Entity List
in 1997, and it remained there at all times
during 2008 through 2014. (Mot. for Summ.
Dec., pp. 8–9); see Entity List at Supplement
No. 4 to 15 CFR part 744.
8. BIS added the Academician E.I.
Zababakhina to the Entity List as an alias for
the VNIITF in 2010. (Mot. for Summ. Dec.,
pp. 8–9); see Entity List at Supplement No.
4 to 15 CFR part 744.
9. Respondent exported the afore-
mentioned items without obtaining a BIS
license.
III. Discussion
A. Jurisdiction
The alleged offenses occurred
between January 2008 and June 2014. At
that time, BIS had jurisdiction over this
matter pursuant to the IEEPA and the
EAR promulgated under the Export
Administration Act of 1979 (EAA),
codified at 50 U.S.C. 4601–4623. See 15
CFR parts 730–774. Although the EAA
had lapsed at that time, the President,
through Executive Order 13,222 of
August 17, 2001, and through
successive Presidential Notices,
continued the regulations in full force
and effect under the IEEPA. 50 U.S.C.
1701, et seq.
In August 2018, Congress enacted the
John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act containing the Export
Control Reform Act of 2018, which
repealed much of the EAA but provided
BIS with permanent statutory authority
to administer the EAR. See 50 U.S.C.
4826. The 2018 Act specifically states
all administrative actions made or
administrative proceedings commenced
prior to its enactment are not disturbed
by the new legislation. See Id.
Accordingly, BIS currently has
jurisdiction over this matter, as it did at
the time of the alleged offenses.
B. Standard of Review for Summary
Decision
The regulations governing BIS civil
penalty enforcement proceedings allow
a party to move for summary decision
disposing of some or all of the issues in
the case if there is no genuine issue as
to any material fact and the moving
party is entitled to summary decision as
a matter of law. 15 CFR 766.8. A dispute
over a material fact is ‘‘genuine’’ if the
evidence is such that a reasonable fact
finder could render a ruling in favor of
the non-moving party. Anderson v.
Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248
(1986).
The moving party bears the initial
burden of production to identify those
portions of the record that demonstrate
an absence of genuine issues of material
fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S.
317, 330–331 (1986). Once the moving
party meets that initial burden, the
burden of production then shifts to the
non-moving party to identify specific
evidentiary material that demonstrates a
genuine issue for trial. Id. Mere denials
of allegations are not sufficient to
demonstrate a genuine issue of material
fact. Sanders v. Nunley, 634 F.Supp.
474, 476 (N.D. Ga. 1985).
When considering the ultimate
burden of persuasion, the ALJ must
apply the ‘‘substantive evidentiary
standard of proof that would apply at
the trial on the merits.’’ Liberty Lobby,
477 U.S. at 252. Here, the standard of
proof is the standard set forth in the
Administrative Procedure Act—a
preponderance of the evidence. 50
U.S.C. 4819(c)(2); Sea Island
Broadcasting Corp. of S.C. v. F.C.C., 627
F.2d 240, 243 (1980).
C. No Genuine Issue of Material Fact
Exists
1. Legal Basis for Charge 1 (15 CFR
764.2(d)—Conspiracy)
According to Charge 1, BIS alleges
Respondent conspired with others to
violate the EAR under 15 CFR 764.2(d),
from January 2008 through June 2014 to
procure electronic components from
U.S. vendors and export the
components to Russian end-users, while
evading U.S. licensing regulations
prohibiting such export transactions.
(Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 1 [Charging
Letter], pp. 1–3). The electronic
components were listed on BIS’s
Commerce Control List. The Russian
end-users were listed on BIS’ Entity
List, and, as such, were entities deemed
by the U.S. ‘‘to pose a significant risk of
being or becoming involved, in
activities contrary to the national
security or foreign policy interests of the
United States.’’ 15 CFR 744.16.
a. Regulation of Items on the Commerce
Control List
BIS maintains authority over the
exportation of certain items. These
items are listed on the Commerce
Control List (CCL), and divided into
categories, such as ‘‘nuclear materials,’’
‘‘telecommunications and information
security,’’ and ‘‘aerospace and
propulsion.’’ 15 CFR 774.1(a); 15 CFR
738.2(a). Categories are divided into
groups, such as ‘‘materials,’’ ‘‘software,’’
and ‘‘technology.’’ 15 CFR 738.2(b).
Within each category and group, items
are identified by an Export Control
Classification Number (ECCN). 15 CFR
738.2(d).
An ECCN listing provides information
on the reasons that BIS regulates that
particular item; one must cross-
reference the information in the ECCN
listing with information provided in the
Commerce Country Chart to determine
if a license is required to export the item
to a particular country. 15 CFR 738.2,
738.4; Supplement No. 1 to Part 738
(Commerce Country Chart).
b. Regulation of Exports to Entities on
the Entity List
In addition to the Commerce Control
List, the EAR provides another layer of
regulation by way of the Entity List,
which specifies individuals, businesses,
and organizations to whom the export of
certain items is prohibited without a
license. With regard to the Entity List,
the EAR provides:
The Entity List (Supplement No. 4 to part
744) identifies persons reasonably believed to
be involved, or to pose a significant risk of
being or becoming involved, in activities
contrary to the national security or foreign
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Respondent was convicted of the crime
codified at 18 U.S.C. 371 (‘‘Conspiracy to commit
offense or to defraud United States’’). The IEEPA
specifies that violation of its terms can result in
criminal penalties pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1705
(‘‘Penalties’’).
policy interests of the United States. The
entities are added to the Entity List pursuant
to sections of part 744 (Control Policy: End-
User and End-Use Based) and part 746
(Embargoes and Other Special Controls) of
the EAR.
(a) License requirements. The public is
hereby informed that in addition to the
license requirements for items specified on
the Commerce Control List (CCL), you may
not export, reexport, or transfer (in-country)
items specified on the Entity List to listed
entities without a license from BIS. The
specific license requirement for each listed
entity is identified in the license requirement
column on the Entity List in Supplement No.
4 to this part.
15 CFR 744.16.
As stated in the regulation, above,
items subject to regulation by virtue of
being on the Commerce Control List
may also be subject to additional
regulation if the end-users are listed on
the Entity List.
c. Respondent Is Collaterally Estopped
From Denying the Facts Set Forth in the
Charging Letter Due to Guilty Plea in
Related Federal Criminal Case
BIS contends no genuine issue of
material fact exists as to Charge 1
because Respondent pled guilty to a
Federal criminal charge of conspiracy to
violate the IEEPA
15
in the U.S. District
Court for the District of New Jersey on
June 11, 2015, in Case. No. 2:15–CR–
00300–WJM–1. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., p.
4–5; Ex. 2 (Criminal Information); Ex. 3
(Plea Agreement); Ex. 4 (Transcript of
Plea Hearing); Ex. 5 (Judgment in a
Criminal Case). The facts underlying the
criminal case are the same facts
underlying this administrative action.
BIS attached the Criminal Information
for Case. No. 2:15–CR–00300–WJM–1 to
its Motion for Summary Decision,
which describes in detail the actions
taken by Respondent and his co-
conspirators to export regulated items to
Russian organizations on the Entity List
without obtaining the required licenses.
(Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 2). BIS also
attached the plea agreement executed by
Respondent, the transcript of the plea
hearing, the judgment of conviction, and
Respondent’s response to BIS’s Requests
for Admission in this administrative
action. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Exs. 3–6,
respectively).
Through his responses to the Requests
for Admission, Respondent conceded
the authenticity of the documents
related to his criminal conviction
attached to BIS’ Motion for Summary
Decision. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 6 at
Requests for Admission Nos. 1–3).
Respondent also admitted to many of
the underlying facts in his response to
the Requests for Admission. (Mot. for
Summ. Dec., Ex. 6 at Requests for
Admission Nos. 5, 7, 14, 16, 19, 26–30).
The facts Respondent did not admit to
in the Requests for Admission are
contradicted by Respondent’s
statements made under oath during the
plea hearing. For example, Respondent
denied the following Request for
Admission:
15. Admit that Respondent Alexander
Brazhnikov, Jr., and his co-conspirators
exported electronic components from the
United States to Russia knowing that,
although licenses were required that licenses
had not been obtained.
Response: DENY. I had never sent any
electronic parts which required licensing. I
am not responsible for any ‘‘co-conspirators.’’
(Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 6).
Despite Respondent’s denial of that
Request for Admission, he answered as
follows in his plea hearing in the
criminal case:
U.S. Attorney: As part of the conspiracy to
evade the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act as alleged in Count 3 of the
Information, did you and your co-
conspirators purposefully export electronics
components from the United States to Russia
knowing that, although licenses were
required for such exports, licenses had not
been obtained?
Brazhnikov: Yes.
(Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 5, p. 23).
Collateral estoppel prevents
Respondent from denying or re-
litigating the facts set forth in the
Charging Letter, because they are the
same facts he admitted in his federal
criminal case. Smith v. SEC., 129 F.3d
356, 362 (6th Cir. 1997) (conviction for
insider trading creates situation where
‘‘[i]n order to prevail in the civil action,
the SEC now needs only to move for
summary judgment on the basis of the
collateral estoppel effect of that
conviction.’’); SEC. v. Bilzerian, 29 F.3d
689, 693–694 (D.C. Cir. 1994) (‘‘the
district court found that Bilzerian was
collaterally estopped from contesting
the facts set forth in support of the
SEC’s civil claims because the same
facts formed the basis of his criminal
conviction.’’). Accordingly, there is no
genuine dispute over whether
Respondent committed acts constituting
conspiracy to violate the EAR. The
specific facts are set forth in the
following section.
2. Material Facts as to Charge 1
Respondent was the owner, operator,
and CEO of several business
incorporated in New Jersey.
Respondent’s father was the owner,
operator, and CEO of several Russian
business entities. Respondent’s father
was one of Respondent’s co-conspirators
with respect to the following actions.
Between January 2008 and June 2014,
Respondent and his co-conspirators,
through the afore-mentioned businesses,
exported electronic components from
the U.S. to Russian end-users, knowing
the EAR required licenses for such
exports and not obtaining the required
licenses. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., pp. 5–
6, 8; Ex. 4 at pp. 17–18, 23).
One of the end-users to which
Respondent and his co-conspirators
exported items was the All-Russian
Scientific Research Institute of
Technical Physics (VNIITF)
Academician E.I. Zababakhina. BIS
placed the VNIITF on the Entity List in
1997, and it remained there at all times
from 2008 to 2014. BIS added the
Academician E.I. Zababakhina to the
Entity List as an alias for the VNIITF in
2010. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., pp. 8–9);
see Entity List at Supplement No. 4 to
15 CFR part 744.
On November 20, 2013, Respondent
and his co-conspirators sent multiple
shipments of electronic components,
evidenced by four invoices, to VNIITF
Academician E.I. Zababakhina. (Mot. for
Summ. Dec., Ex. 2 at p. 15; Ex. 4 at p.
24; Ex. 11). BIS, through certified
Licensing Determinations, determined
some of the items in the shipments were
electronic components found on the
Commerce Control List under ECCN
EAR99. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 9).
On April 23, 2014, Respondent and
his co-conspirators again shipped
electronic components to VNIITF
Academician E.I. Zababakhina. (Mot. for
Summ. Dec., Ex. 2 at p. 15; Ex. 4 at 24;
Ex. 12). BIS performed a certified
Licensing Determination, concluding
the components were found on the
Commerce Control List under ECCN
EAR99. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 10).
Pursuant to the Entity List, a license
was required to export ‘‘all items subject
to the EAR’’ to VNIITF Academician E.I.
Zababakhina. See Supplement No. 4 to
Part 744. As the November 20, 2013 and
April 23, 2014 shipments contained
items subject to the EAR, Respondent
was prohibited from exporting the items
without obtaining a license from BIS. 15
CFR 744.16(a). As evidenced by his
statement at the plea hearing,
Respondent and his co-conspirators
knew licenses were required for these
exports and failed to obtain them. (Mot.
for Summ. Dec., Ex. 4 at p. 23–24).
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15 CFR 740.3(b): ‘‘This License Exception is
available for all destinations in Country Group B
(see Supplement No. 1 to part 740), provided that
the net value of the commodities included in the
same order and controlled under the same ECCN
entry on the CCL does not exceed the amount
specified in the LVS paragraph for that entry.
17
Country Group B does not include Russia or
entities listed in the Entity List.
3. Respondent Failed To Identify Any
Genuine Issues of Material Fact
a. Respondent Claims His Father Took
All Responsibility
In his Response to the Motion for
Summary Decision, Respondent makes
three contentions. First, Respondent
contends his father ‘‘took all
responsibility for it.’’ (Resp. to Mot. for
Summ. Dec., p. 1). In support,
Respondent attached a document
drafted in Russia, along with a
translated copy, purportedly made by
Respondent’s father on October 10,
2019. The document states
Respondent’s father is the owner of two
companies (Zond-R, Inc.; Telecom
Multipliers, Inc.) involved in the
scheme to violate the IEEPA. (Resp. to
Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex. 1).
Respondent’s argument here is merely a
denial of the Charge and does not give
rise to a genuine issue of material fact.
Sanders, 634 F.Supp. at 476. Contrary to
Respondent’s bald assertion, the
document does not state Respondent’s
father takes all responsibility for the
scheme, it only affirms Respondent’s
father owns companies involved in the
scheme. Further, Respondent is
estopped from arguing now that his
father actually owned those companies,
because Respondent admitted in the
June 11, 2015 plea hearing in Criminal
Case No. 2:15–CR–00300–WJM–1 he
owned Zond-R, Inc. and Telecom
Multipliers, Inc. (Mot. for Summ. Dec.,
Ex. 4 at p. 17).
b. Respondent Argues BIS Did Not
Prove Items Were U.S.-Origin
Second, Respondent argues ‘‘BIS did
not provide ANY evidence that these
parts were U.S.-Origin.’’ (Resp. to Mot.
for Summ. Dec., p. 1). This argument
lacks merit because one element of the
crime to which Respondent pled guilty
was the fact that he, along with his co-
conspirators, illegally exported U.S.-
origin electronics to Russian
organizations. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex.
4 at pp. 20–24).
c. Respondent Contends BIS Misstated
the Monetary Value of the Exports
Finally, Respondent argues the cost of
the electronic components he conspired
to export was $734.58, not $46,669.71.
Respondent is referring to the November
20, 2013 and April 23, 2014 export
transactions mentioned by BIS in the
Charging Letter, which were among the
overt acts Respondent admitted to in the
criminal case. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Ex.
1 at pp. 2–3). The Charging Letter does
contain some errors in the amount of the
transactions; the invoices attached to
BIS’s Motion for Summary Decision
show the amounts were listed in rubles,
not dollars. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Exs.
11, 12).
However, the specific value of the
exports is not a material fact. A fact is
material if it ‘‘might affect the outcome
of the suit under the governing law.’’
Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248. The
pertinent elements of the criminal
charge against Respondent in the U.S.
District Court and the administrative
charge against Respondent in this
proceeding are (1) Respondent
conspired with others (2) to export U.S.
electronic components (3) to Russian
organizations on BIS’s ‘‘Entity List’’ (4)
without the licenses required by the
EAR. See 18 U.S.C. 371; 50 U.S.C. 1705;
15 CFR 744.16. The cost of the items is
immaterial in regard to finding a
violation proven. While the EAR
provides a limited licensing exception
for certain exports under a certain
monetary value, this exception does not
apply to items exported to Russia or
items exported to entities on the Entity
List. See 15 CFR 740.3; Suppl. No. 1 to
Part 740.
16 17
D. Conclusion—BIS Is Entitled to a
Decision as a Matter of Law
BIS met its burden of production as to
Charge 1, conspiracy to violate the EAR
under 15 CFR 764.2(d), with evidence
that Respondent pled guilty a related
federal criminal charge. The facts
underlying the criminal charge being
identical to the facts underlying the
instant administrative charge,
Respondent is estopped from denying
them. Respondent filed a late response
to the Motion for Summary Decision but
failed to identify any triable issues of
fact. Considering BIS’ evidence as a
whole, BIS met its ultimate burden of
persuasion, showing by a
preponderance of the evidence that no
genuine issue of material fact exists and
BIS is entitled, as a matter of law, to a
decision in its favor as to Charge 1.
IV. Recommended Ultimate Findings of
Fact and Conclusions of Law
1. Respondent and the subject matter of
this proceeding are properly within the
jurisdiction of the BIS pursuant to the Export
Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Export
Administration Regulations (EAR). 50 U.S.C.
4826; 15 CFR parts 730–774.
2. The facts underlying the federal criminal
charge to which Respondent pled guilty are
identical to the facts set forth in the Charging
Letter. (Mot. for Summ. Dec., Exs. 1–5).
3. Respondent is estopped from denying or
re-litigating the facts set forth in the Charging
Letter. Smith v. S.E.C., 129 F.3d 356, 362 (6th
Cir. 1997); S.E.C. v. Bilzerian, 29 F.3d 689,
693–694 (D.C. Cir. 1994).
4. Between January 2008 through June
2014, Respondent violated 15 CFR 764.2(d)
by conspiring with others to violate the EAR
by exporting regulated items to Russian end-
users on BIS’ Entity List without the required
licenses.
V. Sanction
Section 764.3 of the EAR establishes
the sanctions BIS may seek for the
violations charged in this proceeding.
The sanctions are: (1) A monetary
penalty, (2) denial of export privileges
under the regulations, and (3) exclusion
of practice before the Department of
Commerce. BIS has not moved for any
particular sanction to be imposed.
Accordingly, sanctions will be
addressed following an opportunity for
the parties to be heard on the issue. In
keeping with the October 18, 2019
Scheduling Order, this matter shall
proceed on the record. The parties shall
submit final written briefs stating their
positions as to an appropriate sanction
on or before May 29, 2020. There will
not be any reply briefs.
Wherefore,
Order
It is hereby ordered, BIS’s Motion for
Summary Decision is GRANTED IN
PART. Charge 1, brought pursuant to 15
CFR 764.2(d), is found PROVEN.
It is further ordered, the parties shall
submit written briefs stating their
positions as to an appropriate sanction
on or before May 29, 2020.
[Signature of Michael J. Devine]
Hon. Michael J. Devine
Administrative Law Judge
Done and dated April 21, 2020
Baltimore, Maryland
Attachment B
15 CFR 766.22—Review by Under
Secretary
(a) Recommended decision. For
proceedings not involving violations relating
to part 760 of the EAR, the administrative
law judge shall immediately refer the
recommended decision and order to the
Under Secretary. Because of the time limits
provided under the EAA for review by the
Under Secretary, service of the recommended
decision and order on the parties, all papers
filed by the parties in response, and the final
decision of the Under Secretary must be by
personal delivery, facsimile, express mail or
other overnight carrier. If the Under Secretary
cannot act on a recommended decision and
order for any reason, the Under Secretary
will designate another Department of
Commerce official to receive and act on the
recommendation.
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1
See Difluoromethane (R–32) From the People’s
Republic of China: Final Affirmative Determination
of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, 86 FR 5136
(January 19, 2021).
2
See ITC’s Letter, Final Determination
Notification, dated March 2, 2021.
3
Id.
4
See Difluoromethane (R–32) from the People’s
Republic of China: Preliminary Affirmative
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and
Postponement of Final Determination, 85 FR 52950
(August 27, 2020) (Preliminary Determination).
5
See section 736(a)(3) of the Act.
(b) Submissions by parties. Parties shall
have 12 days from the date of issuance of the
recommended decision and order in which to
submit simultaneous responses. Parties
thereafter shall have eight days from receipt
of any response(s) in which to submit replies.
Any response or reply must be received
within the time specified by the Under
Secretary.
(c) Final decision. Within 30 days after
receipt of the recommended decision and
order, the Under Secretary shall issue a
written order affirming, modifying or
vacating the recommended decision and
order of the administrative law judge. If he/
she vacates the recommended decision and
order, the Under Secretary may refer the case
back to the administrative law judge for
further proceedings. Because of the time
limits, the Under Secretary’s review will
ordinarily be limited to the written record for
decision, including the transcript of any
hearing, and any submissions by the parties
concerning the recommended decision.
(d) Delivery. The final decision and
implementing order shall be served on the
parties and will be publicly available in
accordance with § 766.20 of this part.
(e) [Reserved by 75 FR 33683].
[FR Doc. 2021–05022 Filed 3–10–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DT–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–570–121]
Difluoromethane (R–32) From the
People’s Republic of China:
Antidumping Duty Order
AGENCY
: Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY
: Based on affirmative final
determinations by the Department of
Commerce (Commerce) and the
International Trade Commission (ITC),
Commerce is issuing the antidumping
duty (AD) order on difluoromethane (R–
32) from the People’s Republic of China
(China).
DATES
: Applicable March 11, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
:
William Miller or Joshua Tucker, AD/
CVD Operations, Office II, Enforcement
and Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone:
(202) 482–3906 or (202) 482–2044,
respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
:
Background
In accordance with section 735(d) of
the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the
Act), on January 19, 2021, Commerce
published its affirmative final
determination in the less-than-fair-value
(LTFV) investigation of R–32 from
China.
1
On March 2, 2021, the ITC notified
Commerce of its final affirmative
determination that an industry in the
United States is materially injured by
reason of imports of R–32 from China,
within the meaning of section
735(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Act.
2
Scope of the Order
The product covered by this order is
R–32 from China. For a complete
description of the scope of the order, see
Appendix I to this notice.
Antidumping Duty Order
On March 2, 2021, in accordance with
sections 735(b)(i)(A)(i) and 735(d) of the
Act, the ITC notified Commerce of its
final determination that an industry in
the United States is materially injured
by reason of imports of R–32 from
China.
3
Therefore, in accordance with
section 735(c)(2) of the Act, we are
issuing this order. Because the ITC
determined that imports of R–32 from
China are materially injuring a U.S.
industry, unliquidated entries of such
merchandise from China which are
entered, or withdrawn from warehouse,
for consumption are subject to the
assessment of antidumping duties.
Therefore, in accordance with section
736(a)(1) of the Act, Commerce will
direct U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) to assess, upon further
instruction by Commerce, antidumping
duties equal to the amount by which the
normal value of the merchandise
exceeds the export price (or constructed
export price) of the subject
merchandise, for all relevant entries of
R–32 from China. Antidumping duties
will be assessed on unliquidated entries
of R–32 from China entered, or
withdrawn from warehouse, for
consumption on or after August 27,
2020, the date of publication of the
Preliminary Determination.
4
Continuation of Suspension of
Liquidation
In accordance with section 736 of the
Act, Commerce will instruct CBP to
continue to suspend liquidation on all
relevant entries of R–32 from China,
which are entered, or withdrawn from
warehouse, for consumption on or after
the date of publication of the ITC’s final
determination in the Federal Register.
These instructions suspending
liquidation will remain in effect until
further notice.
Commerce will also instruct CBP to
require cash deposits for estimated
antidumping duties equal to the cash
deposit rates for each producer and
exporter combination listed below.
Accordingly, effective on the date of
publication in the Federal Register of
the ITC’s final determination, CBP will
require, at the same time as importers
would normally deposit estimated
duties on the subject merchandise, a
cash deposit equal to the rates listed
below:
5
Producer Exporter
Estimated
weighted-
average
dumping
margin
(percent)
Taizhou Qingsong Refrigerant New Material Co., Ltd ............... Taizhou Qingsong Refrigerant New Material Co., Ltd ............... 161.49
Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd ................................................. Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd ................................................. 221.06
Zibo Feiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd ................................................. T.T. International Co., Ltd .......................................................... 221.06
Producers Supplying the Non-Individually- Examined Exporters
Receiving Separate Rates (see Appendix II). Non-Individually Examined Exporters Receiving Separate
Rates (see Appendix II). 196.19
China-Wide Entity ....................................................................... ..................................................................................................... 221.06
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