U.S. financier of Hezbollah pleads guilty in Brooklyn court

Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, a 60-year-old dual citizen of Lebanon and Belgium, pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn federal court to conspiring to violate U.S. Treasury Department sanctions. For years, he was accused of funneling millions of dollars to Hezbollah, a militia supported by Iran. The U.S. government designated him a terrorist, which prohibited any business dealings with him. In court, Bazzi admitted to using a fraudulent franchise agreement to access funds from restaurants in Michigan, where he had undisclosed ownership. The scheme began in 2006 when Talal Khalil Chahine, a co-defendant, fled the U.S., losing control of a restaurant chain. Prosecutors allege that Chahine skimmed $20 million from the restaurant proceeds and sent the money to Lebanon. This led to tax authorities in Michigan placing liens on his investments, complicating the financial landscape for Bazzi. Bazzi's guilty plea includes one count of conspiracy to conduct unlawful transactions involving a specially designated global terrorist. The charge carries a potential fine of up to $1 million and a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. However, under federal guidelines, he is expected to face a sentencing range of 37 to 46 months. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of U.S. authorities to combat financial support for terrorist organizations and the complexities involved in enforcing sanctions against individuals with international ties. The outcome of this case may have broader implications for how financial networks supporting terrorism are monitored and prosecuted.