SACRAMENTO MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO IMPROPERLY SENDING MONEY TO ARMENIA
By Denny Walsh – dwalsh@sacbee.com

Sacramento Bee
Feb 12 2008

A 40-year-old Sacramento man pleaded guilty Tuesday to sending large
amounts of money to Armenia on behalf of others but not registering
with federal authorities as a transmitter.

During nine months in 2005, Arsen Abramyan operated a Rancho Cordova
business called Little Armenia Gift Shop as a transmitter of funds
to Armenia for the store’s customers, according to federal prosecutors.

The prosecutors said Abramyan was repeatedly advised by banking
representatives that federal law requires businesses like his to be
registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, an office
within the U. S. Treasury Department.

Two banks Abramyan used to initiate wire transfers to Armenia closed
his accounts when he failed to demonstrate that he was registered
with FinCEN, or explain why not.

He opened accounts at other banks and continued transmitting funds
without registering, the prosecutors said.

Abramyan is to be sentenced April 29 in U. S. District Court.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress