President Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a crystal clear, pointed warning message to Russian oligarchs and billionaires as Russian dictatorial President Vladimir Putin continues to wage a devastating war against the country of Ukraine — letting them all know that the United States will stop at nothing to punish those who are supporting Putin and his war.
During a news conference today, Garland stated:
Our message to those who continue to enable the Russian regime through their criminal conduct is this: It does not matter how far you sail your yacht. It does not matter how well you conceal your assets. It does not matter how cleverly you write your malware or hide your online activity. The Justice Department will use every available tool to find you, disrupt your plots, and hold you accountable.”
Garland’s pointed warning message to Russia’s richest and most powerful came on the heels of the United States Justice Department’s strengthening efforts to investigate and prosecute anyone who may be helping or enabling Vladimir Putin as the situation in Ukraine just gets worse and worse. Earlier this week, at the request of the US Justice Department, the Spanish government successfully seized a $90 million megayacht, dubbed “Tango,” from the port of Palma de Mallorca. The US government reports that the massive vessel belongs to the close Putin ally and leader of the Renova Group, Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg.
United States FBI agents reportedly worked closely with Spanish authorities to seize the multi-million dollar superyacht.
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In the presser, Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said that, while this seizure marks the first time a special DOJ task force took possession of a sanctioned individual’s asset since Russia’s war against Ukraine began, it certainly will not be the last.
“In seizing the Tango, the department demonstrated our commitment to holding accountable corrupt Russian oligarchs,” Monaco said, “a commitment that we are not finished honoring.”
This development comes right on the heels of breaking news this morning that, as part of the Biden administration’s strengthened sanctions against Russia, Vladimir Putin’s own adult daughters are now suffering the consequences of the father’s heinous sins.
Watch a clip of Garland’s press conference here:
AG Garland: “It does not matter how far your sail your yacht, it does not matter how well you conceal your assets, it does not matter how cleverly you write your malware or hide your online activity, the Justice Department will use every available tool to find you…” pic.twitter.com/GYG2V2TWhf
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 6, 2022
Featured image via screen capture
