Ex-Salesman Charged in U.S. Export Law Evasion Scheme Involving Russian Nuclear Firm

Sam Bhambhani, a former salesman for a laser welding machine manufacturer, has been indicted for conspiring to evade U.S. export control laws to sell products to a division of Russian nuclear firm Rosatom. Bhambhani allegedly worked with Russian citizen Maxim Teslenko, using falsified documents to conceal sales from U.S. authorities.

Sam Bhambhani, a former salesman for a laser welding machine manufacturer, was arrested on Monday on charges of conspiring to bypass U.S. export control laws to sell products to a Russian nuclear entity.

The indictment claims Bhambhani collaborated with Russian citizen Maxim Teslenko to use falsified export documents, hiding the real end-user from U.S. regulators.

Bhambhani pled not guilty to conspiracy and smuggling charges and was released on bond. The U.S. government tightened export restrictions to Russia in 2022 amid heightened geopolitical tensions.