Saudi Officials Try To Shut Down Oregon Charity: Group Owns Property In Ashland

Well, even a broken clock is correct twice a day.

However, I got the trees topped and they are beautiful and more healthy. Some trees need topped. I planted them 30 years ago, and don't have time to plant new ones. :<)

http://www.investigativeproject.org/blog/2010/08/day-one-in-united-states-v-seda

For The Record - The IPT Blog

“Day One in United States v. Seda”
by Stephen I. Landman
Aug 30, 2010 at 9:43 pm

SNIPPET: “EUGENE, Ore. — Pete Seda, the co-founder of the al Haramain Islamic Foundation (AHF) has a “dark side,” prosecutors say. One that was “insistent on helping the cause of the mujahideen covertly, secretly, and without leaving a paper trail.”

Seda, also known as Pirouz Sedaghaty, went on trial here Monday, accused of helping funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars to Islamic terrorists in Chechnya.

Seda is charged with conspiring to move $150,000 out of the United States without declaring it as required, and with filing false tax returns to hide the fact that the money ever existed. The case, which began over a decade ago, has already seen the dismissal of the organization on a technicality, and the continuing failure of the government of Saudi Arabia to extradite Seda’s co-conspirator, Soliman al-Buthe.

AHF, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has operated in more than 50 countries with the stated purpose of distributing Islamic aid and educational material. In 1997, Seda and Soliman al-Buthe founded a U.S. branch in Ashland, Oregon. According to its corporate records:

“al Haramain Islamic Foundation, Inc. stands against terrorism, injustice, or subversive activities in any form and shall not support any statement or acts of terrorism. Al Haramain Islamic Foundation, Inc. believes such conduct is contrary to Islamic principles.”

Multiple investigations by the United States government revealed a much more sinister organization passing itself off as a charitable foundation.”

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http://www.investigativeproject.org/blog/2010/09/day-two-in-united-states-v-seda

For The Record - The IPT Blog

“Day Two in United States v. Seda”
by Stephen I. Landman
Sep 1, 2010 at 10:14 am

SNIPPET: “EUGENE, Ore. - “There are no terrorism charges in this case.” So said attorneys from both the prosecution and defense teams during opening statements in United States v. Seda on Monday. Despite those words of caution, the bulk of Tuesday’s testimony involved plenty of discussion about terrorism in Russia and the Caucuses. That’s because although the area has been plagued by decades of violence, whether the jury views Chechen fighters there as freedom fighters or terrorists may very well determine the outcome of the case.

While at its core this is a criminal tax case, the intentions of the defendant are integral to the case. Pirouz Sedaghaty, also known as Pete Seda, is charged with charged with conspiring to move $150,000 out of the United States without declaring it as required, and with filing false tax returns to hide the fact that the money ever existed.

Whether jurors determine the he knew he was financially supporting Chechen rebels and falsified his tax returns to hide it could decide the case.

The prosecution called numerous witnesses to demonstrate that Chechen militants are violent extremists engaged in acts of terrorism; that Seda knew it; and that he surreptitiously used his position as director of the al Haramain Islamic Foundation to finance the militants.”

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http://www.investigativeproject.org/blog/2010/09/day-three-in-united-states-v-seda

For The Record - The IPT Blog

“Day Three in United States v. Seda”
by Stephen I. Landman
Sep 2, 2010 at 9:44 am

SNIPPET: “EUGENE, Ore. - “I think they wanted things to be closer to the way they were in Saudi Arabia.” That’s how one witness described the evolution of al Haramain Islamic Foundation (AHF) into a radical organization whose leadership reportedly funneled money to Chechen terrorists.

Over the past two days, jurors heard from two converts to Islam who both met defendant Pete Seda—charged with filing false tax returns and failing to disclose the withdrawal of over $100,000 in cash from the United States—while he was head of the Quran Foundation.

And while their experiences differed in the details, they dovetailed in their description of an organization and a man who shifted from moderate to increasingly radical.”

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Indictment - Copy - Link:
http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/480.pdf#page=7

http://www.investigativeproject.org/blog/2010/09/day-four-in-united-states-v-seda

For The Record - The IPT Blog

“Day Four in United States v. Seda”
by Stephen I. Landman
Sep 3, 2010 at 11:39 am

SNIPPET: “EUGENE, Ore. - Prosecutors neared completion of their case Thursday in the prosecution of Pete Seda, accused of hiding $150,000 sent out of the country with the intent of benefiting Chechen mujahideen.

Government witnesses described how the money started with a donation to Seda’s organization, the al Haramain Islamic Foundation. It came from London, then moved to Oregon and New York and ultimately to Saudi Arabia, where it possibly made its way to Chechen mujahideen. “A bizarre financial transaction,” is how federal investigators described it.

The donation came from a wealthy Egyptian named Mahmoud el-Fiki. El-Fiki contacted al Haramain with the intention of making a donation “as Zakat [charity] in order to participate in your noble support to our Muslim brothers in Chychnia.” The donation itself would not have raised any eyebrows; it was what Seda did with the money that attracted scrutiny.”

http://www.investigativeproject.org/2170/trial-exposes-charity-abuse

“Trial Exposes Charity Abuse”
by Stephen I. Landman
IPT News
September 8, 2010

EUGENE, Ore. -

SNIPPET: “In the five years since its indictment on allegations that the al Haramain Islamic Foundation (AHF) had funneled money to Chechen rebels, Pete Seda’s now-defunct organization has wrangled with government attorneys over allegations that the government conducted unlawful surveillance, seized assets without a warrant, and overstepped its authority under the Patriot Act in seeking foreign bank records. And while at its core, this is a criminal tax case against Pirouz Sedaghaty, aka Pete Seda, the outcome has broader implications for the continuing efforts to counter-terrorist financing.

But in many ways, Seda’s prosecution followed a familiar script. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that despite a façade of charity and moderation, al Haramain was surreptitiously funneling money out of the country and possibly into the hands of Chechen mujahideen, all under the guise of humanitarian efforts.”

http://www.investigativeproject.org/2173/founder-of-islamic-charity-convicted

“Founder of Islamic Charity Convicted”

IPT News
September 10, 2010

SNIPPET: “After a week-long trial, a federal court in Eugene, Oregon has convicted Pete Seda, the founder of an Islamic charity accused of funneling $150,000 to Chechen mujahideen.”

NOTE The following text is a quote:

http://portland.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/pd091010.htm

Defendant Convicted of Lying About Funds Bound for Religious Extremist Militants
Federal Jury Convicts Leader of Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation of Two Felonies

PORTLAND, OR—Last night, a jury in Eugene, Oregon, convicted the former leader of the U.S. Chapter of the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation of two felonies related to the organization’s efforts to send nearly $150,000 to support religious extremist militants in Chechnya. Pirouz Sedaghaty, 52, was convicted of all charges, which included a charge that he filed a false tax return and conspired to file a false tax return as part of Al Haramain’s efforts to hide the trail of money. Both the U.S. Chapter of Al-Haramain and its parent organization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have been listed as Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organizations by the United States government. The Riyadh-based organization was disbanded in 2004 by the Saudi government.

U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan set sentencing for November 23, 2010. Sedaghaty faces a maximum prison sentence of eight years. Sedaghaty, who had been released on bail prior to and during trial, was taken into federal custody after the verdict.

The $150,000 at issue was wired by an Egyptian citizen from London, England to a bank in Ashland, Oregon, where the U.S. chapter of Al-Haramain was based. From there, the funds were converted into $130,000 in traveler’s checks and a cashier’s check for the balance. The funds were hand carried by fugitive co-defendant Soliman Al-Buthe back to Saudi Arabia. The traveler’s checks were then cashed in for Saudi riyals at the Al Rahji Bank and disappeared, presumably to be smuggled into Chechnya. Al-Buthe deposited the remainder into his personal bank account.

“The lifeblood of terrorism is money—if we can stop the flow of money to violent extremist organizations, we’ll be safer both here and abroad,” said U.S. Attorney Dwight C. Holton. “By lying to the IRS about where this money went, the defendant sought to hide the true destination of this money.” Holton continued, “The jury’s verdict demonstrates once again the critical role—and effectiveness—of civilian criminal courts in the battle against terrorism.”

“The FBI‘s role in battling crime takes many forms,” said Arthur Balizan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Our agents and our partners have to aggressively chase the evidence down whatever path we find… in this case, a trail of cash leading half way around the world. Once again, this case proves that partnerships between law enforcement agencies can bring solid, positive results for the American people.”

“IRS Criminal Investigation will always be there to partner with the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and all other law enforcement in combating those who support violent extremism,” said Marcus Williams, the IRS Special Agent in Charge of the Pacific Northwest. “Our agents will not sit idly by while those who attempt to finance terrorism violate the tax laws in order to hide their crimes.”

The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Gorder and Chris Cardani. The IRS – Criminal Investigation and the FBI investigated the case. U.S. Attorney Holton praised the joint efforts of the Department of Justice, the IRS and the FBI, as well as other agencies that helped prepare the case and obtain evidence from points around the world, including the Departments of State and Treasury.

http://www.investigativeproject.org/blog/2010/10/new-trial-sought-for-convicted-founder-of-islamic

For The Record - The IPT Blog

“New Trial Sought for Convicted Founder of Islamic Charity”
by IPT News • Oct 1, 2010 at 7:02 pm

SNIPPET: “The founder of an Islamic charity convicted of conspiring to move money out of the United States without declaring it, and with filing false tax return to hide the fact that the money ever existed, has filed a motion for a new trial.

Seda, the founder of al Haramain Islamic Founation, was convicted by a federal jury in Oregon on September 9, after a week long trial demonstrated his role in transferring $150,000 to Chechen mujahideen. According to federal officials, Seda accepted a large donation intended to support “our Muslim brothers in Chychnia,” and then surreptitiously shifted the money to Saudi Arabia in the form of difficult to trace traveler’s checks.

But, despite the evidence admitted at trial, on September 25, the defense team filed a motion demanding that the court throw out the guilty verdict and hold a new trial. Their motion was based, in part, on “the cumulative prejudicial impact of the government focus on Islam, terrorism, and anti-Semitism in a case that is charged as essentially a tax case.”

In seeking the new trial, the defense argued that the jury was pre-disposed to anti-Islamic sentiments, and that the government selectively introduced evidence at trial in order to force jurors to draw the conclusion that Seda was a radical Islamist.”

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4033397,00.html
(AP)

“Attys seek records in US Islamic charity trial”
Published: 02.24.11, 09:00 / Israel News

NOTE The following text is a quote:

www.fbi.gov/portland/press-releases/2011/former-u.s.-head-of-al-haramain-islamic-foundation-sentenced-to-33-months-in-federal-prison

Former U.S. Head of Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation Sentenced to 33 Months in Federal Prison

Perouz Sedaghaty Was Convicted by a Jury for Lying About Funds Bound for Religious Extremists in Chechnya

U.S. Attorney’s Office
September 27, 2011

EUGENE, OR—In September 2010, a federal jury in Eugene, Oregon convicted Perouz Sedaghaty, a/k/a Pete Seda, on two felony charges, both relating to Sedaghaty’s attempt to covertly send $130,000 from the United States to Chechnya, where the money was provided to violent religious extremists. Sedaghaty, 53, is the former U.S. head of the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation, Inc., which was headquartered in Ashland, Oregon before it was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization in 2004 by the United States government. Al-Haramain’s parent organization in Saudi Arabia and several of its worldwide satellites have been similarly branded as supporters of terrorism by the United States.

Sedaghaty was convicted of filing a false tax return and criminal conspiracy based on his attempt to hide the trail of a $150,000 donation that Al-Haramain received in 2000 from Egypt. The $150,000 was wire transferred by an Egyptian donor from an account in London, England to an Al-Haramain account in Oregon. Sedaghaty and a fugitive co-defendant named Soliman Al-But’he, controlled the Oregon bank account. Sedaghaty and Al-But’he converted $130,000 of the funds into traveler’s checks and the remainder was withdrawn in the form of a cashier’s check. The funds were hand carried by Al-But’he from Oregon to Saudi Arabia. The traveler’s checks were cashed for Saudi Riyals at the Al Rajhi bank and were ultimately smuggled into Chechnya. Al-But’he deposited the cashier’s check into a bank account in Saudi Arabia. In attempting to account for the funds with the Internal Revenue Service—which monitors charities to assure they are not using funds for improper purposes—Sedaghaty falsely reported in Al- Haramain’s tax return that most of the $150,000 was used by Al-Haramain to purchase a building in Missouri.

Today, United States District Judge Michael Hogan ordered that Sedaghaty spend 33 months in federal prison and that he begin serving his sentence within 60 days.

United States Attorney Dwight Holton stated that the government is satisfied whenever a defendant who conceals money that is provided to terrorists goes to prison. “Money is the lifeblood of terrorism. We stand ready to aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone involved in terrorist funding or who tries to conceal financial transactions involving money that goes to support terrorists.”

Marcus Williams, Special Agent in Charge, Pacific Northwest Division of IRS - Criminal Investigation, added “IRS Criminal Investigation will always be there to partner with the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and all other law enforcement in investigating those who become involved in financial transactions with funds that end up in the hands of violent extremists.”

“Money drives the violence that is at the very heart of terrorism,” said Greg Fowler, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “The FBI and our partners are always going to go after those who funnel funds that end up with violent groups. In the end, this case shows that strong partnerships between law enforcement agencies can result in a safer and more secure nation for our citizens.”

The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Gorder and Christopher Cardani. The IRS, Criminal Investigation, and the FBI investigated the case. U.S. Attorney Holton praised the joint efforts of the Department of Justice, the IRS, the FBI, ICE, as well as other agencies that helped prepare the case and obtain evidence from around the world, including the Departments of State and Treasury.

http://www.investigativeproject.org/3701/appeals-court-rejects-al-haramain-damages

For The Record - The IPT Blog

“Appeals Court Rejects Al Haramain Damages”
by IPT News • Aug 7, 2012 at 5:11 pm

SNIPPET: “Al Haramain is based in Saudi Arabia and operates throughout the world. Its American branch registered as a non-profit charity in Oregon in 1999.”

SNIPPET: “A jury in Oregon convicted Al-Haramain director Pete Seda in 2010 of filing a false tax return to hide $130,000 in traveler’s checks routed the charity that may have ended up in the hands of Chechen militants.”

>> Imagine that! The Saudi Government is trying to shut it down

I regret we don’t have full disclosure regarding SA’s interest in preventing terrorism prior to 9-11. I regret we don’t have full disclosure of the administrative neglect that facilitated 9-11.

While I have many regrets regarding the political betrayal of our sovereignty, I am grateful for the numerous mentioned & unmentioned sacrifices, and ongoing efforts to protect us by our neighbors, friends, family, and fellow citizens — thank you.

MONEY JIHAD - blog: "UN REMOVES FUGITIVE FINANCIER FROM ALQAEDA LIST" (SNIPPET: "While Seda faced the U.S. justice system, al-Buthe eluded it, but remained under international sanctions--until now.") (February 25, 2013) (Read More…)

SHARIA FINANCE WATCH.org - blog: "UNITED NATIONS CAVES TO SAUDI AND OIC INFLUENCE, REMOVES SAUDI OFFICIAL WHO IS AL QAEDA FINANCIER FROM SANCTIONS LIST" (SNIPPET: "One such individual is Soliman al-Buthe, who is currently a Saudi government official and previously started a charity here in the United States in Oregon that has been tied to Al Qaeda. This week, the UN has decided to remove al-Buthe from its Al Qaeda sanctions list.") (February 13, 2013) (Read More…)