U.S. investigators have charged a well-known Russian state TV figure and his wife for breaking sanctions and laundering money, as the White House intensifies efforts against Kremlin influence operations ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

A former adviser to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Dimitri Simes, has been charged by the U.S. Justice Department for working with a sanctioned Russian state television network. Along with his wife, Anastasia Simes, the couple is accused of laundering over $1 million as part of their involvement with Russia's Channel One, a network that was sanctioned in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The charges claim that since June 2022, Dimitri and Anastasia received significant financial benefits, including a personal car and driver, in exchange for their work. Both are believed to be residing in Russia.

According to U.S. authorities, these actions represent a violation of sanctions imposed to safeguard national security. Dimitri Simes, who fled the Soviet Union and became a U.S. citizen, was expected to have a greater understanding of the consequences of his actions, said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves.

This development comes at a time when the U.S. is increasingly concerned about Russian interference in the upcoming elections, particularly through disinformation and propaganda. Recently, charges were also brought against employees of another Russian media outlet accused of funding pro-Russian content in the U.S.

Simes was previously involved in Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 U.S. election but was not charged at the time. His Washington-based think tank, the Center for the National Interest, had connections with several individuals in Trump’s circle, including Jared Kushner.

His wife, Anastasia, is additionally accused of receiving funds from Alexander Udodov, a sanctioned Russian businessman linked to high-level political figures in Russia.

Neither of the defendants has made a public statement about the charges, and it is unclear if they have legal representation.

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