The Pensacola businessman indicted for conspiring to sell and export power generating equipment to Iran and concealing the scheme is changing his plea, according to the Department of Justice.
The indictment alleges, 59-year-old James P. Meharg the CEO and president of Turbine Resources International, LLC. conspired with citizens of the United Kingdom and Iran to export a large turbine and parts from the United States to an Iranian recipient, in violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations ad well as federal criminal law.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Meharg conspired from October 1, 2017, to June 12, 2019, to violate the embargo by attempting to export a Solar Mars 90 S turbine core engine parts from the U.S. for delivery to an end-user in Iran.
The indictment says, on April 25, 2018, Mehargsent an invoice for $500,000 toa conspirator in the United Kingdom and received two partial payments of $124,950 each on May 7 and May 24, 2018, at least one of which was routed through a company in Dubai.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said “The security of the United States depends on protecting our nation from threats, whether those threats originate with foreign nationals or with American citizens who put their own profits ahead of the national interest. For decades, American presidents have declared the government of Iran to be a threat to our national security and thereby imposed sanctions, and this office is deeply committed to protecting the integrity of the United States in all ways.”
Court records say Meharg’s amended change of plea hearing is set for Thursday, August 22, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. at the U.S. Courthouse Pensacola before Magistrate Judge Hope T Cannon.
According to records filed, Meharg initially plead “No Contest” but a recent filing on August 12 states he wishes to enter a guilty plea.
Meharg’s trial date is scheduled for September 3, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
Source » weartv