Former U.S. Military Pilot Charged With Making False Statements on National Security Background Forms Regarding Foreign Contacts | USAO-SDCA

SAN DIEGO – A former U.S. Army helicopter pilot who became a civilian contractor appeared in federal court in San Diego yesterday on charges of failing to disclose when he was asked to provide information during national security clearance he repeatedly met – and received cash payments from – a Chinese citizen who was connected to intelligence services.

Shapour Moinian, 66 years old from Mira Mesa, worked for many years for various defense companies and also as a civilian contractor for the US Navy and has undergone several national security clearances. According to an advertisement and disclosures when it first appeared and heard about the bond, Moinian made false statements in these questionnaires and repeatedly claimed that he had no contact with foreigners.

In 2017, Moinian communicated with a Chinese citizen who posed as a recruiter on a recruitment platform in a way that both Germany and France have publicly identified as the technology of Chinese intelligence agencies. Moinian then traveled to China, where in March 2017 he worked for a licensed defense company on various projects, including a high-altitude unmanned surveillance aircraft used by the US military and various allies. Upon his return, Moinian continued to communicate with his Chinese contact person and inform them of the progress of his work for them. In September 2017, Moinian traveled overseas again and met with his Chinese contact. After that meeting, Moinian used a relative’s South Korean bank account to receive payment from his Chinese contact, which he then transferred to the United States.

In 2017, in the midst of his communications, visits, and work for his Chinese contact, Moinian completed a national security background investigation questionnaire alleging that he knowingly and deliberately made materially false, fraudulent, and fictional statements while giving claim that they have not had close or sustained contact with a foreigner in the past seven years and have not been asked to work as a consultant or to consider employment by a foreigner.

In 2018, after returning from another overseas meeting with his Chinese contact person and her staff, at which he received a cash payment, Moinian ran an internet search engine to seek sabotage, espionage, espionage and the sale of military information to to investigate foreign land. In June 2019, Moinian requested payment of $ 20,000 from his Chinese contact person and told her it was for a friend. In August of the same year, Moinian went overseas to meet with his Chinese contacts and others, where he received a large cash payment.

In 2020, while filling out another questionnaire for background research on national security, Moinian is accused of knowingly and deliberately made material false, fraudulent and fictitious statements and representations when he affirmed that he had no close or prolonged contact with a foreigner and was in Has not been asked to work as a consultant or to consider hiring a foreigner in the past seven years.

Moinian, a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot, continued his work for various defense companies while communicating and meeting with his Chinese contact and their staff, who provided him with cash payments that he smuggled back into the U.S. These meetings and payments took place in several overseas locations including Hong Kong, Macau, Bali and Taiwan. In addition to cash payments at these meetings, Moinian also received at least one other payment from his Chinese contact, which he managed through his relative’s South Korean bank account.

At the time of his arrest on October 1, 2021, Moinian was working for another licensed defense company and was due to move to South Korea to work on a military aircraft that will be produced for that country. When Moinian was arrested, he had already given many of his belongings to a company for transport to South Korea and cleared his home the following week. Despite the charges being brought, both the FBI and NCIS are still investigating.

“The complaint alleges a worrying failure to disclose information that is highly relevant to the background investigation process,” said incumbent Randy Grossman. “This office is committed to ensuring that people in sensitive national security positions deserve the trust that is placed in them.” Grossman praised the work of AUSA Fred Sheppard, the DOJ’s National Security Division, and FBI and NCIS agents, who carefully followed this matter.

“This case is very reminiscent of the social media exploitation strategies that Chinese intelligence agencies will use to target, recruit and maintain contact with valuable foreign assets,” said FBI special agent Suzanne Turner. “This arrest is intended to act as a deterrent for those who consider hiding their foreign contacts in the hope of leading a double life and avoiding getting caught.”

“Mr. Moinian’s alleged false testimony on security background forms about his contact with foreigners posed a significant threat to our national security,” said Special Representative Michelle Kramer of the NCIS Special Projects Office Law enforcement partners continue to work to eradicate all criminal attempts to jeopardize our nation’s national security interests. We sincerely thank our partners for their substantial efforts during this investigation to maintain the superiority of US warplanes. “

This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and is being prosecuted by the US District Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.

ACCUSED File Number 21MJ3884

Shapour Moinian Age: 66 San Diego

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001 (materially false, fictional, or fraudulent information or representation)

Maximum penalty: fine and imprisonment of up to five years.

INVESTIGATION AGENCIES

Federal Office for Investigations

Criminal Police Marine Service

* The allegations and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely allegations and the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.