Closings begin in NYC trial to decide whether man broke Iran trade embargo

Closings begin in Iran trade embargo trial in NYC

NEW YORK — Closing arguments have begun in a trial in New York that will decide whether a U.S.-educated Iranian-born man moved money illegally between Iran and the U.S.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danya Perry accused Mahmoud Reza Banki (MAH’-mood REEZ’-ah BAHN’-kee) at the start of her closing argument Wednesday of playing a “critical role” in an illegal money transfer business. She said the movement of millions of dollars violated the Iran trade embargo.

A defense lawyer will take his turn before the jury in Manhattan on Thursday. He will cite the testimony of the defendant’s mother as proof that the family was only trying to move money to the U.S. to provide her financial security and to keep it away from her ex-husband.