News Releases

Michigan woman sentenced to 6 years for role in aiding Saddam Hussein's former regime in Iraq
Ordered to pay more than $1million in criminal forfeiture

DETROIT - A Rochester, Mich., woman was sentenced here to serve six years in prison, followed by two years supervised release and ordered to pay $1,141,557.23 for her role in exporting sensitive equipment to Iraq, U.S. Attorney Terence Berg, Eastern District of Michigan, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Moskowitz, Maurice Aouate, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today.

Dawn Hanna, 34, was found guilty on Oct. 2, 2008 by a federal jury following a trial which lasted nearly one month.

Hanna was employed by Technology Integration Group (TIGS), a Rochester company, as the director of sales and marketing. She used her position to illegally export telecommunications and other equipment to Iraq during an embargo with that country.

"Today's sentencing sends a clear message that ICE will work with its federal partners to ensure rigorous enforcement of our country's embargoes," said Brian Moskowitz special agent in charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in Detroit.

ICE agents began the investigation in February 2003 after they received information concerning the illegal exports to Iraq. The investigation and supporting evidence revealed that Hanna conspired with others to obtain and transship components for a mobile telecommunications network and GPS (global positioning system) equipment to Iraq. The attempted and completed shipments occurred during Saddam Hussein's administration.

Additional evidence showed that the illegally shipped telecommunications equipment contained encryption properties, giving it dual-use military capabilities. The investigation proved that Hanna conspired to also launder money in connection with the conspiracy. She received about $9.5 million from these deals, which was used to pay suppliers, a middle man and family members.

In 1990, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act was instituted against Iraq, making it illegal to deal in property intended for export to Iraq. The embargo was lifted in May 2003, after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.

The case was investigated by special agents from ICE, IRS, FBI and the Department of Commerce. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney's Barbara McQuade and Michael Martin, Eastern District of Michigan.