During the investigation, federal agents attempted to turn Vadim Mikerin on his bosses by showing him the evidence the FBI collected of relationships between “shell companies and other Russian energy officials, including President [[Vladimir Putin]].” Mikerin refused and was arrested on charges of conspiracy to [[extort]] kickbacks for contracts to transport uranium from dismantled Russian warheads to power plants within the United States.<ref>Joel Schectman, U.S. sentences Russian nuclear official to four years for bribe scheme, Reuters (Dec. 15, 2015). The “Megatons to Megawatts” program converted uranium from thousands of Russian nuclear warheads for civilian use in U.S.nuclear power plants.</ref> The investigation found kickbacks paid in cash and foreign wire transfers. From April 2009 to April 2011, the wire transfers went to Wiser Trading, registered in the Seychelles. From July 2011 to July 2013 - to the British Leila Global Limited account in a Latvian bank. And from August 2013 to May 2014 - to Ollins Development in the British Virgin Islands. | During the investigation, federal agents attempted to turn Vadim Mikerin on his bosses by showing him the evidence the FBI collected of relationships between “shell companies and other Russian energy officials, including President [[Vladimir Putin]].” Mikerin refused and was arrested on charges of conspiracy to [[extort]] kickbacks for contracts to transport uranium from dismantled Russian warheads to power plants within the United States.<ref>Joel Schectman, U.S. sentences Russian nuclear official to four years for bribe scheme, Reuters (Dec. 15, 2015). The “Megatons to Megawatts” program converted uranium from thousands of Russian nuclear warheads for civilian use in U.S.nuclear power plants.</ref> The investigation found kickbacks paid in cash and foreign wire transfers. From April 2009 to April 2011, the wire transfers went to Wiser Trading, registered in the Seychelles. From July 2011 to July 2013 - to the British Leila Global Limited account in a Latvian bank. And from August 2013 to May 2014 - to Ollins Development in the British Virgin Islands. |