US prosecutors have charged the chief executive of a Virginia-based digital forensics company and a Russian national over allegations that they concealed the company’s Russian ownership and Russia-based software development while selling forensic technology to American government agencies.

The case involves Oxygen Forensics, a company that provides digital forensic tools used to extract and analyze information from electronic devices. According to the US Department of Justice, prosecutors allege that the company presented itself to US government customers as an independent American business despite being controlled in part by Russian nationals.

Lee Reiber, 55, the chief executive officer of Oxygen Forensics, was arrested in Idaho on September 20 and subsequently released on bond. Oleg Sergeyevich Davydov, 52, a Russian national from Moscow, was detained the same day at London’s Heathrow Airport while preparing to travel to Istanbul. US authorities said they intend to seek Davydov’s extradition to the United States.

Both men have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The allegations are contained in a criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors. As with any criminal complaint, the allegations have not been proven in court, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty.

Alleged Russian Ownership

According to prosecutors, Oxygen Forensics was not solely an American-controlled company as it was allegedly represented to US government customers.

The complaint claims that Davydov and four other Russian nationals owned and controlled the company through a holding company based in Cyprus. Prosecutors allege that the Russian owners remained involved in important corporate decisions even after their names were removed from public corporate records.

Authorities further allege that the Russian owners continued to exercise control over financial matters, including payments and company........

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