The U.S. arm of a large Saudi charity suspected by the government of supporting terrorism was indicted on fraud and tax charges, federal prosecutors said yesterday. The three-count indictment charges Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation and its two officers, Pirouz Sedaghaty -- also known as Pete Seda -- and Soliman Al-Buthe with illegally sending $150,000 to Muslim fighters in Chechnya.The Bush administration last September designated the charity as a group suspected of supporting terrorism through its main location in Ashland, Ore., and a prayer house in Springfield, Mo. Sedaghaty had been living in Dubai; the whereabouts of Al-Buthe were unknown. Wednesday's grand jury indictment alleges that an Egyptian citizen contacted the foundation in Saudi Arabia seeking to donate to Muslims in Chechnya. The indictment said that $150,000 was transferred by wire to a foundation bank account in Ashland. Al-Buthe flew from Saudi Arabia to Oregon, then went to an Ashland bank with Sedaghaty, where the pair took out 130 $1,000 traveler's checks, and a $21,000 cashier's check before Al-Buthe headed back overseas, according to the indictment.
snip. Obligatory, "My client is innocent," statement from lawyer.