Feb. 20--The head of an Arlington Heights optics company has been charged with illegally exporting and importing military equipment, including components used in night vision systems on the M1A1 Abrams tank.
Bharat "Victor" Verma, 74, of Arlington Heights, president of Vibgyor Optical Systems, and his daughter Urvashi "Sonia" Verma, 40, of Chicago, a former employee, were charged in federal court this week with purporting to manufacture military optical systems in the United States. According to the indictment, the pair sent technical data and samples of the military articles to manufacturers in China, then imported the items from China to sell to its customers who are contractors with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Victor Verma and Sonia Verma are each charged with one count of conspiracy to violate both the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, in addition to one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Each offense is punishable by up to five years in prison. Violating the Arms Export Control Act carries a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $1 million. The father and daughter were also charged with international money laundering, which carries a maximum of 20 years imprisonment.
Vibgyor could not be immediately reached for comment.
crshropshire@tribpub.com
