A North Charleston businessman has pleaded guilty to illegally exporting goods to Iran.
/ FILE
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A North Charleston businessman has pleaded guilty to illegally exporting goods to Iran.
Court records show Markos Baghdasarian entered the plea Tuesday in federal court in Charleston.
Baghdasarian's federal trial began this week. Prosecutors have said the businessman lied to federal agents about trying to get South Carolina products into Iran.
It's against the law to trade with Iran without special permission from the government. Federal law also requires exporters to file forms saying where their shipments are going.
Prosecutors have said aviation lubricating oil was illegally shipped to Iran through two men working with Baghdasarian.
Former South Carolina U.S. Attorney Bart Daniel has been defending Baghdasarian. He did not immediately return a message seeking comment Tuesday.
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