INTERNATIONAL TRADE : U.S. Made Offer They Couldn’t Refuse in Iran Case Guilty Pleas, Attorneys Say

Two executives of a Newport Beach company who pleaded guilty this week to charges that they illegally shipped sensitive electronic equipment to Iran decided to settle the case because the U.S. government’s offer was too good to ignore, lawyers for the two men said Tuesday.

“The government made an attractive offer to my client,� said Mark E. Beck, an attorney for one of the defendants.

Reza (Ray) Amiri, 43, an Iranian national and owner of Ray Amiri Computer Consultants, and Mohammad (Don) Danesh, 55, the firm’s operations manager, were indicted on 19 counts, including submitting false customs declarations for equipment used in making nuclear weapons and missile guidance systems.

Beck, Amiri’s attorney, said federal prosecutors have agreed not to seek more charges against Amiri. He faces up to 25 years in prison and $1.25 million in fines.

Danesh’s attorney, Yolanda Valdivieso, said Danesh can ask for a lighter sentence if evidence shows that he played a minor role in the incident. Danesh faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1-million fine.

Valdivieso said her client “participated in a limited way in the whole undertaking.� She said she expects Danesh to receive a lighter sentence than the maximum 20-year term.

Both men are scheduled to be sentenced July 20.

Amiri, who pleaded guilty to five counts of making false statements, has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine, in addition to other fines the judge may impose during sentencing.