NEWS RELEASE Glenn T. Suddaby, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, announced today that OSAMEH ALWAHAIDY has entered a plea of guilty in U.S. District Court, Syracuse to a prosecutor's Information charging him with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by sending money to Iraq in violation of the sanctions imposed on that country. In entering his guilty plea, ALWAHAIDY, age 41, Fayetteville, New York, admitted that he assisted others at "HELP THE NEEDY" in sending money to Iraq, notwithstanding his knowledge that sanctions had been imposed on that country since 1990 prohibiting such transactions. Specifically, ALWAHAIDY admitted allowing RAFIL DAHFIR to use checks from an account on which ALWAHAIDY was a signatory to transfer money from HELP THE NEEDY'S account to the private accounts of another indicted defendant, MAHER ZAGHA. ALWAHAIDY further admitted that on October 25, 1999, November 9, 1999, and February 23, 2000, he helped transfer $20,000, $50,000, and $30,000 respectively to MAHER ZAGHA's business account in Jordan knowing those funds would be forwarded to individuals in Iraq. ALWAHAIDY stated in the plea agreement that he believed that the money was intended to help needy people, especially needy people in Iraq. The government noted in Court, however, that the purpose of the prohibitions on transfers of money into Iraq is to prevent money sent for any purpose from being misused once in Iraq and that it's investigation into the use of that money once it was sent to Jordan is still under investigation. ALWAHAIDY had previously been charged with conspiracy to violate IEEPA in an Indictment that was made public on February 26, 2003. Conspiracy to violate IEEPA is a charge that carries a maximum possible penalty of five years incarceration. As a result of today's guilty plea, ALWAHAIDY faces a maximum possible penalty of ten years incarceration when he is sentenced. In addition, he faces a maximum possible fine of $250,000. A special assessment of $100 is also mandatory in a case of this type. The plea agreement filed today provides that the conspiracy charge pending against ALWAHAIDY will be dismissed at the time of his sentencing and he will not be furthered charged in connection with this case. Finally, the plea agreement contemplates that he will cooperate with the government in its ongoing investigation. The Honorable Norman A. Mordue, U.S. District Court Judge, presided over today's proceeding. The entry of this plea is a result of the continuing investigation undertaken by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Internal Revenue Service; the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General; the Defense Criminal Investigation Service; the New York State Police; the United States Customs Service; the Immigration and Naturalization Service; the U.S. Postal Service; the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and the United States Marshals Service. Although additional information concerning this case will be limited at this time, further inquiries can be directed to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. Pavone at (315) 448-0672.