In a recent turn of events, Russian national Nomma Zarubina has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about her connections with Russian intelligence and committing naturalization fraud. Announced by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., the FBI's Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office, it was revealed that Zarubina admitted to her ties with the Russian Federation’s Federal Security Service (FSB) after earlier denials.
Zarubina faced charges including fabricating statements during the FBI's investigation into Russian national Elena Branson, who was charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Misled federal agents were informed by Zarubina in April 2021 that her recent trip to Russia was void of any interaction with Russian intelligence services. Later, in September 2023, while engulfed in her FBI interview, Zarubina subtly altered her narrative, acknowledging a single encounter with FSB upon her return to Russia, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.
However, the truth surfaced when effectively admitted to the FBI that she had engaged with the FSB on numerous instances, using encrypted messaging and attending instructions from an FSB officer, including sharing journalists' contact information in the U.S. Her involvement in unlawful activities was further compounded by her role in a prostitution network between New York and New Jersey, acts which she falsely denied in a July 2022 naturalization application.
"While Nomma Zarubina was trying to cultivate relationships with American law enforcement, civil society organizations, and others, she was lying to the FBI about her ties to the Russian Federation," stated U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. Following her indictment, Zarubina's continued delinquency by attempting to unlawfully tamper with a witness, leading to the revocation of her bail, as she showered an FBI agent involved in her case with unsolicited and harassing messages. This obstructive behavior persisted even after being admonished by the Court.
Confronted by the gravity of her actions, Zarubina pled guilty to one count of making false statements to the FBI and one count of naturalization fraud, both offenses carrying a maximum five-year prison sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for June 11, 2026. The court proceedings draw upon the coordinated efforts of the FBI, DOJ's National Security Division, and the Office's National Security and International Narcotics Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah L. Kushner, David J. Robles, and Henry L. Ross leading the prosecution.
