Beirut Bombing Families Herald Bipartisan Senate Action To Limit Money Laundering Of Iranian Funds

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is issued by The Fay-Perles Law Firm: Survivors of the Beirut Marines barracks bombing, their families, and the families of the 241 Marines, Sailors and Soldiers killed in the 1983 terrorist attack praised a bi-partisan effort in the United States Senate today.  The new legislation aims to bring justice to the victims of the Beirut Marines barracks bombing and prevent billions in contested funds from returning to Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world.

The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Doug Jones (D-AL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) amends the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 to close an alleged loophole that Iran is trying to use to launder funds through double entry bookkeeping.

Lynn Smith Derbyshire is the national spokesperson for the Beirut Marines families; her brother, Captain Vincent Smith (USMC), was killed in the bombing. She said, "When Iran murdered my brother and 240 other brave men serving as peacekeepers in Beirut, they didn't count on the tenacity of the survivors and families to seek justice. Iran must be held accountable for this act of terrorism, and stopped from laundering money through the United States. This bill will ensure that victims of Iranian terrorism have the chance to stop nearly $2 billion from being sent back to Iran."

Anne Mongeau, of Rhode Island, said: "It is gratifying to see this important bill receive support from both sides of the aisle as we seek justice for the act of terrorism that was planned, funded and executed by Iran and killed my brother, Timothy Giblin.  This bill must be passed as soon as possible to deter Iran from planning further acts of terrorism against Americans."

Theresa Roth, of Arkansas, lost her husband, First Lieutenant John Norman Boyett (USMC), in the terrorist attack, she said "We are appealing to policy makers in the Congress and the White House to do the right thing and pass this bill as soon as possible."

Terry Valore is a resident of Pennslyvania and was a Corporal in the Marine Corps on October 23, 1983; he survived the bombing and said "The best way to honor the memory of my fallen brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country is for Congress to pass this measure and ensure that Iran pays the price for their sponsorship of terrorism."

SOURCE The Fay-Perles Law Firm