Congressman Sam Liccardo calls for Federal investigation into Russian-owned Menlo Park development
Congressman Sam Liccardo (D-CA) demands Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent launch an immediate Federal review of the ownership and financing behind a proposed real estate development at 80 Willow Road in Menlo Park.
Liccardo urged the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and other appropriate Federal agencies to examine the property and consider sanctions against its Russian owner, Vitaly Yusufov, and his father, Igor Yusufov.
“I urge immediate review of the source of funding behind a real estate development at 80 Willow Road in Menlo Park, California, owned by a Russian citizen, Vitaly Yusufov,” wrote Liccardo. “Public sources raise serious questions about Vitaly Yusufov’s ties to the Russian government and individuals linked to organized crime, warranting immediate review by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS), and, ultimately, consideration for sanctions.”
In the letter, Liccardo cited public reporting regarding Vitaly Yusufov’s past business dealings, his sanctions by Ukraine, and reported connections involving Russian government officials and organized crime figures. The letter also notes that Yusufov’s father, Igor Yusufov, previously served as Russia’s Energy Minister and as a board member of Gazprom and Rosneft.
Liccardo raised separate national security concerns because of the property’s location in Silicon Valley and its proximity to companies and research centers working in defense technology, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.
“Given the very high concentration of defense tech, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing companies and research centers in the region, we believe Federal agencies should review the property, its ownership, and its financial backing to ensure Kremlin officials and their proxies cannot obtain sensitive information about critical U.S. companies and their employees,” the letter reads.
The letter also points to concerns surrounding transparency in the property’s financing and ownership. Liccardo cited a 2023 FinCEN warning that sanctioned Russian elites and their proxies may seek to exploit vulnerabilities in the U.S. commercial real estate market to evade sanctions or conceal illicit funds.
Liccardo requested a formal Federal review of Yusufov, Willow Project LLC, and the 80 Willow Road property, including transactions and entities associated with its acquisition, financing, ownership, and development.
“Given the reported ties to U.S. adversaries and organized crime figures, as well as the development’s proximity to companies and infrastructure critical to our national security, we urge OFAC to immediately review Vitaly and Igor Yusufov for potential sanctions designation and urge appropriate federal agencies to review the ownership, financing, and development of 80 Willow Road,” wrote Liccardo.
Read the letter here.
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Ronald Schloss September 24, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Couldn’t agree more. You go, Sam!
Ardan Michael Blum September 29, 2026 at 4:14 pm
I support the owner’s right to seek approval for the development at 80 Willow Road. Russian citizenship is not, by itself, evidence of wrongdoing. The application deserves fair consideration under the relevant planning laws and any applicable financial or national security restrictions.
Liccardo has raised specific concerns about Yusufov’s reported political connections, the property’s ownership, and its financing. Those concerns deserve serious assessment by the appropriate authorities. Supporting the owner’s rights also means accepting scrutiny and restrictions that have a proper legal basis.
My concern is with Liccardo’s public description of the outcome he seeks. His written request calls for review and potential sanctions. In comments to The Almanac, he described the requested investigation as supporting “sanctions that would stop Mr. Yusufov from being able to build in our community.” That framing risks prejudging the result. Any federal review should remain independent and open to finding that restrictions are unwarranted.
The development also deserves consideration under the state housing laws that govern its review. Menlo Park says the application remains under review, and the proposal includes homes, offices, retail, and a hotel. Questions about those uses and their impacts should be addressed through the applicable legal process, including any state protections that limit local discretion. Objections to the buildings’ scale should not substitute for evidence relevant to sanctions or national security.
Liccardo should explain how the concerns cited in his letter would justify restrictions on this owner or project, and what findings or safeguards could resolve them. If no lawful restriction applies and the project qualifies for approval, I support allowing it to proceed. I would ask Liccardo to make the same commitment to accepting that outcome.
Bob B September 30, 2026 at 3:20 pm
Do you live near this project???
Ardan Michael Blum October 04, 2026 at 11:55 am
Bob. No. I do not. One does not have to “live near” to have a point of view.
Ardan Michael Blum October 04, 2026 at 12:15 pm
October 04, 2026 at 12:12 pm
I support Vitaly Yusufov’s right to pursue the development at 80 Willow Road and to receive fair treatment from public officials. I also support allowing the project to proceed if it satisfies the applicable legal requirements. His Russian citizenship should not be treated as evidence of wrongdoing or a reason to prejudge his application. (…) See more: https://inmenlo.com/2026/09/30/new-updates-on-80-willow-road-development-project-in-menlo-park/#comment-550874