Abouammo v. United States Supreme Court Venue Ruling
The Supreme Court unanimously overturned the obstruction conviction of former Twitter employee Ahmad Abouammo on June 11, 2026, ruling he was tried in the wrong district for falsifying documents to impede an FBI investigation, as his relevant actions occurred in Seattle, Washington, not California where he was convicted. As of June 22, 2026: This decision does not affect his other convictions. The Court clarified that defendants charged with falsifying documents under 18 U.S.C. § 1519 must be tried where the falsification occurred, reinforcing constitutional venue protections. The case, *Abouammo v. United States*, was heard after the Supreme Court granted certiorari on December 5, 2025, to address the venue question.
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June 2026 — 2 developments
Supreme Court Overturns Abouammo's Obstruction Conviction Over Venue Dispute
The Supreme Court unanimously overturned the obstruction conviction of former Twitter employee Ahmad Abouammo on June 11, 2026. The Court ruled that Abouammo was tried in the wrong district for falsifying documents to impede an FBI investigation, as his relevant actions occurred in Seattle, Washington, not California where he was convicted. This decision does not affect his other convictions.
Supreme Court Rules Venue for Document Falsification is Where Conduct Occurred
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that defendants charged with falsifying documents to obstruct a federal investigation must be tried in the district where the falsification occurred, not where the investigation was based. This decision reverses the Ninth Circuit's ruling and clarifies venue for violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1519. The ruling reinforces constitutional venue protections.
March 2026 — 1 developments
Supreme Court Justices Skeptical of Government Venue Arguments in Abouammo v. United States
Supreme Court justices expressed skepticism regarding the government's venue arguments during oral arguments on March 30, 2026, in Abouammo v. United States. The case could significantly impact venue protections, with a decision pending.
January 2026 — 4 developments
Supreme Court Schedules Oral Arguments for Abouammo v. United States on March 30, 2026
The Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for the case Abouammo v. United States for March 30, 2026. The case concerns whether venue is proper in a district where no offense conduct took place but the statute's intent element contemplates effects there.
Cato Institute Files Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Case Abouammo v. United States
The Cato Institute has filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court case Abouammo v. United States. The brief supports Ahmad Abouammo's petition and argues that the government's broad interpretation of venue rules allows for "prosecutorial forum shopping."
Supreme Court lists Abouammo v. U.S. for October 2025-26 term, oral argument not yet set
*Abouammo v. U.S.* (No. 25-5146) is currently listed among the cases not yet set for oral argument in the Supreme Court's October 2025-26 term.
Ahmad Abouammo's Brief and Joint Appendix Submitted to Supreme Court
Ahmad Abouammo's brief and the Joint Appendix were submitted to the Supreme Court.
December 2025 — 3 developments
Supreme Court to hear case of former Twitter employee Ahmad Abouammo
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of Ahmad Abouammo, a former Twitter employee convicted of spying for Saudi Arabia. The case will address whether the Justice Department selected the correct venue to charge Abouammo with obstructing an FBI investigation.
Supreme Court to Hear Ahmad Abouammo's Venue Challenge in FBI Obstruction Case
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted certiorari and will hear the case of Ahmad Abouammo v. United States. The case concerns whether venue is proper in a district where no offense conduct took place but the statute's intent element contemplates effects there. The court agreed to hear Abouammo's argument that the Justice Department chose the wrong venue to charge him with obstructing an FBI investigation.
Supreme Court grants Abouammo's petition on venue question
The Supreme Court of the United States granted Abouammo's petition for a writ of certiorari, limited to the question of "Whether venue is proper in a district where no offense conduct took place, so long as the statute's intent element 'contemplates' effects that could occur there."
July 2025 — 1 developments
Supreme Court Dockets Ahmad Abouammo v. United States for July 18, 2025
The Supreme Court has docketed the case of Ahmad Abouammo v. United States on July 18, 2025. This follows the granting of the petition for a writ of certiorari and precedes the scheduled oral arguments.
December 2024 — 1 developments
Ninth Circuit affirms Abouammo's convictions, vacates sentence, remands for resentencing
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed Abouammo's convictions but vacated his sentence and remanded for resentencing. The Ninth Circuit held that venue for the falsification of records charge was proper in the Northern District of California, where the obstructed federal investigation was taking place, even though Abouammo created the false invoice in Seattle.
August 2022 — 1 developments
Abouammo convicted on six counts, sentenced to 42 months in prison
Following a two-week jury trial, Abouammo was convicted on six counts, including acting as an agent of a foreign government, conspiracy to commit wire and honest services fraud, wire and honest services fraud, international money laundering (two counts), and falsification of records to obstruct a federal investigation. He was sentenced to 42 months in prison.
July 2020 — 1 developments
District Court Denies Abouammo's Motions to Dismiss Charges
After grand jury proceedings resumed, a superseding indictment was returned, containing the same charges as the April 2020 information. The district court denied Abouammo's motion to dismiss the document falsification charges on grounds of improper venue and denied motions to dismiss other charges as untimely.
April 2020 — 1 developments
Government adds money laundering, wire fraud charges against Abouammo
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic halting grand jury proceedings and Abouammo refusing to further extend the statute of limitations, the government filed a superseding information adding charges of money laundering and wire fraud.
November 2019 — 1 developments
Former Twitter Manager Ahmad Abouammo Indicted for Acting as Saudi Agent
Ahmad Abouammo, a U.S. citizen and former Twitter Media Partnerships Manager for the Middle East and North Africa, was initially indicted along with two others for acting as agents of the government of Saudi Arabia without prior notification to the Attorney General, and for falsifying records in a federal investigation.