Composer Igor Raykhelson wanted in alleged titanium fraud

Igor Raykhelson, a New York composer whose works have been performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, is wanted in Russia on allegations he defrauded a titanium company of tens of millions of dollars. Raykhelson, who emigrated from the USSR to the United States in 1979, denies the charges and says the Russian government is retaliating against him.

Court papers allege the former president of Russian metal firm AVISMA colluded with Raykhelson and two suppliers to overcharge AVISMA for recycled titanium; two men have been detained in Russia and a warrant has been issued for Raykhelson. Raykhelson sold scrap metal to AVISMA, which supplies much of the aerospace industry with titanium, and reportedly ran a sideline selling scrap titanium to supply the Russian military and others.

In filings, Raykhelson says AVISMA is improperly comparing his "aerospace grade" product to cheaper "retail grade" material and that his prices for high-quality titanium were standard.

Russia, New York

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