Beaufort County, October 5, 2025
News Summary
Beaufort County faces a financial challenge with over $278,000 owed in unpaid taxes from three sanctioned Russian bankers. These debts, stemming from properties in the Palmetto Bluff resort community, are linked to approximately $13 million in real estate affected by U.S. Treasury Department sanctions. With properties frozen, the county’s ability to auction for tax recovery is hindered, raising critical issues of tax accountability and foreign investment in U.S. real estate.
Beaufort County is facing a financial dilemma as three sanctioned Russian bankers owe the county over $278,000 in unpaid taxes related to properties in the exclusive Palmetto Bluff resort community. The outstanding tax debts involve approximately $13 million in real estate that is currently frozen under U.S. Treasury Department sanctions. These sanctions were implemented in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, severely restricting the county’s ability to auction the properties for tax recovery.
The three sanctioned bankers, Dmitry Gusev, Dmitry Khotimskiy, and Mikhail Kuchment, hold high-ranking positions at Sovcombank. Gusev is responsible for back taxes nearing $96,000 on his residential property in Palmetto Bluff, which he constructed himself. Khotimskiy owns two substantial homes in the area, accruing unpaid tax bills exceeding $102,000. Kuchment’s financial obligation includes nearly $23,000 on a vacant lot adjacent to his colleagues’ homes.
This total unpaid tax amount has the potential to fund the salaries of five sheriff’s deputies in Beaufort County. The area has been grappling with tax delinquencies; as of October 3, 2025, more than 300 properties in Beaufort County bore delinquent tax bills accumulating to about $1.4 million. The average tax debt for such properties hovers around $4,200.
Beaufort County Treasurer Maria Walls expressed concern over the fact that sanctioned bankers can circumvent their property tax responsibilities due to these federal sanctions. The Treasury Department’s freezing of these properties has created a legal limbo, complicating recovery efforts for the district. The ongoing issue has also stirred discussions about transparency in U.S. real estate ownership, raising questions about foreign investment and its impact on tax collection.
While state law in South Carolina permits counties to auction properties with unpaid tax debts, the federal sanctions currently obstruct the process for these specific properties. Furthermore, the U.S. Treasury Department is yet to make a determination regarding whether Beaufort County can proceed with any auction related to the frozen properties. The sanctions imposed on Sovcombank and its executives were part of broader measures aimed at pressuring Russia’s financial system during ongoing geopolitical tensions stemming from the invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the luxurious status of the homes owned by the sanctioned bankers, they were reported to be vacant over the summer, raising further concerns regarding community impact. Efforts to contact the bankers for a response to the tax debts have yielded no replies, leaving the properties in an unresolved state.
As part of a broader group of approximately 4,000 individuals targeted by U.S. sanctions since the ongoing conflict began, these bankers’ financial obligations underscore the complexities of enforcing accountability on a global scale amidst international sanctions.
FAQs
1. How much do the sanctioned Russian bankers owe Beaufort County in unpaid taxes?
The sanctioned Russian bankers owe Beaufort County over $278,000 in unpaid taxes for properties in the exclusive Palmetto Bluff resort community.
2. How many properties are associated with the unpaid taxes?
These tax debts relate to approximately $13 million in real estate that cannot be auctioned due to U.S. Treasury Department sanctions.
3. What specific amounts do the bankers owe in taxes?
Dmitry Gusev owes nearly $96,000, Dmitry Khotimskiy owes over $102,000, and Mikhail Kuchment has a tax bill of nearly $23,000.
4. What is the significance of these unpaid taxes for Beaufort County?
The total unpaid tax amount could fund the salaries of five sheriff’s deputies in Beaufort County.
5. Why can’t the properties be auctioned for tax recovery?
The properties are frozen due to sanctions from the U.S. Treasury Department following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, limiting the ability to recover debts through auction.
| Banker | Tax Owed | Property Status | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dmitry Gusev | $96,000 | Residential Home | Property constructed by Gusev |
| Dmitry Khotimskiy | $102,000 | Two Large Homes | Unpaid tax bills for both properties |
| Mikhail Kuchment | $23,000 | Vacant Lot | Adjacent to other sanctioned bankers’ properties |
| Total Unpaid Taxes | $278,000 | 3 Properties | Frozen due to U.S. sanctions |
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Russian Investors in Palmetto Bluff, SC, Owe Taxes
- Wikipedia: Sanctions
- Post and Courier: Sanctioned Russian Bankers’ Homes in SC and GA
- Google Search: Russian Investors Real Estate Taxes
- AJC: Russian Banker’s Millions in Atlanta Properties
- Google Scholar: Russian Bankers Sanctions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Foreign Investment
- Google News: Beaufort County Taxes Russian Bankers
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
