Maineville, Ohio – A newly constructed mosque in southwest Ohio is garnering attention due to its financial connections with foreign-owned trucking companies and concerns about trucking fraud. A Fox News Digital investigation has unveiled ties between the mosque, local trucking companies, and the government of Uzbekistan.
The Islamic Center of Maineville, located roughly a mile north of Maineville’s main intersection, has been under construction following its approval by Hamilton Township in April 2022. Fox News Digital’s findings indicate the mosque has received significant donations from trucking companies cited for safety and compliance violations. Additionally, the mosque’s Telegram channel shows connections to individuals identified as current or former Uzbek officials.
For years, the mosque has engaged with its 3,600 Telegram followers, asking for donations and acknowledging partnerships with trucking companies. Posts have shown contributions from local companies owned by Uzbeks, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Buraq Limited, a Springboro trucking company linked to Rukhshona Sultonova, contributed at least $28,000 in 28 donations based on Telegram screenshots reviewed by Fox News Digital. Company records show numerous violations, including English proficiency, electronic logging device issues, and invalid CDL violations.
Premier Trucking Group Inc., owned by Sam Avazov, has over 100 violations, including unsafe driving. A $1,000 donation from Premier Trucking appeared on the mosque’s Telegram channel.
Foko Logistics LLC, owned by Abubakr Olimov, donated $20,000. The company had 52 violations in 24 months, with 41.7% of vehicle inspections resulting in out-of-service designations.
Maca Transportation and Services LLC, based in Dayton and owned by Muminkhuja Kholkhujaev, donated $7,000 across eight donations. Records show 120 violations, with 38.9% of vehicle inspections resulting in out-of-service designations.
Phoenix Cargo, which donated $150,000 to the mosque, claimed its contribution was a tiny portion of the mosque’s total construction budget. The company has numerous safety violations on record.
Concerns have grown within the community over these ties. An online researcher, using the pseudonym Nodawolf due to threats, expressed worries about the pattern of non-compliance among company donors.
Fox News Digital sought comments from the mosque but received no response. The Islamic Center maintains it acts responsibly and complies with applicable laws.
The mosque’s relationship with the government of Uzbekistan is highlighted by connections with Hamkor Uz Cincinnati Association, a nonprofit supporting local Uzbek projects. Telegram channels show ties with former Uzbek officials involved in the mosque’s construction and the creation of local trucking companies.
Current Uzbek officials also seem involved, with interactions between the mosque and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies. Telegram posts revealed a visit from a six-member Uzbek delegation and an IT conference invitation to local entrepreneurs.
Ohio Republican state Rep. Michelle Teska introduced legislation to address trucking industry concerns, requiring commercial driver exams in English. She highlighted the issue by recounting a recent experience with an Uzbek truck driver lacking English proficiency.
Local authorities have increased traffic enforcement, including initiatives targeting commercial vehicles. Hamilton Township affirmed its commitment to addressing safety violations.
Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell noted an unusual number of Uzbek-related cases requiring more language support in courts. Despite no evidence of legal wrongdoing, he acknowledged the need for law enforcement awareness.
Census data shows around 3,800 Uzbekistan-born individuals reside in Ohio. Estimates suggest up to 4,000 Uzbek families in southern Ohio. As members of the community try to assimilate, trucking industry concerns remain a topic of discussion.