Viktor Bout , on trial in New York on terrorism charges , is also accused of setting up a global network of shell companies to disguise illicit activities . Stefanie Ostfeld : Owners of shell companies can donate to politicans anonymously . Ostfeld : The law is not clear on how much you need to give, but it's a lot more than the amount that people are allowed to give. Shell companies provide secrecy to pariah regimes , criminals , gun runners , she says . A proposed law would require ultimate owners to name themselves , Ostfeld writes .
Stefanie Ostfeld : Owners of shell companies can donate to politicans anonymously . Ostfeld : The law is not clear on how much you need to give, but it's a lot more than the amount that people are allowed to give. Shell companies provide secrecy to pariah regimes , criminals , gun runners , she says . A proposed law would require ultimate owners to name themselves , Ostfeld writes .