Tornado Cash Co-Founder’s Trial Delayed Until April 2025 Amid Legal Disputes
The trial for Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, has been postponed until April 2025.
This decision delays the proceedings surrounding charges of money laundering and sanctions violations, extending the case by at least five months.
During a conference call on November 1, Judge Katherine Polk Failla of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York announced the adjournment, moving the trial from its originally scheduled December start to April 14, 2025. This extension aims to give both the prosecution and the defense more time to address their disagreements regarding the disclosure of expert witnesses.
The conflict arose after Judge Failla mandated that both parties share information about any expert witnesses they might want to call during the trial. Storm’s legal team, led by Brian Klein, has contested this requirement, asserting that it could compromise their strategy and hinder the defense. Klein contended that the defense is not legally bound to reveal such information unless it has been requested by the prosecution.
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To challenge Judge Failla’s ruling, Storm’s attorneys have filed a mandamus petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which seeks to have the higher court intervene. A hearing regarding this petition is set for November 12.
Storm faces three serious charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to violate sanctions, and conspiracy to run an unlicensed money-transmitting operation. If convicted on all counts, he could face a prison sentence of up to 45 years.
While Storm has pleaded not guilty and remains out on a $2 million bond following his 2023 arrest, co-founder Roman Semenov is still at large and has been placed on the FBI’s wanted list. Meanwhile, the third co-founder, Alexey Pertsev, is serving a five-year sentence in the Netherlands for similar allegations.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at CoinsPress
Alex is an experienced finance journalist and a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast. With over five years of experience covering the industry, he deeply understands the complex and constantly evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His passionate approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and insightful content. Follow up on his content to be up to date with the most important trends and topics - stay ahead of the curve with CoinsPress.
