Earlier than Roman Storm’s protection attorneys rested their case on Tuesday, one matter that appeared to impress some controversy within the courtroom was a T-shirt the Twister Money co-founder and developer wore at a crypto occasion in 2019.
Throughout opening statements within the US District Courtroom for the Southern District of New York, each prosecutors and Storm’s legal professionals reportedly introduced up a Twister Money T-shirt the developer wore, which claimed to “wash” Ether (ETH) by way of the blending service.
A video posted by a 2019 ETHBoston attendee appeared to point out Storm carrying the shirt, which acknowledged “I hold my Ether clear with Twister.money,” exhibiting a washer that resulted in “clear” ETH.
“The defendant was making the most of a large washer for soiled cash,” mentioned Assistant US Lawyer Kevin Mosley in courtroom on July 15, based on reporting from Interior Metropolis Press. “He wore a T-shirt to that impact. Mr. Storm had decisions. As soon as he realized he was washing cash for criminals, he nonetheless selected to commit crimes. He continued.”
Storm’s authorized crew, which gave its opening assertion after prosecutors, mentioned the shirt was “a meme, a joke in poor style.” They introduced up the Twister Money merchandise a second time on Monday whereas arguing towards a movement to exclude details about hackers utilizing the blending service.
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Whether or not jurors or Decide Katherine Failla will contemplate the shirt a “joke” or a sign that Storm and different Twister Money builders claimed to function a crypto “laundering” service remained to be seen on the time of publication. He faces costs of cash laundering, conspiracy to function an unlicensed cash transmitter and conspiracy to violate US sanctions.
Storm is not going to testify in his personal protection
After beginning jury choice on July 14, Storm’s legal trial is predicted to final about three weeks. Prosecutors closed their case on Friday after listening to from witnesses, together with from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Inner Income Service, and people concerned in hacking incidents.
“The best way the prosecutors have been portray a responsible picture of Roman Storm and the Twister Money crew is disingenuous,” mentioned a spokesperson for the Golem Basis, which contributed 50 ETH to Storm’s protection fund. “This case actually is like blaming the builders of banking apps for monetary scams that occur on the web. It’s silly.”
On Tuesday, Storm’s legal professionals mentioned the Twister Money co-founder wouldn’t testify. In an interview earlier than the trial, he mentioned he was unsure whether or not he would take the stand. His protection crew rested on Tuesday after greater than three days of listening to from witnesses, and can probably start closing statements on Wednesday.
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