Crypto Controversy: Roman Storm’s T-Shirt Sparks Debate in Courtroom
The Shirt That Stirred the Courtroom
On Tuesday, as Roman Storm’s defense team wrapped up their case, a seemingly innocuous T-shirt worn by the Tornado Cash co-founder at a 2019 crypto event became a focus of debate within the courtroom. The garment, which Storm sported on the ETHBoston event, portrayed a playful message about “washing” Ether (ETH) using the Tornado Cash mixing service.
During the opening statements on the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, each prosecutors and Storm’s attorneys referenced the T-shirt. It boldly stated, “I keep my Ether clean with Tornado.cash,” complete with a graphic of a washer producing “clean” ETH.
The Prosecutor’s Perspective
Assistant US Attorney Kevin Mosley didn’t mince words, stating in court on July 15, “The defendant was profiting from a giant washing machine for dirty money.” Mosley argued that Storm had selections and continued illegal activities even after realizing the service was getting used by criminals.
The Defense’s Take
On the flip side, Storm’s legal team dismissed the T-shirt’s message as nothing greater than a poorly conceived meme. They argued against a motion to exclude details about hackers leveraging the Tornado Cash service, suggesting that the shirt was a lighthearted jest quite than an request for forgiveness.
The Bigger Picture: Tornado Cash and Crypto “Laundering” Allegations
As of now, it’s uncertain whether the jury or Judge Katherine Failla will interpret the shirt as a mere joke or as evidence of Storm and his team operating a crypto “laundering” scheme. Facing grave charges of cash laundering, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitter, and conspiracy to violate US sanctions, Storm’s legal battles are removed from over.
Storm’s Decision Not to Testify
Following the commencement of jury selection on July 14, Storm’s trial is projected to span around three weeks. Prosecutors wrapped up their case last Friday, having presented testimony from various witnesses, including representatives from the FBI and IRS, in addition to individuals linked to hacking incidents.
Despite the gravity of the situation, a Golem Foundation spokesperson, which aided Storm’s defense with 50 ETH, criticized the portrayal of Storm and the Tornado Cash team, likening it to blaming app developers for online scams. “It’s ridiculous,” they said.
On Tuesday, Storm’s legal team announced that he wouldn’t take the stand. Although he previously expressed indecision about testifying, the defense concluded after three days of witness testimonies, with closing statements anticipated to start on Wednesday.