Watch Out! Scammers Cash In on Jury Duty Phobia with Deceptive Tactics

HARTFORD, Conn. — A recent surge in jury duty-related scams is causing confusion among residents, as fraudsters manipulate the fear of legal repercussions to deceive individuals. Authorities are warning the public about these schemes where scammers pose as court officials to extract personal information and money. In this common scam, victims receive phone calls or emails suggesting they have failed to report for jury duty. The impersonators often threaten legal action or monetary fines if the recipient does not comply with their demands. This tactic exploits the public’s concern about missing civic responsibilities, making it … Read more

Jury Convicts Tornado Cash Co-Founder Roman Storm on Money Transmitting Charge, Deadlocks on Money Laundering and Sanctions

NEW YORK — A jury has reached a verdict in the case against Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, convicting him of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. The jury deliberated for a week, during which it grappled with complex charges involving money laundering and sanctions violations but was ultimately deadlocked on those counts. Court documents released by Judge Katherine Failla reveal that, as jurors navigated this high-profile case, they made multiple inquiries for additional information. Their requests included transcripts of witness testimonies, clarifications around the indictment specifics, and details on the wallets linked to … Read more

Jury Stalemate Reached in Tornado Cash Founder’s Money Laundering Trial

A federal jury in New York City has been unable to reach a unanimous decision regarding the money laundering charges against the founder of Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixing service. This outcome reflects a growing tension within the legal system surrounding the regulation of digital currencies and tools used to enhance privacy. The jury deliberated for several days but ultimately reported being deadlocked, leading the presiding judge to announce a mistrial. The defendant, Alexey Pertsev, had faced accusations of facilitating criminal activity by allegedly aiding users in obscuring the source of their digital assets. His … Read more

Judge Allows Discussion on Privacy in Tornado Cash Trial, But Sets Strict Limits on Topics

New York—A federal judge has allowed Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm to address privacy concerns during his criminal trial, though limitations have been imposed on how those discussions can take place. Judge Katherine Polk Failla ruled on Friday that while Storm’s defense team may refer to the necessity of privacy, they cannot invoke a legal “right to privacy” in their arguments. In her decision, Failla emphasized that the defense could discuss relevant privacy issues but cannot reference “inflamatory” incidents such as cryptocurrency-related kidnappings unless they occurred before August 8, 2022. This ruling marks a setback … Read more