Prosecutors link Roman Storm to DPRK hackers in trial opening statements
The Tornado Cash co-founder’s legal team argued he “had nothing to do” with hackers using the crypto mixing service as his criminal trial kicked off.
Jury selection in the criminal trial of Tornado Cash co-founder and developer Roman Storm wrapped up on Tuesday, and prosecutors and defense attorneys issued their own statements in a case that could have significant repercussions for the crypto and blockchain industry.
According to reporting from Inner City Press inside the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday, US prosecutors focused much of their opening statement on attempting to link Storm to North Korean hackers using Tornado Cash to launder funds, in violation of US sanctions. The Lazarus Group was allegedly behind a 2022 hack of the Ronin Bridge, which removed about $600 million in crypto.
“The defendant was profiting from a giant washing machine for dirty money,” reportedly said Assistant US Attorney Kevin Mosley, adding: “Mr. Storm had choices. Once he learned he was washing money for criminals, he still chose to commit crimes. He continued.”
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