Is the DOJ Playing Fair or Just Playing?

Ah, the tale of Roman Storm, a name that now echoes through the hallowed halls of justice—or perhaps just the echo chamber of the internet. As the co-founder of Tornado Cash, he finds himself ensnared in a web of legal entanglements ahead of his trial on the 14th of July. The U.S. Department of Justice, in a display of bureaucratic prowess, has made it abundantly clear that they are not in the mood for a fair fight. Six expert witnesses were summoned to his defense, but alas, five were cast aside like yesterday’s news, and the sixth, a blockchain expert named Matthew Edman, was placed under the watchful eye of the DOJ. Talk about a warm welcome!

The saga began when Tornado Cash was sanctioned in 2023, accused of being a cozy little haven for North Korean hackers. Storm, however, stands firm in his denial of these claims. The crux of the matter now lies in whether he can secure a fair trial with a mere handful of expert witnesses—an uphill battle, indeed.

“I’m Roman Storm. I poured my soul into Tornado Cash—software that’s non-custodial, trustless, permissionless, immutable, unstoppable. In 31 days, I face trial. The DOJ wants to bury DeFi, saying I should’ve controlled it, added KYC, never built it. SDNY is trying to crush…”

— Roman Storm (@rstormsf) June 13, 2025

DOJ Denies 5 of 6 Proposed Experts

The DOJ, in a display of legal acumen, has pushed back with gusto, declaring that most of the proposed expert witnesses were as relevant to the case as a rubber chicken at a funeral. They criticized the selection process and the methods employed, arguing that the witnesses’ insights on digital privacy, blockchain technology, tokenomics, and KYC rules were about as useful as a chocolate teapot in a heatwave.

“There are multiple deficiencies in the proposed testimony, including that they are inappropriate subjects for expert testimony, lack a reliable methodology or basis in facts and data, or are irrelevant, unfairly prejudicial, and confusing to the jury.”

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Community Support Grows

Despite Tornado Cash being removed from the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions list, Storm remains under the proverbial microscope. Yet, a wave of support is rising like a phoenix from the ashes. Many have generously donated to his legal fund, which he has called for with the fervor of a preacher at a revival. The Ethereum Foundation, in a show of solidarity, pledged $500K from its treasury and rallied an additional $750K from the crypto community to bolster his legal defense.

The EF is donating $500K to the legal defense of Roman Storm, and we will match up to a further $750K in donations from the community.

Privacy is normal, and writing code is not a crime.

— Ethereum Foundation (@ethereumfndn) June 13, 2025

However, without those elusive expert witnesses, Storm may find himself facing a veritable mountain of challenges in court.

Defense Team Requests More Time

In a twist worthy of a soap opera, Storm’s legal team has requested a two-day extension to respond to the DOJ’s motion to block their expert witnesses. They assure that this will not delay the case, but the DOJ, ever the party pooper, is opposing the request, despite having previously asked for the same extension if needed. Oh, the irony!

Storm continues to grapple with several charges related to his role in running Tornado Cash. While the DOJ has graciously dropped charges concerning operating an unlicensed money transmitter last month, they are still hot on his heels regarding other charges, including money laundering. The drama unfolds!

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2025-06-14 15:42