Feds deny late disclosure of evidence in Samourai Wallet case
Federal prosecutors have denied claims that they suppressed evidence in the case against the co-founders of the crypto mixer Samourai Wallet. They argued that communication with the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) was disclosed within the required timeframes. In a May 9 letter to a Manhattan federal court, prosecutors stated they provided all substantive communications months before pretrial motions and trial, giving the defendants ample time to use the information. The co-founders had claimed that FinCEN indicated Samourai Wallet wouldn’t need a license, yet they were charged in February 2024 with conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business and money laundering conspiracy. Despite the conversations, prosecutors contended that the comments made by FinCEN representatives were their informal opinions, and not definitive guidance. They expressed confidence in their good faith disclosures and pointed out that the defendants had also sought to dismiss charges based on a memo from a Deputy Attorney General, which prosecutors argue should not be considered, as it cautioned against creating any rights or benefits against the U.S. or its departments.
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