Roger Ver Aka ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Reaches Deal In Tax Fraud Case
Roger Ver, often referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his early advocacy of bitcoin, is said to have reached a tentative agreement with the U.S. Justice Department to settle criminal tax fraud charges, as reported by The New York Times.
The proposed deal, pending court approval, stipulates that Ver must pay approximately $48 million in back taxes. In exchange, prosecutors would dismiss the case if Ver abides by the terms of a deferred-prosecution agreement.
The charges against Ver, filed in 2024, alleged that he avoided paying taxes on his substantial bitcoin holdings before relinquishing his U.S. citizenship in 2014. He was apprehended in Spain last year as authorities sought his extradition.
Should the agreement be finalized, it would signify a significant shift for Ver, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency community, and indicate a changing attitude towards digital assets in Washington.
Ver’s indictment asserts that he provided false or misleading information to a law firm and an appraiser, concealing the true extent of his bitcoin ownership and that of his enterprises. This purportedly led to the submission of inaccurate tax returns undervaluing both the companies and their bitcoin holdings.
It is claimed that by 2017, Ver’s companies still retained approximately 70,000 bitcoins, which he sold on cryptocurrency exchanges for an estimated $240 million. Despite not being a U.S. citizen at the time, Ver was obligated to report certain transactions to the IRS and pay taxes on them, which the indictment alleges he failed to do, resulting in an alleged $48 million loss to the IRS.
The potential resolution comes amidst the Trump administration’s efforts to ease federal scrutiny on cryptocurrencies. Ver’s defense strategy aligned with Trump’s favorable stance on bitcoin, with reports indicating that he engaged Roger Stone and legal counsel associated with the former president, including David Schoen and Christopher Kise, as well as lobbying support from GOP fundraiser Brian Ballard.
In January, Ver publicly appealed to Trump for assistance, asserting that his case was politically motivated and warning of a possible century-long sentence.
Neither the Justice Department nor Ver has issued public statements regarding the reported agreement.
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