Last week, the Lichtenstein and Morgan couple were arrested in New York for allegedly trying to launder approximately 119,000 Bitcoins. Representatives of the Ministry of Justice announced that the couple carried out the money laundering transaction through Bitcoin ATMs, altcoin transactions and NFT purchases. The couple, who were brought before the court the day they were arrested, attended a new bail hearing yesterday. Morgan, also known by the nickname “Razzlekhan”, was released on bail according to the court’s decision!
Accused of laundering $3.6 billion worth of Bitcoin linked to the Bitfinex hack in 2016, Heather Morgan has been released, but her husband, Ilya Lichtenstein, is still in jail.
The decision by Chief Justice Beryl Howell of the US District Court for the District of Columbia came after lawyers for Morgan and Lichtenstein called for both parties to be released on bail. According to the lawyers, the acquittal decision is valid for both defendants.
Grounds for the Acquittal of Lawyers
According to the couple’s lawyers, the two most important reasons why Morgan and Lichtenstein had to be released on bail were that they continued to reside in their New York home despite learning of the government’s investigation targeting them in this case, and Morgan’s breast surgery on January 31.
However, Judge Howell decided not to bail Lichtenstein on the grounds that he remained in control of the funds in the case.
On the other hand, the court found that Morgan was less likely to access funds allegedly tied to Bitfinex and therefore poses less risk than her husband.