US Justice Department Opposes Reduction of Virgil Griffith's Sentence for North Korea Sanctions Violation
Summary:
The US Department of Justice is opposing former Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith's attempt to reduce his sentence for violating North Korean sanctions. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams argues that Griffith purposefully evaded these sanctions to promote cryptocurrency use in North Korea. Griffith’s defence linked his actions to obsessive-compulsive and narcissistic personality disorders. Further discussion of his prison term reduction is expected, following changes to the US sentencing guidelines. On top of his criminal case, a 10-year export privilege ban has been enforced on Griffith, barring certain transactions until 2032.
The US Department of Justice is battling against former Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith's bid to minimise his 2022 sentence for breaching North Korea sanctions. On June 17, US Attorney Damian Williams presented a case before the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, counsellor argued against reducing Griffith’s incarceration to a minimum of 51 months. In April 2022, the ex-Ethereum developer was condemned to a 63-month jail term along with a fine of $100,000, marking his presumptive release date in January 2026. According to Williams, Griffith purposefully skirted around his home nation's sanctions to offer his services to North Korea, promoting the use of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology to further sidestep US and UN sanctions.
In 2019, Griffith addressed a blockchain and crypto-conference in Pyongyang, providing a series of briefings on how North Korea might lever cryptocurrencies to dodge sanctions and launder money. His defence team argued mental health issues, attributing his fascination with the isolated nation to obsessive-compulsive and narcissistic personality disorders.
Prosecutors disclosed that Griffith had multiple disciplinaries while at a Michigan federal prison, mostly for petty thefts. They argued these incidents reflect his persistent disregard for rules and regulations, thus ruling out further leniency.
In April, the defence counsel made appeals to revise Griffith’s 63-month prison term in light of changes to US punishment guidelines, following his sentencing. These changes potentially trim down his jail term from 63-78 months to 51-63 months, making him available for discharge in January 2025.
In his April 2022 sentencing, Griffith professed to having overcome his preoccupation with North Korea, drawing on the impact of sanctions on Russia after their assault on Ukraine. Meanwhile, Judge Kevin Castel remarked Griffith demonstrated no particular ideology and seemed likely to manipulate both sides provided he stayed central to the situation.
Griffith’s defence is expected to react to the US government’s letter within a fortnight. Regardless of the criminal case's finale, Griffith faces a 10-year export privilege ban enforced by the US Department of Commerce, barring him from transactions involving commodities, software or technology as per the US export regulations until 2032.
Published At
6/18/2024 7:12:23 PM
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