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Lawyer Who Laundered $400M from OneCoin Scam Denied New Trial: Report

CryptoCrime
Martin Freiberger, September 19, 2023

In a shocking turn of events, Mark Scott, the lawyer responsible for laundering $400 million from the infamous OneCoin fraud, has been denied a motion seeking a new trial. Despite a prosecution witness having perjured themselves during the original trial, Scott's plea for a retrial has been rejected.

OneCoin, a cryptocurrency that was marketed as being similar to Bitcoin, quickly unraveled as a pyramid scheme, deceiving countless investors with promises of high future earnings. Scott, who claimed he was unaware of the fraudulent nature of OneCoin, was found guilty of money laundering and bank fraud conspiracy in November 2019. Prosecutors discovered that he earned $50 million through a fraudulent fund that processed payments and transactions for the OneCoin scheme.

With his legal team arguing that a government witness had provided false testimony, hopes were high for a successful appeal. However, United States District Judge Edgardo Ramos was unconvinced and denied Scott's request for a new trial.

The Perjury Twist

The false testimony that unraveled during the trial came from Konstantin Ignatov, the brother of OneCoin founder Ruja "Cryptoqueen" Ignatov. Ignatov admitted to aiding his sister in the fraudulent operation.

In spite of Ignatov's false testimony, Judge Ramos remained unconvinced that a miscarriage of justice had occurred. Scott's defense team expressed disappointment at the court's decision and announced their intention to appeal, further emphasizing the government witness's perjury.

A Lavish Lifestyle Financed by Fraud

The prosecution's case against Scott included evidence of his extravagant spending. The $50 million in proceeds from OneCoin allegedly funded a luxurious lifestyle, comprising multimillion-dollar homes, luxury watches, sports cars, and even a 17-meter yacht.

OneCoin's co-founder, Karl Greenwood, recently faced the consequences of his involvement in the scam and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for charges including fraud and money laundering.

The Mysterious Cryptoqueen

Adding to the intrigue of the OneCoin saga, Ruja Ignatov, the mastermind behind the scheme, has been missing since October 2017. She currently holds a place on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Ten Most Wanted List.

With such a mesmerizing story filled with deception, luxury, and a missing mastermind, it's no wonder that the OneCoin scandal continues to captivate news headlines worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lawyer Mark Scott, responsible for laundering $400 million from the OneCoin scam, has been denied a motion for a new trial.
  • Despite a prosecution witness perjuring himself, the judge remained unconvinced of Scott's innocence.
  • Scott's extravagant spending with the fraudulent funds played a role in his conviction.
  • OneCoin's co-founder, Karl Greenwood, has received a 20-year prison sentence for his involvement in the scam.
  • The mastermind behind the OneCoin scheme, Ruja Ignatov, remains missing and is on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List.

Martin Freiberger, September 19, 2023
Source: Cointelegraph

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