Bitcoin pioneer Roger Ver recently made headlines with shocking allegations. A public indictment accuses Ver of fraud, tax evasion, and creating false tax returns. Following these charges in the USA, Ver was detained in Spain this weekend, with steps being taken for his extradition to the United States.
Details of the Indictment
According to the indictment, Roger Ver, formerly a resident of California and owner of two computer equipment companies, began purchasing Bitcoin for himself and his companies starting in 2011. He reportedly made significant efforts to promote Bitcoin during that period, earning the nickname “Bitcoin Jesus.”
However, the allegations don’t stop there. It is claimed that Ver acquired citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis in 2014 and subsequently renounced his US citizenship. During this process, he allegedly failed to comply with Tax Laws and evaded taxes through false declarations, particularly by concealing his Bitcoin holdings.
Focus on Ver’s 131,000 Bitcoins
The indictment states that Ver’s 131,000 Bitcoin should have been taxed according to US laws. However, it is alleged that he concealed this with fake documents and evaded taxes. Moreover, it is claimed that Ver did not report major Bitcoin sales in 2017 to the tax authorities, thereby evading taxes.
These allegations were publicly announced by the US Department of Justice Tax Division. Acting Deputy Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg and US Attorney Martin Estrada shared details of the case. The IRS Criminal Investigation’s cyber crimes unit is also involved in investigating this case.
Now, all eyes are on how Ver will respond to these charges and the course this case will take. However, one thing is certain: Roger Ver, a prominent figure in Bitcoin, has entered into a serious legal battle, which is likely to resonate within the cryptocurrency world.