Roman Storm’s Legal Escape? DOJ’s Crypto Shift!🧠⚖️

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Oh, what a tangled web of code and chaos! Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, found guilty on one felony count in August, seems to edge closer to evading a possible retrial on additional charges, thanks to a Justice Department official’s cryptic musings. 🌀

Speaking at a Thursday summit in Wyoming, organized by the cryptocurrency advocacy group American Innovation Project, Matthew Galeotti, the acting assistant attorney general, delivered a speech so convoluted it could’ve been written by a bot. 🧠

The DOJ official referenced an April memo titled “Ending Regulation by Prosecution,” which sounds like a manifesto for the digital age. 🧠✨

Though not mentioning Storm by name, Galeotti’s remarks danced around his case like a moth around a flame, suggesting the department would pursue “even-handed enforcement of the law.” A phrase as vague as a crypto wallet password. 🌀

“Merely writing code, without ill intent, is not a crime,” Galeotti proclaimed, as if the law had suddenly adopted a new religion. “Innovating new ways for the economy to store and transmit value… is not a crime.” A sentiment so noble it made the IRS weep. 💻🔥

He added:

“The department will not use federal criminal statutes to fashion a new regulatory regime over the digital asset industry. The department will not use indictments as a law-making tool.” A promise as flimsy as a blockchain in a hurricane. ⚖️🌀

Galeotti’s statement did not necessarily mean the US government would abandon its quest to retry Storm for conspiracy to commit money laundering. But for a DOJ official to speak openly about changing enforcement policies at a crypto event? A spectacle as rare as a snowball in a desert. 🧠

“Where the evidence shows software is truly decentralized… [new charges] will not be approved,” said Galeotti, citing the law with the enthusiasm of a librarian. 🧠⚖️

Tornado Cash Developer Still in Legal Jeopardy After Trial

Storm was indicted in August 2023 for conspiracy to commit money laundering, a charge so broad it could’ve been used to jail a toddler. He was found guilty of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitter, while the jury deadlocked on the other two charges. A verdict as confusing as a crypto fork. 🌀

The Tornado Cash co-founder is expected to be sentenced for the single count soon, but no hearing has been filed. A delay as suspenseful as a Netflix series finale. 💻

“If a developer merely contributes code to an open-source project without the specific intent to assist criminal conduct… he or she is not criminally liable,” said Galeotti, a statement so clear it could’ve been a public service announcement. 🧠

“Roman Storm was just convicted on this exact charge under this exact circumstance,” said Variant chief legal officer Jake Chervinsky in a Thursday X post. “Justice for Roman means dropping the case.” A plea as heartfelt as a Bitcoin donation. 🧠🔥

The Justice Department guidance, suggesting a different approach to enforcement cases, received cheers at the summit. A moment of hope in a world where even code is a crime. 🧠✨

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2025-08-21 22:26