Roger Ver, known in the cryptocurrency industry as 'Bitcoin Jesus,' is currently facing charges of $50 million tax evasion. These allegations are part of a broader case involving eight counts of tax discrepancies.
Charges Against Roger Ver
Prosecutors claim that Ver failed to file taxes for Bitcoin transactions worth $240 million, where $50 million of these were taxable in 2017. He is also accused of undervaluing his assets when he renounced his US citizenship in 2014 to evade exacerbated expatriation taxes.
Roger Ver's Defense
Ver's lawyers, including Steptoe LLP and Kimura London & White, assert that there was government misconduct. The defense claims that Ver relied on advice from his advisors to ensure compliance with the law. An email from 2013 shows Ver's intention to avoid future disputes with the IRS.
Criticism from Crypto Community
The crypto community voices criticism towards the U.S. Department of Justice. Civil rights attorney Robert Barnes views this as a case of selective enforcement. Economist Peter Schiff also supports Ver, stating that the exit tax is unconstitutional.
Roger Ver continues to challenge the tax evasion charges, emphasizing that they are politically motivated due to his criticism of cryptocurrency regulation. The situation draws significant attention from both the legal and crypto communities.
