- Prosecutors in the United States want the Bitfinex hacker jailed for five years
- The prosecutors argue that the hacker, Ilya Lichtenstein, doesn’t have a criminal past
- The prosecutors also want the hacker’s accomplices jailed for less than two years
Prosecutors in the United States want the 2016 Bitfinex hacker Ilya Lichtenstein and his accomplice to receive a reduced jail sentence. They want Lichtenstein to be jailed for five years and his accomplice sentenced to less than two years. The prosecutors argue that Lichtenstein doesn’t have a criminal past, a rare pledge because prosecutors are known to push for a higher jail term considering the amount of funds stolen.
Lichtenstein Will Use His Skills for “Legitimate Ends”
According to the prosecutors, the court should also consider that the hacker has offered “substantial assistance” to law enforcement agencies in the country, enabling them to make considerable progress in other investigations.
The prosecutors said that the reduced sentence “would adequately serve the interest of justice.” They also want the hacker’s wife, Heather Morgan, to serve a jail term of only 18 months because she wasn’t originally part of her husband’s plan to siphon funds from the Bitfinex cryptocurrency exchange.
They added that they believe the hacker will use his skills for “legitimate ends” including making a notable contribution to the cybersecurity space “and anti-money laundering industries.” Lichtenstein and Morgan’s sentencing is scheduled for November 14 and 15 respectively.
The Hacker Laundered Less Than 25% of the Stolen Funds
Lichtenstein hacked Bitfinex in 2016 and pocketed roughly 120,000 bitcoins. He later engaged his wife to help launder the funds but only successfully laundered less than 25% of the funds or 25,111 bitcoins.
Lichtenstein charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years while Morgan faces a maximum sentence of five years. The prosecutor’s unusual request comes eight months after nearly $1 billion worth of the hacked BTC previously seized by US authorities was moved to new wallets.
Although the prosecutors have asked for a reduced sentence for Lichtenstein and Morgan, it’s to be seen whether the court will grant their request.
