According to ChainCatcher, a Connecticut judge sentenced 31-year-old Westport resident Dylan Messner to 48 months in prison for stealing more than $4.4 million from his former employer. Messner worked at a cryptocurrency research company as vice president of finance.

Messner obtained a 50 Ethereum loan in early 2022, claiming to use it to avoid personal crypto investment losses. However, between February and November 2022, he embezzled company funds and falsified records due to personal trading losses, stealing approximately $4,461,828.

The judge ordered Messner to pay $4,633,424.99 in restitution, including stolen money and unpaid loans. Messner was released on $100,000 bail and will go to jail on February 21.