DOJ challenges motion to dismiss Tornado Cash co-founder’s charges

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors opposed a Motion to Dismiss conspiracy and money laundering charges against Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Semenov. They argued that the defense’s filing raised disputed facts for jury consideration, which is unsuited for early-stage motions.

In the DOJ’s response, the prosecutors analyzed why the Tornado Cash co-founder should answer for the alleged crimes levied against him. The DOJ contested the defense’s characterization of Tornado Cash, noting it was introduced in 2019 as a mixer. The service comprises a website, a user interface, a set of smart contracts, and a network of “relayers.”

The DOJ accused Roman Storm and fellow developer Roman Semenov of conspiring to commit money laundering, operating an unlicensed money transmitter, and violating sanctions by creating Tornado Cash, a crypto-mixing service. U.S. authorities claim that entities like North Korea’s Lazarus Group used Tornado Cash to launder funds.

Court filing in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Source: CourtListener

In September 2023, Storm pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on a $2 million bond shortly after his arrest. He is primarily restricted from traveling outside some areas of New York, New Jersey, Washington and California.