According to PANews, the legal team representing Roman Sterlingov, the founder of the cryptocurrency mixer Bitcoin Fog, is opposing a long-term prison sentence following his conviction for money laundering. In a document submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on August 15, Sterlingov's lawyers did not provide a specific sentencing recommendation in response to prosecutors' request for a 20 to 30-year sentence. They argued that the government's suggestion is unfounded based on sentencing in similar cases.
Previously, a Washington federal court jury found Sterlingov guilty on four counts, including money laundering, as reported by Bloomberg. Sterlingov was first charged in 2021 with money laundering and operating an illegal money transmission service. The government claims that hundreds of millions of dollars flowed through Bitcoin Fog, with $78 million linked to darknet markets known for illegal drug sales. Sterlingov denies operating Bitcoin Fog, and his lawyers assert there is no evidence proving his involvement. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
