A federal judge ruled Monday that Heather Morgan will be released pending trial, while her husband, Ilya Lichtenstein, will remain behind bars as they both face trial for allegedly laundering $3.6 billion in stolen bitcoin.
Judge Beryl Howell said the evidence suggests that Morgan was an integral player in the scheme but that Lichtenstein seemed more involved in the planning and execution of the alleged crimes.In this courtroom sketch, attorney Sam Enzer, center, sits between Heather Morgan, left, and her husband, Ilya"Dutch" Lichtenstein, in federal court.
Howell also said Morgan’s health conditions were a factor, as she recently had breast surgery and has follow-up appointments scheduled. She will be on home detention with an ankle bracelet GPS monitor. The defense pointed out that both defendants had their families in court who were willing to put up their homes in exchange for a guarantee that the defendants would appear for all court dates.
However, Howell ultimately ruled that there was a significant flight risk, and agreed with government prosecutors who argued that several hundred million in cryptocurrency could buy a new house or "buy each of their parents a private island." The judge also pointed out that Lichtenstein is a dual citizen of the United States and Russia and that both he and his wife speak Russian.
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