Criminal Prosecution, Department of Justice (DOJ), Investment

A New Era for Digital Assets: The Impact of DOJ’s Shift Away from Regulation by Prosecution and Its Implications

Ballard Spahr LLP on 4/16/2025

In a significant policy shift, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memorandum titled “Ending Regulation By Prosecution,” on April 7, 2025, signaling a change in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) approach to digital...more

First Stand-Alone Crypto Tax Fraud Case Leads to Guilty Plea

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP on 10/24/2024

On September 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that Frank Richard Ahlgren III pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return underreporting gains from selling $3.7 million in Bitcoin. As we discussed...more

CPA gets 25 years for Promoting Conservation Easement Deductions

Polsinelli on 1/22/2024

Judge Batten, Chief United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, handed down lengthy sentences in the first-of-its-kind criminal trial related to syndicated conservation easements (“SCEs”). On January...more

Promoters, Endorsers, and Brokers: Understanding the Rules on Securities and Cryptocurrency Investment Advertising

Oberheiden P.C. on 12/13/2023

Promoting securities, cryptocurrency, and other investment opportunities is fraught with legal risks. Individuals who engage in promotional activities must ensure that they have a clear understanding of the federal laws and...more

Concerning Questions Raised by SEC Action Against Former Coinbase Employee

Polsinelli on 8/5/2022

On July 21, 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) each alleged insider trading violations against a former Coinbase employee, his brother, and another alleged acquaintance...more

Grand Jury Indicts Startup Founder Isaac Choi – Implications for Silicon Valley

Fenwick & West LLP on 6/21/2017

On June 7, the U.S. Department of Justice arrested Isaac Choi, the founder and former chief executive of the Silicon Valley startup, WrkRiot, on wire fraud charges. A San Jose, California grand jury had indicted Choi under...more

DOJ and SEC Deliver Body Blow to Private Equity and Hedge Funds: Och-Ziff Settles FCPA Violations for $412 Million (Part I)

The Volkov Law Group on 10/10/2016

The Justice Department and the Securities Exchange Commission delivered a powerful FCPA enforcement message to private equity and hedge funds. Och-Ziff settled with the DOJ and SEC for total penalties of $412 million....more

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