Exonerated Ross Ulbricht asks for clemency for Roger Ver

What’s new? Recently released Silk Road trading platform founder Ross Ulbricht has publicly advocated for a pardon for Roger Ver, known in the crypto community as “Bitcoin Jesus.” Ver has faced serious legal challenges, including tax evasion charges that could lead to decades in prison.

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In a post published on X (formerly Twitter), Ulbricht thanked Ver for his support during his imprisonment and urged others to rally around him. Ulbricht added:

“Roger Ver was there for me when I was down and needed help. Now Roger needs our support. No one should spend the rest of their life in prison over taxes. Let him pay the tax (if any) and be done with it.”

What else is known? Ver was arrested in Spain in April 2024 at the request of the US, who have since sought his extradition. He faces charges of tax evasion, filing false tax returns, and fraud.

According to the US Department of Justice, Ver allegedly filed a fraudulent severance tax after renouncing his US citizenship in 2014 to become a Japanese citizen. Under US tax law, individuals who renounce their citizenship must settle all tax liabilities with an exit tax before officially severing ties with the US tax system.

Prosecutors allege that Ver failed to report substantial capital gains from bitcoin sales and underreported two companies in the process of renouncing his citizenship. They say the defendant concealed the sale of 131 000 bitcoins — worth nearly $240 million at the time in 2017 — resulting in a tax deficiency of about $48 million.

Ver denies the charges, citing logistical problems in filing the severance tax, including the illiquid nature of the bitcoin market at the time.

In December 2023, he tried to get the case dismissed, arguing that US exit tax laws are vague and unconstitutional. Facing potential extradition and a maximum prison term of 109 years if convicted, Ver turned to high-profile individuals for help.

In a video posted on X on January 26, he appealed directly to former US President Donald Trump, saying, “Only Trump’s commitment to justice can save me.