Former Ethereum Advisor Steven Nerayoff Files $9.6 Billion Lawsuit Against U.S. Government Over ‘Trumped’ Allegations
An early Ethereum network adviser has filed a $9.6 billion lawsuit against the U.S. government, claiming federal agents investigated and prosecuted him “maliciously.”
In a legal complaint filed against TK, Steven Nerayoff’s attorneys alleged government agents fabricated federal charges against their client in 2019.
According to the lawsuit, federal agents issued subpoenas, monitored and even arrested Nearyoff as part of a “collective and coordinated fishing expedition” despite knowing the charges against him were “factually and legally baseless.”
“Federal agents and officers… embarked on a four-year reckless and unlawful campaign against Mr. Nerayov,” the lawyers said in the complaint.
Nerayoff was arrested in 2019 for allegedly robbing a cryptocurrency startup of 10,000 ether. The ensuing legal battle lasted for about four years and ended in May 2023 when the U.S. government dismissed the lawsuit.
Nerayoff’s attorneys claim their client suffered “substantial harm and injury” as a result of the federal agents’ actions.
“Mr. Nerayoff’s well-being, personal life and career have suffered irreparable harm as a direct and proximate result of the wrongful conduct of federal agents and/or government officials,” the lawyers said in the lawsuit.
The $10 billion in damages represents losses incurred by Nerayoff due to the damage the legal action has caused to his reputation. According to the lawsuit, all of Nerayoff’s business partners abandoned him during the legal proceedings, which caused him to lose billions of dollars during the cryptocurrency market bull period, including “hundreds of millions of dollars from consulting contracts.”
Nerayoff is the founder of Alchemist, a blockchain consulting firm.
According to a Cointelegraph report, Nerayoff has repeatedly attacked Ethereum in the past and made serious allegations against founders Vitalik Buterin, Joe Lubin, and the Ethereum Foundation.
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