Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, is set to face trial on December 2 in New York on charges of money laundering. This follows a ruling by U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who dismissed Storm's attempt to drop the charges.
Storm had argued that his role in Tornado Cash was purely as a software developer, with no control over how the tool was used. However, Judge Failla rejected this defense, stating that the case hinges on whether Storm knew he was handling proceeds from criminal activities, not whether he conspired with users. The judge emphasized that a jury should decide Storm's knowledge and intent in the matter.
The charges, which include conspiracy to commit money laundering and violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), stem from allegations that Tornado Cash facilitated illegal transactions, including those linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group.
Jake Chervinsky, Chief Legal Officer at Variant Fund, criticized the ruling, describing it as a threat to the freedom of software developers. Storm, who has pleaded not guilty, will face a two-week trial, while his co-developer Roman Semenov remains at large.
