WASHINGTON DC: A Singaporean man accused of stealing US$230 million in cryptocurrency has requested a “speedy trial” in the USA.
Malone Lam, 20, appeared earlier than a choose in Washington DC on Thursday (Nov 14) for a pre-trial listening to to debate the disclosure of proof.
Lam and his co-conspirator Jeandiel Serrano, have been charged with stealing and laundering over 4,100 bitcoin – value about US$230 million on the time – by pretending to be a Google worker.
US prosecutors have described the rip-off as “one of many largest cryptocurrency thefts from a non-public particular person … within the historical past of the USA”.
Lam allegedly used the cash to spend a whole bunch of 1000’s of {dollars} per evening at nightclubs in Los Angeles and Miami, in addition to shopping for dozens of luxurious vehicles.
On Thursday morning, US Marshals introduced Lam into the courtroom at DC District Court docket for the quick standing listening to.
Carrying blue trousers, and a white long-sleeved t-shirt with a blue jail shirt excessive, he sat beside his two legal professionals. His face was largely obscured by his glasses – according to court docket protocol – and a blue surgical masks.
US prosecutor Kevin Rosenberg and one among Lam’s defence workforce, Patrick J Queenan mentioned sharing proof forward of the anticipated trial subsequent 12 months, often known as the invention section.
That features a exhausting drive, on-line chat screenshots and Lam’s smartphone, which stays locked.
The choose overseeing proceedings, Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, stated that “the FBI has develop into fairly adept at extraction” of information from telephones.
Kollar-Kotelly requested Lam if he was conscious of his rights regarding his request for a “speedy trial”, to which he answered sure.
A speedy trial is a authorized proper beneath the US Structure that protects in opposition to “undue delay” in felony prosecution. It means the trial can’t be delayed indefinitely.
The choose steered a trial might happen in March or April 2025.
She additionally requested if he wished to proceed to assessment the proof his workforce will share with the prosecution.
Lam stated: “There’s no want for me to assessment the invention from the federal government.”
In a press release to CNA after Thursday’s listening to, his lawyer Scott Armstrong stated: “Mr Lam is 20 years outdated and sadly caught up in a really difficult case. We are going to vigorously defend him.”
