In the most recent development in the continuing prosecution of Tornado Money co-founder Roman Storm, the presiding judge has adjourned the much-awaited trial until April 2025. This decision will see the cash laundering and sanctions violations charges against the crypto developer drag on for no less than the subsequent five months.

Mandamus Petition Trial Still Set For November 12

On Friday, November 1, Judge Katherine Polk Failla of the US District Court for the Southern District of Latest York in a telephone conference ruled for the adjournment of Tornado Money’s Storm’s case until April 14, 2025. This ruling pushes the trial back by 4 months from the previously scheduled December start date.

This four-month delay is anticipated to assist the prosecutors and defense counsel to sort out their disagreement over expert witness disclosures. This conflict began after Judge Failla ordered each parties to exchange details about expert witnesses they may ask to testify within the trial.

In accordance with an October 14 court filing, Storm’s counsel — led by Brian Klein — disagreed with the Latest York Judge’s order, arguing that such a disclosure would reveal the defense’s strategy and will hamper the defendant’s case. Klein also argued that the defense isn’t legally obligated to reveal details about their expert witnesses unless they’ve requested the identical from the prosecution.

In a bid to overturn Judge Failla’s order, Storm’s legal team has submitted a mandamus petition with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. For context, a mandamus petition refers to a proper request by which a celebration asks the next court to direct a lower court or official to satisfy an obligation or refrain from an motion. A hearing on the mandamus petition filed by Storm’s counsel has been scheduled for November 12. 

Tornado Money co-founder Storm faces three charges within the ongoing trial, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit sanctions violations, and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business. The crypto co-founder faces as much as 45 years in jail if found guilty of all charges.

Tornado Money’s Semenov Still At Large?

Storm pleaded not guilty to all three counts and has been free on a $2-million bond after his arrest in 2023. Tornado Money co-founder Roman Semenov has been on the run since and has been added to the wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Meanwhile, third co-founder Alexey Pertsev is currently serving a five-year jail sentence within the Netherlands for similar charges. 

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