Roman Storm’s defense team is seeking to ascertain whether the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is holding back any information that might benefit the Tornado Cash developer’s case.

What to Know:

• Storm’s attorneys have filed a request with a federal judge, advocating for a review of materials that could be beneficial, alleging that the DOJ has been negligent in its obligations to disclose evidence.
• The letter refers to disclosures from a related case involving Samourai Wallet, another crypto mixer.

The defense has expressed its concern that the government has had access to critical, exculpatory evidence since August 2023, questioning its classification of the noncustodial cryptocurrency mixer as a ‘money transmitting business’ under the law. They argue that failure to present this evidence at Storm’s initial indictment effectively violates his rights and damage his defense strategy.

In a related context, a different case against Samourai Wallet has also brought to light similar contentions regarding the DOJ’s delays in providing crucial insights from FinCEN officials. The defense team is urging Judge Katherine Polk Failla to compel the DOJ to present all materials and records that might assist Storm’s legal standing and to clarify when prosecutors became aware of these materials.

Read more: Conduct Versus Code May Be the Defining Question in Roman Storm Prosecution