
DOJ TO DROP $722M BITCLUB NETWORK CRYPTO FRAUD CASE AFTER LOBBYING BY TRUMP-LINKED LAWYERS The US Department of Justice plans to dismiss with prejudice its 2019 criminal case against Matthew Goettsche, the alleged mastermind behind the $722 million BitClub Network crypto mining scheme, after lobbying by attorneys with ties to President Trump. Goettsche, who was scheduled to stand trial in October on wire fraud and unregistered securities charges, allegedly operated BitClub Network as a global crypto Ponzi scheme that rewarded investors for recruiting new members while falsely claiming their funds were generating Bitcoin mining profits. Prosecutors also cited private messages in which Goettsche allegedly called investors "dumb" and "sheep." According to the report, Goettsche assembled a legal team that included Trump allies Bradford Cohen and Brett Tolman, who pushed the DOJ to abandon the prosecution. DOJ spokesperson Emily Covington denied political influence, saying the department routinely reviews long-running cases and that the decision had "nothing to do with any alleged pressure" from the defense. The case had been pending for nearly seven years and was approaching trial. Three co-defendants previously pleaded guilty. The reported dismissal comes as the Trump administration has narrowed its focus on cryptocurrency enforcement while pursuing recovery of funds for alleged victims through other means.







