Bitfinex hack accomplice seeks sentence of time served
Heather Morgan, known as the rapper “Razzlekhan,” has requested a sentence of time served as she awaits sentencing for her involvement in laundering Bitcoin stolen from crypto exchange Bitfinex.
“Ms. Morgan has proven herself worthy of a second chance, and we respectfully ask this Court to give her that chance by imposing a sentence of time served,” Morgan’s lawyers urged in an October 31 filing, requesting that a Washington, D.C., federal court consider her compliance since release.
They also noted Morgan faced “difficult conditions” during her pretrial detention, including recovery from surgery and contracting COVID-19.
Morgan, who faces a maximum sentence of ten years, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to laundering over 120,000 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $8.2 billion, allegedly stolen by her husband, Ilya Lichtenstein.
The defense claimed she was a “lower-level participant” who learned about the hack years after it occurred, yet she remains “deeply remorseful” for her actions.
According to her lawyers, Morgan did not initiate the scheme and was unaware of her husband’s involvement until years later, suggesting her role was driven by loyalty to him.
“She was, in some ways, thrust into the middle of a serious criminal scheme without her initial consent and undoubtedly felt compelled to support it out of a sense of loyalty to her husband and a desire to preserve their life together,” prosecutors stated, previously recommending a lighter sentence of 18 months for Morgan due to her “substantial assistance” in their investigation.
Morgan’s sentencing is scheduled for November 15, with Lichtenstein set to be sentenced on November 14.
Lichtenstein admitted to orchestrating the theft and utilising privacy tools to conceal funds, which prosecutors argue warrants a longer sentence.
They stated his “substantial assistance” in other investigations had benefited multiple cases, proposing a five-year term for him.
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