I've never heard of him before, but apparently he's well known in the computer programming world. He's had a Wikipedia for years.
The DOJ press release makes it sound like he was directly advising the North Korean government or something, but the charges apparently stem from his attendance at a blockchain conference in Pyongyang this past April. I'm curious what he presented exactly. I wonder if there are any videos floating around online...
Topic: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of United States Citizen For Assisting - page 2. (Read 295 times)
November 30, 2019, 05:56:53 PM
November 30, 2019, 02:44:53 PM
What can you say about this moved by the US government though? Did Virgil broke any laws here that constitute an arrest?
i'm not sure which resolution he broke exactly, but probably. the sanctions on north korea are endless, and they include things like "specialized teaching or training" and "science and technological cooperation". according to wikipedia, sanctions extend to "general travel and trade"---not sure on all the specifics.
needless to say, this guy didn't run this by his lawyer first. he's an american citizen going to north korea to explain cryptocurrency as a means for sanctions evasion and money laundering, seriously? and then flying to los angeles to boot?!
November 30, 2019, 07:41:38 AM
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of United States Citizen For Assisting North Korea In Evading Sanctions
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of United States Citizen For Assisting North Korea In Evading Sanctions
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John C. Demers, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John Brown, Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Counterintelligence Division, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, announced today the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging VIRGIL GRIFFITH, a United States citizen, with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) by traveling to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK” or “North Korea”) in order deliver a presentation and technical advice on using cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to evade sanctions. GRIFFITH was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday and will be presented in federal court in Los Angeles later today.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated: “As alleged, Virgil Griffith provided highly technical information to North Korea, knowing that this information could be used to help North Korea launder money and evade sanctions. In allegedly doing so, Griffith jeopardized the sanctions that both Congress and the president have enacted to place maximum pressure on North Korea’s dangerous regime.”
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/manhattan-us-attorney-announces-arrest-united-states-citizen-assisting-north-korea
What can you say about this moved by the US government though? Did Virgil broke any laws here that constitute an arrest?
Quote
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of United States Citizen For Assisting North Korea In Evading Sanctions
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John C. Demers, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John Brown, Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Counterintelligence Division, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, announced today the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging VIRGIL GRIFFITH, a United States citizen, with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) by traveling to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK” or “North Korea”) in order deliver a presentation and technical advice on using cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to evade sanctions. GRIFFITH was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday and will be presented in federal court in Los Angeles later today.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated: “As alleged, Virgil Griffith provided highly technical information to North Korea, knowing that this information could be used to help North Korea launder money and evade sanctions. In allegedly doing so, Griffith jeopardized the sanctions that both Congress and the president have enacted to place maximum pressure on North Korea’s dangerous regime.”
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/manhattan-us-attorney-announces-arrest-united-states-citizen-assisting-north-korea
What can you say about this moved by the US government though? Did Virgil broke any laws here that constitute an arrest?
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