https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/ethereum-advisor-hits-us-government-with-colossal-96-billion-lawsuit/"Steven Nerayoff, a prominent early advisor to the Ethereum network, has filed a $9.6 billion lawsuit against the United States government. The lawsuit, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), alleges that federal agents knowingly pursued false charges against Nerayoff and engaged in harassment and intimidation tactics, including evidence fabrication.
Former Ethereum Advisor Sues US Government for $9.6 Billion
Nerayoff was arrested by the FBI in September 2019 alongside his associate Michael Hlady on charges of extortion. The authorities claimed they threatened to destroy a cryptocurrency startup if it did not pay millions in ether (ETH), the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network. However, after a four-year legal battle, the US government dismissed the case in May 2023.
In the newest court filing dated last week, Nerayoff's legal team has argued that the damages to his reputation and businesses warrant the substantial lawsuit for $9.6 billion.
“Today I have filed my Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) lawsuit suing the U.S. government for personal damages related to false prosecution,” Nerayoff wrote on X. “It is time we took a stand against this unrestrained corruption, for all the people wrongly accused & to ensure justice against those who have been a part of this.”"