On OneCoin Armenta US Asked Downward to 7 Years Now 5 Years Imposed Eying Miami Camp
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Podcast Filing
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 15 -- For money laundering for scam crypto currency OneCoin, lawyer Mark Scott was convicted by a jury after testimony by Konstantin Ignatov and others but was allowed to remain free on bail pending sentencing.
On December 5, 2022, the related indictment against Frank Schneider was unsealed and Inner City Press immediately uploaded it here.
On January 18, 2023, Gilbert Armenta's sentencing was request to be pushed back, yet again, this time from January 24 to February 16.
On January 27 Armenta's lawyer filed a heavily redacted sentencing memo - 12 pages about his crimes are blacked out - asking for a time served sentencing. Memo on Patreon here.
On January 31, Inner City Press filed a two-page motion to unseal - which Judge Ramos endorsed on February 8, with responses due February 10 and a hearing on February 14 at 10 am. Endorsed letter on DocumentCloud here.
(Just) before 5 pm on February 10, the US Attorney's Office filed a letter that Armenta's counsel would be unredacting - but when they did, after 9 pm, it was begrudging, and not enough. Amenta's letter, citing Jen Shah, here on Patreon.
And when Armenta's lawyers put in an after-hours response trying to use Inner City Press' filings on Jen Shah to support secrecy, it still redacted alot filing on DocumentCloud here.
On February 15, the sentending was held. Inner City Press live tweeted it, thread here, vlog here
OK- now at sentencing of OneCoin money launder - and more - Gilbert Armenta. Inner City Press filed to unredact Armenta's sentencing memo; got some but not all.
All rise!
Armenta's lawyer: There is no proof here that OneCoin significantly harmed more than 25 people.
AUSA: In the Scott trial, Linda Cohen said she couldn't retire. There was WIllian Horn... The defendant was dating Ms Ignatova, so he knew the scope
AUSA: Victims went to see Mr Armenta in Florida... [That was used by Armenta's lawyer to oppose Inner City Press' motion to unseal, that unsealing would put Armenta at risk] AUSA calls the guideline sentence "astronomical;" US is asking for downward to 7 years
Judge Ramos: Offense level is 50, but 43 is the top. The guideline is life or 100 years. AUSA: We recommend 7 years - but no less than 5. OneCoin took in over $4 billion. Armenta laundered over $300 million. He bought a plane. Judge Ramos: A jet plane? AUSA: Yes
AUSA Dimase: We only learned about his Mexican bribery & gambling money laundering from proffer sessions, so we're not really relying on that. He violated his cooperation deal by selling the jet, & we still gave him another chance. Then he stole a $5 million check
NOTE: The US Attorney's office, on the check, has apparently not charged Armenta at all - not for bank fraud, nor with aggravated identity theft, with 2 years consecutive mandatory....
Probation recommends $500,000 fine. AUSA says government takes no view, makes much of Ruja's jewelry and handbags Armenta gave them - without a forfeiture order, he emphasizes. Note: This makes it appear a rich defendant can buy a light sentencing recommendation
Armenta's lawyer: He did over 100 recorded calls and meeting. [Only a handful made public in Mark Scott trial]. He had 17 dropboxes. The day we was remanded, Armenta agreed to record yet another hotel meeting with a target who had just been approached by the FBI
Armenta's lawyer: He learned that Ms Ignatova drilled into his apartment, & hired a couple to live next to & surveil him. He is not violent. He bought a bank in Georgia: Ms Ignatova was already a custumer. He got into a romantic relationship with her...
Judge Ramos sentenced Armenta to 5 years. Armenta has asked for FCI Miami *camp.* He was never charged for admitted bank fraud and aggravated ID theft.
More below….
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