COVID-19 Defense Fails Once More for Co-Founder of Alleged $9M Crypto Ponzi

[SRShanuka2020]

COVID-19 Defense Fails Once More for Co-Founder of Alleged $9M Crypto Ponzi

One of the persons behind an alleged cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme has once again been denied bail. The accused, John Caruso, continues to be considered an extreme flight risk despite pleading not guilty earlier in 2020.

As filed by Judge John Tuchi on May 14, Caruso requested another emergency motion asking to be released from prison, after a similar request was denied in April by Judge Michelle Burns.

Caruso’s legal team attempted a COVID-19 defense, arguing that the spread of the virus puts the defendant at risk of infection while he stays in prison.

Both of the judges reviewing the motion did not cede to this tactic, stating that the spread of COVID-19 has no effect on Caruso’s flight risk.

In the earlier denial, Judge Michelle Burns had also noted that the 28-year-old Caruso is in excellent health condition and is unlikely to be strongly affected by the coronavirus. Furthermore, Judge Tuchi argued that Caruso would be potentially more at risk of infection in the outside world, summarizing that the issues of flight risk and personal health “are apples and oranges.”

The judges appear to be adamant in their wish to detain Caruso due to his troubled history, which includes seven prior felony convictions and multiple counts of violated probation. He was released from prison in November 2017, while the alleged Ponzi scheme was launched in June 2018.

A compounding factor is that investigators appear to have been unable to trace the location of all proceeds from the scheme, leading them to believe that he could use the money to disappear.

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