Bitcoin SV Founder Craig Wright Faces UK Perjury Investigation
In a stunning turn of events Bitcoin SV Founder Craig Wright known for his persistent claims of being Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, now faces the prospect of perjury charges in the United Kingdom. A London High Court judge has taken the extraordinary step of referring Wright’s case to British prosecutors
Craig Wright Perjury Investigation In UK
Craig Wright who has long claimed to be the inventor of Bitcoin, faces potential perjury charges in the United Kingdom. On Tuesday, a judge at London’s High Court referred Wright’s case to British prosecutors, citing extensive and repeated lies in support of his claim to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin.
Judge James Mellor, who previously ruled in March that the evidence against Wright’s claim was “overwhelming,” has now taken the extraordinary step of referring the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). This referral is for consideration of perjury charges against Wright for allegedly lying under oath during a trial brought by the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA).
In his written ruling, Judge Mellor stated that if Wright’s conduct did not warrant a referral to the CPS, “it is difficult to envisage a case which would.” The judge expressed no doubt about the necessity of this action, citing Wright’s “wholescale perjury and forgery of documents.” The case stems from Wright’s long-standing claim to have authored the 2008 Bitcoin white paper under the Satoshi Nakamoto pseudonym.
This claim has been widely disputed in the cryptocurrency community and was the subject of the COPA lawsuit, which sought to prevent Wright from suing Bitcoin developers. Judge Mellor’s ruling opens the possibility of serious legal consequences for Wright, including potential arrest and extradition, depending on his current location.
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Previous Legal Actions Against Craig Wright
Prior to this recent development, Craig Wright had already been subject to legal actions in the UK. The High Court had issued a Worldwide Freezing Order (WFO) against Wright, covering £1.548 million ($1.97 million). This order was granted to Peter McCormack following a series of legal disputes between the two.
The WFO aims to prevent Wright from moving assets to avoid paying legal costs incurred by McCormack. These costs stem from McCormack’s defense against a defamation claim brought by Wright, as well as expenses related to Wright’s alleged fraudulent conduct during those proceedings. This earlier action demonstrates the ongoing legal challenges Wright has faced in relation to his claims and conduct in the cryptocurrency space.
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