Shrem Pleads Not Guilty to Money Laundering Charges

29 April 2014

Former Bitcoin Foundation vice chairman and bitcoin entrepreneur Charlie Shrem has pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges in Manhattan federal court.

The presiding judge has set 22nd September as the date the trial will commence, according to Bloomberg. Shrem’s plea was submitted on his behalf by his lawyer.

Shrem, 24, was indicted earlier this month by federal prosecutors, who allege that he had facilitated bitcoin payments processing on the now-defunct Silk Road online black marketplace beginning in 2011.

The case had previously been postponed in early April after prosecutors asked for more time to craft a plea deal.

At the time, the case was delayed until 28th April. Shrem was officially indicted on 10th April.

According to official court documents, the bitcoin evangelist and former CEO of BitInstant conspired with Florida resident Robert Faiella to launder money for global drug networks on Silk Road.