Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin investor, has found himself at the center of a legal storm. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently indicted Ver on multiple charges, including mail fraud, tax evasion, and filing false tax returns.

According to the indictment, Roger Ver held ownership and operated companies such as MemoryDealers.com Inc. and Agilestar.com Inc., both specializing in the sale of computer and networking equipment. It is alleged that in 2011, Ver acquired a substantial amount of Bitcoin for himself and his companies, resulting in a significant fortune in the cryptocurrency.

In a bid to evade taxes, Ver is purported to have renounced his US citizenship in 2014 through the process of expatriation, subsequently obtaining citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis. However, US law mandates the disclosure and payment of taxes on global assets’ capital gains, including the Bitcoin holdings, regardless of citizenship status.

The indictment further alleges that Ver provided false or misleading information to his legal representatives and appraisers, understating the value of his companies and Bitcoin holdings. Consequently, he is accused of filing false tax returns that drastically undervalued his assets, allowing him to evade substantial tax obligations.

US prosecutors claim that Ver’s actions resulted in a loss of at least $48 million to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It is emphasized that despite no longer being a US citizen, Ver was legally obligated to report and pay taxes on certain distributions, including dividends, from his US-based companies. However, it is alleged that he failed to report the gains associated with his businesses’ receipt and sale of Bitcoin, thereby evading the required taxes.

Amid these developments, Roger Ver, often referred to as the “Bitcoin Jesus,” has been taken into custody in Spain, where he was arrested on the aforementioned charges. Consequently, the US seeks his extradition to stand trial.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this research report is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial or investment advice. The NFT and cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and readers should conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions.