Lawyers for Irinia Dilkinska, OneCoin’s former “head of legal and compliance,” requested that she be sentenced to prison for her alleged involvement in the OneCoin scheme. In papers filed March 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Buza argued for leniency for Dilkinska. Dilkinska pleaded guilty in November 2023 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
Background: OneCoin plan and Dilkinska’s role
Dilkinska admitted money laundering at OneCoin under co-founders Karl Sebastian Greenwood and Ruja Ignatova, known as ‘Cryptoqueen’. OneCoin, founded in 2014, was revealed in 2015 to be a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme that defrauded investors of approximately $4 billion. Greenwood was sentenced to 20 years in prison in September 2023, and Ignatova is still serving her sentence.
Argument for Tolerance
Buza argued that Dilkinska’s time served was necessary due to her role as a “loving wife and mother” and her unique position in the case. He highlighted her good behavior while in prison and that the possibility of her receiving a time-limited sentence had helped create a “gross injustice”.
Comparison with other sentences
The U.S. Department of Justice said Dilkinska could face up to 10 years in prison if he pleads guilty. Mark Scott, another OneCoin lawyer who was found guilty in November 2019, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in January.
conclusion
As Dilkinska’s sentencing approaches, a request for time served is being made. This case highlights the complexity of the legal process for cryptocurrency-related schemes and the various penalties that can be imposed on the individuals involved.