Delay in Roman Storm’s Potential Retrial as Court Grants Extension

Roman Storm’s legal representatives and US prosecutors have come to an agreement to prolong procedural timelines that may impact retrying the Tornado Cash co-founder on charges related to conspiracy for money laundering and conspiracy to breach sanctions.

In a filing on Monday within the US District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Judge Katherine Failla validated a timeline settled upon by Storm’s attorneys and the US government, which will delay the commencement of any potential retrial.

While prosecutors did not indicate if they wished to retry Storm on the two felony offenses, any scheduling concerning the issue would most likely be deferred to later in 2025, beyond the 70-day timeframe following “the conclusion of the initial trial.”

“The Court holds that the interests of justice would be upheld by excluding time from now until December 18, 2025, and that permitting the defense adequate time to contemplate and prepare post-trial motions would outweigh the public’s and the defendant’s interests in an expedited retrial,” stated Failla.

On Aug. 6, a jury declared Storm guilty of one charge of conspiracy to manage an unregistered money enterprise connected to his involvement with Tornado Cash — one of the three felony accusations he faced in court. The jury could not reach a verdict on the other counts after several days of deliberation.

Storm is anticipated to receive sentencing on the lone charge soon, though no hearing has been arranged as of Tuesday.

Related: The jury’s deliberation leading to the Roman Storm verdict

Developers of Tornado Cash remain under investigation

Storm was charged in the US in August 2023 for money laundering, conspiracy to run an unlicensed money transmitting business, and conspiracy to contravene US sanctions. He pleaded not guilty and has been released on bail since his arraignment.