The sentencing in the case against one of the main promoters of the OneCoin cryptocurrency scam has been deferred for six months, extending the case for a further period due to the defendant’s “cooperation” with law enforcement agencies. Konstantin Ignatova was due for sentencing on July 8, which at the time was extended for a period of a further four months, Inner City Press reported. Ignatova had been due to be sentenced on November 11, before the most recent extension was filed.
“The defendant’s cooperation is not yet complete.”
According to a filing from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, sentencing is requested for deferral for a further six months because the defendant’s cooperation is “not yet complete.” The filing states that a sentencing control date is presently set in the above-captioned case for November 11, 2020. Because the defendant’s cooperation is not yet complete, the Government respectfully requests that the sentencing control date be adjourned for approximately six months. The move has secured the backing of representatives for the defendant and will now see sentencing scheduled for May 2021.
OneCoin founder Ruja Ignatova is still on the run.
The deferral comes as Ignatova continues to help law enforcement with their inquiries into other personnel behind the scam, most notably former OneCoin lawyer Mark Scott, who was detained on evidence provided by Ignatova. In New York, OneCoin lawyer was recently disbarred, following his conviction of conspiracy to commit bank fraud in November 2019. Law enforcement agencies are also working on tracking down Ruja Ignatova, the Ponzi scheme’s founder, who remains at large after ostensibly disappearing in 2017 when details of the scam first came to light. OneCoin founder, also known as “crypto queen,” has been on the run since 2017.
