- Federal officials wrongfully charged and mistreated Steven Nerayoff from 2019 to 2023, he claims in a $9.6 billion lawsuit.
- Legal experts like Alan Dershowitz back the action, which challenges prosecution overreach and seeks large reputational damages.
Former Ethereum adviser Steven Nerayoff sued the U.S. government for $9.6 billion in personal damages, echoed by Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett.
Nerayoff’s defense team claims federal officials unfairly charged and mistreated him, marking a turning point in the debate over legal accountability and government overreach.
🚨NEW: Former adviser to the #Ethereum network, @StevenNerayoff and his legal team have filed a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) lawsuit suing the U.S. government for $9.6 billion in personal damages as a result of false charges brought against Nerayoff and his mistreatment by…
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) April 9, 2024
The Legal Battle Began
From 2019 until 2023, Nerayoff faced allegations that his legal representation now maintains were false and malicious. The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) lawsuit accuses federal authorities of recognising the allegations were baseless and using harassment, intimidation, and evidence fabrication to pursue Nerayoff for extortion.
Though the federal indictment against Nerayoff was dismissed with prejudice, his legal team claims that the damage to his reputation and commercial interests has been irreparable.
Also, this claim supports the massive damages claimed, emphasizing the impact of the alleged misbehavior on Nerayoff’s personal and professional life.
Legal Heroes and the Uphill Battle
The notoriously difficult task of winning federal government litigation makes the legal battle ahead formidable. However, Nerayoff’s lawyer, former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Michael Scotto, believes their case is strong.
Alan Dershowitz, a distinguished lawyer and case adviser, strengthens their legal strategy. Dershowitz, who opposes criminal overreach, calls Nerayoff’s scenario “unusual” and rejects prosecutorial targeting.
Of course, this case challenges federal agents’ behavior and raises questions about accountability and prosecutorial power. The legal profession and spectators are closely watching this case for its implications for future legal interactions between individuals and government bodies.
On the other hand, as ETHNews previously reported, the CEO of BlackRock is demonstrating a strong desire to introduce an Ether ETF, indicating that he is not deterred by the current discussion surrounding Ethereum security.