DOJ drops criminal charges against Christopher Scanlon
Suspected money launderer Christopher Scanlon has had his indictment dismissed.
Scanlon was arrested back in 2023. Following failed plea negotiations, Scanlon was then indicted back in March.
As per an amended order for dismissal filed on April 30th;
Alina Habba, the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, (by Megan Linares and Aaron Webman, Assistant United States Attorneys, appearing) hereby dismisses the Indictment … against Christopher James Scanlon, charging the defendant with conspiracy to own and operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.
The DOJ’s stated reason for letting Scanlon go was;
further prosecution of this charge is not in the interests of the United States at this time.
The dismissal followed a challenge from Scanlon (right), arguing his indictment should be dismissed as per the Speedy Trial Act. In support of dismissal, Scanlon argued 70 days had passed from his indictment without trial.
The DOJ initially opposed Scanlon’s motion and filed a response in opposition back in March.
On May 12th, the court ordered the return of $1 million Scanlon had put up for bail.
Through the entities PMA Media Group, Aurae Lifestyle, Nvayo Limited, Club Swan and AU Card LLC, Scanlon was accused of operating an “unlicensed private bank”.
Several of Scanlon’s clients included several MLM Ponzi operators. With Scanlon’s assistance, these scammers defrauded consumers out of at least $1.7 billion (that’s an estimate from just the MLM side of things).
Alina Habba is a former Trump defense attorney. She assumed office on January 20th, 2025.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alina_Habba
I haven’t seen the DOJ drop a fraud case against a money launderer since starting BehindMLM in 2009.
Was Trump or someone Trump-adjacent one of Scanlon’s clients? Like with the Epstein files, I guess we’ll never know.
I absolutely hate that I now have to factor in politics in trying to understand DOJ decisions. The law should be the law irrespective of who the current administration is.
The other day I had a look into how I’d missed Cory Kromray’s arrest. There was no mention of it on the news section of the DOJ’s website. The DOJ’s socials meanwhile had multiple posts crying about “rogue judges” who dare uphold the constitution.
This is what my day to day looks like.
Yes, 2025 has been somewhat disturbing thusfar iro accountability and the rule of law in the wild wild west.
Of course she dropped the charges against a scammer. Birds of a Feather Flock together.
Could it be him “singing” and helping the cases against others?
I considered that but given plea negotiations went on for three years and the parties were still battling it out as late as March 2025, I don’t think that’s the case.
Also unless this is some new DOJ policy, letting indictees go in exchange for cooperation would be an unexpected development. Especially with no public disclosure.
My observation: The court returning his bail to me was an indication his filing for dismissal due to being denied a speedy trial implied court was going to rule in his favor. The prosecution didn’t say they were dropping the case forever. They said
the key words being “at this time.”
I inferred that to mean they could bring charges at a later date. Only time will tell if this is the case or not.