Goettsche struggling with pre-trial conditions after $722M Ponzi
Matthew Goettsche was a key figure behind BitClub Network, a $722 million dollar Ponzi scheme.
Following Goettsche’s arrest in 2019 he pled not guilty. Goettsche was deemed a flight risk though and ordered into custody.
Following failed plea agreement negotiations, Goettsche appealed his detention and a $20 million bond was set in December 2020.
Goettsche satisfied his bail amount and was released to home incarceration.
Almost two years on and Goettsche is struggling with his release conditions. With tens of millions in ill-gotten gains still in play, Goettsche has asked a court for freedom.
*cue world’s smallest violin orchestra*
Facing the consequences of his actions isn’t just impacting Goettsche. He is required to be in the presence of a third-party custodian at all times, which he clams is “immensely burdensome”.
Mr. Goettsche’s wife, mother, and mother-in-law … have daily coordination of schedules to be home with Mr. Goettsche.
Also “burdensome” is Goettsche not being able to use the internet, computers or live of rental income.
On September 21st Goettsche filed a motion, requesting his release conditions be changed to:
- curfew between 6pm to 8am;
- only requiring a third-party custodian if he leaves his residence (restricted to Colorado);
- full access to internet and computers, on the proviso Goettsche doesn’t access or transfer cryptocurrency; and
- the release of rental income, currently held in escrow
Goettsche cites the effective measures in place to deter him from fleeing, and the fact that he hasn’t fleed, as reasons to relax said effective measures.
Mr. Goettsche has been out on pretrial release without incident for over twenty months under significant and highly restrictive conditions based on the Government’s concerns of risk of flight that have been proven to be unfounded.
Goettsche insists that, irrespective of what restrictions the court places on him, he could flee at any time if he chose to.
Time has proven that the government was flatly wrong that no bail conditions would reasonably ensure Mr. Goettsche’s appearance.
Mr. Goettsche has neither fled nor violated a single bail condition or modification. Indeed, over these twenty months on release, the concerns the government articulated throughout the detention, bail, and appeal process have proven to be without merit.
Goettsche also compares himself to co-defendant Joby Weeks’, who far less restrictive release conditions.
Co-Defendant Joby Weeks is currently on curfew with the consent of Pretrial Services and no objection from the government.
He is permitted to go to family events, family gatherings, religious services, and family residences within Colorado, provided he is accompanied by a third-party custodian and provides advance notice to Pretrial Services.
The primary difference between Weeks and Goettshche is, of course, Weeks has pled guilty. He also doesn’t have access to anywhere near the amount of financial resources Goettsche does.
Goettsche claims the proposed changes will
(i) to augment Mr. Goettsche’s ability to prepare his defense at trial by enabling him easier access to discovery related to his case;
(ii) to ease the extreme burden placed on Mr. Goettsche’s third-party custodians, who are required to be in his presence at all times, despite his electronic monitoring bracelet;
(iii) to afford a reasonable degree of normalcy for his children; and
(iv) to provide Mr. Goettsche with available cash and assets to pay for his family’s day-to-day living expenses and attorney’s fees and expenses.
Goettsche not having a trial date comes down to two things; COVID-19 delays and the case against him being enormous.
The volume of discovery is tremendous, and it is believed that a substantial volume of supplemental discovery is forthcoming.
The way I see it, Goettsche is a flight risk as long as he intends to fight his case. I’m not suggesting Goettsche be denied the right to defend himself in court – but BitClub Network was a $722 million dollar Ponzi scheme. This isn’t some milk bar robbery.
Including Weeks, three BitClub Network Defendants have plead guilty. They are scheduled to be sentenced in March 2023.
Goettsche’s partner in crime and fourth co-defendant, Russ Medlin, is holed up in Indonesia on child sex charges.
Realistically Goettsche is unlikely to prevail at trial. It’s not like there was any ambiguity to BitClub Network; it was your typical crypto mining themed Ponzi theme.
However long it takes, Goettsche is likely to be convicted and sentenced to a lengthy stint in prison.
As long as that’s the expected outcome, he remains a flight risk.
The practical effect here would be that Mr. Goettsche could remain at home while his wife can handle her parenting responsibilities and run routine errands without having to call another third-party custodian over to the house.
That Goettsche’s family has been dragged into the fallout of his scamming isn’t the court’s problem or the DOJ’s.
Both Pretrial Services and the DOJ have opposed to Goettsche’s requested motions. At time of publication though neither party has filed a response.
A hearing on Goettsche’s motion has been scheduled for October 5th.
Update 27th October 2022 – I don’t have an update on Goettsche’s motion but, as per a filed joint application, his trial has been continued till January 13th, 2023.
“Voluminous discovery” and a potential settlement (plea deal) are cited reasons for the delay.
Update 1st February 2023 – Goettsche’s case has once again been delayed till May 31st, 2023.
“Voluminous discovery” and a potential settlement remain the reasons for the delay.
They stole millions, victimized whoever they could, left there victims in financial ruin and still have not been jailed or sentenced.
throw all of them in jail and melt the keys, they deserve NO MERCY, time for justice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DOJ response:
-failed to show change in circumstance
-“Goettsche’s Compliance Is Not a Changed Circumstance or a Reason for Bail Modification.”
-“The Other Circumstances That Goettsche Highlights Do Not Have a Material Bearing on His Flight Risk.”
-“Goettsche points to the behavior of several of his co-conspirators. He does not, however, explain how these defendants’ behavior impact the analysis of his significant risk of flight.”
Next docket check is Oct 5th. Will have to update my notes to reflect BCN is now a $2 billion Ponzi.
Checked the docket on this one today, no order. Will check back again on Friday.
Still nothing on the case docket.
Article updated with continuance. Still no order on Goettsche’s motion.
What a freaking CHEEK !!! HE want NORMALCY !!!! Access to his Rental money to pay for his day to day Bills, WELL I NEVER, REALLY !!!
WHAT ABOUT THE NORMALCY AND BILL PAYING, THAT THOSE WHO’S MONEY HE *STOLE* HAS TO DO !!!???
THE SAVINGS THEY *INVESTED* in his CROOKED scheme hoping for a bit of extra cash in these hard times.
HAH !!!!
NORMALCY for him, his cronies and family should be JAIL !!
ALL expenses paid there, so no worries for them !!!!!
No Justice agree with Lin and all who want these guys in jail along with taking their assets. FTX 2.0.
Why has this not been of American Greed and in Jail. $720,000 stolen.
Article updated with news Goettsche’s case has been delayed until May 2023.
any update on this?
Nothing on the docket. Assume nothing has changed unless there’s an update published.