Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence, has been given a 10-year export privilege ban by the Department of Commerce, making him ineligible for export privileges until April 12, 2032.
The export privilege prohibition arises as a consequence of Griffith’s actions and further affects his involvement in international trade and transactions.
In it US District Court for the Southern District of New York, on April 12, 2022, Virgil Griffith was found guilty of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The charges against Griffith included exporting services to North Korea without proper authorization from the Treasury Department and evading US sanctions on North Korea.
The former Ethereum foundation developer and “Internet Man of Mystery,” according to The New York Times Magazine, began his trial in 2021. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman accused Griffith of knowingly sharing technical information with North Korea that could help with the money. laundering and evasion of sanctions, according to a statement.
Berman stressed that Griffith’s actions posed a threat to sanctions established by Congress and the president to exert maximum pressure on the dangerous North Korean regime. The criminal complaint further alleged that Griffith entered the country in April 2019 without US approval, despite being warned not to travel to North Korea.
As a result of his conviction, Griffith has been sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, he must pay a $100 assessment and a $100,000 criminal fine.
Denial of export privileges
Under the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), a person’s export privileges may be denied for up to ten years if they have been convicted of certain crimes, including violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). ). This denial of export privileges may also result in the revocation of any license or authorization issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).
In the case of Virgil Griffith, BIS received notice of his IEEPA violation conviction and gave him the opportunity to submit a written submission, which has been received and considered by BIS.
John Sonderman, the director of the Bureau of Export Control, responded to this presentation by saying:
“Based on my review of the record, including Griffith’s submission, and consultation with the BIS Office of Exporter Services, and the facts available to BIS, I have decided to deny Griffith’s export privileges under the Regulations for a period of time. of ten years from the data from The Condemnation of Griffith.
John Sonderman, director of the Office of Export Compliance
This action will prohibit your direct or indirect participation in any transaction involving commodities, software, or technology subject to US export regulations, essentially barring your export privileges as a US citizen.
(embed)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GtmJFM4BtU(/embed)
In her court experience last year, Griffith recounts: “I have learned my lesson. I’m still deeply ashamed to be here and what I’ve done.”
