The US Department of Justice proposes to ban CZ from leaving the United States before sentencing.
BlockBeats news, November 23rd. Former head of the US SEC Internet Enforcement Office, John Reed Stark, posted on social media that this Tuesday, after CZ pleaded guilty, US District Judge Brian A. Tsuchida allowed CZ to return to the UAE before sentencing. However, the US Department of Justice requested that Judge Richard A. Jones review this decision and ordered CZ to stay in the US. According to the Department of Justice, the reasons for detaining CZ are:
- CZ is extremely wealthy and a billionaire;
- Most of CZ's wealth may be beyond the control of US authorities;
- CZ resides in the UAE, which has no extradition treaty with the US;
- Although CZ voluntarily appeared in court and pleaded guilty, as the possibility of imprisonment increased, CZ may choose not to return for sentencing.
John Reed Stark said that CZ's lawyers are expected to make a strong and positive response, listing all possible mitigating factors related to CZ's cooperation and defense, as well as testimony or equivalent materials from CZ's family. Although the district court judge usually does not overturn the decision of the security judge, the outcome of this motion seems somewhat unpredictable, even though the US Department of Justice does not believe that CZ poses a danger to the community. However, according to the terms of the current bond agreement, CZ can leave the US because he has deposited $15 million in a trust account, signed a $175 million personal guarantee bond, and found a guarantor to provide additional funds.