News

Florida men charged with bitcoin money-laundering

The suspects were arrested for their alleged connection with a scheme that sanitized approximately $1.8 million in illegal proceeds over two years.

July 23, 2015

Two Jacksonville, Florida, men have been arrested for their alleged connection with a bitcoin money-laundering operation, according to a report by ABC Action News. The men, Anthony R. Murgio and Yuri Lebedev, helped to operate a bitcoin exchange in Jacksonville.

The exchange, which operated from 2013 to 2015, exchanged around $1.8 million for bitcoins. Authorities believe much of these transactions were performed in connection to criminal activity.

"In doing so, they knowingly exchanged cash for people whom they believed may be engaging in criminal activity," said a news release from the U.S. attorney’s office.

Murgio and Lebedev are currently charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, and one count of operating said business. In addition, Murgio is charged with one count of money laundering.