A court freed the former lead developer of Monero, Riccardo “Fluffypony” Spagni, from custody.
I am very pleased that the U.S. court has released me. I am actively working with my attorneys on a way to return to South Africa as soon as possible so I can address this matter and get it behind me once and for all. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do.
— Riccardo Spagni (@fluffypony) September 21, 2021
“I am very glad that the U.S. court has released me. I am actively working with my lawyers to return to South Africa as soon as possible so I can resolve this matter and put it behind me once and for all,” Spagni wrote.
On July 21, law enforcement arrested Spagni at Nashville airport at the request of South African authorities, who accused him of fraud totaling $100,000. The case is not related to Monero, but to his work at the South African company Cape Cookies in 2009-2011.
Spagni faces up to 20 years in prison. South African authorities were to file extradition documents in the United States for consideration by September 19, 2021.
Lawyer Duncan Ouks called Spagni’s arrest unfounded. According to him, the developer believed that a representative’s presence was enough in the Cape Cookies case.
Earlier in August the court denied Spagni bail due to flight risk.
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