Roger Ver, the early Bitcoin investor once hailed as “Bitcoin Jesus,” is under legal fire from U.S. authorities for allegedly defrauding the government out of $48 million in taxes. Now, new congressional filings reveal that Ver has reportedly paid $600,000 to Trump ally Roger Stone to lobby for a legal and political solution as he fights extradition from Spain.
According to a New York Times report, the payments to Stone were made in February 2025 and formally disclosed in lobbying disclosures filed with Congress. The lobbying efforts are tied to attempts to amend the laws under which Ver was charged, not a direct plea for a pardon, though the political undercurrents run deep.
DOJ: Ver Evaded Exit Tax, Costing IRS Over $48 Million
The U.S. Department of Justice announced in April that Ver had been indicted on three counts of mail fraud, four counts of tax evasion, and two counts of filing false tax returns. Prosecutors allege that Ver misrepresented his net worth and failed to declare roughly 131,000 Bitcoins when he reportedly renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014, triggering a legal obligation to pay an “exit tax” on unrealized gains.
The DOJ estimates those Bitcoins were worth over $114 million at the time of expatriation. Ver allegedly sold more than half, around 70,000 BTC, for $240 million in 2017 but never paid the associated U.S. taxes.
A Justice Department spokesperson said,
“The charges reflect the government’s commitment to pursuing tax fraud wherever it occurs, even beyond U.S. borders.”
For the Roger Ver tax fraud, If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.
Roger Stone Steps In With Lobbying and Advocacy
Per disclosures reviewed by CoinDesk, Roger Stone was hired in February 2025 for $600,000 to lobby Congress regarding Roger Ver tax fraud legal predicament. Stone, a longtime confidant of Donald Trump, clarified that he was not lobbying the executive branch or seeking a presidential pardon but rather working in an advisory capacity to Ver’s legal team.
“I have not lobbied any official in the executive branch of government including the president regarding his case or a pardon,” Stone told the New York Times, emphasizing that his lobbying efforts are focused solely on congressional reforms.
In a December essay, Stone argued that pardoning Ver would reaffirm America’s support for entrepreneurs and innovators:
“By pardoning Roger Ver, you won’t just be freeing one man, you’ll be declaring that America still stands for the dreamers, the builders, the innovators who dare to imagine a freer world.”
Ross Ulbricht Joins Support, Fueling Political Pressure
The lobbying campaign has found a surprising ally in Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road. In February, Ulbricht took to social media urging Trump and the crypto community to support Roger Ver tax fraud case.
“Roger Ver was there for me when I was down and needed help. Now Roger needs our support,” Ulbricht wrote on X. “No one should spend the rest of their life in prison over taxes.”
Ver’s Legal Strategy: Technicalities and Intent
Ver has publicly denied wrongdoing. In a January video on social media, he claimed that logistical issues and the illiquid nature of the Bitcoin market at the time hindered his ability to pay the exit tax. His legal team also contends that Ver had no criminal intent and relied on professional tax advisors throughout the process.
In December 2024, Ver’s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the U.S. indictment, arguing that the charges violate his rights under international law since he had already renounced his U.S. citizenship and had not resided in the country for nearly a decade. That motion remains pending.
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Legal analysts suggest the Roger Ver Tax Fraud case could set precedents for how crypto-related expatriation tax obligations are interpreted, especially amid growing global regulatory scrutiny.
FAQs
Who is Roger Ver?
Roger Ver is a prominent early investor in Bitcoin, often referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his evangelical promotion of the cryptocurrency in its early days.
What are the charges against Roger Ver?
Ver is charged with mail fraud, tax evasion, and filing false tax returns related to his failure to report assets and pay taxes after renouncing U.S. citizenship in 2014.
Why did Roger Ver hire Roger Stone?
Ver paid $600,000 to political operative Roger Stone to lobby Congress for changes to the legal framework under which he was indicted.
What is the U.S. seeking in Ver’s case?
The DOJ is pushing for Ver’s extradition from Spain to face trial in the U.S. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
Has Trump intervened in Roger Ver Tax Fraud case?
There is no evidence that Trump has intervened. Roger Stone has denied lobbying the president or executive officials on Ver’s behalf.
Glossary
Roger Ver tax fraud – The legal case involving Roger Ver’s alleged evasion of U.S. taxes after expatriating in 2014, involving $48 million in liabilities.
Exit Tax – A tax imposed by the U.S. government on expatriates who renounce citizenship, based on unrealized capital gains at the time of exit.
Mail Fraud – A federal crime involving the use of postal services to commit fraudulent acts.
Lobbying Disclosure – A legal requirement for individuals or firms to report lobbying activities and associated compensation to Congress.
Sources
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