An attorney representing Irinia Dilkinska, the former “head of legal and compliance” for OneCoin, has requested that she be given a sentence of time served for her involvement in the OneCoin scheme. In a filing submitted on March 20 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Buza argued for leniency for Dilkinska, who pleaded guilty in November 2023 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Background: OneCoin Scheme and Dilkinska’s Role
Dilkinska admitted to laundering money for OneCoin under the co-founders Karl Sebastian Greenwood and Ruja Ignatova, known as the ‘Cryptoqueen.’ OneCoin, founded in 2014, was revealed as a fraudulent crypto scheme in 2015, defrauding investors of approximately $4 billion. Greenwood was sentenced to 20 years in prison in September 2023, while Ignatova remains at large.
Argument for Leniency
Buza argued that Dilkinska’s role as a “loving wife and mother” and her unique position in the case warranted a sentence of time served. He emphasized her good behavior while in jail and the potential for a sentence above time served to create a “massive injustice.”
Comparison to Other Sentences
The U.S. Justice Department indicated that Dilkinska’s guilty plea could have resulted in a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison. Mark Scott, another OneCoin lawyer convicted in November 2019, was sentenced to 10 years in January.
Conclusion
The request for time served comes as Dilkinska’s sentencing approaches. The case highlights the complexities of legal proceedings in crypto-related schemes and the varying sentences individuals involved may receive.
