Roman Storm’s Trial: Closing Arguments Conclude

Plea arguments in the Roman Storm criminal trial concluded Wednesday afternoon.

Long Arguments, Divided Perspectives

Both prosecution and defense addressed the jury for more than 90 minutes. The government followed with a 45-minute rebuttal. While agreeing on core facts about Tornado Cash, attorneys presented starkly different interpretations of intent and impact.

Prosecution Focuses on Tornado Cash as Money Laundering Tool

Government attorney Benjamin Gianforti termed the case “a story about greed,” alleging knowledge of and facilitation of money laundering.

“This is a story about greed. It’s a story about helping criminals hide bags and bags of money.”

Gianforti accused the software of transforming “dirty money clean money,” claiming “impossible [trace] to tell the difference.”

Defense: Tornado Cash for Privacy, Not Illicit Gain

Defense attorney David Patton rejected only the claim that Tornado Cash *could* not be linked to crime, acknowledging its use by criminals. However, he stressed Storm created the software purely for user privacy.

“Tornado Cash made dirty money clean money, and made it impossible to tell the difference,” argued Gianforti.
“Did that also make it extremely useful to criminals? You bet it did,” countered Patton.

Prosecutor Nathan Rehn called the privacy argument a “cover story,” contending Storm not only knew about but supported criminal use.

Rehn Highlights Alleged Lip Service to Hackers

Rehn referenced communications purporting to show Storm deemed hacker reports advertising, and photos (later disputed by defense) of Storm showing T-shirts depicting a washing machine with Tornado Cash branding.

Defense Rebuttal: Mischaracterization, Lack of Profits

Defense attorney David Patton dismissed the proof regarding T-shirts and alleged photos as a “joke” or mischaracterization of correspondence. He further disputed the prosecution’s claim Storm made millions, noting Storm’s earnings came from TORN token pre-sales, which allegedly lost value upon increased criminal attention. Patton emphasized Storm received no share of laundered funds and developers offered no services for sale.

Jury Charges Delivered, Deliberations Begin

With closing arguments concluded, the judge gave the jury formal charge instructions Wednesday afternoon. The 12-person panel departed the courtroom to begin deliberations on Storm’s potential guilt on three money laundering-related counts in connection with Tornado Cash.