Roger Ver was arrested in Spain for tax evasion, accused of underreporting Bitcoin capital gains from 2014 by U.S. authorities.
Ross Ulbricht who founded Silk Road and received a Presidential pardon recently wants clemency for Roger Ver also known as Bitcoin Jesus. The legal charges against Ver include tax evasion and fraud that could lead to 109 years of imprisonment.
Ulbricht expresses appreciation toward Ver because the latter fought for his release during his incarceration.
Roger Ver was there for me when I was down and needed help. Now Roger needs our support.
No one should spend the rest of their life in prison over taxes. Let him pay the tax (if any) and be done with it. #FreeRoger pic.twitter.com/flP573hm0N
— Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU) February 20, 2025
Ulbricht posted on X that Ver provided essential help during his most difficult times so now he wants to reciprocate by advocating for Ver’s freedom. According to Ulbricht the authorities should let Ver pay his taxes and allow him to start his life after fulfilling his tax obligations.
The Spanish authorities arrested Ver in 2018 because he did not report substantial Bitcoin capital gains from his sales after he renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014.
The prosecution asserts that Ulbricht hid Bitcoin worth $240 million resulting in $48 million in unpaid taxes. Ver rejects the accusations because he claims it was impossible to file the exit tax during that period as Bitcoin markets lacked liquidity.
Ver believes that only President Donald Trump’s commitment to justice will save him from his legal troubles so he has asked for Trump’s assistance. Trump issued a full pardon to Ulbricht after making this promise to the cryptocurrency supporters.