Heather Morgan was shocked to learn that her husband, Ilya Lichtenstein, had hacked the crypto exchange Bitfinex in 2016. The couple, known as the “crypto couple,” was arrested in 2022 for conspiring to launder $4.5 billion in stolen cryptocurrency, to which they pleaded guilty.
In a recent statement, Morgan described her feelings upon discovering Lichtenstein’s crime in 2020. Despite their imperfect relationship, she felt compelled to assist him due to her love for him and their plans to start a family. She explained that her involvement stemmed from years of accepting cryptocurrency from him and collaborating on businesses without knowing its origins.
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The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia recommended an 18-month prison sentence for Morgan, citing her “substantial assistance” to the prosecution. Her legal team is requesting time served, as she has spent a few weeks in jail and nearly three years under home confinement. Lichtenstein, who identifies as a “technology entrepreneur,” and Morgan, a former Forbes columnist and YouTube rapper known as “Razzlekhan,” are the subjects of an upcoming film reportedly in development at Amazon MGM Studios.