Cryptocurrency Extortion Victims Get Second Chance at Recovery

Victims of a cryptocurrency extortion scheme can pursue their right to full restitution, even though final judgment has already been entered in the criminal case, the Ninth Circuit said.

The Mandatory Victims Restitution Act provides a procedural mechanism for relief, and the Crime Victims’ Rights Act permits the appeals court to review the district court’s denial of such relief on a writ of mandamus, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said.

The restitution amounts ordered by the court “dramatically understated” the value of the petitioners’ Ether, the court said.

The probation office recommended that the defendants pay ...