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Secret agent steals Bitcoin, abusing his power

15 August 2017 21:00, UTC

Shaun Bridges, the former Secret Service agent, who took part in the Silkroad shadow market investigation and previously found guilty in fraud and money laundering, is in the spotlight of justice once again, CoinDesk reports.

Bridges was found guilty at the end of 2015, when it was uncovered that he, along with his colleague, took advantage of his power and stole the funds of organization that was investigated. In the early 2016 Bridges was arrested as he tried to flee the country.

According to the information appeared in the media, Bridges is accused of using keys that became known during the investigation process to steal the sum of 1,600 BTC, which is now equal to 6.5 million USD. The prosecutors state that the accused transferred this cryptocurrency sum to the BTC-e exchange, which itself lately became the subject of U.S. authorities’ investigation.

If found guilty, the former secret agent is going to face 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.