The government of British Columbia has launched a fresh legal action against Michael Patryn in a further legal case. He is one of the co-founders of the defunct cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaCX. The third unexplained wealth order application in the Province was announced by the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth. This legal document requires people to explain how they got what they have.
The move is an affirmation of measures to crack down on financial malpractice associated with the QuadrigaCX controversy. The collapse of the platform led to the loss of savings for thousands of investors. Authorities target to make those who are behind the mismanagement and possible fraud. This involves taking possession of properties thought to have been obtained through criminal means.
Confiscation of properties and legal actions
One of the significant seizures was that of Patryn’s deposit box and bank account. Other items in the box included large sums of currency, gold bars, expensive watches, jewelry, and a gun loaded with ammunition. The items worth more than C$250,200 raise issues of how they were sourced. Omar Pattyn and Omar Dhanani were among the identity documents that were also unearthed by the authorities.
In response to the seizure, Patryn challenged the legality of the investigative process. His legal team contends that the methods violated rights protected by Canada’s constitution. The argument extends to the constitutionality of the unexplained wealth order itself. Critics of the order argue it unjustly shifts the burden of proof onto the accused.
QuadrigaCX fallout and Patryn’s current endeavors
Following QuadrigaCX’s failure, Patryn ventured into decentralized finance (DeFi). He has been involved with several projects, including Wonderland and UwU Lend, under the pseudonym “Sifu.” Despite his efforts to remain under the radar, the DeFi community exposed his identity. A public vote resulted in his removal from a key position in Wonderland, with over 87% support.
Patryn is believed to reside in Thailand and is continuing his work in the DeFi sector. His past and present activities continue to draw scrutiny. The legal challenges in British Columbia reflect ongoing concerns over the sources of his wealth. They underscore the broader issues of trust and transparency in the cryptocurrency and DeFi arenas.
