Ex-SafeMoon CEO claims innocence, blames founder as trial begins
Braden John Karony, former CEO of SafeMoon, claims innocence as his criminal trial begins in New York. He stated he did not commit fraud in a May 6 post following court proceedings. Karony, along with SafeMoon creator Kyle Nagy and former CTO Thomas Smith, faces charges for allegedly misappropriating millions of dollars in SFM tokens. Karony suggested Nagy, who reportedly fled to Russia, was responsible for some fraud allegations. Smith testified for the prosecution alongside a SafeMoon victim on the trial's first day. The trial is expected to conclude by May 26 and has received less media attention than other crypto fraud cases. Karony pleaded not guilty to securities fraud conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy, remaining free on a $3 million bond since February 2024. The case was filed in November 2023 as Joseph Nocella became interim US Attorney for the district. Alex Mashinsky, former Celsius CEO, is scheduled for sentencing on May 8 after pleading guilty to felony charges.
