A UK court docket has refused extradition of Christopher Hamilton to the US.
Hamilton was indicted again in 2019. He stands accused of laundering over $100 million in stolen OneCoin Ponzi funds.
The final replace on Hamilton’s extradition was in August 2022. On the time a UK court docket had dominated Hamilton must be extradited.
This was primarily based on Hamilton’s fraud being primarily directed exterior of the UK, and there being no energetic UK investigation into OneCoin.
The one identified UK investigation into OneCoin, by the Metropolis of London Police, was infamously dropped in 2019.
Hamilton appealed the choice. And On November sixteenth the UK Excessive Courtroom denied Hamilton’s extradition to the US.
The court docket dominated that, even with none energetic UK investigation into OneCoin, Hamilton “ought to face prosecution in Britain.”
Choose Victoria Sharp stated many of the alleged cash laundering by Hamilton came about in the UK and that British police and prosecutors ought to examine if Hamilton can face felony fees in his dwelling nation.
Sadly, and this appears to be misplaced on the Excessive Courtroom, UK authorities have little interest in investigating OneCoin.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had beforehand stated Hamilton must be prosecuted within the U.S. quite than the UK.
It’s anticipated that the Excessive Courtroom’s ruling will lead to Hamilton getting off scot-free.
For proof of this one want look no additional than Hamilton’s co-conspirator, Robert MacDonald.
MacDonald was additionally indicted within the US however was denied extradition early on for humanitarian causes.
UK authorities have had the chance to prosecute Hamilton however, up to now, have failed to take action.