US Govt says OneCoin co-conspirator is flight risk and economic danger to community
The authorities insist that Mark Scott should remain detained pending sentence.
OneCoin co-conspirator Mark Scott, convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, has clashed with the United States Government over his request to be released on bail pending his sentencing.
Earlier today, the Government submitted a letter at the New York Southern District Court in response to Scott’s motion, which seeks reconsideration of the Court’s March 12, 2020 Order remanding Scott pending his sentencing. According to the US Government, the defendant cannot meet his burden to show by clear and convincing evidence that he does not pose a risk of flight and a financial danger to the community. The Court, the authorities say, should accordingly deny the defendant’s Reconsideration Motion and order that he continue to remain detained pending sentence in this case.
Scott, who faces a Guidelines sentence of 50 years’ imprisonment, is a dual German, the Government notes. If Scott flees to Germany to avoid sentencing in this case, he cannot be extradited.
Furthermore, while released on bail, in July 2019, Scott sold a 2016 Porsche for $250,000. He allegedly did so with full knowledge that he had purchased the 2016 Porsche with OneCoin victim money and that the 2016 Porsche was subject to a seizure warrant and a Forfeiture Bill of Particulars.
While released on bail Scott also used $300,000 in OneCoin victim proceeds that were subject to a restraining order to pay for renovations to his property located at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
Marieta Halle, the suretor who had posted $750,000 as security for Scott’s bond, “has a complete lack of confidence in Mr. Scott’s ability and willingness to continue to appear as required to court,” and was therefore appropriately released by the Court as a suretor for Scott’s bond. Scott, accordingly, no longer has a third-party suretor to secure his bond, the Government notes.
Scott’s final argument in his Reconsideration Motion is that he should be released as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his alleged vulnerability based on certain pre-existing health conditions. However, according to the Government, the Bureau of Prisons is equipped to address the current public health crisis.
