The topic of discussion has of late been a controversial pardon issued to Binance co-founder, Changpeng CZ Zhao by former US President Donald Trump. Zhao’s legal expert, Teresa Goody Guillen, dismissed claims that This issue has been politicized and stirred a lot of discourses, highlighting the alleged exchange of a pardon for support in a crypto venture initiated by Trump.
Impeccable Defense from Attorney Teresa Goody Guillen
CZ Zhao’s attorney, Teresa Goody Guillen aired the billionaire’s issues and defended him on Anthony Pompliano’s illustrious Pomp Podcast. During her appearance, she outlined that the clamor around Zhao’s pardon was rooted in false statements and misinformation. Guillen lamented the media’s persisting referral to World Liberty as Trump’s company, asserting that she hasn’t come across any verifiable proof confirming that Trump owns the company.
Guillen was not keen on sugar-coating the hurdles CZ faced as she pointed out that Zhao served a jail term that kept him away from his duties at Binance for four months. The charges leveled against the co-founder were primarily due to not implementing Anti-Money Laundering protocols at the cryptocurrency company.
Zhao’s Pardon and the Ensuing Backlash
President Donald Trump, in what would be a controversial move, issued a pardon to CZ Zhao in October. The rationale that informed the pardon was that the transgression that landed Zhao in jail was not criminal. The entire event was not without opposition and criticism, though. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren openly criticized the pardon as an example of corruption, claiming that CZ Zhao had used his influence and financial capability to support one of Trump’s crypto projects while lobbying for his pardon.
However, Zhao strongly denied these accusations, countering that Warren couldn’t get her facts right. He maintained his innocence while stressing that he had never been convicted of a crime. Zhao took umbrage at the allegations that he could bear additional criminal liability for the pardon.
Legal Expert Challenges Immunity Granted to US Politicians
Teresa Goody Guillen, critical of the backlash and criticism, raised questions about the immunity given to US politicians. She lambasted Senator Warren for making erroneous claims, falsely stating that Zhao was convicted of a crime. Guillen further reproached the senator for baselessly suggesting that Zhao bears more legal liability.
Amid her criticism, Guillen stated that politicians benefiting from such immunity is not what the nation’s founding fathers envisioned. The attorney further argued that Zhao served as a scapegoat for the perceived war on cryptocurrency. She pointed out the seeming double standard, emphasizing that executives in traditional finance escape jail time despite being embroiled in comparable legal issues.
Zhao’s Pardon a Matter of Justice, not Corruption
On Pompliano’s podcast, Guillen expounded that the pardon granted to CZ was primarily for justice. The former Binance CEO was a target, becoming the fall guy in an unjustified assault against the crypto sphere. Meanwhile, traditional finance has seen the involvement of executives in similar legal disputes, yet no one has been duly prosecuted.
Guillen went on to state that Zhao’s indictment is an isolated case. He is the only individual who has faced prosecution, and subsequently sent to prison, on such specific charges. The absence of fraud, victims, or any criminal history makes Zhao’s case even more interesting.
In conclusion, the pardon received by Changpeng CZ Zhao continues to make headlines and stir varied reactions in the political and crypto world. As the debate rages on, CZ and his legal team are steadfastly working to clear the dark clouds of misinformation and right the perceived miscarriage of justice.
