US District Judge William Kuntz, presiding over the case in Brooklyn, New York, authorized the SEC to pursue the collection of over $200,000 that Seagal owed the US government. The outstanding amount was a result of Seagal's failure to disclose payments he received for promoting a digital token.
Initially, Seagal had agreed to disgorge more than $330,000 as part of the settlement with the SEC. However, the actor has only made a single payment of $75,000, leaving a substantial outstanding balance. The SEC's lawyer, Maureen Peyton King, highlighted Seagal's delinquency and expressed the agency's intention to seek the remaining fines, penalties, and interest owed.
Chris Nassif, the spokesperson for Seagal, refrained from commenting on the court order immediately. Seagal himself, currently residing in Moscow, has not responded to the SEC's repeated demands for payment since his initial installment. It appears that the actor is evading further communication with the commission.
The allegations against Seagal involved his promotion of an initial coin offering for Bitcoiin2Gen, for which he was promised $250,000 in cash and $750,000 in tokens. Through social media posts, Seagal encouraged his fans not to miss out on the opportunity. Ultimately, the actor decided to settle the allegations without admitting or denying any wrongdoing.
In 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin granted Seagal Russian citizenship through a presidential decree. Despite this, the SEC's pursuit has continued, highlighting the limitations of Seagal's attempts to distance himself from the legal consequences of his actions. Judge Kuntz directed Seagal or his representatives to appear in court, but neither Seagal, his former lawyer, nor his manager made an appearance.
In a blow to Steven Seagal's attempt to escape the US crypto fine, the court ruling allows the SEC to proceed with collecting the outstanding amount owed by the actor. Seagal's relocation to Russia did not provide him with the immunity he sought, showcasing the far-reaching authority of the US courts. As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how this case will impact Seagal's future and his relationship with both Russia and the US authorities.
