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Nidhi Kolhapur
Nidhi Kolhapur
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Nidhi is a Certified Digital Marketing Executive and Passionate crypto Journalist covering the world of alternative currencies. She shares the latest and trending news on Cryptocurrency and Blockchain.
- Jan 28, 2025 16:05 UTC
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Heather Morgan Sues Netflix: The Real Story of the $4.5B Crypto Heist
Heather Morgan, involved in a $4.5B crypto heist with her husband, is starting her prison sentence.
Morgan regrets her actions but defends her loyalty to her husband and is suing Netflix for defamation in their documentary about the heist.
Morgan and her husband pleaded guilty to money laundering; she received an 18-month sentence, and he received five years.
Heather Morgan’s name became infamous after she and her husband, Ilya Lichtenstein, were involved in a $4.5 billion crypto heist that stunned the world. Known for her rap persona, Razzlekhan, Morgan’s story is a strange mix of high-stakes crime and unexpected fame.
But as Morgan prepares to start her prison sentence, she’s speaking out.
What led to this dramatic fall from grace? What does she have to say about her role in the crime – and her relationship with her husband? Keep reading to uncover the latest twists.
Morgan’s Exclusive Interview
Before surrendering to prison, Morgan gave an exclusive interview to share her side of the story regarding the crime, which is featured in Netflix’s The Biggest Heist Ever. In the interview, Morgan expressed regret for her actions but strongly defended her loyalty to her husband, stating she could have turned on him but chose not to.
She is also suing Netflix for defamation, claiming the documentary misrepresented her.
Defamation Suit Against Netflix
Morgan is unhappy with how her story is portrayed in The Biggest Heist Ever. Her attorney has sent cease-and-desist letters to Netflix, producer Library Films, filmmaker Chris Smith, and journalist Nick Bilton, accusing them of spreading false and defamatory statements about her. Her lawyer, Serena Wu, said they are exploring legal options, starting with these letters.
The main issue is the claim that Morgan and Lichtenstein bought stolen passports, debit cards, and other identity documents from the dark web. Morgan’s legal team argues this is false. Wu stated,
“Minimal due diligence would have revealed the falsity of your statements, including publicly available court filings that confirm that Ms. Morgan was not involved in the underlying hack,”
The Bitfinex Hack
Morgan and Lichtenstein were involved in the 2016 Bitfinex hack, in which Lichtenstein stole 119,754 Bitcoin. While Lichtenstein carried out the hack, Morgan helped launder the stolen funds by allowing her financial accounts to be used and setting up virtual currency exchange accounts to hide the origin of the money. The couple, who lived in a $1.5 million apartment in FiDi, reportedly spent the stolen funds on gold and NFTs.
The Story After the Arrest
In 2022, Morgan and Lichtenstein, known as the “Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde,” were arrested at their Manhattan home. Authorities found a bag of burner phones and a suspicious file on Lichtenstein’s computer. The couple later pleaded guilty to money laundering. Morgan was sentenced to 18 months in prison, while Lichtenstein received a five-year sentence, of which he has already served more than half.
Despite her loyalty to her husband, Morgan expressed interest in befriending Caroline Ellison, the FTX executive who received a reduced sentence after cooperating with authorities.
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What was once seen as an audacious crime now leaves behind a tale of regret, legal battles, and a haunting question: was it all worth it?
Yes 
No 
