Perhaps most disturbing, yet comical, are the text messages between co-defendants revealing their fraudulent intent. For example, upon receiving a cease-and-desist order from a major bank directing Centra Tech to remove any reference to the bank from Centra’s marketing materials, Sharma texted to Farkas and Trapani:
“[w]e gotta get that s[***] removed everywhere and blame freelancers lol.” And, while trying to get the CTR Tokens listed on an exchange using phony credentials, Trapani texted Sharma to “cook me up” a false document, prompting Sharma to reply, “Don’t text me that s[***] lol. Delete.”
Double Tapped By Prosecutors
To make matters worse, Trapani faces charges from the SEC and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. In effect, Trapani is in a lot of trouble for violating the anti-fraud and registration provisions of federal securities laws.
