Will Zhao be allowed to leave the US before sentencing?

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Zhao's lawyers are seeking to prevent him from being barred from returning to the UAE before his sentencing.

Lawyers for former Binance CEO Zhao Changpeng are actively petitioning a US judge to deny the Justice Department's request to prevent him from returning to his home in the United Arab Emirates until his sentencing. Zhao's legal team has formally requested that US District Judge Richard Jones not overturn the bail conditions previously set by a magistrate judge, which would permit him to leave the United States while awaiting his sentencing date.
Arguments Against Travel Restrictions

The defence lawyers contend that Zhao has effectively demonstrated he is not a flight risk. This assertion is supported by his agreement to a significant bail package and his voluntary presence in the US to accept accountability for his actions. Allowing Zhao to return to the UAE, they argue, would enable him to attend to his partner and three children, and to prepare them for the upcoming sentencing.
Prosecution's Concerns and Proposed Terms

In contrast, the Justice Department has expressed concerns that they may be unable to secure Zhao's return for sentencing if he chooses not to come back to the US. These concerns are amplified by the absence of an extradition treaty between the United States and the UAE, coupled with Zhao's status as a multi-billionaire with substantial assets. The government had initially asked the judge to reverse a magistrate's decision that allowed Zhao to return to the UAE on a US$175 million bail bond, ahead of his February 23 sentencing.
Zhao's Plea and Binance's Plea Deal

Zhao stepped down as CEO of Binance after pleading guilty to wilfully causing the cryptocurrency exchange to fail in maintaining an effective anti-money laundering programme. As part of a plea agreement, Binance consented to pay over US$4.3 billion. Zhao himself has agreed to a US$150 million penalty payable to the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, with prosecutors indicating he faces a potential prison sentence of up to 18 months.

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Will Zhao be allowed to leave the US before sentencing?

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