Marla Maples urges Trump to drop charges against Roger Ver

Marla Maples, former wife of President Donald Trump, has publicly called for the dismissal of legal charges against Roger Ver, a prominent cryptocurrency figure known as "Bitcoin Jesus."  

Ver is currently embroiled in an extradition battle with the U.S. over allegations of tax evasion and fraud.  

Maples voiced her support on March 16 via social media platform X, where she reposted a video highlighting Ver’s philanthropic efforts.  

The video, shared by Ryan Fournier, co-founder of Students for Trump, showcased how Ver’s charitable work has positively impacted many lives.  

Maples tagged key figures in her post, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House Counsel Dave Warrington, Elon Musk, and President Trump himself, urging them to reconsider the prosecution.  

Ver was arrested in Spain in April 2024 at the request of U.S. authorities.  

The Department of Justice (DOJ) accuses him of evading $48 million in taxes by underreporting his Bitcoin holdings and business valuations during his expatriation from the U.S. in 2014.  

Prosecutors allege that Ver concealed ownership of 131,000 Bitcoin and failed to pay the required “exit tax” on capital gains.  

The case has sparked widespread debate among advocates for personal freedom and cryptocurrency innovation.  

Supporters argue that Ver’s prosecution represents government overreach and an attack on individual rights.  

“No one should spend the rest of their life in prison over taxes,” stated Ross Ulbricht, creator of Silk Road who was pardoned by Trump.

Conservative voices like Charlie Kirk and Tucker Carlson have also expressed solidarity with Ver.

Ver himself denies the allegations, claiming that he was no longer a U.S. citizen or resident at the time of the alleged offenses.

He has described the charges as politically motivated, asserting that they stem from his opposition to centralised control.

Maples’ intervention adds weight to calls for leniency as she emphasises Ver’s contributions to society.

Whether President Trump will act on these appeals remains uncertain, but the case continues to draw attention from both political and crypto communities.