The sentencing of Renwick Haddow, known for his property and Bitcoin scams, is poised for further postponement as indicated by a letter filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) with the New York Southern District Court on October 4, 2021.
The Government says that the defendant’s cooperation continues, and is expected to continue for the next six months. Accordingly, the parties request that sentencing and all associated sentencing submissions and presentencing report deadlines continue to be adjourned, and for a new control date to be scheduled six months from now on a date convenient to the Court.
The sentencing of Haddow has been rescheduled several times already.
Renwick Haddow pleaded guilty on May 23, 2019, to one count each of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy relating to the Bar Works scheme, and one count each of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy relating to the Bitcoin Store scheme – a separate investment scheme involving Bitcoins.
Haddow was charged by Complaint in June 2017 for engaging in schemes to defraud victims by making material misrepresentations and misappropriating investment funds in Bitcoin Store and Bar Works Inc, as well as related entities he controlled.
From November 2014 through June 2017, Haddow solicited investments in start-up companies he created and controlled, including Bitcoin Store – a purported online platform for purchasing, selling, and storing the digital currency known as “Bitcoin” – and Bar Works, which purports to be a company that adapts former restaurants, bar premises, and other locations into co-working spaces. When doing so, Haddow made material misrepresentations about, among other things, the management, operations, and historical performance of those companies.
In July 2017, Haddow was arrested in Morocco on the basis of a provisional arrest warrant for participating in these schemes.