MIT Graduates Fight to Exclude Google History in $25M Crypto Lawsuit - Legal Bombshell

Tech's brightest minds clash with legal system in high-stakes crypto battle.

The Discovery Wars

MIT-trained defendants argue Google search histories constitute 'digital fishing expedition' rather than evidence—claiming the $25 million lawsuit hinges on technicalities, not transaction records. Their legal team pushes back against prosecutors attempting to mine years of browser data.

Privacy vs. Prosecution

Legal experts watch closely as this case could set precedent for how digital footprints get treated in financial litigation. The graduates maintain their crypto activities were legitimate—while the prosecution digs for anything that might suggest otherwise.

Just another day in crypto—where the only thing more volatile than the markets is the legal landscape surrounding them. Traditional finance regulators would probably just blame the blockchain anyway.

Prosecutors Allow Search History as Proof

According to federal prosecutors, the searches show the defendants’ consciousness of guilt. But the Peraire-Bueno brothers insist they are just part of a prudent legal consultation during an ongoing investigation. 

Prosecutors alleged that the brothers used their specialized skills and education to exploit Ethereum’s MEV-boost system in April 2023, fraudulently intercepting private transactions and diverting $25 million in just 12 seconds. If convicted, the brothers can face up to 20 years of imprisonment. 

“The Superseding Indictment (“Indictment”) highlights various Google searches allegedly performed during the time after the alleged Exploit when the Peraire-Buenos were being advised by counsel……..The Indictment alleges, for example, that Anton Peraire-Bueno searched for “top crypto lawyers,” “how long is us statue of limitations,” “wire fraud statute/wire fraud statute of limitations,” and “money laundering statute of limitations,” the filing stated. 

Potential Dismissal of the Case

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said, “Unfortunately for the defendants, their alleged crimes were no match for Department of Justice prosecutors and IRS agents, who unraveled this first-of-its-kind wire fraud and money laundering scheme.”

The Peraire-Bueno brothers also asked to exclude several other pieces of evidence, including a screenshot taken from X, showing fake signatures. They also asked the court to block prosecutors from introducing news articles that contain inflammatory descriptions of them. 

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