Prosecutors Push Back on Alex Mashinsky’s Bid to Overturn Celsius Fraud Sentence

Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are urging a court to reject former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky’s motion to vacate his 12-year prison sentence. In a recent filing, prosecutors argued that most of his legal claims lack merit, including allegations of ineffective legal counsel. Mashinsky, now representing himself after opting to proceed without an attorney, raised arguments tied to FTX and former Celsius colleague Roni Cohen-Pavon, but submitted no sworn statement backing the claims.

Sentencing Background

Mashinsky pleaded guilty to commodities and securities fraud tied to Celsius’s collapse and was sentenced to 144 months, along with $48 million in forfeiture and a separate $10 million FTC settlement. Cohen-Pavon received time served for cooperating with investigators.

Other Legal Fronts Still Active

The CFTC has already banned Mashinsky from commodities trading for life, while a separate SEC civil case remains unresolved, with both sides reportedly in settlement talks.