The case
United States v. Andrade and the question of a fair hearing
A neutral summary of the criminal conviction, the parallel SEC civil case, and the motion now asking that the judge's continued role in the case be reviewed.
Case overview
Marcus Andrade — founder of the AML Bitcoin project developed by the NDA Foundation — was convicted following a jury trial in the United States District Court. The conviction relates to the marketing and sale of the AML Bitcoin token. The case is now on direct appeal.
In parallel, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought a civil action against Andrade and related entities, premised on the same underlying conduct. The two proceedings have moved through the courts side by side, sharing allegations, evidence, and — critically — questions of process.
This page summarizes the record neutrally. The campaign takes no position on guilt or innocence of any party — its sole concern is that the disqualification motion receive fair consideration.
The core issue
The defense has filed a Motion for Disqualification under 28 U.S.C. § 144, supported by a sworn affidavit. The statute provides that when a party files a timely and sufficient affidavit showing the presiding judge holds a personal bias or prejudice, the matter must be assigned to another judge.
Under Liteky v. United States, the governing standard asks whether something about the judge's conduct — viewed in context — would lead a reasonable, informed observer to question their impartiality. The affidavit describes a pattern of rulings and procedural decisions that, taken together, the defense contends meets that standard.
A motion to disqualify is not an accusation. It is a built-in safeguard of the American legal system, and it deserves a serious, dispassionate review.
Timeline
How the case reached this point
The key filings and events, in order. Each entry is drawn from the public record.
- The conviction
Marcus Andrade is convicted
Following trial, Andrade is convicted in the criminal case relating to the AML Bitcoin project and the NDA Foundation. An appeal follows.
- The parallel case
The SEC civil action
A parallel SEC civil case proceeds against Andrade and related entities, creating overlapping proceedings with shared underlying allegations.
- The declarations
Sworn declarations come forward
Dr. Natalie Edwards and Kerrie Dent provide sworn declarations detailing conduct relevant to the fairness of the proceedings.
- The motion
Motion for Disqualification filed
The defense files a Motion for Disqualification under 28 U.S.C. § 144, supported by a sworn affidavit, asking that the judge's role be reviewed.
- Now
The campaign
This campaign asks the public to review the record, sign the petition, and support the effort to ensure the case is heard before a fair and impartial judge.
The record speaks for itself
Read the sworn affidavit behind the Motion for Disqualification, then add your name to the growing call for review.