Congressman French Hill is bringing Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan as his guest to the State of the Union address.
Gambaryan spent eight months in a Nigerian prison on tax evasion and money laundering charges, which were later dropped.
Gambaryan, a former IRS criminal investigator and Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, was detained in February 2024 while in Nigeria for meetings with government officials.
He was held in Kuje prison, where he developed a herniated disc and malaria. His detention prompted calls for his release from U.S. lawmakers and officials.
Hill and Representative Rich McCormick led efforts to secure Gambaryan’s freedom, introducing a resolution in July 2024 urging his release. Hill visited him in prison and later described his declining health.
A Nigerian court dismissed the charges in October, allowing Gambaryan to return to the United States. He stated:
“I am honored to be Congressman Hill’s guest,” Gambaryan posted on X. “If not for Congressman Hill, Congressman McCormick, and the hardworking men and women at the DOJ and State Department, I would still be held hostage in Nigeria. I owe them my life.”
Gambaryan’s attendance at the State of the Union underscores the risks faced by executives operating in global finance and cryptocurrency.
While Binance remains under regulatory scrutiny worldwide, his detention raised concerns about the legal challenges tied to the industry. Hill’s invitation highlights the role lawmakers can play in advocating for Americans detained overseas.
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