- Iris Ramaya Au has agreed to plead guilty to federal tax charges for failing to report over $2.6 million in illicit income
- Au’s ex-boyfriend, Adam Iza, known as “The Godfather,” has admitted to orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraudulent scheme involving cryptocurrency and corrupt law enforcement officers
- Both Au and Iza are awaiting sentencing, with Iza facing up to 35 years in federal prison
The ex-girlfriend of a crypto entrepreneur has agreed to plead guilty to federal tax charges after failing to report more than $2.6 million in illicit income. Her ex, Adam Iza, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur who dubbed himself “The Godfather,” has already admitted to orchestrating a complex fraudulent scheme involving cryptocurrency fraud and the corruption of law enforcement officers. Both Au and Iza are now awaiting sentencing, with Iza facing a potential 35-year federal prison term.
Quite the Pair
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Au, 35, admitted to failing to report over $2.6 million in income derived from Iza’s criminal operations between 2020 and 2023. Prosecutors allege that Au knowingly facilitated Iza’s schemes by using shell companies and illicitly obtained funds to finance their lavish lifestyle, which included luxury cars, real estate, and cryptocurrency investments. She now faces up to three years in federal prison for her role in these activities.
Iza, 24, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Operating under the alias “The Godfather,” Iza founded Zort, a cryptocurrency trading platform that he allegedly used to defraud investors and businesses. Prosecutors claim that Iza manipulated Facebook advertising accounts, defrauding Meta of approximately $37 million in revenue.
Additionally, Iza is accused of stealing significant amounts of cryptocurrency through violent means, including impersonating FBI agents during a failed home invasion in 2022.
Iza Used Corrupt Cops for Protection
A notable aspect of Iza’s operations involved corrupt collaboration with members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). Iza allegedly paid off-duty LASD deputies, including Detective Eric Chase Saavedra, to act as his personal enforcers against his adversaries.
These deputies are accused of abusing their positions by accessing confidential law enforcement databases to gather private information on Iza’s business rivals and their associates. They also allegedly conducted unauthorized background checks and orchestrated false arrests to intimidate and extort individuals who opposed Iza.
Both Au and Iza have agreed to cooperate with authorities. Au’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled, while Iza’s sentencing hearing is set for June 16. Iza faces up to 35 years in federal prison for his crimes, reflecting the severity of his fraudulent activities and the corruption of law enforcement officials involved in his schemes.
