The legal battle surrounding the alleged theft of over $11 million in XRP has taken an unexpected turn as Kirk West, the individual accused, has filed a countersuit for defamation against Nancy Jones, the widow of famed country singer George Jones.
West”s countersuit, filed recently, argues that the disputed assets, which include 5.5 million XRP and $400,000 in cash, were shared between him and Jones, rather than stolen. He is seeking half of their combined wealth, which encompasses approximately $11.6 million in XRP along with $5 million in physical gold and silver.
According to reports, Jones claims that West unlawfully took her Ledger wallet, which contained her cryptocurrency holdings. While legal representatives managed to recover around 5 million XRP, nearly $1 million worth of tokens remains unaccounted for.
West, 58, was arrested last year amid allegations of misappropriating $400,000 in cash and more than 5.5 million XRP. At present prices, the XRP in question is estimated to exceed $11.6 million. The relationship between West and Jones reportedly began after George Jones passed away in 2013, with West initially approaching Jones about purchasing her home before their romantic involvement ensued.
West”s countersuit challenges the theft allegations, asserting that he is entitled to half of the financial assets acquired during their relationship. This includes holdings in cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Stellar, as well as cash and precious metals.
Jones” case primarily hinges on the disappearance of her Ledger hardware wallet, which she claims was taken after she expelled West from her residence last year. While a significant portion of her XRP was successfully retrieved with legal assistance, approximately 483,000 XRP, valued now at over $1 million, is still missing.
This ongoing legal dispute not only highlights the complexities surrounding cryptocurrency ownership but also raises questions about asset division in personal relationships intertwined with digital currencies.
