An independent audit has ignited controversy in the Czech Republic after revealing that the Ministry of Justice accepted a Bitcoin donation from a convicted criminal without conducting proper checks.
The July 31 report, prepared by Grant Thornton, concluded that officials ignored warning signs and failed to follow governance procedures before accepting the contribution from Tomáš Jirčikovaky—previously convicted for running Sheep Marketplace, a dark web drug platform. The ministry later sold the Bitcoin for 956.8 million CZK (around $45 million), but auditors found no evidence that the funds’ origin had been meaningfully reviewed.
The Ministry of Finance also came under fire for taking the proceeds from the sale without any formal assessment. Grant Thornton described the handling of the donation as a serious governance breakdown, exposing both ministries to potential legal and ethical risks.
The findings validate concerns long voiced by opposition lawmakers. MP Ivan Madlova said the ministry should never have accepted the gift and criticized the lack of transparency, remarking that “answers are missing” on how the situation was managed.
The scandal erupted in June, triggering public backlash, a failed no-confidence vote against the government, and the resignation of Justice Minister Pavel Blažek. While Blažek dismissed the report as offering no new information or evidence of legal violations, the fallout has further eroded public trust in the ministries involved.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta joined the team in 2021 and quickly established himself with his thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication, and analytical thinking. He not only covers a wide range of current topics, but also writes excellent reviews, PR articles, and educational materials. His articles are also quoted by other news agencies.