In a recent court filing, Wade Canell, a U.S. Navy veteran and small-business owner, has initiated a civil rights lawsuit against several officials from the City of Cheboygan Police Department and the Michigan State Police. The case, filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, accuses these officials of failing to investigate a significant cryptocurrency theft and laundering operation that affected Canell. The complaint details how the defendants allegedly obstructed Canell’s efforts to recover stolen assets, misclassified his victim-rights requests, and suppressed evidence of an international digital fraud enterprise.
Canell claims that after discovering the theft of his XRP cryptocurrency valued at over $41,000 (now exceeding $61,000), he conducted his own forensic investigation due to inaction by law enforcement. Despite providing detailed evidence to authorities, including federal agencies like the FBI and SEC, Canell alleges that local officials failed to act or refer the case appropriately. Instead, they retaliated against him with false accusations and withheld his intellectual property.
The lawsuit seeks accountability for these actions, restitution for damages suffered by Canell—including emotional distress and business losses—and systemic reforms to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Canell is representing himself pro se in this legal action.
Source: 125cv13352_Canell_v_Auger_Complaint_Eastern_District_Michigan.pdf
