Adam Iza, the founder of the cryptocurrency trading platform Zort, is at the center of a major federal investigation involving fraud, bribery, and corrupt law enforcement officers. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Iza allegedly paid Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputies for access to police information, which he used to intimidate and extort victims for their cryptocurrency.
Bribery and Corruption Allegations
According to an affidavit filed by the FBI in a Los Angeles federal court on September 23 and made public on September 26, Iza, who also went by the names Ahmed Faiq and “The Godfather,” is accused of orchestrating a complex scheme to accumulate wealth through shell companies, launder money, and avoid paying taxes. Federal prosecutors allege that Iza funneled tens of millions of dollars into luxurious expenses while concealing his income from 2020 to 2022.
The FBI’s investigation revealed that Iza allegedly paid LASD deputies as much as $280,000 per month to unlawfully file search warrants and access police databases. This information was then used to target individuals, including one victim identified as “E.Z.,” who was pressured into handing over a laptop that stored cryptocurrency.
A Campaign of Intimidation
The affidavit describes how E.Z. was subjected to a “campaign of intimidation and harassment” at the hands of Iza. The victim received threatening messages, including photos showing his personal information from police databases. One message contained a photo of an LASD business card, alongside images of E.Z.’s family and car. This blatant display of police data left the victim feeling vulnerable and coerced.
Additionally, a private investigator hired by Iza, referred to as K.C., claimed that Iza sent him images of sensitive law enforcement data. These included photos of a GPS search warrant linked to E.Z.’s phone number, even though E.Z. had no connection to the case the warrant was supposedly linked to.
Corrupt Deputies and Financial Ties
The FBI’s affidavit also details how three LASD deputies allegedly received payments from Iza to file falsified search warrants and access confidential data. One deputy added E.Z.’s phone number to a search warrant in a case that had no relation to him, highlighting the misuse of police authority for financial gain.
Iza reportedly funneled money through Zort and other companies owned by his then-girlfriend, making payments to the deputies that sometimes reached $200,000.
Iza now faces several serious charges, including conspiracy against rights and tax evasion. Prosecutors allege that between 2020 and 2022, he concealed tens of millions of dollars in income and failed to report any taxes. The FBI continues its investigation into the broader scheme, focusing on the connections between Iza, his business dealings, and corrupt law enforcement officials.
