CFTC Civil Case Against Special Forces Sergeant Suspended Pending Criminal Outcome

Judge orders stay of CFTC lawsuit against Gannon Ken Van Dyke, accused of profiting $400k+ via Polymarket on non-public intel regarding Venezuelan operations.

Woofun AI reports that Judge Andrew Carter of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has ordered a suspension of the civil lawsuit filed by the CFTC against Gannon Ken Van Dyke. The stay remains in effect pending the resolution of related criminal proceedings, following a motion submitted by prosecutors in July.

Van Dyke, a first sergeant in the U.S. Army Special Forces, faces allegations of utilizing non-public information to generate over $400,000 in profits from Polymarket contracts concerning efforts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power. The DOJ asserts its involvement in these operations occurred in January of this year. While both civil and criminal actions were initiated in April, Van Dyke has entered not guilty pleas and sought dismissal of the criminal charges. A trial may commence as early as late 2026 or early 2027.