US Special Forces Soldier Indicted for Bet on Maduro's Removal

A US special forces soldier involved in the operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been indicted by the U.S. Justice Department for making numerous bets on the prediction market Polymarket about whether the U.S. would deploy forces into Venezuela and remove Maduro from power.

The soldier's alleged crime involves using classified information to make over $400,000 in bets

A special forces soldier involved in the operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been indicted by the U.S. Justice Department. His alleged crime? Making numerous bets on the prediction market Polymarket that Maduro would be removed from power, for which he is said to have made upwards of $400,000.

Authorities claim Gannon Ken Van Dyke, who was involved in the "planning and execution" of Operation Absolute Resolve (the stratagem that toppled and captured the Venezuelan leader), made bets on Polymarket about whether the U.S. would deploy forces into Venezuela and remove Maduro from power.

• Van Dyke was arrested on Thursday, CBS reports, citing a law enforcement source.
• Federal officials say that Van Dyke's wagers were informed by classified information he had access to as a result of being a government insider.
• The government notes that Van Dyke signed nondisclosure agreements prohibiting him from ever divulging, publishing, or revealing "by writing, words, conduct, or otherwise . . . any classified or sensitive information" related to the military operations he was involved with.

Prediction markets have inspired controversy ever since their launch

Prediction markets have inspired controversy ever since their launch. But over the past year, the sites have grown in prominence and influence, striking deals with media outlets and sports organizations while also seeing widespread use, including by public officials.

• Legislation is currently being mulled that would ban public officials from using nonpublic information to make bets on prediction sites.
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