We’re all missing the big gotcha here - if he tried to sell out, the buyer would have done some DD and found the fraud as quick as Binance did. Best to keep quiet about your crimes.
I get that - but my hunch is that if VC firms were able to invest the amount that they did, he probably had the ability to sell more of his stake in the company if he wanted to.
Granted, with what we know now, that does fit the definition of securities fraud.
The idea of "cashing out" the entirety of your equity in a VC backed co as a founder is not exactly an option unless you're acquired.