Former FTX CEO Withdraws Request for New Trial While Continuing Push for Judge Reassignment
Sam Bankman-Fried acknowledged discussions with family and legal counsel about his recent prison filing, while maintaining he was the "ultimate author of the documents."
Sam Bankman-Fried, the one-time chief executive of FTX who is currently serving a 25-year prison term for his involvement in the misappropriation of customer funds at the cryptocurrency platform, has withdrawn his federal court motion seeking a new trial in his criminal proceedings, though his appeal challenging both his conviction and sentencing remains active.
According to a Wednesday court document submitted to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Bankman-Fried addressed a March 23 directive from Judge Lewis Kaplan, which demanded clarification on whether the former cryptocurrency executive had obtained legal assistance when preparing a pro se motion -- a legal filing submitted personally without attorney representation. Judge Kaplan's directive came after federal prosecutors questioned the authenticity of whether the imprisoned entrepreneur had independently filed for an extension of time to request a new trial in March, particularly since his mother, Barbara Fried, had sent correspondence to the court on his behalf just days earlier, despite not having proper legal standing to do so.
"I am the author of this letter, but did consult with my parents about it, since it concerns both of them," said Bankman-Fried, referring to an extension to file for a Rule 33 motion for a new trial, adding:
"As I have had to focus on responding to these questions rather than drafting a response to the prosecution's opposition, and because I do not believe I will get a fair hearing on this topic in front of you, I am now requesting to withdraw the Rule 33 motion, without prejudice to renewing it after my direct appeal and the related request for reassignment have been ruled upon."
In February, Bankman-Fried filed a request seeking a different judge to preside over his motion for a new trial, alleging that Kaplan demonstrated "extreme prejudice." Additionally, he continues to await a ruling on his challenge to both his conviction and sentencing in the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Neither of these legal filings appeared to be impacted by Bankman-Fried's correspondence, which was published to the public court record on Wednesday.
Once recognized as SBF, Bankman-Fried previously headed one of the world's most prominent cryptocurrency trading platforms before being found guilty of fraud and additional charges connected to his improper handling of customer assets in 2023, ultimately receiving a 25-year incarceration sentence. As of Wednesday, he remained detained at the Federal Correctional Institution, Lompoc I, located in California.
Is SBF still seeking Trump pardon?
Since beginning his prison term, the disgraced FTX executive has issued multiple public declarations via interviews and through his social media platforms, indicating his intentions to pursue a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.
Among his arguments presented in the request for a new trial were allegations that the Justice Department under former US President Joe Biden "threatened multiple witnesses into silence or into changing their testimony" during his criminal proceedings. Additionally, he has utilized X to express support for Trump's cryptocurrency initiatives and to commend the president's military operations in Iran.
During a January interview with the New York Times, Trump stated that he had no plans to grant a pardon to the convicted former chief executive of FTX.