SBF could 'conceivably' get bail revoked, says judge

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried could “conceivably” person his bail revoked aft a national justice said determination was “probable cause” to judge helium whitethorn person engaged successful attempted witnesser tampering. 

In the Feb. 16 proceeding connected Bankman-Fried’s bail conditions, Judge Lewis Kaplan said determination was “probable origin to judge that helium [Bankman-Fried] has committed oregon attempted to perpetrate a national felony portion connected release, namely witnesser tampering” according to aggregate reports.

Kaplan suggested that this could “conceivably” spot the FTX laminitis sent backmost to jailhouse until his proceedings day successful October.

Kaplan noted nevertheless that the Feb. 16 proceeding was not a bail revocation hearing, but added that it “could get there, conceivably.”

"Why americium I being asked to crook him escaped successful this plot of physics devices?” Kaplan reportedly said.

Law Professor Richard Painter echoed the sentiment successful a Feb. 17 tweet, suggesting that witnesser tampering mightiness not beryllium a bully thought fixed his existent circumstances:

“Hey Crypto Bro: Witness tampering portion retired connected bail is simply a large mode to spell close backmost to jail.”

On Feb. 15, prosecutors asked Judge Kaplan to further restrict Bankman-Fried’s instrumentality usage to a single monitored machine and cellphone successful a letter.

Prosecutors had pointed to Bankman-Fried’s caller instrumentality usage arsenic origin for concern, seeking to further restrict and show his usage “with constricted exceptions.”

During the hearing, Judge Kaplan suggested that it was naive to judge that these restrictions would halt him from utilizing the internet, fixed that Bankman-Fried is surviving with his 2 parents, who some person laptops and cellphones.

Prosecutor Nicholas Roos seemingly agreed, suggesting determination whitethorn not beryllium a “great solution,” which prompted Kaplan to connote that revoking Bankman-Fried’s bail could destruct these risks, noting:

“There is simply a solution, but it’s not 1 anybody has projected yet.”

Bankman-Fried’s lawyers nevertheless argued that they request him to beryllium capable to enactment connected his defense, claiming: “We cannot spell done these extended fiscal records without him.”

Related: Judge allows merchandise of identities of guarantors down Sam Bankman-Fried’s bail

The erstwhile FTX CEO has been prohibited from using definite messaging apps as of Feb. 9 aft helium was recovered to person contacted imaginable witnesses. He was besides temporarily banned from utilizing a VPN aft prosecutors accused him of utilizing it connected 2 occasions connected Jan. 29 and Feb. 12.

The VPN prohibition was not extended successful the Feb. 16 hearing.

Many from the crypto assemblage person expressed disbelief that Bankman-Fried is yet to person his bail revoked nether the circumstances.

Yes, why? What precisely does @SBF_FTX person connected the prosecution that they’re not demanding his bail beryllium instantly revoked? Or bash they deliberation helium tin instrumentality down @binance if helium flips? Is helium waving that astatine them? Because nary of this makes consciousness otherwise. https://t.co/l66Qls0d46

— Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson) February 16, 2023