
A assemblage has unanimously convicted Sam Bankman-Fried connected a slew of charges, encompassing ligament fraud, conspiracy to prosecute successful ligament fraud, and wealth laundering among the 7 counts. The pursuing is an in-depth look astatine what volition hap betwixt present and Bankman-Fried’s sentencing, which is scheduled for March 28, 2024.
Before the Gavel — What Lies Ahead Until Sentencing Day?
A important turning constituent occurred past twelvemonth connected November 2, 2022, erstwhile an nonfiction scrutinizing Alameda Research’s fiscal presumption was published. This lawsuit marked the opening of a melodramatic downfall for Sam Bankman-Fried, the erstwhile crypto magnate, who present confronts a daunting 100-year situation sentence, having been recovered guilty of 7 charges leveled against him by the U.S. government.
Before FTX’s collapse, the institution successfully secured a important $1.8 cardinal successful full funding, with a $400 cardinal influx during a Series C backing circular specified months earlier its demise. FTX’s estimated valuation stood astatine astir $32 billion anterior to the unfolding calamity. That each changed connected November 2, 2022, erstwhile Coindesk newsman Ian Allison published a story astir FTX, Bankman-Fried, and his quantitative trading steadfast Alameda Research.
The communicative unfolds with Allison revealing that a bulk of Alameda’s assets were tied up successful ftx token (FTT), the speech token spearheaded by Bankman-Fried and his associates. Merely days pursuing the publication, connected November 6, 2022, Binance’s CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) announced the exchange’s determination to liquidate its full FTT holdings. This determination precipitated the downfall of Bankman-Fried’s empire, ushering successful a cascade of revelations astir the dubious dealings of FTX and Alameda.
Exactly 1 twelvemonth consequent to the Coindesk exposé connected the company’s finances, Bankman-Fried faced his jurors. His trial, commencing connected October 3, 2023, spanned an nonstop month, concluding connected November 2, 2023. After the assemblage delivered its verdict, Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, expressed his thoughts regarding the outcome.
“Here’s the thing: The cryptocurrency manufacture mightiness beryllium new,” Williams told the property conference. “Players similar Sam Bankman-Fried mightiness beryllium new. But this benignant of fraud, this benignant of corruption is arsenic aged arsenic time, and we person nary patience for it.”
From present until March 28, 2024, Bankman-Fried volition stay astatine the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) successful Brooklyn, New York. The installation has housed respective high-profile individuals, including Jeffrey Epstein’s erstwhile woman Ghislaine Maxwell, vocalist R. Kelly, erstwhile pharmaceutical enforcement Martin Shkreli, and Michael Cohen, the erstwhile lawyer for ex-president Donald Trump.
Life astatine the detention halfway is difficult, according to several accounts. Inmates whitethorn stock a azygous country for sleeping, eating, showering, and utilizing the toilet. Inmates person constricted entree to recreational and societal activities. Visiting hours for his parents, Joe Bankman and Barbara Fried, are weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern time, and weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern time.
After the assemblage convicted Bankman-Fried, his attorney, Mark Cohen – who besides represented Ghislaine Maxwell – made a connection to the press. “Mr. Bankman Fried maintains his innocence and volition proceed to vigorously combat the charges against him,” Cohen said. Cohen’s squad has until November 20, 2023, to record post-trial motions. Moreover, Bankman-Fried’s ineligible issues whitethorn not beryllium over, arsenic prosecutors person a definite play to bring further charges.
For the elder unit of FTX and Alameda Research who entered plea agreements with the national government, including Gary Wang, Nishad Singh, and Caroline Ellison, the deals bash not warrant state from prison. The result of a plea statement for a co-conspirator witnesser depends connected the terms, the level of cooperation, and the sentencing judge’s discretion. While Wang, Ellison, Singh, and others person cooperated, this increases the likelihood they volition debar situation time.
What bash you deliberation astir Bankman-Fried’s timeline until his sentencing? Share your thoughts and opinions astir this taxable successful the comments conception below.