U.S. prosecutors have taken a significant step in the case against SBF, the founder of FTX, as they moved to revoke his bond and have him placed in prison ahead of his scheduled October trial. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has alleged that Bankman-Fried attempted to influence witness testimony on multiple occasions and that his current bail conditions are insufficient to protect the public.
The DOJ’s decision to seek detention for SBF came after he shared diaries belonging to former Alameda Research CEO, Caroline Ellison, with the New York Times. Prosecutors argue that this act qualifies as an attempt to harass Ellison, potentially to obstruct or influence her testimony in court.
The filing states that Bankman-Fried’s actions are part of a pattern of behavior aimed at intimidating and corruptly persuading Ellison regarding her upcoming trial testimony. Furthermore, the DOJ claims that he has tried to create a chilling effect on other potential trial witnesses by implying that their private affairs could be exposed in the media.
While Bankman-Fried’s attorney, Mark Cohen, argued that his client has the right to defend himself in public and was merely exercising that right when speaking with the Times, the DOJ contends that sharing the diary information goes beyond the boundaries of fair comment. They emphasize that attempting to corruptly influence witnesses and interfering with a fair trial through public harassment and shaming is unacceptable.
SBF charges update
During a recent hearing, Judge Lewis Kaplan, presiding over the District Court for the Southern District of New York, ordered both the prosecution and defense to prepare formal documents regarding the DOJ’s request to detain SBF. The defense has been given until Tuesday to respond to the motion.
Bankman-Fried’s trial is scheduled to commence on October 2, 2023. The legal proceedings are closely watched by the cryptocurrency community and beyond, given his prominent role in the industry as the founder of FTX, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges.
The outcome of this case will have significant implications not only for SBF but also for the broader discussion on witness tampering and obstruction of justice in the context of cryptocurrency-related legal matters. As the trial date approaches, the public will await further developments and the responses from both the defense and the prosecution. The potential impact on the cryptocurrency market and the reputation of key players in the industry are also likely to be closely monitored.
