Newly revealed court documents shed light on Sam Bankman-Fried’s strategies aimed at repairing his public image following the collapse of FTX in 2022.
The documents, filed by US prosecutors, include a Google document outlining 19 ideas to shift the narrative surrounding the crypto exchange’s downfall on social media platforms.
Bankman-Fried’s proposed initiatives range from appearing on Tucker Carlson’s show and publicly aligning with the Republican party to leaking documents to the press, criticizing lawyers, and positioning himself as pro-crypto and pro-freedom.
Additionally, he suggested promoting an anti-Binance message.
Sam Bankman-Fried Prosecutors Bring Up Documents to Ask for 50 Year Sentence
These documents form part of the government’s argument for imposing a 40-50 year sentence on the former FTX CEO, who was convicted in November 2023 on charges of fraud and money laundering, according to the sentencing memorandum.
Sorry, but this is psychotic. I get that Sam Bankman-Fried is wildly unsympathetic. But there is no sane reason taxpayers need to keep him locked in a cage until he’s in his 80s. We are totally desensitized to excessively long prison terms in this country. https://t.co/5BHW7lCTDX
— Billy Binion (@billybinion) March 15, 2024
Prosecutors argue that the Google document demonstrates a significant likelihood of Bankman-Fried committing further fraudulent acts if released at a younger age.
The recommended sentence is considerably lower than the maximum possible term under US sentencing guidelines, which could result in a 110-year sentence.
In contrast, Bankman-Fried’s defense counsel is seeking a sentence of less than seven years, according to a memo filed in February.
The judge is expected to deliver the decision on March 28.
The government contends that Bankman-Fried’s submission for sentencing already attempts to downplay his crimes as mere mistakes or misunderstandings, referencing letters submitted by his defense seeking a reduced sentence.
They argue that the defendant is motivated to create a redemption narrative and has been contemplating how to spin it, potentially deceiving others into parting with their money based on false promises and lies.
Nearly a year after FTX’s collapse, Bankman-Fried was found guilty on all seven charges brought against him by the US government in a jury trial.
FTX’s FTT Continues to Bleed Despite Bull Market
FTX’s native token FTT token has experienced a significant decline, losing over 90% of its value compared to its pre-bankruptcy highs.
In contrast, other exchange tokens have shown resilience, rebounding from the lows caused by the FTX scandal and reaching new highs amid the ongoing bullish market.
While FTX aims to fully repay its customers, excluding bankruptcy fees, the exchange itself will not resume operations.
Recently, the exchange sought approval to sell its 8% stake in AI startup Anthropic Holdings.
In a motion filed by FTX’s current CEO, the exchange requested permission to sell the stake and proposed two possible procedures, including an auction or a private sale.
The exchange also requested a shortened period for objections to be raised, with a court hearing scheduled for February 22 to expedite the deliberation process.
The precise price sought for the Anthropic shares has been redacted from the filing, as FTX’s legal team believes public disclosure could hinder the potential to obtain higher offers for the stake.
Last month, the platform filed a motion in a Delaware court to sell its $175 million claim against bankrupt digital financial services firm Genesis Global Capital.
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