Lawyers claim Sam Bankman-Fried, currently in jail, needs a vegan diet and proper medication to prepare for trial.
FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Faces Challenges in Preparing for Trial
In a Manhattan federal court hearing, lawyers representing FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried expressed concerns about his ability to adequately prepare for his upcoming trial. Bankman-Fried, who pleaded not guilty to seven charges including wire fraud and conspiracy, is facing trial on October 3.
According to his lawyers, Bankman-Fried is currently in jail and lacks proper access to computers, necessary medications for concentration, and a suitable diet. They argue that these conditions hinder his ability to prepare for trial effectively.
Bankman-Fried was extradited from the Bahamas in December after being accused of stealing billions of dollars in FTX customer deposits. Prosecutors claim that he used the funds for various purposes, including speculative investments, charitable donations, and illegal campaign contributions aimed at influencing cryptocurrency regulation in Washington.
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During the hearing, Bankman-Fried appeared in a beige prison uniform, his $250 million bail having been revoked by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. The judge agreed with prosecutors that Bankman-Fried had attempted to influence witnesses against him, leading to his incarceration.
Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, presiding over the hearing, acknowledged that she couldn’t overrule Judge Kaplan’s decisions regarding computer access. However, she expressed willingness to address concerns about medication and diet, particularly Bankman-Fried’s vegan preferences.
One of Bankman-Fried’s attorneys, Mark Cohen, informed Judge Netburn that his client had not received necessary medication to aid his focus since being sent to jail. He also highlighted the inadequate diet consisting mainly of bread, water, and occasionally peanut butter.
Christian Everdell, another defense attorney, argued that Bankman-Fried’s ability to prepare for trial was severely compromised. He pointed out that his client was only allowed to review millions of pages of evidence two days a week, making effective defense preparation impossible.
Prior to his bail revocation, Bankman-Fried had been living with his parents in Palo Alto, California, under strict rules limiting his access to electronic devices. However, Judge Kaplan ordered his detention after finding probable cause of attempted witness tampering.
The trial continues as Bankman-Fried faces the challenges of limited resources and restricted preparation time.
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