Sam Bankman-Fried bail restrictions prolonged after he contacted FTX counsel

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A federal choose on Thursday prolonged a ban on Sam Bankman-Fried contacting his ex-business affiliate after the accused cryptocurrency fraudster was caught messaging the overall counsel of his former firm in January. 

At a Manhattan federal listening to, Choose Lewis Kaplan barred Bankman-Fried from contacting present or former staff of crypto change FTX and hedge fund Alameda till a minimum of Feb. 21. 

The choose initially ordered the restriction on Bankman-Fried’s communications on Feb. 1 after prosecutors discovered he messaged the overall counsel of FTX — a possible trial witness — whereas he was out on bail within the sprawling fraud case. 

“I'd actually like to reconnect and see if there’s a means for us to have a constructive relationship, use one another as assets when attainable, or a minimum of vet issues with one another,” Bankman-Fried wrote to the worker in an encrypted message on Jan. 12.

Prosecutors wrote the message was “suggestive of an effort to affect Witness-1’s potential testimony.”

Sam Bankman-Fried arriving at federal court docket in Manhattan on February 9, 2022.

Gregory P. Mango

A federal choose prolonged Bankman-Fried’s ban on contacting an ex-business affiliate.

AP Photograph/John Minchillo

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Bankman-Fried was caught messaging the overall counsel of his former firm in January.

Gregory P. Mango

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In his order, Kaplan mentioned the message seems to have “been an effort to have each the defendant and Witness-1 sing out of the identical hymn e-book.” 

The order additionally bars the accused scammer of utilizing “encrypted or ephemeral name or messaging software, together with however not restricted to Sign.”

Federal prosecutors and Bankman-Fried’s attorneys will submit letters to Kaplan subsequent week explaining how they intend to maintain a report of the shaggy-haired accused schemer’s digital communications. 

Bankman-Fried leaving court docket after his listening to.

Gregory P. Mango

The choose’s order bars Bankman-Fried from utilizing “encrypted or ephemeral name or messaging software, together with however not restricted to Sign.”

Gregory P. Mango

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Bankman-Fried has pleaded not responsible to federal costs.

Gregory P. Mango

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Kaplan mentioned restrictions proposed by prosecutors and Bankman-Fried’s attorneys earlier this week nonetheless current a “actual threat of misuse” due to the sheer variety of methods he might contact individuals related to the case. 

“There’s nonetheless snail mail and e mail and every kind of the way to speak,” Kaplan mentioned. 

Bankman-Fried was arrested and charged by federal authorities in December, who allege he swindled buyers and prospects of FTX by commingling funds into Alameda, a hedge fund he managed. 

He was additionally hit with a marketing campaign finance cost for allegedly funneling ill-gotten cash into political donations. 

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not responsible.

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