Celsius founder files motion to withdraw 12-year sentence and accuses FTX of trying to "destroy Celsius"

Celsius founder Alex Mashinsky has filed a motion with a New York court, seeking to withdraw the 12-year prison sentence he received for fraud and market manipulation.

According to court documents, Mashinsky chose to represent himself (pro se) after his lawyers withdrew, claiming they "stopped communicating with him," forcing him to file documents personally before the court. He argues that his previous defense constituted "ineffective assistance of counsel" and invokes the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine, questioning the legality of some evidence in the case.

In his filing, Mashinsky also accused Sam Bankman-Fried of intending to "destroy Celsius" and attributed market manipulation related to the CEL token to FTX. Additionally, he publicly disclosed text messages with former Celsius Chief Revenue Officer Roni Cohen-Pavon, alleging that Cohen-Pavon had attempted to launch a "hostile takeover" of the company.

In 2025, Mashinsky pleaded guilty to commodities fraud and securities fraud. He was ordered to forfeit $48 million and must also pay a $10 million settlement to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Cohen-Pavon, who previously testified in cooperation with prosecutors, received a sentence of "time served" and was ordered to pay a fine of over $1 million. (Cointelegraph)