Prosecutors Request Dismissal of SBF's Retrial Application

Odaily News: U.S. prosecutors have urged a judge to dismiss former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried's request for a new trial, arguing that he has failed to present any legitimate new evidence.

Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted by a jury in 2023 on charges of fraud and conspiracy and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence. His mother filed a motion on his behalf in February this year, arguing that two former FTX executives, Daniel Chapsky and Ryan Salame, did not testify in court due to fear of retaliation, and their testimony could have refuted the prosecution's narrative. Prosecutors countered in a filing on Wednesday, stating that these two witnesses were "fully known to the defense" before the trial, and the defense did not include them on the witness list or compel their attendance at the time, therefore they do not constitute newly discovered evidence. Prosecutors also stated that even considering this testimony, the trial outcome would not change given the substantial evidence proving that Sam Bankman-Fried directed the transfer of billions in customer funds to Alameda.

Regarding Sam Bankman-Fried's claim that FTX was not insolvent, prosecutors pointed out that FTX held only about 105 BTC while facing claims from customers holding nearly 100,000 BTC, emphasizing that recovering assets through bankruptcy proceedings does not justify criminal acts. Prosecutors also refuted his claim of being politically persecuted by the Biden administration, noting that Sam Bankman-Fried himself was one of the largest Democratic donors in 2020 and 2022, and his campaign finance violations were precisely to facilitate these donations. Sam Bankman-Fried had previously sought a pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump, but Trump stated in January that he had no plans to pardon him.