Sam Bankman-Fried is seeking a new trial, alleging the U.S. Department of Justice intimidated witnesses in his fraud case. The former FTX CEO claims a newly surfaced declaration from a former employee would have refuted prosecution claims about the exchange’s insolvency.
Sam Bankman-Fried claims to possess new evidence showing the Department of Justice silenced key witnesses. The former FTX CEO stated from prison that his conviction should be thrown out.
His legal team has filed a motion for a new trial under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 33. The filing centers on a declaration from former FTX data science head Daniel Chapsky.
Chapsky declared his attorneys strongly advised him not to testify due to fears of media attacks and prosecutorial retaliation. “Other former FTX employees I spoke with told me that they had received similar warnings,” his declaration states.
The motion argues this testimony would have countered the prosecution’s depiction of FTX‘s financial health. Chapsky attests that FTX and Alameda Research were solvent, with assets exceeding liabilities at the time of its November 2022 collapse.
Prosecutors had said customer funds were diverted to Alameda to cover losses, contributing to an $8.9 billion shortfall. Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven fraud counts and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
