Supporters Appeal for Leniency Ahead of Ex-FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried's Sentencing
Summary:
Sam "SBF" Bankman-Fried, the former FTX CEO, set to be sentenced on March 28 on seven felony counts, received calls for leniency from five individuals who wrote to Judge Lewis Kaplan, underscoring SBF's veganism, autism condition, and FTX's user reimbursement plan. Despite sentence recommendations between 6.5 to 50 years offered by lawyers and prosecutors, the maximum penalty could have SBF in jail for 110 years. SBF's family and others argued that imprisoning Bankman-Fried due to his unique traits would be overly punitive and potentially place him in harm's way.
Supporters of Sam "SBF" Bankman-Fried, who is set to receive his punishment on March 28 after being found guilty on seven felony charges, have spoken out in favor of mercy for the erstwhile FTX CEO. Letters submitted on March 26 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York from half a dozen individuals encourage Judge Lewis Kaplan to assign a lenient sentence to Bankman-Fried. The correspondences, composed by individuals who were personally acquainted with Bankman-Fried or affected by FTX's failure, underlined his veganism, his personal experience with autism, and the exchange’s compensation plan for its users.
Dr. Adam Hesterberg, a former housemate of Bankman-Fried between 2012 and 2014, exerted the belief that leniency should be granted in the sentencing, partially attributing to Bankman-Fried's efforts of transforming half of their shared household into a vegetarian or vegan space. People who were not personally acquainted with the CEO opined that the judge should consider Bankman-Fried’s unique “characteristics” in both personal and professional settings.
Maria Centrella, an autism parent, shared, “The cognitive functioning of someone on the spectrum is distinct—though I haven’t personally met Sam, I staunchly believe that despite his MIT background—he did not completely grasp the situation’s complexity, nor did he have any malevolent intentions.”(Source: Courtlistener)
Prosecutors proposed a penalty ranging from 40 to 50 years for Bankman-Fried's malfeasance of funds in FTX and Alameda Research. On the contrary, his lawyers advised a 6.5-year imprisonment. The harshest sentence, allowing Judge Kaplan to confine SBF for up to 110 years, is considered by many as improbable.
Related: ’SBF’ acknowledges the suggested 50-year sentence depicts him as ‘a wicked supervillain.’
Personal character references were presented to the judge in February by 'SBF’s' immediate family and other acquaintances, argumentatively stating that imprisoning him would be “excessive” and threatened his safety due to his personal traits. Notably, many letters overlooked the financial repercussions faced by investors after the FTX crumbled, making millions inaccessible.
Lucas Gates, the AutismBC Director, remarked in an X post dated Feb 28, saying, “The ‘autism defence’ shouldn't absolve 'SBF' of his offences. Clearly, he knows his actions count as fraud, and the rightful place for him is behind bars for the rest of his life.”
After the court cancelled his bail due to accusations of Bankman-Fried allegedly persuading or threatening witnesses in his criminal case, the former FTX CEO has remained confined since August 2023. In November, a jury convicted him on all counts following a trial that spanned a month.
Magazine: 'Less ostentatious' Mashinsky expected to face shorter imprisonment than Bankman-Fried: Inner City Press, X Hall of Flame.
Published At
3/27/2024 1:04:59 AM
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