元検察官の証言が、FTXの法廷劇をさらに緊迫させる

Source: CoinTribune Original Title: Ex-Prosecutor’s Testimony Adds New Tension As FTX Legal Saga Deepens Original Link: https://www.cointribune.com/en/ex-prosecutors-testimony-adds-new-tension-as-ftx-legal-saga-deepens/ FTX’s legal fallout continues to unfold as new testimony sheds light on past plea negotiations and ongoing defense efforts. Recent statements from a former prosecutor, alongside renewed arguments from Sam Bankman-Fried’s legal team, show the wider consequences still rippling through cases tied to the exchange’s 2022 collapse.

Key Developments

• Sassoon denies offering immunity to Bond as scrutiny grows over Salame’s plea deal and pressure claims in the FTX investigation.
• Bond contests charges tied to $400K in campaign funds allegedly linked to FTX, arguing prosecutors acted unfairly after Salame’s plea.
• Key former FTX and Alameda executives serve sentences, adding pressure as legal disputes widen around the exchange’s collapse.
• Bankman-Fried challenges his conviction amid speculation he may seek a pardon.

FTX Case Returns to Court as Prosecutor Denies Promise of Immunity for Bond

Former U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon appeared in the Southern District of New York on Thursday to address questions surrounding the plea deal of Ryan Salame, former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets. Salame pleaded guilty in 2023 and is serving a sentence of more than seven years in prison.

Sassoon testified that prosecutors indicated they were unlikely to pursue further action against Salame if he accepted the plea, but she maintained that no promise of immunity was ever given to his former partner, Michelle Bond.

Her comments came during an evidentiary hearing centered on Bond’s effort to have the charges dismissed. Bond claims prosecutors pressured Salame into a guilty plea, which later opened the door to campaign-finance allegations against her. Sassoon rejected that claim and said the prosecution acted appropriately throughout the process.

FTX Fallout Deepens: Bond Challenges Charges Linked to $400K Campaign Funds

Bond faces multiple counts, including conspiracy to cause unlawful campaign contributions and receiving a corporate contribution. Prosecutors link the charges to roughly $400,000 tied to FTX that was allegedly directed by Salame to support Bond’s 2022 congressional campaign. However, Bond has pleaded not guilty.

Court documents and testimony outlined several points shaping the dispute:

• No written promise existed guaranteeing that Bond would not be charged
• Salame’s plea did not include terms shielding third parties
• Prosecutors continued reviewing evidence involving Bond after Salame’s agreement
• Bond’s legal team claims the timeline suggests improper pressure tactics
• Prosecutors argue the charges stand on independent evidence unrelated to Salame’s plea

Salame began serving his sentence in October 2024, following a string of convictions involving key figures from FTX and Alameda Research. Caroline Ellison, former Alameda CEO, began a two-year sentence in November 2024 after cooperating with authorities. Former FTX executives Nishad Singh and Gary Wang both pleaded guilty and received sentences of time served.

Appeal Efforts and Pardon Rumors Keep Spotlight on Bankman-Fried

Bankman-Fried remains the most prominent figure still challenging his conviction and has been in custody since August 2023, after a judge revoked bail over concerns about witness conduct. A jury later convicted him on multiple fraud charges, resulting in a 25-year sentence.

His lawyers returned to court on November 4 to argue that the conviction should be overturned. Their filings claim he was “never presumed innocent” during the trial and that his defense was improperly restricted from presenting arguments about FTX’s solvency at the time of bankruptcy.

Bankman-Fried maintains that FTX could have repaid customers by November 2022 and faults his former legal advisers for asset sales he says occurred at steep discounts.

Outside the courtroom, speculation has grown among members of the crypto community about whether Bankman-Fried may seek a presidential pardon. A prominent crypto figure recently received a pardon, which has sparked speculation that another major crypto figure might follow suit.