FTX’s Bankman-Fried seeks restraining order on all witnesses in criminal case

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has agreed to a gag order that bars him from commenting on third parties that could interfere with his trial — but he argues that other potential witnesses should be banned as well, including current FTX CEO John Ray.

The gag order against Sam Bankman-Fried was initially requested on July 20, after the US government accused the FTX founder of attempting to interfere with a fair trial by publicly defaming former business partner and witness Carolyn Ellison in an interview with The New York Times.

on 22 july Letter United States District Court Judge in New York Lewis A. Before Kaplan, Bankman-Fried attorneys Cohen & Graser LLP denied the allegations but agreed to accept a gag order. requested,

A gag order is a legal order often issued by a court to prohibit information or comment from being made public or passed on to an unauthorized third party. In this case, Bankman-Fried will no longer be able to make comments that publicly discredit a government witness by sharing confidential information that could taint the jury pool.

However, while accepting the relief, Bankman-Fried’s attorneys also want the same restraining order to be applied to all parties and witnesses who may be involved in her criminal trial.

“We respectfully request that any such relief, must apply not only to Mr. Bankman-Fried, but equally to all ‘parties and witnesses’ – that is, the Government and all potential witnesses in this case.”

According to the lawyers, this will include the US government, former employees of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, FTX debtor entities, Alameda Research and other potential witnesses involved in the case.

Explaining the request, the lawyers said there has been a “toxic media environment” surrounding their client since the exchange’s collapse, noting that FTX CEO John Ray was one of the big culprits.

“Most notably, the current CEO of FTX debtor entities, John J. Ray III, who has regularly (and needlessly) attacked and maligned Mr. Bankman-Fried in his public comments and filings in the FTX bankruptcy proceedings,” he said.

“Mr. Ray’s repeated advertising attacks on Mr. Bankman-Fried – which have little to do with his role in the recovery of assets for the FTX creditors and seem more directed toward publicly discrediting Mr. Bankman-Fried. (This) leave Mr. Bankman-Fried no choice but to respond,” the lawyers said.

Connected: Sam Bankman-Fried’s brother planned to buy island and prepare for apocalypse: court filing

The law firm argued that the US government is adopting double standards by promoting several articles that damage the reputation of the SBF. This formed the basis of his request for a similar gag order for the SBF.

SBF pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of fraud for the alleged role it played in the bankruptcy of FTX. The hearing on the SBF fraud charges will begin on October 3.

Collect this article as an NFT To preserve this moment in history and show your support for independent journalism in the crypto sector.

magazine: Web3 Gamers: ‘Ethical’ SBF game removed, Web3 Games sign-up process useless, Tomb Chaser