- The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is petitioning for the revocation of Sam Bankman-Fried’s bail, citing accusations of witness tampering and leaking sensitive diary entries.
- Bankman-Fried, who was released on bond late last year, allegedly attempted to influence potential trial witnesses and leaked personal writings of Caroline Ellison to The New York Times.
In a turn of events that is sending shockwaves through the cryptoverse, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has petitioned the court to revoke the bail of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the famed cryptocurrency magnate. According to a court filing on July 28, the DOJ alleges that SBF has been engaging in witness tampering and the illicit leaking of private diary entries belonging to Caroline Ellison.
Unveiling the Bail Drama
Court documents reveal that SBF, originally granted bail on December 22, 2022, made subsequent requests for bail modifications. It is alleged that on January 15, 2023, the defendant reached out to FTX US’s current general counsel, who could potentially serve as a witness in his impending trial. The communication, purportedly conducted via email and the encrypted messaging platform, Signal, saw SBF expressing interest in reestablishing a professional relationship.
The crypto mogul’s alleged usage of Signal, particularly its auto-deletion feature, has raised concerns about potential obstruction of justice. Given this behavior, the court is wary of possible attempts at witness influence, a significant factor in the DOJ’s push for bail revocation.
John Reed Stark, a former Chief at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Internet Enforcement, suggests Judge Lewis Kaplan has a tough call to make. He could interpret SBF’s actions as an attempt to sway witnesses, which could lead to further bail condition alterations or even total revocation.
Diary Leak Controversy
The bail revocation drama comes on the heels of a July 26 hearing in a Manhattan court. U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon proposed bail cancellation based on allegations that SBF used his freedom to intimidate his former romantic partner and colleague, Caroline Ellison. Sassoon informed the court that SBF made approximately 100 calls to a New York Times reporter, allegedly in an attempt to manipulate Ellison.
Further adding fuel to the fire, a complaint filed by the DOJ on July 20 accuses SBF of leaking entries from Ellison’s private diary. The allegation points towards an attempt to tarnish a government witness’s credibility by exposing her personal writings to a reporter.
As this saga continues to unfold, the implications for SBF and the broader crypto industry remain uncertain. What is clear, however, is that this case further highlights the complex legal and ethical questions surrounding the increasingly mainstream world of cryptocurrencies.
