Bankman-Fried's attorneys say October trial could have to be delayed

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Sam Bankman-Fried’s attorneys mentioned on Wednesday it could be essential to delay the FTX cryptocurrency trade founder’s scheduled Oct. 2 felony trial, arguing it could take extra time than anticipated to evaluation the proof and put together a protection.

In a letter to U.S. District Decide Lewis Kaplan, the 31-year-old former billionaire’s attorneys mentioned federal prosecutors in Manhattan had not but turned over proof collected from digital units belonging to Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang, beforehand two of their shopper’s closest associates.

Each have since pleaded responsible and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. 

The attorneys additionally famous that prosecutors added new fraud and conspiracy expenses late final month, boosting the variety of counts to 12, following the November collapse of Bankman-Fried’s now-bankrupt trade and his arrest the following month.

In January, Bankman-Fried pleaded not responsible to the unique eight counts that he cheated buyers and prompted billions of {dollars} in losses, in what prosecutors have known as an “epic” fraud.

“Whereas we do not make such an software presently, we wished to notice this situation for the Courtroom now,” Christian Everdell, certainly one of Bankman-Fried’s attorneys, wrote within the letter.

A spokesman for the U.S. Legal professional’s workplace in Manhattan declined to remark. 

Bankman-Fried rode a growth within the values of bitcoin and different digital belongings to an estimated $26 billion internet value, and have become an influential donor to U.S. political campaigns.

However his fortune evaporated after considerations about commingling of funds between FTX and Alameda Analysis, a hedge fund he additionally owned, spurred the cryptocurrency equal of a run on the financial institution at FTX. 

Bankman-Fried was launched on $250 million bond and has been beneath home arrest at his dad and mom’ Palo Alto, California dwelling.

Kaplan has urged his bail may very well be revoked after prosecutors mentioned he could have tried to tamper with witnesses. Prosecutors over the weekend proposed Bankman-Fried stay free with strict limits on his use of expertise. 

The trial schedule and Bankman-Fried’s bail circumstances are anticipated to be mentioned at a court docket listening to on Friday.