Sam Bankman-Fried’s legal team is trying to stop certain investors and insiders from testifying in the crypto outcast’s highly publicized fraud trial.
According to a letter sent to Judge Lewis Kaplan by the former FTX executive’s legal representatives, certain investors and witnesses should be restrained from being disclosed because the motion to have them testify “is premature and lacks the details upon which her requests relate to’. could plausibly be based.”
“On behalf of our client, Samuel Bankman-Fried, we write to respectfully submit this letter in opposition to the government’s motion in limine, which seeks to elicit testimony from (i) FTX customer witnesses regarding their understanding of how FTX would or would not use their assets; (ii) testimony from FTX investors regarding their understanding of alleged statements regarding FTX’s role as a custodian of client funds; and (iii) alleged co-conspirator witnesses regarding their interpretation of statements made by Mr. Bankman-Fried.”
Previously, Judge Kaplan denied Sam Bankman-Fried’s request to be temporarily released from prison before his upcoming trial.
Last Monday, Bankman-Fried’s lawyers filed a formal request to release the disgraced former CEO.
The lawyers argued that Bankman-Fried’s temporary release for the duration of the trial is necessary for the preparation of his defense, citing the highly technical nature of the trial, the prosecution’s list of more than 50 witnesses and the need to sift through thousands of witnesses. pages of witness material and more than 1,300 pieces of evidence.
However, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan denied the request.
Bankman-Fried is accused of defrauding investors and mishandling billions of dollars of customer funds. If convicted, he faces decades in prison.
Jury selection for the trial begins today.
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