Judge Rejects Sam Bankman-Fried’s Request for Postponement of Sentencing Process
A federal judge has denied Sam Bankman-Fried’s request for a postponement of his judgment process and pre-sentencing interview. Despite the defense team’s concerns about a possible second trial, Bankman-Fried’s judgment remains scheduled for March 28. However, if the Department of Justice proceeds with a second trial on different charges, the sentencing could be delayed.
Context of the Sentencing Postponement Refusal
“We believe that Mr. Bankman-Fried should not begin the process of determining the sentence for the charges, including the pre-sentence interview, until the severed charges have been resolved.” – SBF Lawyers
Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried had his request for an extension of the judgment process denied by the federal judge. Bankman-Fried’s defense had requested a four to six-week delay, citing the possibility of an earlier start to a second trial in March. However, Judge Lewis Kaplan of the Southern District of New York rejected this motion, stating that the defense did not challenge the initially set date of March 28.
The judge’s decision means that Sam Bankman-Fried will be preparing for his pre-sentencing interview with the United States Probation and Pretrial Services System, which will recommend a sentence. This interview had also been requested by the defense to be postponed. SBF’s lawyers have expressed concerns that starting the judgment process before the severed accounts are resolved could potentially lead to a separate presentence report and sentencing hearing.
SBF Found Guilty of Seven Charges
Last month, Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty of seven charges of fraud and conspiracy. Prosecutors alleged that he diverted funds from FTX clients and investors, as well as funds from Alameda Research lenders. If the Department of Justice decides to proceed with a second trial on bank fraud and conspiracy charges under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the judgment could be delayed, according to Judge Kaplan.
