A federal judge overseeing the criminal case against Sam Bankman-Fried, also known as “SBF,” will reportedly consider revoking the former FTX CEO’s $250 million bail based on allegations of intimidation against Caroline Ellison.
In a July 26 hearing in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, individuals on site reported Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon requested the revocation of SBF’s bail based on allegations he used his freedom to intimidate Ellison, his former romantic partner and colleague. According to Sassoon, SBF made roughly 100 calls to a reporter behind The New York Times story that revealed Ellison’s private online journals.
Judge Lewis Kaplan will reportedly accept arguments from the U.S. government on July 28 and from SBF’s legal team on Aug. 3, warning Bankman-Fried “better take it seriously.” The judge signed off on a temporary order first drafted by prosecutors which largely prevented SBF from making any extrajudicial statements until the determination of arguments on bail.
Since his arrest and indictment in December 2022, the former FTX CEO has returned to court several times to address issues related to his bail conditions, which largely require him to stay in his parents’ California home. He is already barred from using messaging apps, virtual private networks and certain technology.
SBF’s lawyer: We’ll respond by Aug 1. Judge Kaplan: Reply August 3. I’ll docket the order. I am mindful of the First Amendment, and of the government’s interest. Mr. Bankman-Fried, you better take it seriously too. Adjourned – story soon on https://t.co/mmos6LonY0
In response to the Department of Justice’s July 20 complaint alleging SBF attempted to interfere with a fair trial by publicly discrediting Ellison, his legal team argued Kaplan should include potential witnesses in any gag order, including current FTX CEO John Ray. Since FTX filed for bankruptcy in November 2022, Ray has often spoken to different media outlets on a variety of topics related to the failed exchange.
Bankman-Fried’s first criminal trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 2, but he will likely appear in a separate trial starting in March 2024. The former FTX CEO has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has resigned from the Labour Party.
The 53-year-old MP is the first to jump ship since the general election and in her resignation letter criticised the prime minister for accepting thousands of pounds worth of gifts.
She told Sir Keir Starmer the reason for leaving now is “the programme of policies you seem determined to stick to”, despite their unpopularity with the electorate and MPs.
In her letter she accused the prime minister and his top team of “sleaze, nepotism and apparent avarice” which are “off the scale”.
“I’m so ashamed of what you and your inner circle have done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party,” she said.
Since December 2019, the prime minister received £107,145 in gifts, benefits, and hospitality – a specific category in parliament’s register of MPs’ interests.
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Ms Duffield, who has previously clashed with the prime minister on gender issues, attacked the government for pursuing “cruel and unnecessary” policies as she resigned the Labour whip.
She criticised the decision to keep the two-child benefit cap and means-test the winter fuel payment, and accused the prime minister of “hypocrisy” over his acceptance of free gifts from donors.
“Since the change of government in July, the revelations of hypocrisy have been staggering and increasingly outrageous,” she said.
“I cannot put into words how angry I and my colleagues are at your total lack of understanding about how you have made us all appear.”
Ms Duffield also mentioned the recent “treatment of Diane Abbott”, who said she thought she had been barred from standing by Labour ahead of the general election, before Sir Keir said she would be allowed to defend her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat for the party.
Her relationship with the Labour leadership has long been strained and her decision to quit the party comes after seven other Labour MPs were suspended for rebelling by voting for a motion calling for the two-child benefit cap to be abolished.
“Someone with far-above-average wealth choosing to keep the Conservatives’ two-child limit to benefit payments which entrenches children in poverty, while inexplicably accepting expensive personal gifts of designer suits and glasses costing more than most of those people can grasp – this is entirely undeserving of holding the title of Labour prime minister,” she said.
Ms Duffield said she will continue to represent her constituents as an independent MP, “guided by my core Labour values”.