Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, who was sentenced to 25 years for fraud, has reported that his parents are seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump. They have met with lawyers and individuals connected to Trump’s circle to explore their options.
Bankman-Fried is currently appealing his conviction and argues that his sentence is too severe, especially considering that most FTX customers have been able to recover their funds. This request for clemency follows a pattern set by Trump’s previous pardons, such as that of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road marketplace.
Ulbricht was convicted in 2015 for running Silk Road, an online platform that facilitated illegal transactions worth over $200 million. Trump granted Ulbricht a pardon, citing his libertarian views and the belief that his sentence was excessive. This decision has garnered increasing support for Ulbricht, particularly within libertarian circles.
Although Bankman-Fried’s case does not have widespread public support, his legal team is seeking a pardon by highlighting Trump’s history of granting clemency, often based on informal appeals rather than traditional Justice Department channels. Bankman-Fried is not alone in his pursuit, as Ryan Salame, another former FTX executive, is reportedly exploring similar efforts.
As Trump’s administration has shown a willingness to consider clemency for controversial cases, including Ulbricht’s, the push for a pardon indicates a shift in the landscape of white-collar criminal justice. However, there has been no confirmation of any formal outreach to the White House regarding Bankman-Fried’s case at this time.
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