Key Points:
- Sam Bankman-Fried, the former FTX CEO, accused the Biden administration of political bias in his prosecution.
- After being sentenced to 25 years for fraud, Bankman-Fried’s family is lobbying for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has accused the Biden administration of bias in his first jailhouse interview.
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Sam Bankman-Fried Seeks Trump Pardon
Speaking with the New York Sun, Sam Bankman-Fried suggested his conviction was the result of prosecutorial overreach and signalled a political shift toward the Republican Party.
Bankman-Fried, once a major Democratic donor, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fraud following the collapse of FTX in 2022. He had previously contributed substantial funds to Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, but his legal troubles have prompted a reversal in political allegiance. The former crypto billionaire now appears to be seeking a potential pardon from President Donald Trump.
Throughout a series of interviews, Bankman-Fried voiced support for Republican policies and criticized the Biden administration, aligning himself with conservative figures, including Elon Musk’s stance on reducing federal government influence.
He also questioned the fairness of his prosecution, citing the case of Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets and a known Republican. Salame received a 90-month sentence for illegal political contributions—significantly longer than the combined sentences of three FTX co-conspirators who testified against Bankman-Fried and were associated with the Democratic Party.
Former FTX CEO Alleges Political Bias in Conviction
Despite a second trial regarding campaign donation fraud being dismissed, Bankman-Fried remains steadfast in his belief that political bias influenced the judicial process under the Biden administration.
“I don’t think anyone was guilty,” he told the New York Sun.
As Trump returns to power, Bankman-Fried’s legal team and family see a potential opportunity for clemency. His parents have begun lobbying for a presidential pardon, drawing parallels to Trump’s previous pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the Silk Road founder who became a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency community.
For now, Bankman-Fried remains behind bars, but his shift in political strategy suggests he is exploring every possible avenue for an early release.
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