Disgraced FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried tried to satisfy with the agency’s substitute chapter CEO John Ray III, in keeping with a courtroom submitting dated Jan. 30.
That submitting disclosed a non-public message from Bankman-Fried, who contacted Ray on Dec. 30. Bankman-Fried wished to debate funds that had been being withdrawn from Alameda Analysis wallets, as reported by numerous sources at the moment.
Bankman-Fried asserted that he had no entry to these funds. He warned {that a} hacker may very well be accountable if Ray’s personal group was not behind the switch, writing:
“I’ve seen these reviews…if that is your group shifting the belongings to custody, nice! If not, I fear it is perhaps a hacker — presumably the identical one as a month and a half in the past.”
Days later, on Jan. 2, Bankman-Fried adopted up on that message by asking John Ray III to satisfy in New York Metropolis. That message, partly, learn:
“I do know issues haven’t gotten off on the suitable foot however I actually do wish to be useful… I’m in NYC for the subsequent day. I’d love to satisfy up whereas I’m right here even when simply to say hello.”
Bankman-Fried additionally contacted an unnamed witness earlier this month, as beforehand reported. That witness is believed to be FTX US Common Counsel Ryne Miller. Neither Ray nor Miller responded to Bankman-Fried’s authentic messages.
Authorities prosecutors submitted the related messages as a part of an try to limit Bankman-Fried’s communications. Prosecutors are involved that Bankman-Fried might have an effect on witnesses in his felony case by means of personal conversations. As such, prosecutors intention to stop Bankman-Fried from utilizing encrypted or self-deleting messaging apps and forestall him from contacting present and former FTX associates.
Nevertheless, prosecutors didn’t submit the related conversations instantly after making that request on Jan. 27. Choose Lewis Kaplan requested for the prosecutors to submit dialog transcripts by right now, Jan. 30, earlier than continuing. As of Monday afternoon, the choose has not decided on whether or not to impose the communications ban.
Although Bankman-Fried is ready to converse publicly and privately, his choice to take action goes in opposition to the recommendation of his attorneys and will hurt his protection.
Ray himself has beforehand complained about Bankman-Fried’s willingness to speak, calling his statements “erratic and deceptive” in relation to FTX’s separate chapter case.
