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Caroline Ellison blames Sam Bankman-Fried for misuse of FTX user funds at trial

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Former FTX CEO Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried watched from the protection desk as his former enterprise affiliate and girlfriend, Caroline Ellison, testified at his felony trial.

In accordance with studies from the courtroom on Oct. 10, Ellison admitted to fraud throughout her time at Alameda at Bankman-Fried’s path. The previous Alameda CEO reportedly positioned the blame for misuse of FTX consumer funds straight on SBF, claiming he “arrange the methods” resulting in Alameda taking roughly $14 billion from the alternate.

“Alameda took a number of billions of {dollars} from FTX prospects and used it for investments,” stated Ellison in keeping with studies. “I despatched stability sheets that made Alameda look much less dangerous than it was.”

Ellison met Bankman-Fried by way of their jobs at Jane Avenue Capital, with SBF convincing her to depart the funding agency and be part of his crypto-focused endeavors. Stories have steered the 2 had largely been out of contact following the collapse of FTX in November 2022.

Ellison’s relationship with SBF is likely one of the points central to the allegations dealing with the previous CEO, as he was answerable for the crypto alternate whereas she led the staff at Alameda. Bankman-Fried’s fraud prices are based mostly on him directing Alameda to primarily have entry to FTX consumer funds with out prospects’ consent, which he used for purchases together with property and donations to political campaigns.

FTX co-founder and former chief know-how officer Gary Wang took the stand beginning on Oct. 5 as one of many first witnesses for prosecutors, claiming he dedicated crimes with Ellison in addition to former engineering director Nishad Singh. On cross examination of Wang, SBF’s attorneys gave the impression to be trying to shift among the blame on the alternate’s collapse to Ellison, questioning the previous CTO on her position. In opening arguments, the protection claimed she ignored Bankman-Fried’s request to place a hedge on Alameda investments.

Associated: SBF seeks to probe FTX attorneys’ roles in $200M Alameda loans

Ellison and Wang had been among the first FTX and Alameda insiders to plead responsible as a part of an settlement with U.S. authorities for her testimony. It’s unclear whether or not Bankman-Fried will take the stand as a part of his protection technique.

The previous Alameda Analysis CEO’s testimony marked the fifth day of SBF’s felony trial, the place he faces 7 prices associated to fraud. He has pleaded not responsible to all prices, and is anticipated to seem in a second felony trial beginning in March 2024.

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