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Sam Bankman-Fried’s political donations can be surfaced in trial, rules judge

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Prosecutors from the USA Division of Justice can be allowed to floor the main points of Sam Bankman-Fried’s political donations because the proof is immediately related to his fraud costs, dominated U.S. District Decide Lewis Kaplan.

The choice was a part of a collection of rulings made by Kaplan in a 16-page pretrial order on Sept. 26, the place he cleared up which proof could be admissible in court docket throughout the FTX founders’ fraud trial, at present scheduled to start on Oct. 3.

Federal prosecutors initially charged Bankman-Fried with conspiring to interrupt United States marketing campaign finance legal guidelines, in addition to seven different fraud and conspiracy costs — nonetheless, later dropped the costs as a part of an extradition settlement with the Bahamas.

“Proof that the defendant spent FTX buyer funds on political contributions is direct proof of the wire fraud scheme as a result of it’s related to establishing the defendant’s motive and allegedly fraudulent intent.”

Along with permitting dialogue of Bankman-Fried’s marketing campaign donations, Kaplan additionally authorized the prosecution’s movement to deliver ahead proof that particulars Bankman-Fried’s alleged function within the creation of the FTX Token (FTT), and the methods during which he allegedly directed Alameda Analysis and its then-CEO Caroline Ellison to govern the worth of the token.

Decide Kaplan’s ruling on Bankman-Fried’s political donation proof. Supply: CourtListener

“The alleged manipulation of the cryptocurrency tokens, which resulted in an alleged manipulation of Alameda’s stability sheet, was an act ‘executed in furtherance of the alleged conspiracy’ and due to this fact is taken into account ‘a part of the very act charged,’” wrote Kaplan.

“Furthermore, defendant’s alleged directive to Ms. Ellison to govern the worth of FTT is direct proof of their “relationship of mutual belief.” The probative worth of this proof outweighs any threat of unfair prejudice. It’s admissible,” Kaplan concluded.

Associated: Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyer renews request for momentary launch from jail

Whereas Kaplan authorized many submissions of proof for the DOJ, he additionally authorized Bankman-Fried’s attorneys to query authorities witnesses about their leisure drug use, so long as they offered prior discover to the court docket.

Authorities witnesses embrace Caroline Ellison, former FTX engineer Nishad Singh and FTX co-founder Gary Wang.

Kaplan additionally denied the DoJ’s motions to dam the protection from cross-examining witnesses on sure “privileged” points. Moreover, he dominated that Bankman-Fried wouldn’t be capable to talk about any particulars of his pre-trial detention, household background, wealth, or age earlier than a jury.

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