FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried Requests Jail Leave to Prepare Defense

The disgraced founder of FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), has submitted a request to be allowed to leave jail during weekdays in order to work on his defense with his legal team. Court filings reveal that SBF’s lawyers have highlighted the challenges faced by their client in reviewing the extensive case documents while being detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

SBF Lawyers Ask for Weekday Leave

SBF’s lawyers have requested permission for him to spend weekdays at the federal courthouse in Manhattan, where he can collaborate with his legal team on his defense. The lawyers also asked for permission for SBF to use an internet-enabled computer at the courthouse, stating that this is necessary for him to fully prepare his defense in time for the upcoming trial in October.

The lawyers have emphasized the urgency of their request, citing the “extraordinary voluminous discovery and trial proximity,” and urging the court to grant their request as time is running out.

Earlier, SBF’s lawyers had expressed dissatisfaction with the facilities at his current jail, including the lack of internet access. However, the prosecutors have offered to provide all the necessary case documents on hard drives for SBF to review while he is incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

There were discussions about transferring SBF to another detention facility with internet services, but the prison officials have disagreed with this proposition.

This request for jail leave comes shortly after SBF’s bail was revoked due to allegations of witness tampering.

Prosecutors Demand Documents on SBF’s Planned Defense

On the other hand, the prosecution team has expressed their dissatisfaction with SBF’s delay in providing the documents related to his intended defense. SBF has claimed that his actions were guided by legal counsel and intends to rely on this defense strategy.

In response, federal prosecutors have requested that SBF disclose the source of the advice he received to justify his defense strategy. Failure to comply with this request may result in the prosecution seeking to preclude SBF from introducing an “advice-of-counsel” defense at his trial.

SBF is expected to face trial for fraud and related charges in October. Additionally, he will face another criminal trial by March of next year. The disgraced founder has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.