Bankman-Fried's Legal Team Challenges Proposed 50-Year Sentence
Bankman-Fried's lawyers reiterated their request for a shorter sentence, proposing a range of 63 to 78 months, which they argued would be more appropriate given the circumstances.
Lawyers representing Sam "SBF" Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, have vehemently opposed the proposed maximum sentence of 50 years in prison for their client. They argue that such a sentence portrays him as a "depraved super-villain" and is unjust given the circumstances of his case.
The response comes after United States prosecutors filed additional documents proposing a 40-to-50-year sentence for Bankman-Fried, who was convicted of fraud and money laundering charges in November 2023.
In a letter to Judge Lewis Kaplan, Bankman-Fried's lawyers criticized the prosecution's sentencing proposal, describing it as adopting a "medieval view of punishment" and likening it to a "death-in-prison sentencing recommendation."
The defense team highlighted Bankman-Fried's lack of criminal history and the absence of signs of recidivism, noting his education and professional background. They also asserted that FTX's bankruptcy proceedings would ensure that any assets lost in the exchange's collapse would be restored, a point they claimed the government downplayed to vilify Bankman-Fried.
Bankman-Fried's lawyers reiterated their request for a shorter sentence, proposing a range of 63 to 78 months, which they argued would be more appropriate given the circumstances. They emphasized the disproportionate nature of the proposed 40 to 50-year sentence for a non-violent offense and expressed concerns about the impact such a lengthy imprisonment could have on Bankman-Fried's well-being.
The contentious nature of the sentencing process and Bankman-Fried's efforts to mitigate the severity of the punishment proposed by the prosecution. The final decision rests with Judge Kaplan, who will consider both sides before sentencing.
