Title: Former Crypto Mogul Sam Bankman-Fried Fights for Lenient Sentence and Appeals Conviction
In a dramatic turn of events, former cryptocurrency billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried, convicted of fraud last year, has enlisted a new lawyer known for courtroom showmanship as he fights for a lenient sentence and appeals his conviction. A group of sympathetic law professors has rallied behind him, pushing for a reappraisal of his actions, while his parents have sought help from former employees of FTX, the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange he founded.
From his federal detention center in Brooklyn, the 31-year-old Mr. Bankman-Fried continues to strategize behind the scenes, aiming for a prison sentence of between five and a quarter and six and a half years. His legal team filed a memo arguing for this sentence, emphasizing his remorse and dedication to making customers whole after the collapse of FTX.
Despite facing a maximum sentence of 110 years, Mr. Bankman-Fried’s lawyers are working tirelessly to secure a more favorable outcome. His new lawyer, Marc Mukasey, known for his forceful courtroom presentations, is leading the charge, alongside a separate appellate lawyer at Shapiro Arato Bach.
Support from his parents, Stanford University law professors Joe Bankman and Barbara Fried, has been instrumental in gathering letters vouching for Mr. Bankman-Fried’s character. Former colleagues, including Natalie Tien, have also come forward to support him in the sentencing memo.
While federal prosecutors are expected to recommend a harsh sentence, Mr. Bankman-Fried’s legal team is pushing back against what they call a “barbaric” 100-year recommendation from a probation officer. The road ahead remains challenging, with the possibility of a decades-long sentence looming.
Despite the odds, Mr. Bankman-Fried remains steadfast in his innocence and determination to appeal. With a new legal team in place and a network of supporters advocating on his behalf, the former crypto mogul is gearing up for a fierce legal battle as he fights to overturn his conviction and secure a more favorable outcome.
