Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried finds himself in an unexpected predicament, spending his third night alongside over 1,500 inmates within the confines of New York’s infamous jail.
This stark contrast emerges from his earlier life in a luxurious California home owned by his parents, valued in the millions and boasting five bedrooms.
The abrupt change in his circumstances transpired following a bail revocation during an August 11th court hearing, presided over by Judge Lewis Kaplan.
The Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, the facility where he now resides, was labeled by the judge as far from a luxury establishment.
Built to accommodate a maximum of 1,000 inmates, the MDC currently holds more than 1,500 individuals under federal custody.
Bankman-Fried anticipates an extended stay, at least two months, while awaiting his impending criminal trial. Nonetheless, his legal team has swiftly lodged an appeal in a bid to overturn this bail revocation.
Regrettably for Bankman-Fried, the detention center has a history marred by scandal, encompassing instances of inmate mistreatment and corruption.
In 2019, former warden Cameron Lindsay referred to the MDC as one of the most problematic facilities under the Bureau of Prisons’ jurisdiction.
Recent incidents have fueled this perception.
A guard faced charges in April for accepting bribes to facilitate the smuggling of contraband such as phones, cigarettes, and drugs.
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In a chilling winter of 2019, the facility suffered a week-long power outage, subjecting inmates to freezing conditions.
Reports from The Intercept painted a grim picture, illustrating inmates resorting to banging on cell windows to gain attention from onlookers.
Those protesting non-violently against dire conditions faced repercussions like pepper spray, solitary confinement, and even closure of their toilets.
The Brooklyn MDC has housed several high-profile individuals in the past, including artists like 6ix9ine, R. Kelly, and Fetty Wap.
Martin Shkreli, known as “pharma bro,” and Ghislaine Maxwell, an accomplice in Jeffery Epstein’s sex trafficking, also spent time within its walls.
Until recently, Bankman-Fried enjoyed bail, residing in a luxurious $4 million Palo Alto, California home with numerous amenities, including a pool.
The bail’s revocation stemmed from a leak of a diary belonging to former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison.
The diary contained her sentiments towards Bankman-Fried and her role in the company. Prosecutors alleged that Bankman-Fried leaked the diary to undermine Ellison’s credibility as a witness and to intimidate her.
In response, his legal team countered the claims, asserting his right to engage with reporters and comment on an ongoing article. An appeal to reverse the bail revocation has been initiated.
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