Former FTX CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, known as “SBF,” is seeking to have documents related to his interviews with a New York Times reporter concerning his relationship with Caroline Ellison kept confidential.
Bankman-Fried’s legal representatives filed a request on July 27 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to seal these documents, citing the necessity to prevent their public dissemination.
The court and Department of Justice have already received the documents that Bankman-Fried shared with the reporter, leading to personal details from Ellison’s private journals being revealed.
Prosecutors in the case are now urging the court to revoke SBF’s $250-million bail, alleging that he used his freedom to intimidate Ellison, his former romantic partner and colleague, who is expected to testify against him.
However, Inner City Press, a news outlet, has expressed opposition to the request for sealing the documents, arguing that since the information has already been disclosed to one media outlet, it should not be kept from the public, likening it to undermining the principles of transparency.
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The information published in the NYT story from Ellison’s journals included her feelings of being overwhelmed by her position at Alameda Research and her breakup with Bankman-Fried.
If the request to seal the documents is denied, it remains uncertain what other details about the individuals might come to light.
Currently, SBF is subject to a temporary gag order issued on July 26, which substantially restricts him from making any extrajudicial statements concerning his criminal case until the arguments on bail are resolved.
The prosecutor’s arguments on bail conditions are scheduled for July 28, while Bankman-Fried’s legal team will present theirs on August 3.
Depending on the court’s decision, SBF could face detention until his trial in October.
Regarding the charges, prosecutors informed Judge Kaplan on July 27 that they plan to drop the campaign finance violation charge against SBF due to an extradition agreement with the Bahamas.
Nonetheless, the former FTX CEO still faces 12 criminal counts, and his trials are scheduled for October 2023 and March 2024, respectively.
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