Countdown to Verdict
The courtroom drama surrounding Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, is reaching a boiling point. On November 2, the government laid out its rebuttal, responding to defense claims during the closing arguments the day before. With a jury of twelve soon to receive their instructions in the Southern District Court of Manhattan, excitement—accompanied by pizza (yes, pizza!) for the jurors—fills the air.
The Prosecution’s Case
U.S. Assistant Attorney Danielle Sassoon stepped up to the plate claiming that they had convincingly shown Bankman-Fried’s guilt in seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. She painted a vivid picture of deceit, asserting that he misled everyone from customers to the media about the safety of their assets at FTX. His social media presence did little to reinforce trust, as tweets from before the grand collapse suggested all was well, when in reality, funds were going to Alameda Research like candy to a kid in a candy store.
Tweets and Truths
Sassoon highlighted Bankman-Fried’s public statements, which she argued created a facade of safety around the assets. It turns out those claims of segregated accounts were about as real as unicorns at a petting zoo. The jury was reminded of how Bankman-Fried’s words were seemingly crafted to trick customers into complacency, as he sought to maintain an image of reliability while his empire crumbled.
Backlash Against the Defense
Responding to the defense’s portrayal of Bankman-Fried as a clueless figure, Sassoon described that argument as “absurd.” She emphasized that evidence indicated a different narrative: one where Bankman-Fried actively mismanaged funds, treating customer assets as his personal piggy bank. If the defense thought they were painting a tragic picture, Sassoon indicated they were actually just blowing smoke.
The Inner Circle’s Testimony
The courtroom is bursting with testimony from Bankman-Fried’s former confidants—Caroline Ellison, Gary Wang, and Nishad Singh—who decided to sing like canaries for the prosecution. While the defense tried to argue that this cooperation was just a product of stringent pressure from federal prosecutors, Sassoon refuted these claims fiercely, saying, “They were acting at the defendant’s direction.” The defense’s desperation was palpable, and Sassoon wasn’t shy about calling it out.
What’s Next?
As the trial embarks on its final leg, one can’t help but wonder about the fate of the man who once aimed high enough to consider a presidential run. With evidence stacked against him, the spotlight now turns to the jury, who will soon be deliberating the fate of Sam Bankman-Fried. Keep your pizza close and your verdict closer—we’re in for a real courtroom showdown!
