Judge’s Worries Unfold

In a riveting courtroom saga that feels like it stepped out of a legal thriller, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan expressed serious doubts about the sufficiency of the proposed bail conditions for the notorious former FTX founder, Sam Bankman-Fried. This drama unfolded during a March 10 hearing that had onlookers glued to the edge of their seats.

Proposed Restrictions

The judge’s initial proposal was quite the doozy: Bankman-Fried would be banned from using modern communication devices. We’re talking no smartphones, no tablets, no computers, and forget about video game consoles – you know, those weird devices that let you chat with friends while getting your game on. Instead, Kaplan suggested our crypto kingpin might get to cozy up with a flip phone—yes, those relics from pre-smartphone times—with either no internet or a disabled internet feature. Talk about going back in time!

Kaplan’s Skepticism

Judge Kaplan’s skepticism didn’t stop there. During the latest hearing, he pointed out that Bankman-Fried’s creative knack could allow him to sidestep the proposed restrictions. In his own words, “He could find a way around it and conceivably not get caught.” One has to admire the judge’s foresight, as he seems to understand that where there’s a will (and a tech-savvy accused), there’s almost always a way.

Legal Tug-of-War

In a twist of legal theatrics worthy of a courtroom drama, Bankman-Fried’s lawyer, Christian Everdell, assured everyone that he’d join forces with prosecutors to craft a new plan. This indicates that the battle may soon vanish behind a pile of legal paperwork. They say negotiations are where the real action happens, and it sounds like this team is preparing for a back-and-forth worthy of a heavyweight boxing match.

The Bigger Picture: Ongoing Legal Turmoil

As Bankman-Fried awaits his scheduled trial set for October 2, he is under intense scrutiny for allegedly pilfering billions from FTX customers and making dubious political donations. His $250 million bail has been caught in a whirlwind of controversy since allegations emerged about him contacting potential witnesses. Just to add a cherry on top of this saga, he was temporarily barred from using a VPN after it came to light that he utilized it twice earlier this year. As three of his closest associates entered guilty pleas and are now siding with prosecutors, the deck of cards seems to be slowly collapsing towards a dramatic revelation.