- The Former FTX Chief has formally sought a presidential pardon from Donald Trump while continuing to appeal his fraud conviction and prison sentence.
- The pardon application follows the failure of a separate legal attempt to secure a new trial based on additional witness testimony.
- Despite publicly aligning himself with several Trump positions in recent months, Trump has previously said he does not intend to grant clemency.
Sam Bankman-Fried has officially submitted a request for a presidential pardon from US President Donald Trump while simultaneously pursuing legal avenues to overturn his conviction arising from the collapse of FTX. The application is listed by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon Attorney as a pending clemency request.
The former FTX founder was convicted in 2023 over what prosecutors described as a major fraud scheme connected to FTX and Alameda Research. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty on charges that included fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.
The clemency application follows an unsuccessful attempt to obtain a new trial. In court filings, Bankman-Fried argued that additional witness testimony could cast doubt on aspects of the government’s case. The request was ultimately rejected, although his appeal against the conviction remains active.
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Trump Support Part of Broader Strategy
At the same time, Bankman-Fried has increasingly made statements that align with Trump’s views and policies. According to reports, he has commented favourably on economic indicators during Trump’s presidency and voiced support for certain decisions made by the administration, including changes affecting cryptocurrency regulation.
Bankman-Fried has publicly acknowledged his interest in receiving clemency. In a recent interview with Fox Business, he said he would “absolutely” want a pardon, while noting that any decision would rest with the president. He did not say whether family members or associates had discussed the matter with the administration.
Despite the application, Trump previously stated in a January interview that he did not plan to pardon Bankman-Fried.
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