Former FTX CEO Sam pleads not guilty to arraignment

First trial date set

Former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, has pleaded not guilty to eight criminal charges, including fraud. reported by foreign media.

Bankman-Fried has been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for fraud, money laundering and illegal campaign financing in connection with the FTX Group bankruptcy. After the arraignment, it was decided that the trial will start on October 2nd.

Bankman-Fried appears in New York federal court on Thursday. It was known last month that the arraignment would be held on this day.

association: Former CEO of FTX Sam, to arraignment on January 3 about eight indictments

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty this time, and it will be revealed at the trial, which starts in October, whether there was any intent to commit fraud. If convicted on all eight charges, he could face up to 115 years in prison, though some say the maximum sentences for each charge do not stack.

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Meanwhile, FTX co-founder Gary Wang and Caroline Ellison, former CEO of sister company Alameda Research, pleaded guilty last month to criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud against FTX customers. Both are said to be cooperating with the prosecution.

association: Alameda’s former CEO Ellison and others admit criminal responsibility

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New progress in the trial

Bankman-Fried’s attorneys filed a petition on Monday to keep the names of the two new guarantors who signed the bail. The defendant’s parents, who had signed bail, were threatened and tried not to take similar risks. The judge has granted this motion.

Federal prosecutors also filed motions to prevent Bankman-Fried from accessing the assets of FTX and Alameda Research while he was out on bail. The judge also granted this motion.