In a significant new legal development, former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has formally requested a new trial in federal court, aiming to challenge his 2023 conviction for fraud. This strategic move, separate from his ongoing formal appeal, seeks to introduce previously unavailable evidence that his legal team believes could fundamentally undermine the prosecution's case which led to his 25-year prison sentence.
Grounds for a New Trial
Bankman-Fried's motion, filed on February 5th in a Manhattan federal court, centers on the potential testimony of former FTX executives Daniel Chapsky and Ryan Salame. He argues that their insights could contradict the prosecution's narrative regarding FTX's financial health prior to its collapse in November 2022. Neither executive testified during the original trial. Motions for a new trial face a notoriously high legal bar, rarely being granted, making this a bold gambit in his multi-front battle against his conviction.
Allegations of Judicial Bias
Beyond the new witness testimony, Bankman-Fried's filing also seeks a review of his case by a different judge. His legal team contends that trial judge Lewis Kaplan demonstrated "manifest prejudice" during the proceedings, preventing the defense from adequately informing jurors about the availability of sufficient funds to reimburse investors. This claim echoes arguments made in his earlier appeal, highlighting a consistent strategy to contest both the evidence presented and the judicial process itself as he continues to maintain his innocence.
