In a significant legal development, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is set to go on trial in October. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has expressed concerns about potential witness intimidation and has sought to detain him before the trial begins.
The DOJ filing said, “The defendant’s leaking of Ellison’s private writings is yet another instance of the defendant trying to intimidate and corruptly persuade Ellison with respect to her upcoming trial testimony, as well as an effort to influence or prevent the testimony of other potential trial witnesses by creating the specter that their most intimate business is at risk of being reported in the press.”
As the trial date approaches, both the prosecution and defense are preparing formal documents to address the DOJ’s concerns. The court aims to ensure a fair trial and protect witness integrity.
According to DOJ statement, “What the defendant may not do, and what he has now done repeatedly, is seek to corruptly influence witnesses and interfere with a fair trial through attempted public harassment and shaming”
The trial, scheduled for October 2, 2023, will be closely watched by many, given Bankman-Fried’s prominence in the business world. It represents an essential step towards justice and a fair resolution to the legal issues at hand.
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