Court Turns Down Bankman-Fried's Request for Sentencing Extension

By: Isha Das

Former FTX CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried's request for a four- to six-week extension for his sentencing initially scheduled in late March has been rejected. This refusal finds its basis in a recent court filing dated 20th December. Bankman-Fried's legal council cited another potential trial slated earlier in March as a reason for this request.

Furthermore, the defense team argued that the sentencing process ought to commence only after settling the other charges excluded from Bankman-Fried's previous trial. These charges partially encase foreign bribery and campaign finance violations, due to be addressed in a separate trial marked on the calendar for 11th March 2024.

Judge Lewis Kaplan's denial mentioned that Bankman-Fried had had ample time to compile necessary materials for the sentencing submission and prepare for the impending pre-sentencing interview, set for 21st December. The judge also brought to light that the existing sentencing date was established without any objections from the defendant.

Previously convicted in November on all counts related to fraud and other crimes at FTX and its affiliate firm, Alameda Research, Bankman-Fried faces a maximum sentence of 110 years. Many legal pundits, however, reckon he will receive a notably shorter sentence, with estimates suggesting under 25 years of confinement.