The parents of Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the FTX platform sentenced to 25 years for fraud, are considering seeking a pardon from Donald Trump.
Pardon and Trump's Role
According to Bloomberg, Bankman-Fried's parents are consulting lawyers and individuals in Trump's circle to explore a pardon possibility. Donald Trump previously pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road online platform, which gained support within libertarian circles.
Appeal and Defense Arguments
Bankman-Fried is also appealing his sentence, arguing that it is excessively harsh, especially since most FTX customers have managed to recover their funds. His legal team is pursuing clemency by leveraging Trump's record of such actions, often without formal Justice Department appeals.
Steps Towards a Pardon
Sources indicate that at least one former FTX executive, Ryan Salame, is also considering seeking a pardon. While Trump's administration has shown openness in controversial cases, no official outreach to the White House regarding Bankman-Fried's case has been made yet.
The efforts to gain a pardon for Sam Bankman-Fried highlight changes in the approach to white-collar crime cases. If successful, it could signify a significant shift in law enforcement practices.
