Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried’s Meetings Revealed in Testimony
According to Richard Busick, an FBI special agent, Sam Bankman-Fried had a busy schedule filled with meetings with influential individuals in September 2022, just before the collapse of the FTX exchange. This information was revealed during Busick’s testimony as a witness in Bankman-Fried’s criminal case.
Busick, who was tasked with locating Bankman-Fried’s mobile phone using cell tower data between June 2021 and November 2022, presented emails and phone records that detailed Bankman-Fried’s activities in September. These records showed multiple meetings with high-ranking officials and influential individuals, providing insight into his extensive network and potential involvement in fraudulent activities.
Meeting With Bill Clinton
One of the notable meetings mentioned in the emails was Bankman-Fried’s meeting with former President Bill Clinton at a Hilton hotel in New York City on September 20. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Kudla confirmed this information during her testimony in court.
Prior to meeting with Clinton, Bankman-Fried also had a meeting with New York Governor Kathy Hochul on September 16, although the exact location is yet to be confirmed by Hochul’s office.
Meeting With Arab Politicians & Eric Adams
The emails and cell phone records obtained by the Department of Justice revealed that Bankman-Fried met with Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Arabia’s minister of investments, and Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, head of Saudi Aramco, over the following two days.
In addition to these meetings, Bankman-Fried also met with New York City Mayor Eric Adams on March 3, 2022. The details and purpose of these meetings have not been disclosed publicly.
Bankman-Fried’s Political Influence
Nishad Singh, the former head of engineering at FTX, recently described Bankman-Fried’s efforts to influence political donations. This aspect of his behavior was also highlighted in Michael Lewis’ novel, “Going Infinite.”
In November 2022, FTX faced liquidity and withdrawal issues, eventually leading to bankruptcy. Bankman-Fried was detained in the Bahamas and later charged with fraud by a U.S. grand jury in December. Co-founders Gary Wang and Caroline Ellison, as well as Nishad Singh, have all admitted guilt to various fraud charges and testified as witnesses for the prosecution in Bankman-Fried’s ongoing trial.
Hot Take: Bankman-Fried’s Alleged Political and Pecuniary Power
The testimony of Richard Busick sheds light on Sam Bankman-Fried’s extensive political and pecuniary power as revealed through his meetings with influential individuals. The emails and phone records recovered by the Department of Justice provide evidence of Bankman-Fried’s involvement in various activities and communication with known associates.
This testimony further strengthens the case against Bankman-Fried, who is facing charges of fraud. With high-profile meetings with figures such as Bill Clinton and Arab politicians, it becomes increasingly apparent that Bankman-Fried’s actions went beyond the scope of legitimate business dealings.
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