Sam Bankman-Fried Sent to Jail for Witness Tampering: Report

Sam Bankman-Fried was reportedly sent to jail on Friday as US Judge Lewis Kaplan denied his lawyers’ request to delay detention.

The former crypto mogul’s court date is set for October 2nd, and he could sit in a jail cell until then if the appeal is unsuccessful.

• CryptoPotato reported last month the allegations presented by the New York Times that SBF had tried to intimidate one of the key witnesses in his legal battle against US authorities – the former leader of Alameda Research – Caroline Ellison.
• Prosecutors were quick to request Bankman-Fried’s detention, claiming he could not be trusted while residing in his parents’ home.
• Expectedly, his lawyers refuted the allegations, indicating that he didn’t try to intervene or intimidate anyone, especially his former girlfriend.
• According to more recent reports, though, the attorneys’ requests for delayed detention were denied by Judge Lewis Kaplan.

“My conclusion is there is probable cause to believe the defendant tried to tamper with witnesses at least twice,” reportedly said the Judge.

• Interestingly, SBF will most likely be sent to a jail in Putnam, New York, and will have access to a laptop with an internet connection to prepare for his defense. The other option was sending him to Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, where internet access is limited for prisoners.
• SBF’s court date over his alleged involvement in defrauding investors and the massive crash of his former crypto empire is set to begin on October 2nd. He could spend the next almost two months in jail unless his lawyer’s appeal to revert Judge Kaplan’s ruling is successful.