Parents of Disgraced FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Want Donald Trump to Pardon Their Son
Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, parents of Sam Bankman-Fried, are reportedly seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump for their son, who is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy. Their engagement with Trump's inner circle signals their intent to discuss potential clemency amidst Bankman-Fried's conviction for orchestrating a financial scheme involving the misuse of billions in customer funds through the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX. This endeavor comes after FTX's collapse in November 2022, triggered by revelations of Alameda Research's financial instability and subsequent backdoor operations that raided customer assets. While Bankman-Fried argues that his punishment is excessively harsh and that most FTX customers have regained their losses, he faces significant public disfavor compared to others who have received pardons, like Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht. The outcome of the parents' appeal and whether it leads to direct discussions with the White House remains uncertain.
Source 🔗