In a current letter addressed to Choose Lewis Kaplan, legal professionals representing FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried outlined their protection technique, emphasizing the significance of the “counsel recommendation” method.
The letter, dated August 23, 2023, responded to the court docket’s order directing the protection to deal with the federal government’s request for extra disclosures associated to the proposed advice-of-counsel protection.
FTX Founder’s Authorized Staff Obstructed In Acquiring Key Information?
Bankman-Fried’s authorized crew firmly said that the federal government shouldn’t be “entitled” to additional data concerning the precise particulars and scope of the proposed protection, nor the proof regarding Bankman-Fried’s reliance on counsel.
Citing authorized precedent, the protection argued that the federal government’s request for such data exceeded its authority beneath well-known guidelines and established case regulation.
Moreover, the protection highlighted their earlier try to get hold of information from Fenwick & West LLP, exterior counsel for FTX and Alameda, which had been “related” to the conduct alleged within the indictment.
The applying to compel the federal government to supply these information was denied by the court docket, leaving the protection unable to acquire precious proof reflecting Fenwick’s authorized recommendation.
Bankman-Fried’s legal professionals expressed their frustration on the authorities’s subsequent request for particular paperwork, contemplating the federal government’s function in hindering their entry to the exact same paperwork.
Regardless of the challenges, the protection intends to current proof demonstrating Bankman-Fried’s consciousness of Fenwick legal professionals and in-house counsel, together with people like Dan Friedberg, Can Solar, and Ryne Miller, who had been concerned in reviewing and approving selections associated to the issues at hand.
The protection argued that such proof is related to establishing Bankman-Fried’s good religion and rebutting the federal government’s declare of prison intent to defraud.
Reliance On Counsel As Proof Of ‘Good Religion’
Authorized specialists cited the case of Howard v. Securities and Trade Fee (SEC), the place reliance on counsel was thought of proof of “good religion” quite than a proper protection.
The FTX founder protection drew parallels to this case, emphasizing the significance of Bankman-Fried’s consciousness of counsel involvement in issues associated to the costs towards him.
Whereas the checklist offered within the letter was not exhaustive, the protection indicated its intent to elicit related proof primarily based on the federal government’s disclosures and the proof offered at trial.
They asserted that these extra disclosures had been adequate to place the federal government on discover of the character and scope of the reliance proof they supposed to current.
Bankman-Fried’s authorized crew has strategically revealed their protection technique in response to the court docket’s order and the federal government’s request for extra disclosures. Because the trial unfolds, the courtroom will witness the protection’s efforts to emphasise Bankman-Fried’s reliance on counsel and problem the federal government’s allegations of prison intent.
FTX Founder Bankman-Fried is confronted with 12 prison counts, the costs of which can be divided between two separate trials. The primary trial is slated to start in October 2023, whereas the second trial is scheduled for March 2024.
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