The US government has responded firmly to former FTX executive Ryan Salame’s efforts to overturn his guilty plea. Salame asserts that he was misled by prosecutors who allegedly promised to halt their investigation into his partner, Michelle Bond.
Government Denies Allegations
In a recent court filing, the US Attorney’s Office dismissed Salame’s claims as “demonstrably false,” stressing that the ongoing investigation into Bond is separate from the charges against Salame.
Salame, who received a 90-month prison sentence earlier this year for campaign finance violations and running an unlicensed money-transmitting business, filed a petition on August 21. In this petition, he seeks to either dismiss Bond’s indictment or overturn his conviction. He argues that prosecutors suggested during plea negotiations that they would not pursue Bond further if he admitted guilt.
Government’s Opposition
The government, in a letter dated August 26 to Judges George B. Daniels and Lewis A. Kaplan of the Southern District of New York, opposed Salame’s petition. They maintain that the charges against Bond, revealed on August 22, include additional allegations distinct from Salame’s case. Bond faces accusations of illegal campaign contributions during her 2022 congressional campaign, a case now known as the “Bond Case.”
Salame’s legal team has filed a writ of “error coram nobis,” claiming that his guilty plea was based on false representations by the government. They argue that he was led to believe Bond’s investigation would be dropped if he pleaded guilty. The government, however, disputes this claim, asserting that the charges against Salame and Bond address different aspects of the alleged criminal conduct.
Potential for Reassessment
Salame’s petition could result in a reassessment of his plea agreement, which required him to pay $6 million in penalties and another $6 million to FTX debtors. Should the court rule in Salame’s favor, he might face a full criminal trial, potentially altering the course of his legal situation.
This legal battle unfolds as Salame prepares to begin his prison sentence on October 13, following a brief delay due to medical issues. The government remains committed to continuing its investigation into Bond, regardless of Salame’s previous plea agreement.
The court is scheduled to hear Salame’s petition on September 12 before Judge Kaplan. The decision could significantly impact both Salame’s conviction and Bond’s ongoing prosecution.
The post US government disputes ex-FTX exec Ryan Salame’s bid to undo guilty plea appeared first on CryptoSlate.
