Sam Bankman-Fried Withdraws New Trial Bid, Claims Judicial Bias
Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) has officially withdrawn his motion for a new trial. In a recent letter to the U.S. District Court, he expressed concerns that he would not receive a “fair hearing” under the current presiding judge, Lewis Kaplan.
The Withdrawal of the Rule 33 Motion
Bankman-Fried’s decision to pull the Rule 33 Motion—a legal request for a new trial—comes after intense scrutiny regarding its origin. Judge Kaplan had previously questioned whether SBF’s attorneys were secretly involved in drafting the document.
In his response, SBF clarified the following:
- Self-Authored: He claimed to have “conceived” and researched the motion himself while in prison.
- Family Support: His parents, Barbara Fried and Joseph Bankman, assisted with editorial suggestions and printing.
No Lawyer Involvement: He stated he did not consult his official legal team on the specific draft.
Allegations of Unfairness
The withdrawal was submitted “without prejudice,” meaning SBF reserves the right to refile the motion later. He cited a lack of confidence in Judge Kaplan’s impartiality as the primary reason for stepping back now. He plans to wait until his direct appeal and request for a new judge are decided by higher courts.
Case Background: A Decades-Long Sentence
Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence. His conviction in late 2023 involved seven counts of wire fraud and conspiracy, described by prosecutors as one of the largest financial frauds in American history.
