With the FTX case just days away, Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyers continue to make their moves. According to the legal team, they have requested permission from the court to investigate the $200 million loans mentioned in the case, which were provided by Alameda. The team argues that FTX lawyers should also be included and is awaiting the court’s decision.
SBF’s Last Efforts
On October 1, a court ruling was issued regarding SBF’s restructuring and approval decisions in the credit agreements between Alameda and FTX. According to the ruling, the sharing of the alleged crime among FTX lawyers was temporarily prohibited.
Following this decision, Judge Lewis Kaplan accepted the request from government representatives and ruled that SBF’s legal team must obtain permission from the court to mention any situation regarding FTX lawyers during the trial.
Gary Wang, the former co-founder of FTX, was interrogated by the prosecution on October 9 in relation to the case. Following this, FTX lawyers also requested permission to investigate Wang. This was due to the allegation that Wang was involved in the provision and restructuring of loans provided to the exchange by Alameda.
In a letter sent to the authorities on October 9, it is alleged that Wang borrowed money from Alameda for FTX’s venture investments, but a series of loans totaling up to $300 million were used for personal expenses. It was also stated that Wang used this fund to purchase a house in the Bahamas.
Lawyers Respond to Wang’s Allegations
During his interrogation by the prosecution, Wang revealed that Bankman-Fried or FTX lawyers had offered him credit. He also stated that he was directed for credit approval after these offers. SBF’s lawyers stated in their statement that the prosecution had already identified the alleged incidents involving FTX lawyers and that they would draw up a plan accordingly.
SBF’s legal team drew attention to the defense they prepared. According to their statement, Wang had previously stated in his prosecution interrogations that he did not suspect that FTX lawyers would force him into illegal agreements that would put him in a difficult situation. SBF’s lawyers commented on this situation as follows:
“It is about Mr. Wang understanding that these are genuine loans, documented with official instruments structured and bearing real interest payment obligations by lawyers, and refuting the inference that these are fake loans directed by Mr. Bankman-Fried to conceal the source of funds.”
