Sam Bankman-Fried appeals conviction, criticizes judge’s ‘unbalanced’ decisions

Lawyers representing Sam Bankman-Fried, the FTX CEO and co-founder who was convicted of fraud and money laundering late last year, are seeking a new trial.

Following crypto exchange FTX’s collapse, Bankman-Fried was found guilty on all seven counts, then sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay $11 billion in forfeiture. He has been serving his sentence in Brooklyn.

Bloomberg reports that Bankman-Fried’s appeal focuses on the behavior of US District Judge Lewis Kaplan, alleging that Kaplan’s rulings were “not just erroneous but unbalanced” and that the judge “continually ridiculed Bankman-Fried during trial, repeatedly criticized his demeanor, and signaled his disbelief of Bankman-Fried’s testimony.”

The appeal also claims that Kaplan “repeatedly mocked defense counsel” while helping the government make its case, and that he “improperly prodded” jurors to reach a quick verdict.

Bankman-Fried’s lawyers are seeking a new trial under a new judge. The U.S. attorney’s office that prosecuted the case said it does not plan to comment on the filing.