Bankman-Fried's Retrial Bid Rejected: Federal Prosecutors Cite Ryan Salame and Campaign Finance Evidence

Sam Bankman-Fried’s attempt to overturn his 2023 conviction has encountered a significant setback. Federal prosecutors filed a comprehensive response on Wednesday opposing the FTX founder’s application for a new trial, arguing that his conviction was fundamentally sound and his claims lack merit.

The Witness Testimony Argument Collapses

Bankman-Fried’s February motion, filed by his mother while he represents himself from prison, centered on the potential significance of two former FTX executives: Daniel Chapsky and Ryan Salame. The defense contended that these individuals’ post-trial statements could have altered the trial’s outcome. However, prosecutors dismantled this argument systematically. They noted that both Chapsky and Salame were fully known to the defense team prior to trial and could have been called as witnesses at that time. According to the prosecution’s filing, “the defense’s decision not to include these witnesses on their trial list forecloses any legitimate claim that their subsequent views constitute newly discovered evidence.”

Ryan Salame, in particular, had access to critical information throughout the discovery process, making the timing of his delayed involvement a critical vulnerability in the defense’s argument. Prosecutors emphasized that this represents a procedural failure rather than grounds for judicial intervention.

The Political Targeting Claim Crumbles

Another central pillar of Bankman-Fried’s motion involved allegations that his prosecution exemplified weaponization by the Biden-era Department of Justice. Prosecutors responded with sharp criticism, describing the argument as both “incoherent” and “fanciful.” They highlighted a crucial contradiction: Bankman-Fried was among the largest Democratic party donors in both 2020 and 2022. More significantly, his criminal charges related directly to campaign finance violations tied to those very contributions—a fact that undermines any credible claim of selective political prosecution.

Where the Case Now Stands

Bankman-Fried continues to serve his 25-year sentence at a federal correctional facility in California. A separate appeal before the Second Circuit remains pending, though preliminary indications from November’s oral arguments suggested judicial skepticism toward his position. Judge Lewis Kaplan has not yet issued a ruling on the new trial motion, and the outcome will likely determine the procedural path forward.

Meanwhile, Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Fried’s former girlfriend who served as a key prosecution witness, was released after 440 days in custody. White House officials have also explicitly ruled out a presidential pardon. The case, formally designated as US v. Bankman-Fried, 22-cr-00673 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, continues to unfold with multiple legal proceedings still in motion.