Judge Denies Sam Bankman-Fried's New Trial Request, Calls Effort a Waste of Court Resources

A federal judge has dismissed Sam Bankman-Fried’s motion for a new trial, labeling the effort a waste of court resources and accusing the disgraced FTX founder of advancing frivolous conspiracy theories.

In a written order, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan denied Bankman-Fried’s request, calling it a last-ditch attempt to rebrand his image in a manner inconsistent with the facts of his case.

The judge’s decision comes after Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2024 for orchestrating one of the largest financial frauds in American history. Kaplan’s order confirms that Bankman-Fried was convicted on all charges, including:

• Wire fraud
• Conspiracy to commit securities fraud
• Commodities fraud
• Money laundering

Bankman-Fried’s legal team had argued for a new trial, claiming the existence of “newly discovered” witnesses and evidence that could have aided his defense. However, the judge dismissed these assertions, stating that the claims lacked merit and appeared to be an attempt to delay or obstruct justice.

In his motion, Bankman-Fried also requested that Judge Kaplan recuse himself from the case, a request the judge denied outright.

Notably, the judge pointed out that an appeal is already pending in another court, suggesting that Bankman-Fried’s latest legal maneuver was unnecessary and redundant.

The disgraced FTX founder’s claims included allegations that the Biden administration’s Department of Justice had intimidated witnesses into refusing to testify or, in one instance, lying on the stand. The judge, however, found no evidence to support these assertions.