Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the now-defunct crypto exchange FTX, who is currently in custody, has been granted access to a laptop to review crucial discovery materials, according to a recent statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. This development comes as Bankman-Fried prepares for his trial scheduled for early October.
In a letter submitted to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, the Department of Justice outlined the terms of Bankman-Fried’s laptop access while detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC). Bankman-Fried can utilize an air-gapped laptop in the MDC’s legal visiting room from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
The letter, dated August 30, disclosed that the defendant’s access to electronic discovery materials began with an air-gapped laptop on August 31. Initially, there were no reported issues with the laptop’s functionality, but subsequent days saw reduced review time due to operational constraints.
Furthermore, the MDC has approved using a second air-gapped laptop, though its acquisition depends on the defendant’s decision to purchase it. The defendant also possesses three Etched Hard Drives, provided promptly, ensuring minimal discovery delays.
In addition to the procedures involving Etched Hard Drives, FTX’s Bankman-Fried’s legal team can bring their own Counsel Hard Drives during visits, enabling them to upload and download materials from the defendant’s air-gapped computer without MDC staff involvement.
FTX’s SBF: Ongoing Request for Temporary Release
However, the request for temporary release has been a recurring theme in Bankman-Fried’s legal battle. His attorneys continue to advocate for his temporary release, citing concerns about the reliability of internet access and laptop battery life at the 500 Pearl Street cell block, where he can access the internet-enabled laptop.
Bankman-Fried’s attorneys argue that previous attempts at work in the cell block were hindered by unreliable internet connectivity and inadequate battery life.
Nevertheless, the courtroom drama surrounding FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried’s access to essential resources remains an evolving narrative, with legal teams on both sides fiercely debating the conditions of his detainment and access to discovery materials.
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