原文标题：Sam Bankman-Fried appeals, alleges judicial bias in FTX case: ‘thumb on scale for prosecution’
Original author: Kyle Baird
Original source: https://www.dlnews.com
Compiled by: Mars Finance, Daisy
Sam Bankman-Fried files appeal, alleging judicial bias in FTX case: “The balance tilts towards prosecutors”
Bankman-Fried’s appeal alleges bias in his fraud conviction. He claims FTX’s law firm acted as an aide to the prosecution. Carolyn Allison’s upcoming sentencing could be affected.
Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange, has appealed his fraud conviction, accusing the judge of bias and claiming the courts have consistently favored federal prosecutors. The appeal alleges that the ruling was unfair, aided prosecutors and prevented Bankman-Fried from mounting an adequate defense.
The appeal also claims that Sullivan & Cromwell, the law firm representing FTX, acted as an aide to the prosecution.
The law firm was accused of providing evidence and investigative support while concealing materials that could have helped Bankman-Fried, and nonetheless charged FTX hundreds of millions of dollars in fees. Bankman-Fried's defense team argued that the court's refusal to order FTX to conduct discovery deprived him of his right to a fair trial. The appeal said the court's cooperation with prosecutors "subverted" justice and tipped the "scales in favor of prosecutors."
Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison, and he also claimed that the court's bias led the jury to presume guilt. The appeal document pointed out that FTX's creditors quickly portrayed Bankman-Fried as a "villain" to protect themselves and cooperate with prosecutors.
The appeal comes on the heels of last month’s ruling that ordered FTX and its affiliate Alameda Research to pay $12.7 billion to customers and victims of fraud due to misuse of funds and FTX’s collapse in 2022.
The outcome of Bankman-Fried’s appeal could have significant implications for other key figures in the FTX case, including Carolyn Allison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, who reached a plea agreement and cooperated with prosecutors and is due to be sentenced later this month.
Despite the serious charges, Alison’s legal team is seeking a sentence without a jail term, citing her cooperation and efforts to rebuild her life since FTX’s collapse.
