FTX’s Salame Hoped Dog Bite Would Delay Prison, But Tucker Carlson Derailed Effort

As a seasoned crypto investor with a knack for navigating the tumultuous waters of the digital currency market, I can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu when it comes to the latest developments surrounding Ryan Salame, the former FTX executive. It seems that karma has finally come knocking at his door, and this time, it’s not just in the form of a hefty prison sentence for violating U.S. election laws but also in the form of an overzealous German shepherd.

Ryan Salame, a former executive at FTX who was found guilty of breaking U.S. election laws by donating millions during the previous congressional elections, has been unsuccessful in his last-minute effort to postpone his imprisonment to receive treatment for a dog bite on his face.

Originally scheduled to begin a prison sentence exceeding seven years on August 29, Salame, known for his defiant stance against his prosecution, claimed he was bitten by a large German shepherd, causing the start date to be pushed back to October 11. Earlier this week, he asked for another delay in his sentence, citing the need for continued treatment due to the dog bite.

However, during his interview with Tucker Carlson, it appeared that the injury wasn’t noticeably affecting him – a detail observed by Judge Lewis Kaplan from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, who dismissed Salame’s appeal in court.

In court, it was argued that Salame stated he required “swift and essential medical care and surgery,” preventing his immediate imprisonment. However, the prosecution countered that he seemed to be in good health. During a court hearing last month, Salame responded to questions without any indications of drooling or speech impairment, according to the prosecutors. Moreover, they asserted that Salame’s interview with Carlson – a well-known conservative political commentator who has been associated with Fox News for a long time – showed Salame looking physically recovered and completely unimpaired.

The judge pointed out that Salame had previously received “exceptionally lenient delays in starting his prison sentence,” and expressed concern over the truthfulness of Salame’s statements.

As a crypto investor, I find myself reflecting on the unique stance taken by the previous head of an FTX affiliate. On LinkedIn, he has openly accepted his upcoming incarceration, acknowledging his new role as an inmate. He even showcases a prison image on his profile and dresses in playful prisoner garb on X.

Investigators are additionally targeting Michelle Bond, a well-known cryptocurrency supporter and Salame’s girlfriend, on suspicion of receiving unlawful campaign donations from Salame when she unsuccessfully ran for a congressional seat in New York.