As a crypto investor with some experience in the industry, I’m following the developments of the FTX case closely. Ryan Salame’s lawyers requesting an 18-month prison sentence for their client strikes me as a lenient plea considering the gravity of the situation.


In an upcoming court hearing on May 28, the legal representation of Ryan Salame, a previous executive at the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, who admitted guilt in connection with the company’s downfall, have requested that the judge impose a prison sentence of 18 months on their client.

Based on information from a sentencing memorandum obtained by Inner City Press, Salame’s lawyers are requesting the court to show mercy in sentencing by imposing a lenient prison term, along with the restitution and forfeiture requirements that Salame has consented to.

Salame Seeks 18-Month Jail Term

As a researcher studying the background of Sam Bankman-Fried (Salame), I discovered that during his tenure with FTX and its related trading firm Alameda Research, I handled various responsibilities. I managed customer fiat conversions and processed wire deposits. Additionally, I oversaw political contributions and spearheaded charitable initiatives using funds from Alameda in The Bahamas.

As a crypto investor looking back on events from a year ago, I recall the shocking news of the FTX empire’s collapse in November 2022. Later, in December 2023, Sam Bankman-Fried (known as Salame) admitted his involvement in criminal charges, confessing to conspiring to defraud the Federal Elections Committee and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. In addition, he pledged to collaborate with US authorities, joining forces with his former colleagues Nishad Singh, Caroline Ellison, and Gary Wang.

In accordance with the terms of the deal, Salame handed over a $6 million fine to the US authorities and $5 million to FTX creditors. Additionally, he relinquished ownership of two Massachusetts properties and his brand-new 2021 Porsche car. The ex-FTX executive admitted guilt to certain charges, carrying a maximum sentence of ten years in prison; yet, his legal team seeks a custodial term of under two years.

In a filing memorandum, Salame’s legal team contended that his involvement in FTX was primarily operational and unconnected to any fraudulent activities. They maintained that he was unaware of the alleged conspiracy among the top four leaders of FTX and Alameda to deceive and misappropriate customers’ funds. The lawyers strongly asserted that Salame himself never lied or stole from anyone.

Lawyers Say Salame Was Duped

Additionally, Salame’s lawyer argued for a lighter sentence based on his client’s collaboration with U.S. authorities. He was the one who reported the FTX fraud to Bahamian officials once he became aware of it. Furthermore, Salame showed remorse and took steps to address his substance abuse problems.

Furthermore, the lawyers pointed out that Salame had been deceived and suffered financial damages due to the downfall of FTX.

As a researcher studying this situation, I can’t predict with certainty what sentence the court will hand down to Rami Salame following Sam Bankman-Fried’s 25-year imprisonment. The judicial process and the unique circumstances of each case mean that every defendant faces a distinct outcome.

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2024-05-16 01:12