Lawyers for Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) have reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors over his use of messaging apps.
According to a February 6 court document, both parties have agreed that Bankman-Fried “will not use any encrypted calls or ephemeral messaging applications, including but not limited to Signal.”
However, under the agreement, the former FTX CEO will be able to access FaceTime, Zoom, iMessage, SMS, email and Facebook Messenger.
You will also be allowed to use the encrypted messaging service WhatsApp, but only if “monitoring technology that automatically records and preserves all WhatsApp conversations is installed on your mobile phone.”
The latest deal comes as a result of pressure exerted in late January by federal prosecutors to bar Bankman-Fried contact current or former employees by FTX or from its sister trading company; Alameda Research.
In particular, prosecutors alleged on January 15 that Bankman-Fried had attempted to “sway” the testimony of FTX US CEO Ryne Miller, through the Signal encrypted messaging app.
why does SBF sound like he’s reaching out to an ex gf in his email to Ryne Miller pic.twitter.com/htmDeCagWj
—Tiffany Fong (@TiffanyFong_) February 6, 2023
On January 30 it was also stated that Bankman-Fried had contacted FTX CEO John Ray, to discuss ways to access company funds tied to Alameda’s wallets.
So things, a February 1 ruling prohibits Bankman-Fried from communicating with current or former employees of FTX or Alameda Research “except in the presence of a lawyer” in order to remain free on bail until his trial.
Bankman-Fried has been under house arrest in Palo Alto, California, since late December and his criminal trial is scheduled to begin in October in a US district court in Manhattan.
Meanwhile, FTX’s bankruptcy proceedings are moving forward in the District of Delaware. In court testimony on February 6, FTX CEO, Ray, recounted how difficult it was to take the reins of the company in November.
Ray claimed that “not a single list of anything” related to bank accounts, income, insurance or personnel was to be found on FTX, prompting a chaotic search for information.
The day he started leading the company through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, FTX was hacked.
“The hacks lasted practically all night […] It was 48 hours of what I can only describe as hell,” it states.
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