Former FTX executive Ryan Salame’s attempt to void his guilty plea has been met with resistance from the US government. Salame claims that his guilty plea was based on false promises from prosecutors regarding their investigation into his partner Michelle Bond. However, the US Attorney’s Office has called Salame’s allegations “demonstrably false” and emphasized that the charges against Bond are distinct and ongoing.
The Legal Standoff
Salame, who was sentenced to 90 months in prison for campaign finance violations and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, filed a petition on Aug. 21 to dismiss Bond’s indictment or vacate his own conviction. He argued that prosecutors implied they would not continue investigating Bond for her role in the same activities if he pleaded guilty. The government’s response firmly opposed Salame’s petition, maintaining that Bond’s indictment involves separate charges and is not connected to Salame’s case.
Salame’s legal team has filed a writ of “error coram nobis,” claiming that his guilty plea was influenced by misrepresentations from the government. They allege that prosecutors suggested Bond’s investigation would be dropped if Salame pleaded guilty. However, the government refuted this claim, stating that Salame’s guilty plea and the charges against Bond cover different aspects of the alleged criminal activities.
If the court sides with Salame, he could potentially face a full criminal trial, which would significantly impact his legal battle. Salame’s plea agreement required him to pay $6 million in penalties and an additional $6 million to FTX debtors. The court hearing for Salame’s petition is set for Sept. 12, where both sides will present their arguments. The outcome could have broad implications for both Salame’s conviction and Bond’s prosecution.
The legal battle between former FTX executive Ryan Salame and the US government is complex and contentious. Salame’s attempt to void his guilty plea based on allegations of false promises from prosecutors regarding his partner Michelle Bond has sparked a legal standoff. The outcome of the upcoming court hearing on Salame’s petition could have significant consequences for both his conviction and Bond’s prosecution.
