Former FTX Executive Ryan Salame Pleads for Leniency in Court

• Former FTX executive Ryan Salame pleads for an 18-month sentence, citing cooperation and remorse.
• Salame’s attorneys argue that his role in the fraudulent activities was more operational than central.
• FTX bankruptcy estate aims to initiate repayments to customers by the end of 2024.

Former FTX executive Ryan Salame seeks leniency in court, pleading for an 18-month sentence. His attorneys argue that his role in the fraudulent activities was operational, not central, and he showed cooperation and remorse. Meanwhile, the FTX bankruptcy estate plans to initiate repayments to customers by the end of 2024.

Salame Pleads for Leniency

Ryan Salame, a former executive at FTX who pleaded guilty to election fraud charges in September, is requesting leniency from the court in the form of an 18-month sentence. According to a sentencing memorandum filed on Tuesday, Salame’s attorneys argue for a lighter sentence based on his cooperation with authorities and genuine remorse. During his time at FTX and Alameda, Salame was responsible for managing wire deposits and fiat currency conversions for FTX customers. He also participated in political contributions using Alameda funds and led charitable initiatives in the Bahamas.

Salame’s Role in Fraudulent Activities

In the filings, Salame’s attorneys emphasize that his role in the fraudulent activities was less central and more operational. They said that he had no knowledge of the conspiracies orchestrated by the individuals at the center of Alameda and FTX. His attorneys added that Salame did not steal from anyone or deceive customers. They claimed that he was unaware of the fraud until later, and he promptly blew the whistle by reporting it to authorities in the Bahamas.

FTX Bankruptcy Estate Plans Repayments

Last month, Bankman-Fried filed to appeal his conviction and sentence for fraud and conspiracy charges. The disgraced crypto boss was convicted last November after a month-long trial on seven different charges and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Meanwhile, the FTX bankruptcy estate has outlined its target to initiate repayments to customers by the end of 2024, as disclosed during a meeting of FTX Digital’s Joint Official Liquidators in the Bahamas.

Conclusion

As the court considers Salame’s sentencing memorandum, the FTX bankruptcy estate is working towards initiating repayments to customers by the end of 2024. The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the crypto industry, as well as the potential consequences for those who fail to uphold these standards.