Disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has officially withdrawn his request for a new trial, backing away from a legal effort that challenged his conviction while simultaneously denying claims that others secretly wrote the motion on his behalf. The move comes after scrutiny from the court over whether Bankman-Fried had outside assistance despite filing the motion as a pro se defendant, meaning he was representing himself.
Motion Withdrawn Amid Fairness Concerns
Bankman-Fried told the court he decided to withdraw the motion because he believed he would not receive a fair hearing from the judge overseeing his case. The request, originally filed earlier this year, sought a new trial following his 2023 conviction tied to the multi-billion-dollar collapse of FTX. His withdrawal effectively ends that specific legal path, shifting focus back to his broader appeals process.
Denies Ghostwriting but Admits Parental Input
At the center of the controversy were accusations that Bankman-Fried may not have written the motion himself. He pushed back on those claims, stating that he was the primary author and wrote the majority of the document, but acknowledged that:
- His parents reviewed drafts
- They provided editorial suggestions
- They helped print and organize the filing
He emphasized that their involvement did not amount to ghostwriting or legal representation.
Court Raised Concerns Over Outside Assistance
The judge had previously questioned whether Bankman-Fried’s filing violated legal rules around self-representation, especially if undisclosed legal help was involved. In federal court, misrepresenting authorship or outside assistance could raise perjury risks, which added pressure to clarify how the motion was created. This scrutiny likely played a role in his decision to withdraw the request altogether.
Serving 25 Year Sentence While Appeals Continue
Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence in California after being convicted of orchestrating one of the largest financial frauds in crypto history. While the new trial motion has been withdrawn, his legal battle is far from over, with appeals still expected to move forward through higher courts. There are also ongoing reports that his family has explored potential presidential pardon options, though no formal action has been taken.
