Fallen cryptocurrency king Sam Bankman-Fried plans to testify in his own defense at his fraud trial, his lawyer revealed Wednesday.
Bankman-Fried, 31, will take the stand after three defense witnesses testify in Manhattan federal court, her lawyer, Mark Cohen, said during a telephone court hearing.
His testimony could come as soon as Thursday, as federal prosecutors are expected to drop their case after a weeklong recess.
Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyer has announced that the disgraced cryptocurrency king plans to testify at his fraud trial.AP
Bankman-Fried in federal court in New York City, October 16, 2023.REUTERS
Bankman-Fried’s decision to take the stand means he will be open to probing questioning from prosecutors.
The move comes after his lawyers appeared to be weighing the fundamental question of whether he should testify: His legal team told the judge earlier this month that the disgraced crypto mogul was not receiving his prescribed dose of Adderall.
“As we approach the defense case and the critical decision about whether Mr. Bankman-Fried will testify, the defense has growing concerns that due to Mr. Bankman-Fried’s lack of access to Adderall, he has not able to concentrate on it at the level he normally would and will not be able to meaningfully participate in the presentation of the defense case,” Cohen wrote in an Oct. 15 filing.
Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges stemming from his alleged theft of more than $8 billion in user funds from his now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX.
He faces what would amount to life in prison if convicted.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn