SBF’s EX Caroline Ellison Seeks to Protect Supporters’ Identities Amidst Sentencing

In a recent legal motion, Sam Bankman Fried’s Ex Caroline Ellison’s attorney requested that the court conceal the identities and personal details of those who have submitted letters backing her ahead of her sentencing, set for September 24.

The motion, filed on September 9 by Anjan Sahni, a partner at WilmerHale and Ellison’s representative, was submitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Caroline Ellison Requests Privacy for Sentencing Supporters

The motion argues for the redaction of sensitive information from these letters, highlighting concerns that public disclosure could expose Ellison to ongoing harassment by revealing aspects of her current living conditions.

Since testifying at the criminal trial of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried in October 2023, Caroline Ellison has largely stayed out of the public eye and has not been required to make in-person court appearances related to her case. She pleaded guilty to fraud charges in 2022 following the collapse of FTX and has been awaiting sentencing. The filing on September 9 is the first public mention of her upcoming sentencing hearing.

Sahni explained that Caroline Ellison has been under heavy media attention and online scrutiny from the beginning of the case, exacerbated by Sam Bankman-Fried’s attempts to disclose her private information to the press. He further stated that to protect her friends from harassment and doxing for their support in writing to the court, Ellison has requested permission to remove their names and other identifying details from the letters and her sentencing memorandum before they are filed publicly.

Her attorney also stated that the former Alameda CEO intends to present medical information for the court’s consideration during her sentencing. Alongside details about her current residence, her partner, and the organisations where she volunteers, Ellison’s legal team is also aiming to redact any information related to her potential medical treatments as part of the sentencing documentation.

Potential Third FTX Insider Facing Prison Time

If the sentencing hearing proceeds as scheduled on September 24, Caroline Ellison could become the third individual involved in the FTX and Alameda criminal case to be sentenced to prison time.

Earlier, in March, Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced Sam Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison following his 2023 trial. His legal team has since filed an appeal.

Ryan Salame, former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, is set to begin a 90-month prison sentence on October 13, as handed down in May. His attorneys plan to challenge his guilty plea at a hearing on September 12, which is part of the ongoing prosecution against his partner, Michelle Bond.

Potential Prison Time Looms, Cooperation May Lessen Blow

Ellison, who pleaded guilty in December 2022 to seven charges including wire fraud, commodities fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering, could face a maximum sentence of up to 110 years.

This severe penalty is linked to her role in the misappropriation of user funds between FTX and Alameda. However, given her cooperation and pivotal testimony, legal experts anticipate a significantly reduced sentence.

Nishad Singh, former engineering director at FTX, and co-founder Gary Wang, both of whom have pleaded guilty to criminal charges, are slated for their sentencing hearings on October 30 and November 20, respectively. Wang’s appearance in November could mark the final court proceeding for a defendant in the FTX case.