The recent attempt by former FTX executive Ryan Salame to void his guilty plea has sparked controversy, with the US government pushing back against his claims. Salame argues that his plea was based on false promises from prosecutors regarding the investigation into his partner, Michelle Bond. However, the US Attorney’s Office has labeled Salame’s allegations as “demonstrably false” in a recent filing, highlighting that the charges against Bond are separate and ongoing.
Salame, who received a 90-month prison sentence earlier this year 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 claimed that prosecutors implied they would halt the investigation into Bond if he pleaded guilty. The government’s response, outlined in an Aug. 26 letter to Judges George B. Daniels and Lewis A. Kaplan of the Southern District of New York, firmly opposed Salame’s petition.
Salame’s legal team has filed a writ of “error coram nobis,” asserting that his guilty plea was influenced by misrepresentations from the government. However, the government refuted this claim, arguing that the allegations against Salame and Bond pertain to different aspects of the alleged criminal activities. If the court supports Salame’s petition, it could result in a reevaluation of his plea agreement, which required him to pay hefty fines. This could potentially lead to a full criminal trial for Salame, significantly altering the direction of his legal battle.
As Salame is slated to report to prison on Oct. 13, the legal battle comes at a critical juncture. Despite Salame’s plea, the government has made it clear that they will continue to investigate Bond independently. The court hearing for Salame’s petition is scheduled for Sept. 12 before Judge Kaplan, where both sides will present their arguments. The outcome of this hearing holds significant implications for both Salame’s conviction and Bond’s prosecution.
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