Sam Bankman-Fried Has Sufficient Access to Laptop, Internet To Prepare His Defence, Prosecution Says

Updated: 06 September 2023

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Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of bankrupt crypto exchange FTX, has sufficient laptop and internet access to prepare for his defence against fraud charges, prosecutors said.

Bankman-Fried has access to a laptop for 11 hours each weekday and 7.5 hours on weekends, and it’s been fitted with a new 9-cell battery provided by his defense counsel, the Department of Justice said in a letter submitted to the court on Sept. 5. The battery has approximately 8 hours of battery life, it added.

Bankman-Fried’s access to hard drives has also been improved. Two hard drives were initially shipped to him in late August, with a third hand-delivered by his defense team on September 1, it said.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Release Request Denied

After Bankman-Fried had his bail revoked in August for tampering with witnesses, his legal team has argued that his ability to prepare for trial is hampered by poor internet connectivity and limited battery life for his laptop. His lawyers had requested a temporary release from jail, seeking to collaborate on his defense at the federal courthouse in Manhattan.

SBF's lawyer: First time he showed up, there was only one hour charge on the battery.
Judge Kaplan: You could be the ones to bring backup battery.
SBF's lawyer: He wanted to bring papers, but no. There always something. We have no faith. We want temporary release

— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) August 30, 2023

Judge Lewis Kaplan declined the request during a hearing last week, and instructed all parties involved to compile a comprehensive report on the matter.

Bankman-Fried’s trial is scheduled to begin on October 3.

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