The US government has responded to former FTX executive Ryan Salame’s attempt to void his guilty plea, asserting that his claims of false promises from prosecutors are unfounded. The US Attorney’s Office has stated that Salame’s allegations are “demonstrably false” and have emphasized that the charges against Salame’s partner, Michelle Bond, are separate and ongoing.
Salame, who was sentenced to 90 months in prison for campaign finance violations and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, filed a petition on Aug. 21. He sought to dismiss Bond’s indictment or vacate his own conviction, arguing that prosecutors implied they would not pursue further investigations against Bond if he pleaded guilty.
In response, the government has outlined their stance in an Aug. 26 letter to Judges George B. Daniels and Lewis A. Kaplan. The prosecutors maintain that Bond’s indictment, unsealed on Aug. 22, involves separate charges related to unlawful campaign contributions, distinct from Salame’s case. The government refuted Salame’s claim that his guilty plea was influenced by misrepresentations, stating that the charges against Bond and Salame cover different aspects of the alleged criminal activities.
Salame’s legal team has filed a writ of “error coram nobis” in an attempt to challenge his guilty plea. If successful, this could result in a reassessment of his plea agreement, which included significant financial penalties. Salame could potentially face a full criminal trial if the court sides with him, significantly altering the course of his legal battle.
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 could have wide-ranging implications for both Salame’s conviction and Bond’s prosecution. Despite Salame’s claims, the government has made it clear that they will continue their investigation into Bond, regardless of the outcome of Salame’s petition.
The legal battle between Salame and the US government is set to continue, with significant consequences for both parties. The outcome of the upcoming court hearing will determine the next steps in this complex and high-stakes case.