Sam Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty as lawyers complain about neglected vegan diet, prescription medications

FTX founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has once again pleaded not guilty to criminal charges brought against him in connection with the collapse of the exchange.

That report indicates that Bankman-Fried appeared in court for the first time since his bail was revoked in early August, as lawyers raised complaints about his holding conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn (MDC).

Before Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty to an amended indictment containing fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. Bankman-Fried has also pleaded not guilty in previous developments: he notably did so in January when prosecutors originally filed charges and in March amidst new charges.

Lawyers went on to complain that Bankman-Fried is subsisting on bread, water, and peanut butter as the prison does not provide vegan food. They added that the prison has failed to provide Adderall, which is prescribed to Bankman-Fried for treatment of ADHD, to their client as well.

Judge Netburn said that she would contact higher authorities in order to resolve those complaints about prison conditions.

SBF wants to review evidence

Separate reports from the New York Post indicate that Bankman-Fried’s lawyers also complained about restrictions that limit meetings with their client.

An order from Judge Lewis Kaplan on Aug. 21 permitted Bankman-Fried to meet with his lawyers intermittently, including a session that is scheduled to last for more than six hours today. Lawyers told Judge Netburn that courthouse meetings twice a week, as currently permitted at present, are not sufficient to allow Bankman-Fried to review the “extraordinarily voluminous” amount of evidence in his case.

Separate reports from Inner City Press suggest that Bankman-Fried can only communicate with lawyers during these meetings by holding written notes up to the glass.

Bankman-Fried’s ability to access the Internet has become a point of contention in the case, with Bankman-Fried’s lawyers arguing that denial of such access impairs his ability to prepare for the case.

Broader requests were previously rejected by Judge Kaplan, who is primarily responsible for the case, despite Judge Netburn’s assistance today.

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