US government disputes ex-FTX exec Ryan Salame’s bid to undo guilty plea

The US government has pushed back against former FTX executive Ryan Salame’s attempt to void his guilty plea, which he claims was based on false promises from prosecutors regarding their investigation into his partner Michelle Bond.

In a recent filing, the US Attorney’s Office called Salame’s allegations “demonstrably false,” emphasizing that the charges against Bond are distinct and ongoing.

Salame, who was sentenced to 90 months in prison earlier this year after admitting to campaign finance violations and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, filed a petition on Aug. 21, seeking to dismiss Bond’s indictment or vacate his own conviction.

He argued that during his plea negotiations, prosecutors implied they would not continue investigating Bond, his partner, for her role in the same activities.

Government opposed

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. The prosecutors maintain that the indictment against Bond, which was unsealed on Aug. 22, involves additional charges and is separate from Salame’s case.

Bond is accused of conspiring to cause and causing unlawful campaign contributions during her 2022 congressional run, an indictment now referred to as the “Bond Case.”

Salame’s legal team has filed a writ of “error coram nobis,” claiming that his guilty plea was influenced by misrepresentations from the government, which allegedly suggested that Bond’s investigation would be dropped if he pleaded guilty.

However, the government refuted the allegation, arguing that Salame’s guilty plea and the charges against Bond cover different aspects of the alleged criminal activities.

Potential reassessment

Salame’s petition could lead to a reassessment of his plea agreement, which required him to pay $6 million in penalties and an additional $6 million to FTX debtors. If the court sides with Salame, he could potentially face a full criminal trial, which could significantly alter the course of his legal battle.

The legal wrangling comes at a crucial time as Salame is scheduled to report to prison on Oct. 13, following a brief delay due to medical complications. The government has made it clear that they intend to continue their investigation into Bond, irrespective of Salame’s previous plea.

The court hearing for Salame’s petition is set for Sept. 12 before Judge Kaplan, where both sides will present their arguments. The outcome could have broad implications for both Salame’s conviction and Bond’s prosecution.

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