Former FTX executive, Ryan Salame, has taken legal action to overturn his guilty plea for campaign finance and money-transmitting crimes. Salame claims that the prosecutors broke their promise to cease the investigation into his domestic partner.
The former executive of the failed cryptocurrency exchange submitted a filing to Manhattan US District Court Judge, Lewis Kaplan, alleging that the US Attorney’s office failed to keep up with a crucial aspect of his plea agreement.
US Attorney’s office breaches plea agreement
As per the plea agreement, the US Attorney’s office had assured Salame that they would halt their investigation into his partner Michelle Bond if he pleaded guilty.
“In an effort to induce Salame’s plea, Government lawyers conveyed that they would discontinue investigating Bond if Salame pleaded guilty. “Salame responded by agreeing to enter into a plea agreement,” the filing states.
The motivation behind Salame’s decision to agree to the plea was to protect the mother of his young child. The filing cited that the government has failed to follow their promise, resumed their investigation and also pursued an indictment against Bond.
Salame’s lawyers asks judge to set aside his guilty plea
Salame’s lawyers have requested that the judge set aside Salame’s guilty plea, considering the agreement breach by the government. In the other case, the lawyers ask the US Attorney’s Office to stick to their promise.
Following the collapse of the FTX exchange, Salame was ordered to pay over $6 million in forfeiture and $5 million in restitution. The former FTX exec is also set to begin his prison sentence on October 13.
Following the court filing, Salame also posted a tweet citing the reason behind the decision. He stated that it was true that he made a court filing and he was pretty nervous about it. Salame mentioned that the most powerful body globally is going to come at him and his loved ones again.
The former FTX executive hopes that this move encourages more people to be honest and expose un-American tactics. “I hope it helps at least one person in the future; the justice system is fragile but so important,” Salame posted on X.
