Advocates for Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried, who is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28 after being convicted on seven felony charges, are requesting leniency for the former FTX CEO.
In letters submitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on March 26, five individuals are urging Judge Lewis Kaplan to impose a light sentence on SBF. These letters, written by people who either knew Bankman-Fried personally or were affected by the collapse of FTX, emphasize SBF’s vegan lifestyle, his experience with autism, and the exchange’s plan to reimburse its users.
Dr. Adam Hesterberg, who lived with SBF from 2012 to 2014, argues that the former FTX CEO should receive “leniency in his sentence,” partly based on their decision to convert half of their household to vegetarianism or veganism. Others who did not have a personal connection with the CEO suggest that Judge Kaplan take into consideration Bankman-Fried’s unique “personality traits” both inside and outside the courtroom.
“I can attest from personal experience that the mindset of individuals on the autism spectrum operates differently,” says Maria Centrella, a mother of a child diagnosed with autism. “Although I have never met Sam, I firmly believe that, despite being an MIT graduate, he did not fully comprehend the extent of what was happening and did not have any malicious intentions.”
Prosecutors have recommended a sentence of 40 to 50 years for Bankman-Fried’s involvement in the misappropriation of funds at FTX and Alameda Research. On the other hand, SBF’s lawyers suggest a prison term of 6.5 years. The maximum allowable sentence allows Judge Kaplan the discretion to sentence SBF for up to 110 years, but many consider this outcome to be unlikely.
In February, Bankman-Fried’s immediate family and others submitted similar character references to the judge, arguing that imprisoning him would be “draconian” and pose a physical danger due to his personality. However, many of these letters fail to acknowledge the impact the collapse of FTX had on investors who lost access to millions of dollars.
“SBF should not be let off easily for his crimes using the ‘autism defense,'” says AutismBC Director Lucas Gates in a post on X on February 28. “He was aware that what he did was fraudulent, and he should spend the rest of his life in prison.”
Bankman-Fried has been in custody since August 2023, when Judge Kaplan revoked his bail following alleged attempts to influence or intimidate witnesses in his criminal case. In November, a jury found Bankman-Fried guilty on all seven counts after a month-long trial.
According to Inner City Press and X Hall of Flame, it is expected that “less flashy” Alex Mashinsky will receive a shorter prison sentence than SBF.