Former FTX executive Ryan Salame has officially begun serving his 7.5-year sentence, following a high-profile interview with Tucker Carlson that may have hindered his attempt to delay his prison reporting date.
Ryan Salame Faces The Music
Salame, who was previously the head of FTX Digital Markets, the Bahamian subsidiary of the now-defunct crypto exchange, has been incarcerated at a federal correctional facility in Cumberland, Maryland. He pleaded guilty in May to charges of violating campaign finance laws and running an unlicensed money transmitter business.
Originally scheduled to report to prison in August, Salame managed to secure a delay due to a dog-bite injury to the face sustained in June. He filed another request on October 9 to further delay his prison time, citing ongoing medical treatment for the injury. However, an appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show on October 10 seemed to backfire. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the Southern District of New York observed that Salame appeared “physically recovered” and questioned the veracity of his claims, ultimately rejecting the request.
Former FTX Executive’s Interview with Tucker Carlson
During his interview, Salame made bold accusations, telling Carlson, “They told me if I pled guilty to these two crimes, they would not pursue my loved ones or investigate them.” He referred to U.S. prosecutors, who later indicted his partner, Michelle Bond, a former congressional candidate, on campaign finance violations.
Salame also attempted to withdraw his guilty plea in August, a move that prompted Judge Kaplan to threaten him with sanctions for potential perjury. In the interview, Salame argued that he had acted in good faith during his tenure at FTX, blaming his charges on a combination of legal misguidance and political motivations within the Department of Justice.
Legal Fallout
Salame’s refusal to testify during Sam Bankman-Fried’s 2023 fraud trial has led to speculation within the crypto community that it contributed to his lengthy sentence. Comparisons were made to Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, who only received two years in prison after cooperating with federal authorities as part of a plea deal.
Salame criticized the judicial system, stating, “The government hands out get-out-of-jail-free cards if you parrot the narrative they want, and everyone who would provide any counterpoint is frightened.”
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