Lawyers representing Nishad Singh, former Director of Engineering at FTX, have submitted a request to the U.S. Southern District of New York, urging that their client receive no prison time. The sentencing submission, filed on October 16, describes Singh as a “selfless individual,” according to a report from Bloomberg, and is supported by over 100 letters from family, friends, and colleagues.
Singh’s Lawyers Argue His Role in FTX Collapse Was Minimal
Singh’s legal team claims that his involvement in the FTX collapse was far less significant compared to other defendants. The filing states, “His role was far more limited than any other defendant. He does not minimize his conduct; he pled guilty to serious crimes at the outset of this case and will regret his actions for the rest of his life.”
According to the lawyers, Singh only became aware of the conspiracy regarding FTX customer funds in September 2022, just two months before the exchange collapsed. Following FTX’s bankruptcy announcement, Singh cooperated with authorities and traveled to New York to provide essential information.
“The evidence Nishad provided in those early meetings was critical to helping the government bring both Sam Bankman-Fried and Ryan Salame to justice,” the submission highlighted.
Singh’s Guilty Plea and Testimony Against Bankman-Fried
In February 2023, Singh pled guilty to six criminal charges, including fraud and conspiracy. His testimony during Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial in October 2023 played a significant role in the FTX founder receiving a 25-year prison sentence in March. Others involved in the scandal, such as Caroline Ellison and Ryan Salame, have also faced sentencing, with Ellison receiving two years and Salame 7.5 years.
Singh’s sentencing is scheduled for October 30, while Gary Wang, former Chief Technology Officer at FTX, will be sentenced on November 20.
SBF’s Neurodivergence Disorders and Impact on Trial
In a separate development, a group of doctors submitted an amicus brief supporting Sam Bankman-Fried’s appeal. The brief argues that Bankman-Fried’s neurodivergence disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), significantly affected his trial. The doctors emphasized that several court rulings were detrimental to Bankman-Fried due to his conditions.
Additionally, a group of bankruptcy law professors expressed concerns about the cooperation between the FTX bankruptcy estate and prosecutors, which they claim could set a “dangerous precedent” for future cases. They noted that the collaboration in Bankman-Fried’s trial was “extraordinary” compared to past cases like Enron and WorldCom.
The professors also criticized the rapid pace of the trial, which may have led jurors to believe — incorrectly — that FTX customers would receive no compensation.
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