On October 10, 2023, the former head of Alameda Research, Caroline Ellison, appeared in a lawsuit against the ex-CEO of the FTX exchange Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF). According to her, the accused actually donated money from platform clients to various politicians.
In the first part of the testimony of the ex-CEO of Alameda Research and part-time ex-girlfriend of SBF. She stated that Bankman-Fried encouraged her to commit the crime.
In the second part of the testimony, the prosecutor asked Ellison questions about her income, the reasons for breaking up with the accused, and personal loans of the company’s top management.
The girl admitted that a loan was issued in her name from FTX in the amount of $3.5 million. The money was used to finance an unspecified company in the gambling industry.
AUSA: Why did you break up?
Ellison: He wasn’t spending much time with me.
AUSA: Was it secret?
Ellison: At first. Then he told me I could say we were living together, but no more.
AUSA: What was your salary?
Ellison: $200,000. Then a bonus in 2021 of $20 million— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) October 10, 2023
She also stated that FTX Digital Trading co-CEO Ryan Salame took out a loan of $35 million. According to Ellison, the funds were used to support Republicans.
AUSA: Did you get any loans from Alameda?
Ellison: One loan of $3.5 million for a gambling company people at FTX wanted to put in my name since I wasn’t on the books of FTX. Money also went to political contributions. Ryan Salame got a $35 million loan— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) October 10, 2023
Ellison said that Bankman-Fried donated $10 million to the Biden administration. In her opinion, in this way the ex-CEO of FTX planned to “buy” access to the White House.
Bankman-Fried himself considered this the right decision, which in the future would provide him with the necessary “influence” by spending a relatively small amount, the publication quotes Ellison as saying Daily Mail.
It is noteworthy that before this the witness was asked about SBF’s ambitions. Then she said that he wanted to become President of the United States.
Ellison: We started sleeping together on and off in the summer of 2020. We dated and broke up.
AUSA: What did the defendant tell you about his ambitions?
Ellison: That he would be President.
AUSA: Of what?
Ellison: The United States.— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) October 10, 2023
Ryan Salameh, mentioned in the testimony, pleaded guilty in September 2023. According to the prosecution, through him Sam Bankman-Fried transferred donations to American politicians.
Earlier, information appeared that Sam Bankman-Fried was considering paying Donald Trump $5 billion. Thus, presumably, the ex-CEO of FTX wanted to eliminate him from the presidential race.
Source: Cryptocurrency
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