On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Crypto.news reported that Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, is seeking a new trial, alleging prosecutorial misconduct and bias from U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan. Bankman-Fried claims the Department of Justice improperly influenced witnesses during his initial trial, leading to his conviction, and is now demanding Judge Kaplan step down from the case.

Bankman-Fried, in a statement posted on X, asserts that newly discovered evidence reveals the Biden administration’s DOJ pressured witnesses, either silencing them or manipulating their testimonies. He argues this alleged interference compromised the trial’s integrity, warranting the overturning of his conviction.

Furthermore, Bankman-Fried is accusing Judge Kaplan of bias, claiming the judge has prejudged the defendants and unfairly managed the proceedings against him. He draws parallels to the treatment of Ryan Salame, a former FTX executive, and Donald Trump, suggesting a pattern of prejudiced conduct by Judge Kaplan.

These accusations follow Bankman-Fried’s recent legal filings for a new trial, where his defense team argues the jury was denied access to crucial evidence that could have exonerated him. They also contend the court unduly restricted witness testimony, hindering his ability to present a comprehensive defense. The defense team has previously stated that key evidence pertaining to FTX’s internal operations and the bankruptcy process was excluded, weakening Bankman-Fried’s defense.

Bankman-Fried is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted on multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy related to FTX’s collapse. His appeals and motions for post-conviction relief are ongoing, as the courts evaluate whether any procedural errors occurred that would justify a retrial.

Reactions to Bankman-Fried’s claims on social media have been largely negative. Many users dispute his claims, arguing that misappropriating customer funds constitutes fraud, regardless of the company’s solvency. Others have responded with personal attacks and questioned his credibility, citing testimony from former associates. Some have also raised concerns about his ability to communicate publicly from prison.

Bankman-Fried also insists that FTX was not bankrupt, stating that lawyers filed a fraudulent bankruptcy claim shortly after taking over the company.

 

 

Source: Crypto.news