Lawyers representing FTX CEO and co-founder Sam Bankman Freed, who was convicted of fraud and money laundering late last year, are seeking a retrial.
Following the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, Bankman Freed was convicted on all seven counts and sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay $11 billion in forfeiture. He is serving his sentence in Brooklyn.
Bloomberg reports that Bankman-Freed's appeal focuses on the behavior of U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, claiming that Judge Kaplan's ruling was “not just erroneous but biased” and that the judge “constantly ridiculed Bankman-Freed throughout the trial, repeatedly criticized her behavior and indicated he did not believe her testimony.”
The appeal also alleges that Kaplan “repeatedly ridiculed the defense” while helping the government's case and “improperly urged” jurors to reach a quick verdict.
Bankman Freed's lawyers are seeking a new trial before a new judge. The U.S. Attorney's Office, which prosecuted the case, said it had no plans to comment on the motion.