The founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, is having difficulties preparing for his upcoming fraud trial due to a lack of sufficient food in prison, according to his lawyer.
He has pleaded not guilty to seven criminal charges in a new indictment, with his bail having been revoked two weeks ago.
Lawyer reveals inadequate jail conditions and medication shortages
Bankman-Fried’s lawyer, Mark Cohen, mentioned that the inadequate food at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn is hindering his client’s trial preparations.
The lawyer also stated that Bankman-Fried hasn’t received the ADHD drug Adderall and that his supply of the depression medication Emsam is running low.
Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn expressed her intention to address these medication issues with the US Justice Department’s Bureau of Prisons, which oversees the jail.
Bankman-Fried was once a billionaire and a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry, but FTX’s collapse led to his legal troubles. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2022, impacting the cryptocurrency market.
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