Written by Enoch Muthembei

As former FTX CEO Sam Bankman Fried's sentencing date approaches, an unexpected source has emerged: a plea for clemency from his own family. In a recent filing in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, SBF's attorneys submitted 29 letters of support, including heartfelt nominations from his mother, father, and siblings.

Barbara Freed, Joseph Bankman, and Gabriel Bankman Freed, the 31-year-old former CEO's mother, father, and brother, all wrote a letter to Judge Lewis Kaplan, expressing SBF's background, personality, and Shedding light on contributions to society. FTX. SBF was convicted of seven felonies, but his family has fervently asked for a lenient sentence, stressing that his life behind bars could have been wasted.

In the letter, Gabriel Bankman Freed said, “Sam made a mistake, but his life will be wasted if he goes to prison. He has a great gift to offer the world.” The family's petition is based on the belief that SBF's talents and abilities could be better utilized outside of prison.

Unlike a trial, the sentencing stage allows personal appeals by friends and family. Judge Lewis Kaplan is scheduled to decide Bankman-Fried's prison term on March 28. Speculation about the possible sentence varies, with experts suggesting a range of 15 to 25 years. However, unless there are special circumstances, it is unlikely that he will be sentenced to a maximum of around 110 years in prison.

SBF's father, Joseph Bankman, expressed concern about the physical danger his son could face in prison and warned of a “draconian sentence”. He highlighted the difficulty of SBF in responding to societal demands and urged courts to consider alternative sentencing options. Joseph Bankman said SBF prioritized repaying investors and minimizing allegations of lavish spending before his arrest.

In a comprehensive letter, Barbara Freed detailed SBF's desire to help others from her childhood to her time in prison. She highlighted his commitment to coaching his fellow inmates for the GED exam. Fried urged Judge Kaplan to consider his son's poor response to social cues and expressed that his son has been “stricken with remorse” since the incident. The collapse of FTX In November 2022.

Reactions regarding Bankman Freed's family seeking pardon

The letter written by Bankman's family downplays the impact of FTX's collapse on investors and Bankman Freed's role in the fraud. Reaction on social media was mixed, with some users criticizing the plea for leniency and comparing it to other lawsuits, including: billy mcfarland A scene from the fire festival.

One user, Kyle Gibson, said: “Those who are writing letters asking for leniency in the SBF sentence are wondering what Fyre Festival's Billy McFarland is doing now and how he is in prison. You should look at how much rehabilitation he has undergone.” Mr Gibson expressed skepticism about SBF's rehabilitation potential and suggested he would return to his previous activities upon release.

Bankman Fried's defense team has recommended a sentence of 63 to 78 months, and prosecutors are scheduled to present their recommendation on March 15. Bankman Freed will celebrate his 32nd birthday on March 6, which will be his first birthday in prison since he was released on bail. The impending sentencing remains a pivotal moment for the former FTX CEO and those following the case closely.