Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has been making headlines once again, this time for his unauthorized interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Bankman-Fried, who is currently serving a 25-year prison term, was previously housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn before being transferred to a new facility in Oklahoma.
The unexpected transfer came after Bankman-Fried’s remote interview with Tucker Carlson on March 5th, which lasted over 42 minutes and covered a range of topics including his experiences in prison, his views on the crypto industry, and his thoughts on the Democratic Party. The interview, conducted without authorization from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), raised eyebrows and led to Bankman-Fried being placed in solitary confinement before being moved to Oklahoma.
During the interview, Bankman-Fried used the opportunity to address the charges against him, denying any wrongdoing and claiming that FTX was solvent at the time of its collapse. He also defended his co-CEO, Ryan Salame, calling the charges against him “bogus” and suggesting that they were politically motivated.
Despite being behind bars, Bankman-Fried continues to attract controversy and attention. His decision to speak with Tucker Carlson without permission from prison officials led to the resignation of his crisis manager, Mark Botnick. Additionally, Bankman-Fried has faced allegations of attempting to sway witnesses, leading to the revocation of his bail in August 2023.
In an effort to improve his image and potentially secure a presidential pardon, Bankman-Fried’s legal team has been working with conservative media personalities like Tucker Carlson. By engaging with conservative commentators, they hope to sway public opinion in Bankman-Fried’s favor and increase his chances of receiving clemency.
The transfer to Oklahoma marks a new chapter in Bankman-Fried’s ongoing legal saga. As he continues to serve his prison sentence, his actions and statements both inside and outside of prison are likely to remain under scrutiny.