Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the disgraced FTX founder, is facing a 25-year prison sentence. His parents, Stanford law professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, are reportedly trying to get a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.
The Pardon Push
According to Bloomberg, SBF’s parents have been talking to lawyers and people close to Trump about getting him clemency. Trump’s past pardons, like that of Ross Ulbricht (Silk Road founder), have given hope to others facing lengthy sentences. However, unlike Ulbricht, SBF doesn’t have widespread public support.
SBF himself claims his sentence is too harsh, especially since many FTX customers got their money back. It’s not just SBF; another former FTX executive, Ryan Salame, is also seeking a pardon.
Trump’s Changing Pardon Approach
Trump’s approach to pardons seems to have changed. Before, he mostly granted them at the end of his term. Now, he’s reportedly considering them earlier. He’s even considering pardons for people from both parties. While SBF was a big Democratic donor, Trump has shown a willingness to help Democrats who feel they’ve been unfairly targeted.
Interestingly, both SBF and Trump have clashed with US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. Both have criticized the judge for perceived bias in their respective cases.
A Long Shot?
Even Alan Dershowitz, a legal scholar who helped secure pardons during Trump’s first term, has been contacted. However, he notes that while requests are increasing, Trump is busy with other things right now. So, whether this pardon effort will succeed remains to be seen.