Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has requested special permission from the New York District Court to allow his "close friends" to visit him at his parents' house without undergoing court-ordered security measures. In a letter submitted to Judge Lewis Kaplan on july 13, Bankman-Fried's attorneys argued that the listed visitors, including friends, associates, and domestic workers, should be exempt from inspections and electronic device checks, which are currently required for all visitors except his attorneys and employ ee of their law firms.
The list of visitors, which was reviewed by prosecutors and not disputed, was filed under seal to protect the privacy and security of those named. Bankman-Fried's lawyers emphasized that the need for privacy and security of these individuals outweights any assumption option of access to the list. As part of his bail conditions, Bankman-Fried is already limited to using a laptop with access only to court-approved websites, and he is prohibited from sharing electronic devices with anyone.
Bankman-Fried has been residing at his parents' house in Palo Alto, California, since being released on bail in December 2022. The house served as collateral for his $250 million bail. His trial, originally scheduled to begin on October 2, involves 13 counts, with five of the charges set for a separate trial expected to commence on March 11, 2024.
The request to exempt Bankman-Fried's close friends from security measures aims to facilitate their visits to his parents' house while ensuring compliance with the bail conditions.
