Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, is reportedly facing challenges in prison, struggling to maintain his vegan diet while dealing with a shortage of prescription drugs. During a hearing where Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty to fraud-related charges, his lawy ers expressed concerns about his treatment at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
According to Bankman-Fried's attorneys, he has been forced to subsist on a diet of bread, peanut butter, and water due to the lack of vegetarian options available at the prison. He has refused the "meat" offerings provided by the facility. Lawyer, Mark Cohen, highlighted that Bankman-Fried, who follows a vegan diet, has not received his ADHD medication since his incarceration, which has raised concerns about him running out of it.
Records from 2020 indicate that Bankman-Fried might have paid $3.15 for peanut butter from the prison commissary, which mostly offered meat, dairy, and fast food. US Federal Court Judge Sarah Netburn has promised to investigate the treatment of Bankman-Fried in prison.
Bankman-Fried's legal team argues that his time in prison has impeded his ability to adequately prepare for his upcoming trial, scheduled for October 2. They pointed out that being without proper resources and facing dietary challenges has made it difficult for him to meet the demands of the trial process.
During a recent hearing, it was revealed that Bankman-Fried might be allowed to visit the New York courthouse for two days a week, albeit with limited communication tools. The lawyers mentioned that he only has access to pencil and paper and has to press his Written notes against the glass barrier to communicate with them.
