Sam Bankman-Fried’s extradition was accredited by Bahamas decide on Wednesday, clearing one of many remaining hurdles for him to be despatched to the U.S. to face a litany of felony expenses.
The FTX co-founder instructed a decide in Nassau simply earlier than midday native time that he was waiving his proper to battle extradition. He’s anticipated to be whisked off to a personal air facility the place U.S. authorities will take custody of him.
Dressed in a blue go well with, white shirt and socks and brown leather-based sneakers with laces eliminated, Bankman-Fried instructed a courtroom formally that he was ready to be despatched to the U.S. His case will now go to the Bahamas international minister for sign-off.
“I do wish to waive my rights to formal extradition proceedings,” he mentioned, selecting to supply an affirmation, somewhat than swearing on a Bible. “I am doing well,” Bankman-Fried mentioned earlier when requested by the decide about his situation.
On the stand, Bankman-Fried, 30, described himself as an entrepreneur and government.
The developments cap a tumultuous week of machinations over when Bankman-Fried could be despatched to New York, the place federal prosecutors have accused him of crimes together with fraud associated to the collapse of the FTX crypto trade. If convicted of all counts, he might face dozens of years behind bars.
Since being denied bail at an preliminary courtroom listening to final week, Bankman-Fried has been held in a correctional facility on the outskirts of Nassau often known as Fox Hill. The infamous jail is a far cry from the luxurious penthouse within the island nation that he’d lived at after organising the Bahamas as FTX’s headquarters.
Although he initially mentioned that he would battle extradition, Bankman-Fried has extra just lately indicated in personal conversations that he was making ready to return to the U.S. as quickly as Monday, Bloomberg News has reported. The change in perspective was partly tied to the expectation that he’ll be capable of get bail within the U.S.
A consultant for Bankman-Fried declined to touch upon conversations that his authorized crew is having with prosecutors.
Once again within the U.S., he’s more likely to be arraigned inside hours and his legal professionals might current a case for him being granted bail. It wasn’t instantly clear at which American airport Bankman-Fried would land.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”
