FTX Founder's Trial: Defense Files Motions to Cross-Examine Key Witnesses on Loan Structure and Auto-Deletion Policies

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FTX Founder's Trial: Defense Files Motions to Cross-Examine Key Witnesses on Loan Structure and Auto-Deletion Policies

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During the criminal trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, his legal team has submitted new letter motions regarding the cross-examination of two crucial prosecution witnesses. Bankman-Fried's lawyers have requested permission from Judge Lewis Kaplan to question Gary Wang about the involvement of attorneys in structuring loans between Bankman-Fried's trading firm, Alameda Research, and Wang personally. The defense argues that the loan details are essential in refuting federal charges of money laundering and demonstrating Bankman-Fried's good faith. However, it seems that the judge denied the testimony request, possibly because Wang had already completed his testimony. The defense is concerned that this denial could wrongly imply potential repayment to victims. Conversely, Bankman-Fried's team asserts that this evidence contradicts the prosecution's claims that his investments were risky or incurring losses, and they have agreed to a jury instruction to limit the purpose of the testimony.

In another motion, the defense has also requested to cross-examine Caroline Ellison regarding the involvement of attorneys in establishing auto-deletion policies for messages at FTX and Alameda. This line of questioning aims to challenge allegations that Bankman-Fried attempted to hide any wrongdoing.