Bankman-Fried seeks Supreme Court review of fraud conviction and $11 billion forfeiture

Sam Bankman-Fried, convicted of fraud, conspiracy and money-laundering for diverting customer funds from FTX to his hedge fund Alameda Research, is asking the Supreme Court to reverse his 25-year sentence and an $11 billion forfeiture. His lawyers contend that the trial court improperly excluded proof that the bankruptcy plan restored customers’ money with interest, suggesting no economic loss occurred. The petition draws on a 2025 Supreme Court decision that permits fraud charges without proving victim loss, arguing that defendants should likewise be allowed to present evidence of repayment.

Veteran Supreme Court attorney Jeffrey Fisher highlighted the difficulty of introducing loss evidence when the government’s theory ignores it. The Second Circuit rejected his prior appeal, and the Supreme Court’s hearing schedule remains uncertain. Separately, Bankman-Fried has a pending pardon request with the Office of the Pardon Attorney.