US Judge Denies Bankman-Fried’s Bail Modification Application

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A federal judge denied a request by Sam Bankman Fried to change Sam Bankman Fried’s bail conditions so that he could use certain messaging tools.

U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan, of New York’s Southern District, said the motion “Denial without prejudice” is the condition of his hearing. An attorney representing the former CEO of FTX Exchange requested on Monday He be allowed to use certain unencrypted messaging apps as well as WhatsApp with the help of monitoring software.

Mark Cohen, the attorney, stated that prosecutors had accepted the modifications. This would have allowed Bankman-Fried access to apps like FaceTime, Zoom and email. He would be allowed to use WhatsApp but his conversations would be monitored using logging software.

The proposed modifications would prohibit him from using Signal and similar apps.

Cohen indicated that Cohen would sign off if the judge granted the defense permission to withdraw its request to cancel the asset transfer condition and request that Thursday’s hearing be cancelled.

Judge Kaplan stated that oral arguments would continue. The hearing is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday.

UPDATE: February 7, 2023 at 16:00 UTC Adds additional detail.