In a court filing submitted to Manhattan federal court Judge Lewis Kaplan, Barbara Fried, the mother of convicted crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried, expressed her concerns about her son’s safety in prison due to his difficulty in reading social cues associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Fried, a Stanford Law professor, emphasized that Bankman-Fried’s traits, such as being uncomfortable with eye contact and outward displays of emotion, could lead to miscommunication and potentially put him in extreme danger within the prison environment.
Fried’s six-page letter highlighted how the public’s perception of Bankman-Fried changed drastically after his fall from grace. While he was once admired for his eccentricities, his awkward traits and verbal style were now ridiculed, portraying him as a freak with malicious intentions. Fried stressed that prisons are not equipped to handle miscommunication effectively, making it even more crucial to consider her son’s vulnerability.
Bankman-Fried, who faces a maximum sentence of 110 years for his fraud conviction related to stealing $10 billion from customers of his crypto exchange FTX, is scheduled for sentencing on March 28. During his trial, Bankman-Fried testified in his own defense, expressing regret for allowing his hedge fund Alameda Research to borrow billions in FTX user funds. However, he did not display outward emotion or apologize for the funds’ disappearance. Bankman-Fried’s father, Joseph Bankman, also a Stanford Law School professor, echoed Fried’s concerns, stating that his son would be at significant physical risk if given a lengthy prison sentence.
Bankman-Fried’s new attorney, Marc Mukasey, argued that the 110-year maximum sentence was grotesque and called for a reduced term of 63-to-78 months (5.25 to 6.5 years) instead. Mukasey also mentioned Bankman-Fried’s condition known as “anhedodia,” which is characterized by a near-complete absence of enjoyment, motivation, and interest.
