Sam Bankman-Fried arrest updates: Former FTX CEO denied bail due to flight risk

Bankman-Fried oversaw the crypto exchange as it plunged into bankruptcy.

Last Updated: December 13, 2022, 3:41 PM EST

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday charged Sam Bankman-Fried, the embattled former CEO of cryptocurrency giant FTX and trading firm Alameda Research, with defrauding investors.

"FTX's collapse highlights the very real risks that unregistered crypto asset trading platforms can pose for investors and customers alike," Gurbir S. Grewal, director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement, said in a statement.

Bankman-Fried was arrested Monday in the Bahamas after federal prosecutors in New York filed criminal charges contained in a sealed indictment, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. He appeared in court in the Bahamas on Tuesday and was denied bail after a judge determined he was too much of a flight risk.

Key headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Dec 13, 2022, 2:52 PM EST

More than $8 billion in FTX customer losses, federal official says

Sam Bankman-Fried defrauded customers and investors in FTX as well as lenders to his hedge fund, Alameda Research, and he violated campaign finance laws, federal prosecutors in New York said Tuesday as they discussed the fruits of a "complex and sprawling" investigation.

The criminal charges came one month after FTX filed a $32 billion bankruptcy and U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said the investigation was ongoing and "moving very quickly."

Attorneys for the Southern District of New York announce the indictment of Samuel Bankman-Fried on Dec. 13, 2022 in New York City.
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Williams said he authorized charges against Bankman-Fried on Wednesday of last week. A grand jury returned an indictment Friday.

There are more than $8 billion in customer losses, said Gretchen Lowe of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

In addition to fraud and conspiracy, the indictment alleged Bankman-Fried violated campaign finance laws by making tens of millions of dollars in campaign donations -- to both Republicans and Democrats -- with stolen funds. The contributions were made in the name of Alameda Research with money taken from FTX, the indictment alleged.

Williams urged political campaigns and candidates who received donations from Bankman-Fried or Alameda to work with his office to return the money.

The Southern District of New York provided new details on the crimes allegedly committed by the former crypto CEO.
The Southern District of New York provided new details on the crimes allegedly committed by the former crypto CEO.

Bankman-Fried is fighting extradition from the Bahamas to New York to face all of these charges.

"Fraud is fraud," FBI Assistant Director Michael Driscoll said. "It does not matter the complexity of the investment scheme."

-ABC News' Aaron Katersky

Dec 13, 2022, 12:22 PM EST

Bankman-Fried doesn't waive extradition in court appearance

Sam Bankman-Fried did not waive his rights to an extradition hearing as he made his first court appearance in the Bahamas on Tuesday.

Had he waived his rights, the U.S. would have been able to extradite Bankman-Fried immediately. It's unclear now how quickly an extradition could happen.

The court proceedings were still ongoing as of noon.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Dec 13, 2022, 12:09 PM EST

‘No separateness whatsoever’ between FTX and Alameda Research, FTX CEO says

FTX CEO John Ray, who is overseeing the company’s bankruptcy proceedings, told House members on Tuesday that no separation existed between the operations of FTX and Alameda Research, a crypto hedge fund also founded by Bankman-Fried.

“There were virtually no internal controls and no separateness whatsoever,” Ray said.

Bankman-Fried faces accusations that FTX used deposits to pay Alameda Research creditors, a claim reportedly made by former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison during a call in early November.

In an interview last week, Bankman-Fried told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos that he was not aware that was true but said Alameda had a large position open on FTX that was "overcollateralized a year ago."

PHOTO: FTX Group CEO John J. Ray III waits to begin his testimony before a House Financial Services Committee hearing investigating the collapse of FTX after the arrest of founder Sam Bankman-Fried, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 13, 2022.
FTX Group CEO John J. Ray III waits to begin his testimony before a U.S. House Financial Services Committee hearing investigating the collapse of the now-bankrupt crypto exchange FTX after the arrest of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 13, 2022.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Ray told House members that FTX transferred several billion dollars in customer funds to Alameda Research.

When asked by Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., if there was a distinction between FTX and Alameda Research, Ray said, “Absolutely not. There’s no distinction whatsoever.”

“The owners of the company could run free reign,” Ray added, noting that Bankman-Fried owned 90% of Alameda Research.

Dec 13, 2022, 11:38 AM EST

Bankman-Fried's lawyer offers first comment

Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyer, Mark S. Cohen, offered his first comments on the arrest of his client Tuesday morning.

"Mr. Bankman-Fried is reviewing the charges with his legal team and considering all of his legal options," Cohen said in a statement.

Bankman-Fried was scheduled to make his first court appearance in the Bahamas Tuesday.

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