• Sam Bankman-Fried is reportedly subsisting on bread and water in prison due to lack of vegan options
• His lawyers allege that he has not received his medication (Adderall) for 11 days
• District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan has issued an order allowing Bankman-Fried to meet daily with his lawyers in the Southern District of New York courthouse
Sam Bankman-Fried Subsisting on Bread and Water
Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced FTX founder, has reportedly been eating only bread and water in prison due to the lack of vegan options available in his correctional facility. According to a report from Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press, his lawyers told Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn on Tuesday that their client had not received Adderall for 11 days and was being served a “flesh diet”.
Lack of Medication & Dietary Restrictions
Mark Cohen, one of Bankman-Fried’s attorneys noted that this was making things difficult for their client. “They are serving him a flesh diet. He is only eating bread and water, and sometimes peanut butter.” Judge Netburn indicated she would look into the dietary and medication issues faced by Bankman-Fried. Christian Everdell, another lawyer representing the FTX founder also raised concerns regarding Sixth Amendment issues. According to Everdell, their client could not adequately prepare for trial due to limited access to discovery materials online. They were offered solutions such as Putnam County Correctional Facility or providing an internet enabled computer at the MDC but these did not materialize. The final offer made was two days a week (9am – 3pm) at the courthouse which meant there would be lesser access than before as compared to unlimited access previously offered.
Sixth Amendment Violation?
The Sixth Amendment states that anyone accused of a crime should have the right “to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense”. On Wednesday, District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan approved an order granting Bankman-Fried permission to meet regularly with his lawyers at the Southern District Court House in New York City.
Charges Against Sam Bankman-Fried
Bankman-Fried faces multiple charges including frauding customers, mishandling billions worth of funds belonging to customers as well as illegal political donations made by him if convicted he could face more than 100 years in prison .
Conclusion
It remains unclear how long it will take until Sam Bankan Fried’s case is resolved but it appears he will now have better access during court proceedings thanks to District Judge Lewis A Kaplan’s order allowing him regular meetings with his legal team at least till then .