The laptop computer of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried holds a lot information that the FBI is struggling to research it, based on stories from Enterprise Insider on March 30.
Prosecutors overburdened by laptop computer information
The FBI is having problem with the laptop computer’s contents, based on statements made by Assistant US Lawyer Nicholas Roos on the U.S. Division of Justice (DOJ).
It reportedly takes weeks for prosecutors to retrieve Bankman-Fried’s Slack messages. It takes longer to acquire different information, and brokers should divide the contents of the laptop computer into separate elements because of the sheer quantity of knowledge on the pc.
In consequence, the Division of Justice has to this point been unable to start a privilege evaluate — that’s, a evaluate by people who should not engaged on the case. This course of determines whether or not sure data can be utilized within the case in opposition to Bankman-Fried.
Bankman-Fried’s lawyer reportedly expressed issues about how prosecutors would deal with the info on the laptop computer. Nevertheless, the lawyer’s issues are mentioned to be associated to the potential for a cooperating witness who might testify to advance the federal government’s case — not strictly whether or not the DOJ will be capable to type via the laptop computer’s information absolutely.
The report from Enterprise Insider additionally signifies that prosecutors have supplied over 6 million pages of discovery materials associated to the case to this point.
SBF court docket proceedings proceed
It’s unclear whether or not the DOJ and FBI’s difficulties are solely because of the quantity of knowledge, or whether or not their points are associated to encryption and privateness as nicely.
Though Bankman-Fried’s obvious data-hoarding habits haven’t beforehand been mentioned, his tendency to make use of secret and auto-deleting messaging apps previously became an issue throughout his case. He now faces restrictions on his use of these apps.
Bankman-Fried’s predominant trial will happen in October, however court docket proceedings are at present ongoing. Bankman-Fried lately pleaded not guilty to 13 federal indictments. Earlier, he was charged with violating anti-bribery legal guidelines associated to China.
Bankman-Fried faces as much as 115 years in jail for his function in FTX’s wrongdoing, although it isn’t assured that he’ll face that full sentence even when convicted.