Caroline Ellison, Adviser to Sam Bankman-Fried, Says He ‘Directed’ Her to Commit Crimes

Ellison’s Revelation in Court
Ellison’s Bombshell Testimony
A Crucial Witness
Background: The Case Against Sam Bankman-Fried

Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, took to the witness stand in a New York court and made damning allegations against Sam Bankman-Fried. She asserted that Bankman-Fried instructed her to carry out actions that ultimately led to the downfall of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX.

Ellison’s Revelation in Court

Caroline Ellison, in a dramatic courtroom appearance, disclosed that she had first crossed paths with Sam Bankman-Fried during their tenure at Jane Street Group. She further revealed that their professional relationship had evolved into a romantic one. When prosecutors asked her to identify Bankman-Fried in the courtroom, she pointed him out, saying, “He’s over there wearing a suit.

Ellison’s Bombshell Testimony

Ellison didn’t mince words during her testimony. She explicitly stated that Bankman-Fried, who originally served as the CEO and owner of Alameda, had directed her to commit criminal actions. She claimed that Alameda had misappropriated several billion dollars from FTX customers, utilizing these funds for their own investments and to settle outstanding debts.

A Crucial Witness

Caroline Ellison’s testimony is of significant importance as she is regarded as one of the key individuals within Bankman-Fried’s inner circle who possesses inside knowledge about the alleged fraudulent transfer of billions of dollars from FTX customer accounts to the affiliated trading firm, Alameda. Ellison had previously pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors following the collapse of FTX.

Background: The Case Against Sam Bankman-Fried

Sam Bankman-Fried faces accusations of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that led to substantial fund transfers to Alameda, creating a massive deficit that resulted in the bankruptcies of both FTX and Alameda. The testimonies of individuals like Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang, co-founder of FTX, are pivotal in the government’s case against Bankman-Fried. The trial continues as prosecutors seek to unravel the complex web of financial transactions and events that allegedly contributed to the collapse of FTX and Alameda.