- Judge Daniels set Michelle Bond’s trial for 9 November in the Manhattan federal court.
- Prosecutors allege Bond and Salame used $400,000 in FTX funds for her 2022 race.
- Bond motion to dismiss the indictment was denied by Judge Daniels last week.
One of the final criminal cases stemming from the collapse of FTX is heading to trial. A Manhattan federal judge has set November 9 as the trial date for Michelle Bond, wife of former FTX Digital Markets co-CEO Ryan Salame, on four counts of federal campaign finance violations.
What the Charges Allege
Prosecutors contend that Bond and Salame funneled $400,000 in FTX funds into Bond’s 2022 Republican primary campaign for New York’s 1st Congressional District. The indictment describes the payment as a sham transaction designed to conceal the true source of the money and sidestep federal contribution limits and disclosure requirements. Bond lost the primary to Nicholas LaLota and never made it to the general election.
The Motion That Failed
Bond’s legal team had sought to have the indictment thrown out, arguing that prosecutors had made assurances to Salame that she would not face charges if he pleaded guilty. Judge George Daniels of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York rejected that argument, finding nothing in the record to support dismissal. The denial came a week before the trial date was formally set.
Where Her Husband Stands
Salame pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiracy to make unlawful political contributions and is currently serving a 90-month prison sentence. He initially tried to withdraw his plea after alleging prosecutors had misled him on the question of whether Bond would be charged, but ultimately dropped the effort and reported to prison in October 2024, leaving the dispute to play out in his wife’s proceedings.
The Broader FTX Fallout
Bond’s case arrives as nearly every other criminal matter tied to FTX has reached its conclusion. Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven felony counts and sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2024. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals rejected his appeal earlier this month, leaving a presidential pardon or the Supreme Court as his only remaining options. He has applied to President Donald Trump for clemency.
Former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison was released early in January after serving less than her two-year sentence.
With the November date confirmed, Bond will become one of the few FTX-linked defendants to have her case decided by a jury rather than resolved through a plea.
Related: Judge Rejects Michelle Bond’s Bid to Dismiss FTX Campaign Finance Charges
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.
