FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried is moving to new prison: WSJ report

Quick Take

  • Sam Bankman-Fried is relocating to a new prison, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a representative for the FTX founder.
  • The move, which is already underway, is likely a transfer to a California-based facility, sources told the WSJ. 

Sam Bankman-Fried is moving to a new prison facility, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. 

Federal officials initiated the prison transfer early Wednesday, a representative for Bankman-Fried told the WSJ. The spokesperson “couldn’t confirm” the FTX founder’s destination, but sources familiar with the matter believe the former executive is relocating to a prison in Mendota, California, the publication reported. 

The move comes several weeks after federal prosecutors recommended that Bankman-Fried be moved to a low-security facility in California, close to his parents’ home in Palo Alto. In April, the FTX founder expressed a desire to stay at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, a mixed-security facility in New York, to remain close to the lawyers working on his appeal. 

As of this writing, it is unclear if Bankman-Fried has already left MDC Brooklyn or whether he has reached his new facility. 

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A representative for Bankman-Fried did not immediately respond to The Block’s request for comment. 

Bankman-Fried first went to prison early last year when Judge Kaplan of the Southern District of New York revoked his bail for witness tampering. Bankman-Fried is serving a 25-year sentence, which Judge Kaplan handed down on March 28.


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About Author

Elizabeth Napolitano is a data reporter covering business and technology news, with a focus on cryptocurrencies. Prior to joining The Block, Elizabeth reported on BigTech, AI, crypto and videogames for CBS Moneywatch. As a CoinDesk reporter, she covered DeFi, NFTs and U.S. courts. She holds an MA in Journalism from CUNY. Follow her on X: @LizKNapolitano

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