Ken WhiteOver at Serious Trouble, a blog post: How did Sam Bankman-Fried get bail? A lawsplainer on the federal bail system, what terms he got, and how he got them.
https://www.serioustrouble.show/p/how-did-sam-bankman-fried-get-bail
Nicholas Weaver@Popehat
The one thing that DOES strike me as unusual/stunning is no restriction on computer use.
The big fear on these cryptocurrency cases is in many ways the "Shawshank Redemption" move, where the bad guy squirrels away money someplace, which is way way easier with cryptocurrencies.
Most such cases I've seen have had a "No computers allowed" restriction on bail. But strangely enough, not for Sam...
earchibald
Kevin Riggle
Ansel Halliburton
Pure Spirit@lilith @ncweaver @Popehat speaking as a software engineer, even if he’s tapped, there’s trivial ways around it with a general purpose computer. Would be easy for him to move anonymously crypto around as long as the computer as an internet connection. All he has to do is VPN and his traffic is unidentifiable. Could even do that with a phone.
He, of anyone, should not have access to any computer whatsoever. That’s crazy.
He, of anyone, should not have access to any computer whatsoever. That’s crazy.
Micah Hausler
Hammancheez@Popehat pity presumed non-bail risk isn’t evenly applied
Reciprocity D'Parture@Popehat
Dear Mr. Hat,
What a wonderful explainer! Thank you! I especially appreciated the part about how his ex-girlfriend and his co-founders might perceive the situation
Dear Mr. Hat,
What a wonderful explainer! Thank you! I especially appreciated the part about how his ex-girlfriend and his co-founders might perceive the situation
Brett A@Popehat I am not sad he isn't in a hell hole prison somewhere, but I have to admit the soft on white collar crime things irritates. I do think that only real threats should be held, but dang it is hard to think about him lounging around his parents home while others are still doing time for marijuana offenses.
Jeff@Popehat basically he got out on his word after stealing most money in history
Kevix (he/him) :debian:@Popehat
white rich people doing tremendous financial crime get to stay out of out of jail. that's our classist, racist society. because 'danger' is about physical violence rather than include economic violence.
white rich people doing tremendous financial crime get to stay out of out of jail. that's our classist, racist society. because 'danger' is about physical violence rather than include economic violence.
@kevix @Popehat it’s insane to me that he was let go on bail, for essentially just a pinky promise to not flee. Despite potentially having many millions in untraceable assets, enough to set him up for life.
The magistrate judge made a huge mistake here. SBF can flee using his massive untraceable resources and deep web social network. A couple car swaps and bam he’s cozy in the woods. Why is SBF being treated like some upstanding citizen above fleeing?
The magistrate judge made a huge mistake here. SBF can flee using his massive untraceable resources and deep web social network. A couple car swaps and bam he’s cozy in the woods. Why is SBF being treated like some upstanding citizen above fleeing?
@Popehat so, I read the blog. It appears that financial danger to others isn’t a concern by the magistrate judge? The guy has proven himself capable of stealing billions but we are to presume he’s incapable of causing as much harm to the larger community as your average low level drug dealer? Ludicrous.
I am for ending cash bail. It stinks to high heaven of two tiered justice and propagates injustice by shielding those with power from the same consequences poor people face.
I am for ending cash bail. It stinks to high heaven of two tiered justice and propagates injustice by shielding those with power from the same consequences poor people face.
JT@Popehat Only one thing surprised me - “His parents co-signed the bond.” If that were my kid, his fuzzy punk ass would still be in jail. The rich and powerful clearly live in a different universe from we mere peasants.
Todd Knarr@Popehat I figure the punishments for him are going to be mainly financial, not carceral. He can run as far as he wants, it won't make a difference in his bank accounts. It just gives the feds easy ways to get at the money without having to prove anything in court.
microtherion@Popehat so what would happen if he were to skip bail before his parents ever got around to posting the title to their house? Could the government still seize it, or could the parents say something to the effect of „Oops, what a naughty boy! Guess our deal is off, then.“ ?
@microtherion The government could still chase the parents for the money. It would just be harder to get the house.
Menyoung@Popehat @microtherion the house is a Stanford campus residential leasehold, so I imagine it gets extra interesting