SBF Jail Release for 6.5 Hours: Judge Grants Lawyer Meeting

Disgraced FTX founder, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), now has the approval from a US judge to meet with his lawyers for a once-off period equivalent to a school day.

The Judge also permits his lawyers to access the internet during the meeting.

Stringent Requirements Imposed On SBF

An Aug. 22 court filing reveals that US District Court Judge, Lewis Kaplan, has allowed SBF to meet his lawyers outside his jail cell.

“The request is granted to the extent that the Marshall shall make the defendant available to meet with counsel, in the Marshal’s cell block attorney room” the filing states.

The filing indicates that Bankman-Fried will be able to meet his lawyers during limited hours, roughly 8.30am to 3pm.

Kaplan also permits SBF’s lawyers to bring “one internet-enabled laptop and one WiFi device into the courthouse” into the meeting.

SBF was sent to jail on Aug. 11. Although he has been on house arrest in his parents house since December 2022. He has been under strict internet access restrictions while on house arrest. Reports from April 6 reveal that he had limited time to seek a new mobile phone for himself, devoid of internet access. Additionally, his laptop could only access websites pre-approved by US prosecutors in a prior submission.

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The filing also states that all other requests made by SBF’s lawyer have been denied at this point in time. “The balance of the request for August 22 is denied,” it notes.

This comes after SBF’s lawyers requested for him to spend weekdays out of jail. They argued that this will allow him to collaborate with his defense team ahead of his trial.

These claims arose in preparation for his defense trial scheduled in October.

This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available