Sam Bankman-Fried is asking the US Supreme Court to review his fraud conviction, seek a new trial and overturn an $11 billion forfeiture order, according to a court filing reported by CNN.
Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has reportedly taken his legal battle to the US Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the conviction that resulted in a 25-year prison sentence.
According to a Thursday court filing cited by CNN, Bankman-Fried’s attorneys are asking the nation’s highest court to review his case and order a new trial. The defense is also challenging an $11 billion forfeiture order, arguing that the amount is unconstitutional under protections against excessive fines.
The latest filing follows an unsuccessful appeal at the federal appellate level.
Defense Challenges Evidence Excluded at Trial
A central argument in Bankman-Fried’s Supreme Court petition concerns evidence that his lawyers say should have been presented to the jury.
According to the filing, the defense argued that the trial judge improperly excluded evidence concerning investments made by Bankman-Fried that they contend were financially sound.
His attorneys reportedly maintain that those investments could have generated sufficient value to cover FTX customer losses.
The defense therefore argues that excluding this information prevented the jury from considering a key part of its case and affected the outcome of the trial.
The Supreme Court will first have to decide whether it will take up the appeal. The filing itself does not mean that the court has agreed to review the conviction.
Bankman-Fried Also Challenges $11 Billion Forfeiture
The former FTX executive is separately challenging the $11 billion forfeiture order imposed in connection with the case.
His lawyers argue that the forfeiture violates the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits excessive fines.
The size of the forfeiture represents another major point of contention in Bankman-Fried’s continuing legal campaign.
The latest challenge comes after the federal appeals court rejected his attempt to overturn his conviction and sentence.
Appeals Court Previously Upheld 25-Year Sentence
A three-judge panel of the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Bankman-Fried’s conviction and 25-year prison sentence on June 12.
The appellate ruling left the original criminal judgment in place and prompted his legal team to pursue further avenues of appeal.
Bankman-Fried was sentenced in March 2024 after being convicted on seven counts involving fraud and conspiracy.
His latest Supreme Court filing represents another effort to challenge the proceedings that led to that conviction.
Prosecutors Accused SBF of Misusing Customer Funds
Federal prosecutors previously alleged that Bankman-Fried used billions of dollars belonging to FTX customers for purposes unrelated to their intended use.
According to the prosecution’s case, customer funds were used to help repay obligations connected to Alameda Research, while money was also directed toward investments, political contributions and personal expenditures.
The allegations formed a central part of the government’s case against the former executive.
Bankman-Fried has continued to contest aspects of the prosecution’s presentation and the legal conclusions arising from his trial.
Pardon Request Remains Another Avenue
The Supreme Court appeal is not the only route Bankman-Fried has pursued since his conviction.
He has also reportedly sought a presidential pardon from US President Donald Trump.
That request represents a separate potential path for relief from the consequences of his conviction, while the Supreme Court petition relies on arguments concerning the conduct and legal framework of his criminal trial.
Neither route guarantees that his conviction or sentence will be overturned.
Supreme Court Review Would Be a Major Development
Bankman-Fried’s latest filing places his case before the Supreme Court after the lower federal courts rejected his efforts to reverse the conviction.
His attorneys are asking the justices to consider both the trial evidence and the $11 billion forfeiture.
For the defense, the central questions involve whether potentially favorable evidence was improperly excluded and whether the forfeiture exceeds constitutional limits.
For now, the key uncertainty is whether the Supreme Court will agree to hear the case.
Until then, Bankman-Fried’s 25-year sentence and conviction remain in effect, following the appellate court’s June ruling.
