The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution opposing any clemency for Sam Bankman-Fried, following his conviction for financial fraud linked to the FTX collapse.
In a decisive move, the Senate has unanimously adopted a nonbinding resolution stating that Sam Bankman-Fried should not be granted a presidential pardon or commutation. This resolution, introduced by Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), reflects bipartisan disapproval of Bankman-Fried’s actions, which prosecutors have described as part of one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history.
Bankman-Fried was found guilty in November 2023 on seven counts related to the misappropriation of over $8 billion in customer funds from FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange he co-founded. He is currently sentenced to remain in prison until about 2044. Former President Donald Trump has also expressed that he will not pardon Bankman-Fried, despite having previously granted clemency to other notable figures in the crypto space.
When introducing the resolution, Lummis emphasized that Bankman-Fried had already received a fair trial, stating, "He had his day in court." Gallego reinforced this sentiment by urging lawmakers to ensure his continued incarceration, saying, "Keep him locked up." The resolution passed without any objections, allowing it to move forward quickly.
