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In a last-ditch effort to get a more lenient sentence, lawyers for disgraced CEO Sam Bankman-Fried are citing his autism as one reason why he should get five to six years in prison instead of the maximum of 110 years<\/a> laid out by sentencing guidelines.<\/p>\n In a sentencing memo filed Tuesday<\/a>, lawyers for SBF asked a judge to sentence him to 63 to 78 months in jail in part because he is \u201cuniquely vulnerable in a prison population.\u201d His lawyers claim that SBF\u2019s autism spectrum disorder puts him at higher risk of violence and extortion by other inmates because of how he acts, according to the filing.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBecause individuals with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) may have difficulty responding to certain social cues and contexts, they are at risk from both other inmates and prison guards who may view their failure to respond \u2018appropriately\u2019 to social cues as disrespectful or disobedient,\u201d SBF\u2019s lawyers write in the memo.<\/p>\n Bankman-Fried would also have trouble understanding and acting in accordance with any \u201cunwritten rules,\u201d that rely on social cues and differ from the actual rules of the prison, according to the filing.<\/p>\n The disgraced crypto CEO misappropriated customer funds to buy real estate, advertisements, and to support risky bets at FTX\u2019s sister trading firm. When the house of cards collapsed, it left customers out of billions of dollars, some of whom lost their life savings<\/a>. Sentencing guidelines recommend that the 31-year-old be locked up for a maximum of 110 years after he was found guilty of seven counts related to fraud<\/a> committed as CEO. Prosecutors have yet to file their own sentencing recommendations.<\/p>\n In the past, Bankman-Fried tried to fit in despite his neurodivergence by practicing facial expressions and forcing himself to make eye contact, his lawyers added, but he can be perceived as, \u201cabrupt, dismissive, evasive, detached or uncaring.\u201d This is especially the case when he is under pressure and can\u2019t prepare beforehand, the memo reads. The lawyers added that SBF has also been on medications for anhedonic depression since college.<\/p>\n Since his bail was revoked<\/a> in August, Bankman-Fried has been held at Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City, a facility that is known for staffing shortages and subpar conditions. Bankman-Fried\u2019s lawyers have also complained about his ability to get the prescribed medications<\/a> he needs to treat his ADHD and depression.<\/p>\n Last week, crypto influencer and journalist Tiffany<\/a> Fong published the first image of SBF in prison<\/a>, which showed him several pounds lighter and clasping his hands as he posed with other inmates. One of the inmates pictured with SBF also told Fong in an interview<\/a> that the former FTX CEO was \u201cweird as shit\u201d and \u201ccan be strange\u201d but that he is a good person and President Biden should ultimately pardon him.<\/p>\n While several of his close business associates, including his ex-girlfriend and CEO of FTX\u2019s sister trading firm Alameda research Caroline Ellison, testified against him<\/a> during his trial, his family and others who knew him closely filed letters of support with the judge that spoke to his good character and touched on his social behaviors.<\/p>\n One letter, written by the psychiatrist he has been seeing since 2019 who was also FTX\u2019s former in-house coach<\/a>, supported Bankman-Fried\u2019s lawyers\u2019 claims that he could be at risk because of his autism. The psychiatrist, Dr. George K. Lerner, said in the letter that SBF\u2019s intelligence allowed him to compensate for his social deficiencies, but that he gets worse when he\u2019s stressed or under pressure.<\/p>\n \u201c[H]e can lose his ability to compensate and as a result can come across to others as brusque, unfeeling, sometimes as if he doesn\u2019t even hear them,\u201d Lerner wrote.<\/p>\n Another supporter, fellow inmate and accused pedophile Carmine Simpson<\/a>, added that Bankman-Fried has, more than the average inmate, been targeted for hazing, harassment, and assault. His claims could not be verified.<\/p>\n \u201cSam is the least physically intimidating person and this is especially noticeable inside a jail,\u201d Simpson wrote.<\/p>\n SBF and his lawyers claim that along with consideration for his autism, SBF should get a lighter sentence because he has in the past given large sums to charity and because the FTX customers who lost money due to his crimes are likely to be made whole by the company <\/a>in the future. SBF has not been involved in the efforts to repay customers.\u00a0<\/p>\n While Bankman-Fried\u2019s lawyers and supporters are asking for a leaner sentence, others say he shouldn\u2019t get off so easily.<\/p>\n Bankman-Fried\u2019s hearing is set for March 28<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nBankman-Fried in prison<\/strong><\/h2>\n