Top Attorney Says Lawyers Attempting to Paint SBF as a Victim Is a “Rookie Mistake”

Attorneys representing former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) have recently attempted to paint their client as a victim, a move that John Deaton has openly criticized. 

During a recent Manhattan courtroom hearing, the legal team defending disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried argued strongly about how the prosecution had mistreated their client. The comments, which formed a large part of an emotional closing remark, suggested that the prosecution had attempted to bully the former FTX CEO throughout the trial.

Specifically, the legal team led by Mark Cohen argued that the prosecution had criticized SBF’s hairstyle, dress, and appearance. Sam Bankman Fried’s legal defense also claimed that the jury had attempted to paint their client as a calculating villain despite his acting “in good faith” by sharing knowledge of the case in recent testimony.

Attorney Cohen described SBF’s mistakes at FTX and Alameda Research as a genuine attempt to “start and operate two multi-billion-dollar businesses in a new market.” Cohen added that “while some decisions turned out well, [other] decisions turned out poorly.”

Crypto Attorney Criticizes Move as “Rookie Mistake”

In the aftermath of the closing remarks, experienced crypto lawyer John Deaton shared his thoughts. He described Sam Bankman-Fried’s legal team’s efforts to paint their client as a victim as a “rookie mistake.” 

Deaton expressed shock that SBF’s attorneys could share such reasoning in court, suggesting that the former FTX CEO may have written the closing remarks and instructed his lawyers to argue it. John Deaton also argued that the consequences of such rookie mistakes would show when the jury eventually hands down a sentence. 

We all saw the “it grew so fast and all got away from me and I didn’t “intend” to defraud people Defense. But this type of argument is a HUGE mistake and the consequences will show up when the judge hands down a sentence. To paint Sam a victim is a stupid rookie mistake and I’m… https://t.co/Sd82RUJydz

— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) November 1, 2023

Notably, Deaton is not the only lawyer expecting a heavy sentence for the former FTX CEO. In similar comments, criminal defense lawyer Carlo D’Angelo mentioned that SBF’s recent testimony could lead to a longer sentence.

Judge Lewis Kaplan, who is presiding over the case, is expected to announce a verdict in the coming weeks. If Sam Bankman-Fried is convicted of fraud, he faces a lengthy prison sentence that could span decades.