Ryan Salame, the former FTX executive sentenced to 7.5 years in prison, is seeking to have his conviction vacated, alleging that the government breached a plea deal. According to court filings, Salame agreed to plead guilty to campaign finance violations in exchange for the government dropping its investigation into his partner, Michelle Bond.
Bond, a former Republican congressional candidate and now a fintech think tank CEO, is under investigation by federal prosecutors for alleged campaign finance violations related to contributions made by Salame and others to her 2022 congressional campaign.
Salame’s attorneys argue that the government used the plea negotiations to coerce Salame into accepting a guilty plea by threatening to pursue charges against Bond. Despite Salame’s cooperation, the government allegedly failed to honor its implied commitment to drop the investigation.
The filing states that Salame is entitled to hold the government accountable for its assurance and is requesting that the court either withdraw his plea or order specific performance from the government.
Salame’s public stance on the matter remains defiant, as he expressed his hope that his court filing will encourage others to be honest and expose “un-American tactics.” He emphasized the importance of a just and fair justice system, highlighting the fragility of such institutions.
This legal battle between Salame and the government sheds light on the complexities of plea deals and the potential for government overreach. As the case progresses, it will be interesting to see how the court responds to Salame’s claims and whether the government will be held accountable for its alleged breach of the plea agreement.
