FTX Founder SBF Unable to Focus on Trial: Lawyers

Sam Bankman-Fried, the co-founder of FTX, has petitioned a U.S. judge for an extended prescription of long-acting Adderall, attributing his struggle to maintaining concentration throughout the proceedings of his criminal trial.

FTX Founder Unable to Focus on his Trial

In a letter dated October 15 addressed to New York District Judge Lewis Kaplan, lawyers representing Bankman-Fried made a request for him to be permitted to take a 12-hour extended-release 20mg dose of Adderall before his transportation to the trial on October 16.

Medication Needed During Trial

As per the report, the ex-CEO’s legal team is apprehensive that the founder of FTX may not be able to effectively participate in presenting his defense without the aid of medication.

The attorneys further explained that the absence of the prescribed stimulant during trial hours has resulted in Bankman-Fried’s inability to focus at his typical level. The letter states that even without the medications, he has tried “doing his best to remain focused during the trial.”

No Certainty Regarding Effectiveness

Furthermore, Bankman-Fried’s lawyers asserted that, even if he were to take the requested medication, there is currently no certainty regarding the effectiveness. Consequently, they have requested the court to adjourn the trial for a single day, specifically on Tuesday, October 17th, so that in the meantime they could look to “find a solution that will work for the remainder of [the] trial.”

FTX Founder’s Trial Deepens

Judge Kaplan initially granted a request on August 14 for Bankman-Fried to have access to Adderall and antidepressant medication in prison following his lawyers’ disclosure of his history of depressive disorder and ADHD. 

However, after the approval, Bankman-Fried’s legal team noted that he had gone without Adderall for the prior 11 days.

During the trials of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), Caroline Ellison, a former Alameda executive, who previously pled guilty in exchange for their testimony, has consistently provided compelling insights into SBF’s financial actions. A key point in Ellison’s testimony has been Bankman-Fried’s relentless effort to secure more money for his ambitious trading plans and purchases.