Judge in SBF Case Recuses Herself Citing Possible Conflict of Interset

Federal judge Ronnie Abrams, who used to oversee the case against Sam Bankman-Fried, Caroline Ellison, and Gary Wang, has formally recused herself.

• According to an order from December 23rd, Federal judge at the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has recused herself from the action.
• The order states:

It has come to the Court’s attention that the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, at which my husband is a partner, advised FTX in 2021, as well as represented parties that may be adverse to FTX and Defendant Bankman-Fried in other proceedigs (or potential proceedings). My husband has no involvement in any of these representations. […] Nonetheless, to avoid any possible conflict, or the appearance of one, the Court hereby recuses itself from this action.

• Meanwhile, Sam Bankman-Fried was previously allowed to stay in his parents’ home and released on a $250 million bail.
• It’s important to note that he didn’t have to pay the full amount, which is used as a deterrent in case he fails to honor the conditions of his bail agreement.
• The judge who allowed the bail was Gabriel Gorenstein.