U.S. Seeks Victims of FTX Founder, Guarantees Rights

• U.S. authorities are seeking out victims of FTX founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried
• The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has created a web page inviting members of the public to contact USANYS-FTXVictims@usdoj.gov
• Victims are guaranteed rights under the U.S. criminal code, including protection from the accused, timely notice of public court proceedings, and the right to be heard in court

On Jan. 6, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York created a web page inviting members of the public to contact USANYS-FTXVictims@usdoj.gov if they had been a victim of fraud by Sam Bankman-Fried, the FTX founder and former CEO. The page also set out rights that victims are guaranteed under the U.S. criminal code, including protection from the accused, timely notice of public court proceedings, and the right to be heard in court.

The invitation from the Southern District of New York comes as the result of recent court proceedings. In those proceedings, the office asked for the judge’s permission to address FTX users collectively through a web page. FTX’s large user base, which includes more than 1 million individuals, would have made targeted emails unfeasible. Presumably, any information that the office obtains via email will be used in the ongoing case against the former Bankman-Fried. The former FTX CEO’s last hearing took place on Jan. 3, and his upcoming trial is scheduled for October.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams made clear that the office is also seeking out FTX associates. This means that anyone who may have witnessed the alleged fraud is encouraged to contact the office as well. In addition, victims are guaranteed a number of rights under the U.S. criminal code, including protection from the accused, timely notice of public court proceedings, and the right to be heard in court.

In the invitation, the Southern District of New York has made it clear that the rights of victims are to be respected. The office is committed to providing victims with the opportunity to exercise their rights, and it is encouraging anyone who may have been a victim of fraud or who may have witnessed it to contact USANYS-FTXVictims@usdoj.gov. By doing so, victims can ensure that their voice is heard in the ongoing case against Sam Bankman-Fried.