Sam Bankman-Fried Reacts with Disbelief as Ex Testifies: Inside the Mind of a Prosecutor

Sam Bankman-Fried, currently on trial for fraud, had a noteworthy reaction as his ex-girlfriend and former CEO testified against him. According to the prosecutor, Bankman-Fried “laughed, visibly [shook] his head, and scoffed” multiple times during Caroline Ellison’s questioning. The Guardian reports that the prosecutor expressed concern about Bankman-Fried’s reactions, considering their romantic history, “power dynamic,” and alleged previous attempts to intimidate Ellison, as it could be affecting her testimony.

The defense disputed these claims, asserting that only the judge and jury should evaluate Bankman-Fried’s visible reactions to the testimony. They highlighted the fact that there was a delay before Ellison could identify Bankman-Fried in court. SBF’s lawyer criticized the prosecutor’s position and stated that the notion of intimidation was “ridiculous.” In response, the judge requested SBF’s lawyer to discuss with his client and ensure that any scoffing was not intentional.

During her cross-examination on Thursday, Ellison wrapped up her time on the stand. The Wall Street Journal reports that the defense failed to undermine Ellison’s bombshell testimony. Ellison had served as the head of Alameda, a hedge fund founded by Bankman-Fried. The hedge fund is accused of making high-risk investments using funds from customers of Bankman-Fried’s cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. The AP also agrees that the defense’s cross-examination did little to damage the credibility of the government’s key witness, describing it as “meandering” and leaving the judge puzzled and impatient at times. Additionally, the prosecution called another former employee who largely supported Ellison’s testimony. (Read more on Thursday’s cross-examination and testimony at the AP.)