Former FTX executive Ryan Salame recently made headlines when he withdrew his petition to dismiss the indictment against Michelle Bond, just days before a crucial court hearing. Salame’s legal team informed Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the Southern District of New York in a letter dated Aug. 29 that the petition was being withdrawn “without prejudice,” allowing Bond to address the matter in her own legal proceedings.
Salame was sentenced to 90 months in prison in May 2024 after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges, which included running an unlicensed money-transmitting business and making illegal political contributions. Michelle Bond, a former congressional candidate, is accused of conspiring with Salame, her boyfriend, to unlawfully finance her 2022 campaign. Bond, who ran for New York’s 1st Congressional District but lost the Republican primary, is now facing indictments related to the case.
Salame’s initial petition, filed on Aug. 21, requested a writ of error coram nobis or audita querela, claiming that his guilty plea was based on the false belief that prosecutors would not pursue further action against Bond. However, the government’s response labeled his claims as “demonstrably false” and clarified that the investigation into Bond’s activities was ongoing and separate from Salame’s charges.
The decision to withdraw the petition marks a tactical shift for Salame, as his legal team emphasized that it does not indicate a change in his stance on the case’s facts. Instead, they argued that allowing the issues raised in the petition to be litigated in Bond’s case would be more relevant. The letter from Salame’s lawyers also criticized the government’s portrayal of the petition’s motives, stating that it was driven by the impending indictment against Bond, not dissatisfaction with Salame’s sentence.
Implications of the Withdrawal
With Salame stepping back and clearing the way for Bond’s case to proceed without the complications that his petition might have introduced, the focus now shifts to the legal proceedings against Bond. As her case moves forward under Judge George B. Daniels, the implications of Salame’s withdrawal and the strategic decisions made by both parties will continue to unfold in the court of law.
The withdrawal of Ryan Salame’s petition has brought new dynamics to the case involving Michelle Bond. The strategic considerations, legal implications, and the ongoing investigations add layers of complexity to the situation, underscoring the importance of thorough legal proceedings and fair representation for all parties involved.
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