Attorneys for Ryan Salame, a former FTX executive currently serving a 7.5-year prison sentence, have filed a court motion alleging that federal prosecutors reneged on a plea deal that was supposed to shield his domestic partner, Michelle Bond, from further investigation. The filing claims that prosecutors had assured Salame that the investigation into Bond, a former Republican congressional candidate and CEO of fintech think tank ADAM, would cease if he cooperated.
Disputed Plea Agreement
Salame, who pled guilty in September 2023 to campaign finance violations and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, argues that his plea was based on promises from prosecutors to protect Bond, who is also the mother of his child. According to the filing, prosecutors indicated that they would halt their investigation into Bond’s alleged campaign finance violations, which relate to contributions made during her 2022 congressional campaign.
The filing asserts that the government used Salame’s plea negotiations as leverage to coerce him into cooperation, threatening to pursue charges against Bond unless he accepted the deal. Despite Salame’s compliance, prosecutors have reportedly resumed their investigation into Bond, violating what Salame’s attorneys describe as an “implied commitment” to discontinue legal scrutiny.
Legal Action
Salame’s legal team is now seeking a court order to enforce the government’s original promise or vacate his conviction entirely. The motion argues that Salame’s plea was improperly induced by assurances that have since been broken, and that he should be allowed to withdraw his plea if the government refuses to honor its commitment.
“Salame is entitled to hold the Government to its assurance by either withdrawing his plea or obtaining an order directing specific performance,” the filing states. The document further alleges that the government acted in bad faith by using Bond as a bargaining chip in the negotiations.
Public Response
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Salame expressed hope that his legal challenge would expose what he views as unfair tactics by the justice system. “I hope it helps at least one person in the future; the justice system is fragile but so important,” he wrote, signaling his defiance against the government’s actions.
The case highlights ongoing legal battles surrounding key figures involved with FTX, following the collapse of the crypto exchange and the subsequent high-profile investigations into its executives and associates.
