In a recent development, U.S. prosecutors have bombarded former FTX CEO Sam-Bankman Fried’s legal team with a massive amount of discovery documents. Lawyers representing Bankman-Fried have strongly objected to the government’s approach of providing access to evidence and legal information while their client is held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
One of the major concerns raised by Bankman-Fried’s lawyers is the sheer volume of information involved. The government recently produced an additional 4 million pages of discovery, which the defense argued is an unreasonable burden to place on them less than six weeks before the trial. They further highlighted that the discovery information already amounts to terabytes of data, with millions of additional pages yet to come.
Adding to the defense’s frustrations is the government’s failure to develop a plan for delivering the discovery documents to Bankman-Fried at MDC, despite the impending trial date. His lawyers have urged the court to grant internet access to their client, as the current arrangement of meeting with lawyers twice a week is insufficient for the data review required. They asserted that Bankman-Fried’s expertise and extensive knowledge make him uniquely qualified to quickly and efficiently locate relevant documents related to the case.
The defense pointed out that although Bankman-Fried has been provided with a laptop, its limited internet access prevents effective collaboration with lawyers or accessing his previous work. They highlighted the importance of his previous efforts, mentioning that he spent 80 to 100 hours per week reviewing discovery before his imprisonment. To address the issue, the lawyers urged for Bankman-Fried’s temporary release, which would enable him to work closely with the defense team and access the internet five days a week in a dedicated courthouse working space.
Bankman-Fried’s lawyers have persistently pressed for his temporary release since at least August 18. It remains to be seen whether the court will grant his request, considering the significant challenges posed by the overwhelming amount of discovery materials and the importance of his involvement in the defense’s strategy.
As the legal battle intensifies, the release of an enormous number of discovery documents by U.S. prosecutors has sparked objections from Sam-Bankman Fried’s defense team. With concerns about the volume of information, lack of access for Bankman-Fried, and the inability to collaborate effectively, his lawyers are fighting for his temporary release. The outcome of this dispute will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the trial and the defense’s ability to prepare a strong case.
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