Ex-Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison’s Sentencing Hearing Scheduled For Sept. 24

As disclosed in a recent court filing, Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, is preparing for her sentencing hearing two years after the collapse of the FTX exchange, once run by her former partner, Sam Bankman-Fried. 

However, the filing reveals that Ellison is requesting permission to redact sensitive information from her forthcoming sentencing submission, aiming to protect the identities of third parties and her current living situation from public scrutiny.

Ellison’s Attorney Requests Privacy Protections

Ellison’s attorney submitted the request to Judge Kaplan on Monday, highlighting the need to redact names and personally identifiable information of individuals who have written letters of support on her behalf. 

The filing cites concerns over “potential harassment and doxing,” particularly given the intense media attention surrounding Ellison since the case began. Bankman-Fried’s previous attempts to disclose her private details have heightened these concerns, prompting Ellison to seek protection for her friends and supporters.

The request emphasizes the balance between public access to judicial documents and the privacy interests of individuals not involved in the case. Citing precedents, Ellison’s counsel argues that the proposed redactions would have negligible impact on the court’s decision-making process, as the information is not material to the sentencing outcome.

FTX And Alameda Research Scandal Fallout

Among the items Ellison wishes to redact are certain medical details and aspects of her living situation that could expose her to further risks. The filing notes that while the court’s rules allow for the redaction of medical records, the information Ellison seeks to protect does not fall under formal medical documentation but still holds significant privacy implications.

Additionally, the former CEO of Alameda Research plans to submit journal entries reflecting her state of mind during her tenure at Alameda Research, but she is also requesting to redact “potentially embarrassing information” that pertains to others but lacks public relevance. Notably, the lawyers assess that the court has historically granted similar requests.

As previously reported by Bitcoinist, Ellison’s involvement in the FTX scandal has been significant. She has admitted to conspiring with Bankman-Fried to defraud investors, lenders, and consumers, revealing that FTX executives received substantial loans from Alameda Research. 

Bankman-Fried on the other hand, is currently serving a 25-year sentence in a detention center in Oklahoma, despite a federal judge’s recommendation for him to remain in New York to aid in his appeal following the court’s findings that eventually led to major implications for the broader crypto market.

At the time of writing, FTX’s native token FTT, is trading at $1.33, recording gains of 1.4% in the last 24 hours. The rally is currently being led by Bitcoin (BTC), which is currently battling to regain the $58,000 mark, after plunging towards $52,000 on Friday. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com