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FTX United States Extradition Remains Unresolved, Bankman-Fried Still Imprisoned

 |  December 19, 2022

The FTX United States extradition situation has hit an unexpected snag.

Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the one-time multibillionaire and disgraced FTX founder, appeared Monday morning (Dec. 19) before an emergency hearing of the Bahamas Magistrate Court. It was SBF’s first time back in court since his earlier request for a bail of just $250,000 and a notably lenient supervised home release was denied.

The hearing, which saw SBF’s lawyer, Jerome Roberts, tell the court he was not aware of his client’s plans, was adjourned with no ruling being given, meaning the crypto fraudster isn’t being extradited to the U.S. just yet.

Read more: How Sam Bankman-Fried Propped Up His Hollow Empire With Hype

There was reportedly confusion from the start, with SBF’s lawyer asking the judge why the emergency hearing was being held.

“Things are moving prematurely and without any involvement from me,” Roberts said.

Roberts has not immediately replied to a request by PYMNTS for comment. His client reportedly wishes to read his indictment before making a decision regarding extradition. SBF has apparently only seen the affidavit laying out the charges against him, as reported by Reuters.

SBF’s original extradition court trial was set for Feb. 8, although there is the potential one will be called for sooner given the chaos of Monday’s hearing.