Former Alameda Research CEO, Caroline Ellison, who pleaded guilty to seven criminal charges related to her time at FTX’s sister company, is requesting that the names of individuals who wrote letters of support for her ahead of her sentencing be redacted. Ellison is seeking to redact personally identifying information, medical information, and information about her living situation to protect herself from potential harassment. She was considered the prosecution’s star witness in the case against her former boyfriend, Sam Bankman-Fried, and her testimony portrayed him as a controlling and power-hungry digital asset entrepreneur willing to endanger customer funds.
During her testimony, Ellison admitted to playing a role in a massive crypto fraud scheme and publicly expressed remorse for her actions. Bankman-Fried attempted to discredit her testimony by releasing her private diary entries to the media, leading to the revocation of his bail by the presiding judge. Ellison has been under intense media scrutiny and faced harassment online since the case began, prompting her to request redaction of the names of individuals who wrote letters of support on her behalf. Despite facing up to 110 years in prison for her crimes, Ellison may avoid prison time altogether due to her cooperation with federal prosecutors.
Ellison’s request to redact sensitive information before her sentencing submission on September 24 has been granted by the US Attorney’s Office. However, it remains to be seen whether the presiding judge will approve the request. The court filing highlights the intense scrutiny and harassment that Ellison has faced, particularly from Bankman-Fried’s efforts to release her private information to the public. By redacting the names of individuals who support her, Ellison aims to protect them from potential harassment and doxing. Her compelling testimony against Bankman-Fried could potentially help her receive a more lenient sentence or avoid prison time entirely.
Caroline Ellison’s involvement in the criminal activities at FTX’s sister company has been a focal point of her case, with her testimony against Bankman-Fried playing a crucial role in the trial. Despite facing serious charges and the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, Ellison’s cooperation with prosecutors has positioned her to potentially receive a more favorable outcome. The redaction of sensitive information from her sentencing submission reflects the challenges she has faced in the public eye and the efforts to protect her and her supporters from further harassment. The decision on whether to approve the redaction request will ultimately rest with the presiding judge, who will determine Ellison’s fate in the upcoming sentencing.
