Sam Bankman-Fried, founder and former CEO of FTX, was once one of the richest people in the world, but today he is locked up in one of the worst prisons in the US. This Monday (19), journalist Tiffany Fong unveiled the first photo of the former billionaire in prison.
This is the first and only photo since the director was convicted. Five other prisoners are seen and, besides SBF, the only one with his face visible is “G Lock”, a former gang member who spoke to the journalist and gave more details about Bankman-Fried’s physical and mental state.
According to the report, the FTX founder has already adjusted to his new life. While previous reports suggest the former billionaire was trading fish in prison, G Lock reveals that Bankman-Fried is a “real gangster” because you are not one “to steal”.
Ex-con claims Sam Bankman-Fried isn’t showering, but has become a ‘real gangster’
Sam Bankman-Fried’s life fell apart in 2022 when a flood of withdrawals revealed his cryptocurrency brokerage was insolvent. Worse still, the crisis revealed that the former billionaire was using his clients’ money for his own benefit.
Bankman-Fried was initially arrested in the Bahamas, where FTX had offices, but was soon extradited to the US. Found guilty of the seven charges he faced, SBF could spend 110 years in prison.
Although sources suggested the former billionaire had changed his appearance, only one portrait has been released since his trial. However, journalist Tiffany Fong revealed an exclusive photo of Sam Bankman-Fried in prison.
“The first photo of Sam Bankman-Fried in the MDC (Metropolitan Detention Center) prison in Brooklyn. (December 17, 2023).”
On his left, also with his face visible, is the former detainee known as G Lock, who, in addition to the photo, also gave an interview to Fong.
“Sam Bankman-Fried was clean shaven, now he has a long beard.”said G-Lock. “I asked, ‘Sam, what are you doing?’, and he said, ‘I’m trying to grow it out, I’ve never done that before.'”.
“Sam had a belly when I met him, [agora] It’s as thin as a toothpick. He doesn’t shower, he doesn’t do anything.’
Fong jokes about the situation and asks if Bankman-Fried isn’t showering out of fear “dropping the soap”. However, G Lock says no and all that “These things happened in the 1990s, early 2000s”but that doesn’t happen anymore.
“He didn’t tell anyone.”G Lock continued, stating that SBF is a “real gangster”more than rapper Tekashi 69, who also spent time in prison.
Finally, G Lock even asks US President Joe Biden to release Sam Bankman-Fried from prison before his term ends. “He [SBF] He’s a good guy, he’s weird, but he’s a good guy.said G-Lock.
Thank you to my new friend, ex-blood gang member, G Lock!!pic.twitter.com/JjYbezpsl7
—Tiffany Fong (@TiffanyFong_) February 20, 2024
Finally, Fong stated that he will be releasing a video on his channel in the coming weeks with more stories about Sam Bankman-Fried in prison. For example, she claims the inmates watched an interview with Michael Lewis, who wrote a book about SBF, but they also mocked the former billionaire for his relationship with Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research.
Meanwhile, former FTX customers are still waiting for the return of their cryptocurrencies. According to the latest information, the bankrupt brokerage is expected to pay out its customers soon, but is unlikely to reopen.
Source: Live Coins
Barry Siefert is an accomplished journalist and author at The Nation View. He is known for his expertise in the field of cryptocurrency, and has written extensively on the topic. With a background in finance and economics, Barry has a deep understanding of the underlying technology and market forces that drive the crypto industry.
