Bankman-Fried may not testify in FTX trial if he is denied ADHD medication, his lawyers warn

Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyers claim he is not being given enough ADHD medication, despite a court order that he be offered prescriptions. Photo: REUTERS/Eduardo Muñoz

Sam Bankman-Fried will not be able to give “meaningful” testimony in his FTX fraud trial unless he receives enough medication to treat his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), his lawyers have warned.

The crypto mogul, who faces charges of fraud, money laundering and conspiracy, has yet to testify at his trial in New York and is said to be struggling to concentrate during court hearings.

Mr Bankman-Fried's lawyers said this was because he was not getting enough Adderall, causing «increasing concern» as he was «not able to concentrate at the level he usually does.» did.»

«Mr. Bankman-Fried has done his best to remain focused during trial over the past two weeks, despite not receiving his prescribed dose of Adderall during trial hours,» he wrote lawyer Mark Cohen in a letter to the court.

The letter said that without the drugs, Mr. Bankman-Fried “would not be able to fully participate in presenting the defense case.”

Mr. Bankman-Fried's legal team has not yet done so. confirm whether he will testify regarding FTX's bankruptcy.

He maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

The FTX founder currently receives Adderall doses at 4 and 6 a.m. before traveling to court, the letter states. This is followed by another dose in the evening.

However, his lawyers said the first dose «would wear off by the time the trial begins at 9:30 a.m.»

The judge overseeing the trial previously ruled that Mr. Bankman Freed will offer him all his prescriptions for ADHD and depression, although it is alleged that he did not have access to them in court.

Lawyers for Mr. Bankman-Fried said prison officials had not responded to their requests for more ADHD medication.

FTX, a company founded by Mr. Bankman-Fried in May 2019 year, went bankrupt in a spectacular bankruptcy. fashion last year discovered an $8 billion black hole in its accounts.

He was charged with a range of charges, including misusing customer deposits to buy luxury real estate.

On Last week, his ex-girlfriend and old colleague Caroline Ellison testified against him, as did his former friend Gary Wang.

Both pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges and are now witnesses for the US government.