FTX Exec’s Prison Delay Tactics Foiled by Tucker Carlson Interview

Ryan Salame, former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, is set to begin his 7.5-year prison sentence today after a federal judge rejected his latest attempt to delay incarceration. The denial comes in the wake of Salame’s recent appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show, which seemingly contradicted his claims of needing urgent medical treatment.

Judge Lewis Kaplan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York denied Salame’s request to postpone his surrender date to December 7, citing doubts about the “veracity” of Salame’s medical claims. The former crypto executive had sought the delay, asserting he required ongoing treatment for a dog bite sustained in June.

Prosecutors challenged Salame’s narrative, pointing out that he appeared “physically recovered and entirely unimpaired” during his interview with Tucker Carlson. This media appearance, coupled with Salame’s ability to answer questions “with no signs of drooling or slurred speech” at a recent court appearance, significantly undermined his case for postponement.

Judge Kaplan noted that Salame had already benefited from “extremely generous postponements” and ordered him to report to the Bureau of Prisons by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, October 11.

Salame’s legal troubles stem from his role in FTX’s downfall. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make unlawful political contributions and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams previously stated that Salame committed serious offenses to amass “unlawful political influence.”

In an unusual move, Salame has publicly embraced his impending inmate status. He updated his LinkedIn profile to include a role as an “inmate” at FCI Cumberland and changed his X (formerly Twitter) profile picture to an image of himself in mock prison attire.

The case has taken another turn with prosecutors pursuing Salame’s girlfriend, Michelle Bond, for allegedly accepting illegal campaign contributions during her unsuccessful congressional run in New York.

As the FTX saga continues to unfold in both civil and criminal courts, Salame’s imprisonment marks another chapter in the downfall of one of crypto’s most high-profile exchanges. With former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried already serving a 25-year sentence and other executives awaiting sentencing, the industry watches closely as legal repercussions continue to ripple through the crypto landscape.