Sam Bankman-Fried’s attempt to secure a new trial has hit a fresh obstacle after US prosecutors flagged a suspicious letter and a judge demanded new disclosures.
In a filing this week, prosecutors said they do not oppose giving Bankman-Fried more time to pursue his request.
However, they warned the court that a recent letter, supposedly sent by him, may not be authentic. That concern has shifted attention away from the merits of his case and toward how his filings are being handled.
The letter, dated March 16, was sent to the judge by FedEx. Prosecutors said that it is unusual because inmates at his prison are not allowed to use private couriers.
They also pointed to inconsistencies in the return address and shipping data, which suggest the package may have been sent from outside the prison area. The document was signed digitally rather than by hand, adding further doubt.
As a result, Judge Lewis Kaplan stepped in. In a separate order, he directed Bankman-Fried to clarify who is actually preparing his court filings.
By April 15, Bankman-Fried must submit a sworn statement confirming whether he wrote the documents himself or received help from lawyers.
If attorneys were involved, he must identify them. The judge also ruled that any future filings must include the same disclosure.
The order does not decide whether Bankman-Fried will get a new trial. Instead, it focuses on transparency and basic court rules.
For now, his legal push continues, but under closer scrutiny from both prosecutors and the court.
