Sam Bankman-Fried Pleads Not Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court, Defense Requests Access to Medications and Vegan Diet

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former billionaire and co-founder of failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, appeared in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday where he pleaded not guilty to seven counts. His lawyers argued that Bankman-Fried requires proper access to computers, medications to treat his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and a vegan diet.

However, Bankman-Fried is not getting his prescribed Adderall, which helps him focus, and he is not getting a vegan diet, so he has had to subsist on bread and water with some peanut butter. His attorneys told the magistrate judge that the jail where he’s housed continues to serve him a “flesh diet” despite requests for vegan dishes.

The 31-year-old was arrested earlier this month after prosecutors alleged he was trying to influence witnesses in his fraud case. His bail was revoked and he was ordered jailed by a federal judge in New York.

The judge has yet to rule on the defense’s request for Bankman-Fried to be released on bail. If convicted, Bankman-Fried could face up to 20 years in prison. The trial is scheduled to begin on August 16.