Sam Bankman-Fried case timeline

Major developments in the federal criminal case, from the indictment through the 2023 trial, guilty verdicts, sentence, and appellate decision.

Events: 10
Span: 2022–2026
Status: Judgment affirmed

December 2022

Federal criminal charges

The indictment that began the Southern District of New York criminal case.

December 13, 2022Charges
Federal charges are unsealed
Federal prosecutors unsealed an eight-count indictment charging Bankman-Fried with fraud and conspiracy offenses concerning FTX customers, Alameda Research lenders and FTX investors, commodities and securities fraud, money laundering, and a campaign-finance conspiracy that was not part of the 2023 trial.
Source
- United States Attorney Announces Charges Against FTX Founder Samuel Bankman-Fried U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

October–November 2023

The federal trial

Opening statements, the prosecution and defense cases, closing arguments, and the verdict.

October 3, 2023Trial
The federal trial begins
The available Day 1 volume records pretrial proceedings before jury selection. The reporter states that jury selection followed under separate cover; that separate transcript has not been recovered and is not reconstructed here.
In the archive
- Trial transcript, Day 1 pretrial proceedings
October 4, 2023Trial
Opening statements frame the fraud dispute
The prosecution alleged that Bankman-Fried directed the use of FTX customer deposits through Alameda and concealed the resulting shortfall. The defense argued that he acted in good faith while legitimate businesses failed during a severe market downturn.
In the archive
- Trial transcript, Day 2 opening statements
October 26, 2023Trial
The defense case begins
After the government rested and the court addressed the defense's acquittal motion, the defense called Krystal Rolle and Joseph Pimbley. Bankman-Fried then testified outside the jury's presence during an evidentiary hearing concerning proposed advice-of-counsel testimony.
In the archive
- Trial transcript, Day 14 defense case and evidentiary hearing
October 27, 2023Trial
Bankman-Fried testifies before the jury
Following the court's evidentiary ruling, Bankman-Fried began his direct testimony before the jury. His testimony continued across five transcript pages through October 31.
In the archive
- Trial transcript, Samuel Bankman-Fried testimony before the jury
October 31, 2023Trial
Evidence concludes
Bankman-Fried completed cross-examination and redirect. The defense rested, the government declined to present rebuttal evidence, and the court turned to the remaining acquittal motion and charge conference.
In the archive
- Trial transcript, Day 17 defense rests
November 1, 2023Trial
The parties give closing arguments
The government and defense presented their summations. The government's rebuttal, final jury instructions, deliberations, and verdict followed on November 2.
In the archive
- Trial transcript, Day 18 closing arguments
November 2, 2023Verdict
Jury finds Bankman-Fried guilty on all seven counts
The jury returned guilty verdicts on all seven fraud, conspiracy, and money-laundering counts tried. The court polled the jurors and recorded the verdicts.
In the archive
- Trial transcript, Day 19 verdict
Source
- Sam Bankman-Fried found guilty of perpetrating multi-billion-dollar fraud at FTX U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

2024–2026

Sentence and appeal

The prison sentence and the Second Circuit decision affirming the judgment.

March 28, 2024Sentencing
Court imposes a 25-year sentence
Judge Lewis A. Kaplan sentenced Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered forfeiture of more than $11 billion.
Source
- Samuel Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years for orchestrating multiple fraudulent schemes U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York
June 12, 2026Appeal
Second Circuit affirms the judgment
The Second Circuit affirmed Bankman-Fried's convictions and sentence, rejecting the challenges raised in his direct appeal.
Source
- United States v. Bankman-Fried, No. 24-961 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit via Justia