SBF Trial, Day 7: In SBF Trial, Did the Defense Lose Its Opportunity With the Star Witness?

Published: Oct. 13, 2023, 3:45 a.m.

Day seven of Sam Bankman-Fried\u2019s criminal trial saw the defense team unable to discredit Caroline Ellison, despite multiple attempts. The defense's questions often seemed aimless, failing to draw any substantial conclusions. Ellison remained steadfast, revealing that SBF had plans to buy Telegram around the time Alameda "borrowed" $14 billion of FTX customer money.\n\nDefense attorney Mark Cohen tried to portray Ellison as the one in charge of Alameda, but she clarified that SBF was the ultimate decision-maker. Ellison also disclosed that she had considered resigning from Alameda but was persuaded by SBF to stay, emphasizing his control over the firm.\n\nThe day continued with testimony from Christian Drappi, a former Alameda employee, who corroborated Ellison's account. Zac Prince, founder of the bankrupt crypto lending firm BlockFi, briefly took the stand, setting the stage for his testimony to continue the next day.\n\nCatch up on Unchained\u2019s previous coverage:\xa0\n\nSam Bankman-Fried Trial: Here\u2019s Everything That Happened So Far\n\nSBF Trial, Day 1: Possible Witnesses Include FTX Insiders, Big Names in Crypto, and SBF\u2019s Family\n\nSBF Trial, Day 2: DOJ Says Sam Bankman-Fried \u2018Lied\u2019 While Defense Claims His Actions Were \u2018Reasonable\u2019\n\nSBF Trial, Day 3: Why a True Believer in FTX Flipped Once He Learned One Fact\n\nSBF Trial, Day 4: SBF\u2019s Lawyers Annoy Judge Kaplan, While Wang Reveals Alameda\u2019s Special Privileges\n\nSBF Trial, Day 5: SBF's Defense Finally Found Its Legs, But Can It Counter Caroline Ellison?\n\nSBF Trial, Day 6: Caroline Ellison Recalls 'The Worst Week of My Life'\n\nDid Sam Bankman-Fried Have Intent to Defraud FTX Investors?\n\nHere\u2019s How Sam Bankman-Fried\u2019s High-Stakes Trial Could Play Out\n\nSBF Trial: How Sam Bankman-Fried\u2019s Lawyers Might Try and Win His Case\n\nThe High-Stakes Trial of Sam Bankman-Fried Begins: What to Expect\n\nIn the SBF Case, Elite Corruption Is What\u2019s Really on Trial\n\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices