Ryan Salame, a former FTX executive, made a significant decision to withdraw his petition to dismiss the indictment against Michelle Bond just days before a crucial court hearing. Salame’s legal team communicated this withdrawal to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the Southern District of New York on August 29. The withdrawal was done “without prejudice,” allowing Bond to address the matter in her own legal proceedings.
Salame, who was sentenced to 90 months in prison in May 2024 for conspiracy charges, including running an unlicensed money-transmitting business and making unlawful political contributions, initially filed the petition on August 21. He sought a writ of error coram nobis or a writ of audita querela. The crux of his argument was that his guilty plea, entered in May as part of a deal for a reduced sentence, was based on the mistaken belief that prosecutors would not pursue further action against Bond.
However, prosecutors vehemently opposed Salame’s claims, labeling them as “demonstrably false.” They maintained that the investigation into Bond’s activities was ongoing and distinct from the charges Salame faced. The indictment against Bond, unveiled on August 22, 2024, alleges that she conspired with Salame to make illegal contributions to her 2022 congressional campaign.
Strategic Shift
With Bond’s indictment now formally docketed and her case progressing under Judge George B. Daniels, Salame made a tactical move to step back and allow Bond to address the issues independently. This withdrawal indicates a strategic shift in approach. Salame’s legal team clarified that it does not signify a change in his position regarding the case’s facts but rather a decision to have the matters raised in his petition litigated in Bond’s case, where they are more pertinent.
Clarification and Criticism
Additionally, Salame’s lawyers criticized the government’s interpretation of the petition’s motives, asserting that their action was not driven by dissatisfaction with Salame’s sentence but rather by the impending indictment against Bond. By withdrawing the petition, Salame effectively removed any potential complications that it may have introduced in Bond’s case, enabling her proceedings to progress smoothly.
The withdrawal of Ryan Salame’s petition in Michelle Bond’s case signifies a strategic decision to allow Bond to address the legal matters independently. This move indicates a calculated approach to streamline the legal process and ensure a fair and efficient resolution of the case.