FTX Executive Ryan Salame Accuses Biden DOJ of Political Persecution in Explosive Allegations
- Who is Ryan Salame and why is he in prison?
- What are Salame's specific allegations against the DOJ?
- How does the DOJ respond to these allegations?
- What's the political context of these accusations?
- What are the implications for Michelle Bond's case?
- How does this affect the broader FTX narrative?
- What's next in this developing story?
- FTX Fallout: Questions and Answers
In a bombshell social media post from prison, former FTX executive Ryan Salame has leveled shocking accusations against the Biden administration's Department of Justice, claiming he was targeted for his Republican political donations while Democrats received "free passes." The 32-year-old, currently serving a 90-month sentence at FCI Cumberland for his role in FTX's collapse, alleges prosecutors threatened his pregnant fiancée to coerce a guilty plea - claims that could reignite debates about political bias in financial prosecutions.
Who is Ryan Salame and why is he in prison?
Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX's Bahamian subsidiary, was sentenced to 7.5 years in November 2023 after pleading guilty to campaign finance violations and operating an unlicensed money transmitter. Unlike other FTX executives who cooperated with prosecutors, Salame maintained his distance from the case against Sam Bankman-Fried. His $23 million in political donations - primarily to Republican causes - made him an outlier in Bankman-Fried's largely Democratic inner circle.
What are Salame's specific allegations against the DOJ?
In his lengthy X (formerly Twitter) thread, Salame made several incendiary claims:
- Prosecutors "chose people, not crimes," giving Democratic recipients of FTX funds immunity while targeting him
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon threatened to prosecute his pregnant fiancée Michelle Bond unless he pleaded guilty
- The DOJ suppressed exculpatory evidence about his properly documented Alameda Research loans
- His prosecution was politically motivated retaliation for Republican donations
How does the DOJ respond to these allegations?
While the Justice Department hasn't publicly addressed Salame's latest claims, court records show Sassoon denied making immunity promises during a November 2025 hearing. She testified that Salame's lawyers likely used the suggestion of a deal as a "negotiation tactic." Legal experts note such "he said/she said" disputes are common in high-stakes white-collar cases where plea negotiations break down.
What's the political context of these accusations?
The case touches raw nerves in Washington, where FTX's collapse revealed astonishing political connections. Bankman-Fried and associates donated over $70 million mostly to Democrats, while Salame became the Republican Party's second-largest donor in 2022. Salame praised Trump's DOJ for implementing policies to prevent "legal warfare," suggesting the Biden administration weaponized justice against political opponents.
What are the implications for Michelle Bond's case?
Bond, a former congressional candidate, faces charges of lying about $400,000 in FTX funds routed through Salame. Her lawyers argue prosecutors reneged on an immunity deal, while the government maintains no such promise existed. The case could turn on whether Sassoon's negotiations crossed ethical lines - a question that may require judicial resolution.
How does this affect the broader FTX narrative?
Salame's allegations introduce new complexity to the FTX saga, suggesting political considerations may have influenced prosecutorial decisions. While Bankman-Fried received 25 years for masterminding the $8 billion fraud, Salame's sentence exceeded other cooperating executives', possibly reflecting his refusal to testify against his former boss.
What's next in this developing story?
Legal analysts predict Salame's claims could fuel congressional investigations into DOJ conduct, especially if Republicans regain the WHITE House. Meanwhile, Bond's trial (currently scheduled for mid-2026) may reveal more about the alleged coercion. For now, Salame remains defiant from prison: "I may be behind bars, but I hold my head high!"
FTX Fallout: Questions and Answers
Why was Ryan Salame sentenced to 90 months?
Salame received a 7.5-year sentence primarily for illegal campaign contributions and operating an unlicensed money transmitter, with prosecutors arguing his actions helped conceal FTX's massive fraud.
Did other FTX executives get lighter sentences?
Yes. Caroline Ellison (7 years), Gary Wang (3.5 years), and Nishad Singh (5 years) received reduced sentences for cooperating against Sam Bankman-Fried, while Salame maintained distance from the prosecution.
What evidence supports Salame's political bias claims?
Salame points to his Republican donations versus FTX's predominantly Democratic giving patterns, though no smoking gun evidence of political targeting has emerged beyond his allegations.
How common are coercion claims in white-collar cases?
Defendants frequently allege prosecutorial overreach, but documented threats against family members remain rare. Such claims typically require concrete evidence to gain legal traction.
