Ryan Salame, Former FTX Executive, Accuses Biden DOJ of Political Persecution in Explosive Claims
- Who Is Ryan Salame and Why Is He Speaking Out Now?
- Political Donations or Persecution? The $23 Million Question
- "They Pointed a Gun at My Pregnant Wife": Salame’s Most Explosive Claim
- Trump DOJ Praise and the "Two-Tiered Justice" Debate
- What’s Next for the FTX Fallout?
- FAQs: Ryan Salame vs. the DOJ
Ryan Salame, the ex-co-CEO of FTX’s Bahamian subsidiary, has launched a scathing attack on the Biden administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ), alleging political targeting over his Republican donations. Currently serving a 90-month prison sentence, Salame claims prosecutors threatened his pregnant fiancée to coerce a guilty plea—a tactic he compares to "banana republic justice." This article unpacks his allegations, the DOJ’s response, and the polarized fallout from one of crypto’s biggest scandals.
Who Is Ryan Salame and Why Is He Speaking Out Now?
Ryan Salame, the 32-year-old former right-hand man to Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), isn’t going quietly. From his cell at Cumberland Federal Prison, he’s taken to X (formerly Twitter) to accuse the Biden DOJ of weaponizing the legal system. "They went after people, not crimes," Salame wrote, alleging that Democratic-linked figures in FTX’s illegal campaign finance scheme received "total immunity." His 90-month sentence—the harshest among FTX execs—followed his refusal to testify against SBF, who got 25 years for masterminding the $8 billion fraud.
Political Donations or Persecution? The $23 Million Question
Salame’s case hinges on his $23 million in GOP midterm donations, a stark contrast to FTX’s largely Democratic-leaning inner circle. He insists his loans from Alameda Research were legally vetted: "I consulted tax advisors and lawyers—why target me as a straw donor when I had hundreds of millions?" The DOJ maintains Salame knowingly funneled illegal funds, including $400,000 to his fiancée Michelle Bond’s failed 2022 congressional run. Bond, indicted in August 2024, denies wrongdoing and claims prosecutors reneged on a deal.
"They Pointed a Gun at My Pregnant Wife": Salame’s Most Explosive Claim
The most shocking allegation? Salame says prosecutor Danielle Sassoon threatened Bond’s prosecution unless he pled guilty. "When I said I’d fight the charges, they dangled dropping the case against my pregnant fiancée," he wrote. Sassoon later testified she never promised immunity, calling it a "negotiation tactic." Bond’s trial is pending, but the optics—a pregnant woman allegedly strong-armed—have fueled conservative outrage.
Trump DOJ Praise and the "Two-Tiered Justice" Debate
Salame’s post included a nod to Trump-era DOJ policies, claiming they’d have prevented such "legal warfare." Critics see this as proof of partisan bias, while progressives argue Salame’s sentence reflects his role in FTX’s collapse. Notably, cooperating witnesses like Caroline Ellison received lighter treatment. "I tried to save my family from Biden’s corrupt system," Salame wrote. "I may be jailed, but I’m unbowed."
What’s Next for the FTX Fallout?
With Bond’s trial looming and Salame appealing his sentence, the case remains a lightning rod for debates over justice and crypto regulation. The DOJ hasn’t responded to Salame’s claims, but one thing’s clear: FTX’s implosion isn’t just about money—it’s become a political battleground.
FAQs: Ryan Salame vs. the DOJ
What is Ryan Salame accused of?
Salame pled guilty to campaign finance violations and operating an unlicensed money transmitter, tied to FTX’s illegal political donations.
Did the DOJ really threaten his fiancée?
Salame claims prosecutors Leveraged charges against Michelle Bond to secure his plea. The DOJ denies misconduct.
Why did Salame get 90 months?
His sentence reflects the scale of his offenses and his decision not to cooperate against SBF, unlike other FTX insiders.
