The criminal trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, is at a crucial stage, with the defense team wrestling with the decision of whether he should testify. Complicating this decision is Bankman-Fried’s ongoing struggle to secure adequate doses of Adderall, a medication prescribed for his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Mark Cohen, Bankman-Fried’s defense attorney, detailed these concerns in a letter to Judge Lewis Kaplan on October 15, writing:
The defense has a growing concern that because of Mr. Bankman-Fried’s lack of access to Adderall, he has not been able to concentrate at the level he ordinarily would and that he will not be able to meaningfully participate in the presentation of the defense case.
Prosecutors are slated to conclude their case by midday on October 26, leaving the floor open for the defense. While signs point toward the defense presenting a case, it remains uncertain whether Bankman-Fried will take the stand. This uncertainty is magnified by the ongoing issue of medication, which has been a point of contention since Bankman-Fried was remanded in federal custody in August.
Initially, Bankman-Fried’s legal team had some success in securing his full prescribed doses of Adderall. However, as the trial has progressed, obtaining the medication has become increasingly difficult. Despite multiple attempts to communicate with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), their calls and emails between October 5 and October 12 have gone unanswered. Currently, Bankman-Fried receives a morning dose of Adderall that wears off by the time the jury enters the courtroom, a situation far removed from the three to four doses he is supposed to receive daily.
In his letter, Cohen suggested that if the extended-release dose of Adderall proves ineffective, the trial should adjourn for one day—specifically on Tuesday, October 17—to explore alternative solutions. He also requested that Bankman-Fried be allowed to receive his medication at the District Court during the trial, an unusual but potentially necessary measure given the circumstances.
This medication issue is not the first time Bankman-Fried’s well-being in custody has raised concerns. Previously, he was reported to be “subsisting on bread and water” due to the federal jail’s failure to provide him with a vegan diet as requested.
Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to seven criminal charges, including fraud and conspiracy, related to the collapse of FTX. The trial continues to be closely watched, especially within the cryptocurrency community.
