SBF retrial motion letter challenged as DOJ questions authenticity

Prosecutors in the US have questioned the authenticity of a “retrial motion letter” attributed to FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), submitted from prison in support of a new trial bid. In a filing to Judge Lewis Kaplan, the DOJ said it does not object to a deadline extension for the defense reply, but there is “reason to doubt” that the letter docketed on March 16 was actually submitted by SBF. The DOJ pointed to multiple inconsistencies, including: - Signature format: the letter was signed with an “/s/” marker rather than SBF’s actual signature. - Mailing rules: prosecutors cited Federal Bureau of Prisons guidance stating inmates cannot send mail via FedEx or other private carriers. - Address and facility mismatch: the envelope listed “S. Bankman-Fried” at Terminal Island DOC, San Pedro, CA, but prosecutors noted Terminal Island is a Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), not a DOC facility. - Shipping trail mismatch: FedEx tracking allegedly showed the package was picked up and shipped from Palo Alto or Menlo Park, California, rather than the prison’s listed location. Background: SBF was convicted in November 2023 on seven counts (fraud and conspiracy) and sentenced to 25 years, with an order to repay $11 billion to FTX customers. His lawyers previously argued for a new trial, claiming the media and prosecutors created undue pressure and that allegedly new evidence could undermine the government’s case. Separate DOJ arguments urged Kaplan to deny the new trial request, saying defense claims do not meet legal standards and that prior testimony (from former FTX executives Ryan Salame and Daniel Chapsky) was already known to the defense. Overall, the SBF retrial motion letter review is a procedural blow that may extend uncertainty around the case timeline and appeals posture.