The names of the two guarantors who signed part of Sam Bankman-Fried’s $250 million bail bond will remain confidential for now.
The judge has also rejected an agreement that would have allowed Bankman-Fried to use certain messaging apps.
Bankman Fried’s lawyers filed an appeal to block the release of the guarantor’s name at the last minute on February 7. The appeal contains no further objections to the disclosure but will prevent the order from being enforced until February 14 to allow an application for a further Stay.
The appeal is expected after Jan. 30 ruled in the United States District Judge Lewis Kaplan granted a joint proposal from eight major media seeking to unseal the guarantors’ names.
At the time, Kaplan noted the order may be appealed due to new circumstances.
He cited arguments by Bankman-Fried’s attorneys that the sureties “would face the same harassment” because Bankman-Fried’s parents had no benefit because the individual bond sizes were smaller, at $200,000 and $500,000.
Bankman Fried’s parents – Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried – were the other two parties to the bond.
In addition, the judge said the sureties voluntarily signed individual bonds in “very public criminal proceedings,” and were therefore open to public scrutiny.
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Meanwhile, on Feb. 7 Kaplan rejected a joint agreement between Bankman-Fried’s legal team and prosecutors that would have modified bail conditions and allowed Bankman-Fried to use certain messaging apps.
Kaplan did not give a reason for denying the motion but added the subject will be discussed again at the Feb. 9 hearing.
Kaplan ruled on Feb. 1 that Bankman-Fried was barred from contacting FTX or Alameda Research employees because of the risk of “inappropriate contact with potential witnesses” after it was revealed the former CEO had contacted past and current staff.