Former FTX Exec Ryan Salame Gets More Time Out of Prison to Recover from Dog Attack

On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, a federal district court in New York granted a 45-day continuance for former FTX Digital Markets Ltd. executive Ryan Salame to start his 90-month prison sentence. Salame, who pleaded guilty last year to engaging in campaign finance fraud and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, was originally ordered to surrender on August 29 to begin his prison term handed down in May by U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.

However, in late June, Salame claimed he had been injured in a dog attack, stating he was “mauled by a German Shepherd while visiting a friend’s home.” Salame said he required treatment and surgery for his injuries before reporting to prison. To allow for medical care, Salame’s lawyer Gina Marie Parlovecchio filed a request asking Judge Kaplan to delay his client’s surrender date.

In support of the request, a redacted doctor’s note outlining Salame’s need for treatment was submitted to the court. Legal experts said it is common for defendants needing medical attention to try and receive care before incarceration starts, since healthcare options are more limited in prison. Judge Kaplan approved pushing Salame’s report date back by 45 days to October 13 after reviewing the provided evidence of his need for delay.

The decision granting Salame a continuance appeared routine, according to Reed Smith partner and former prosecutor Mark Bini, who is not involved in the case. Salame plead guilty in September to unlawfully attempting to influence US elections through campaign donations and operating an unlicensed digital currency business.

His prosecution relates to the collapse of major cryptocurrency exchange FTX in November 2022. Salame is the first former executive of FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried’s inner circle to be sentenced as the legal fallout from the firm’s implosion continues. Ex-FTX chief technology officer Gary Wang and head of quantitative research Nishad Singh have upcoming sentencing hearings in the coming months.

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