Sam Bankman-Fried Testifies on His Busy Schedule and Relationship Issues During Trial
On Friday, Sam Bankman-Fried took the witness stand in his criminal trial and addressed his previous relationship with Caroline Ellison. Bankman-Fried, who is accused of defrauding customers and investors through his companies FTX and Alameda Research, testified that he was too busy running billion-dollar companies to fully invest in personal relationships.
Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of Alameda Research, met Ellison while working at Jane Street before he founded Alameda. Ellison, who ran Alameda as the CEO in mid-2021, is now a cooperating witness in the trial after pleading guilty to conspiring with Bankman-Fried to steal customer money.
The couple had an on-again, off-again relationship from 2020 to the spring of 2022. Bankman-Fried testified that he ended things because he simply didn’t have the time or energy to commit to a serious relationship, stating that he has historically struggled with long-term commitments. This explanation aligns with Ellison’s previous testimony, where she expressed a desire for more attention and closeness in their relationship.
Bankman-Fried’s busy schedule as the head of both FTX and Alameda left little time for personal grooming. Ellison previously testified that Bankman-Fried deliberately let his hair grow as part of his image, which made it difficult for her to recognize him in court where his hair is now cut short.
During the trial, Bankman-Fried’s attorney questioned why he didn’t prioritize regular haircuts or dress more formally for meetings and conferences. Bankman-Fried admitted that he was often too busy and lazy to get haircuts and found casual attire comfortable.
Bankman-Fried’s testimony sheds light on his demanding schedule and the challenges he faced in maintaining personal relationships while managing his successful companies. The trial continues with further testimonies and evidence presented against Bankman-Fried.