Based on public filings, former crypto billionaire and FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried met with senior Biden administration officers earlier than he was indicted for monetary fraud. When requested concerning the visits, White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed the press the conferences concerned discussions about “pandemic prevention.”
Senior White Home Employees Met With Former Billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried to Focus on ‘Crypto Trade’ and ‘Pandemic Prevention’
The disgraced FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), who’s at the moment charged with eight counts of economic fraud and misconduct, met with the senior White Home adviser Steve Richetti thrice. SBF additionally met with the White Home deputy chief of employees Bruce Reed on one event as nicely. SBF donated quite a lot of cash to Democrat leaders within the U.S., together with $5.2 million in marketing campaign donations to the present president Joe Biden.
Based on stories, a number of members of the U.S. Democratic Celebration and sure marketing campaign committees are at the moment underneath investigation by federal prosecutors for donations related to SBF. Only recently, throughout a Dec. 13, 2022 press briefing, a reporter requested White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre if the administration would return the funds.
“I’m lined right here by the Hatch Act,” Jean-Pierre remarked to the reporter. She additional famous that there have been limitations on what she may say to the press. ”Something that’s linked to political contributions, from right here I must refer you to the DNC,” Jean-Pierre added.
To start out the brand new yr, the White Home held a press briefing on Jan. 3, 2023, and Jean-Pierre was requested concerning the 4 conferences with SBF and senior Biden administration officers. Biden’s press secretary defined that the conferences have been about gathering basic data concerning the crypto trade and pandemic prevention.
“Let me offer you a number of rundowns right here. As we beforehand confirmed and as you already know, I do know you’re following this very carefully, these conferences included Steve Richetti and Bruce Reed, the conferences targeted on pandemic prevention associated to Sam Bankman-Fried’s basis,” Jean-Pierre stated. “And basic data on the cryptocurrency trade and crypto exchanges. Look, you already know, the administration has been clear concerning the want for Congress to take motion once we speak about addressing cryptocurrency.”
Jean-Pierre additionally mentioned Biden’s focus on the crypto trade and his current govt order final March. “The president as you already know launched an govt order on this matter simply final March. And the president launched a framework for shielding customers final fall and final November,” the press secretary continued. “Secretary Yellen renewed the administration’s name for Congress to take motion. In order you already know the White Home repeatedly engages with officers from a variety of industries and sectors together with leaders in companies like nonprofits.”
Jean-Pierre added:
Once more this assembly with Sam Bankman-Fried was targeted on pandemic prevention-related issues and cryptocurrency and crypto exchanges.
The pandemic prevention commentary was a topical dialogue on social media after the Jan. 3 press briefing revealed on Tuesday. Jean-Pierre’s statements have been mocked similar to her Hatch Act statements two weeks prior. One particular person who joked about Jean-Pierre’s SBF feedback stated that possibly the White Home ought to “schedule a gathering with Jordan Belfort (the Wolf of Wall Avenue) on vaccines subsequent.”
What do you concentrate on the White Home’s statements regarding senior Biden officers assembly with the indicted FTX co-founder SBF? Tell us what you concentrate on this topic within the feedback part under.
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