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Hassan Shittu
Journalist
Hassan Shittu
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In a striking decision today as reported by The NYT, former FTX executive Nishad Singh was sentenced to time served by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, effectively freeing him from further prison time, as his lawyer requested.
Singh, who was chief engineer at FTX, was a central figure in the cryptocurrency exchange’s fraudulent activities and pleaded guilty to six felony charges, including fraud and conspiracy, earlier this year.
Background and Cooperation in FTX’s Investigation: Why Was Singh Able to Avoid Prison Time?
The sentencing decision follows important courtroom developments surrounding FTX’s collapse, which stemmed from the misappropriation of approximately $8 billion in customer funds orchestrated under Sam Bankman-Fried’s leadership.
As FTX’s chief engineer, Singh played a critical role in FTX’s operations and was initially implicated as a “straw donor” in the campaign finance allegations tied to Bankman-Fried’s political contributions.
In exchange for a lighter sentence, Singh became a key witness for the prosecution, providing detailed insights into the inner workings of the FTX fraud scheme during Bankman-Fried’s trial.
Singh’s cooperation has been pivotal. During FTX’s Chapter 11 proceedings, the company’s bankruptcy CEO, John J. Ray III, wrote a formal letter to Judge Kaplan urging leniency, stressing Singh’s “valuable assistance” in recovering assets for FTX creditors.
Ray praised Singh for voluntarily returning assets purchased with misappropriated funds and sharing critical information to support ongoing bankruptcy efforts.
Federal prosecutors also acknowledged Singh’s substantial assistance in a 5 K letter, which contributed to securing today’s sentence.
Implications and Judge Kaplan’s Decision
While prosecutors and FTX’s bankruptcy CEO called for leniency due to Singh’s cooperation, the judge’s decision was notable given the broader context of severe penalties for others involved in the FTX scandal.
Singh’s former colleague, Caroline Ellison, received a two-year prison sentence last month, reflecting the weight placed on executive accountability.
Judge Kaplan had emphasized before now that, though important, Singh’s role did not appear as premeditated as that of other key figures in the fraud scheme, which influenced the time-served sentence.
Singh’s attorneys argued that his relatively late involvement in FTX’s operations reduced his culpability compared to other executives.
His willingness to cooperate has further shaped today’s sentencing, with Judge Kaplan citing Singh’s ongoing commitment to assist with FTX’s asset recovery as a factor in the lenient decision.
The court ruling comes amid increasing regulatory scrutiny over cryptocurrency donations and the wider implications of FTX’s collapse.
With the verdict finalized, the former FTX executive is expected to continue aiding FTX’s bankruptcy team in its asset recovery efforts.
