BlocksInform
The names of two guarantors who signed a portion of Sam Bankman-fried's $250 million guarantee will remain secret at this time.
One judge also dismissed an agreement that would have allowed Bankman-fried to use some messaging applications.
Bankman Fried’s lawyers filed an appeal to block the release of the guarantors' names last-minute on Feb. 7. There were no other arguments against disclosure in the appeal but it will prevent the order from being enforced until February. 14 in order to permit a request for additional suspension.
The appeal was expected after a Jan. 30 ruling in which United States District Judge Lewis Kaplan granted a joint petition from eight major media outlets seeking to unseal the guarantors' names.
At that time, Kaplan noted that its order was capable of being appealed in light of the newness of the circumstances.
He said the arguments of Bankman-Fried's lawyers that the guarantors would "be faced with similar intrusions" that Bankman-Fried's parents lack merit considering the size of their individual obligations was much smaller, Two hundred thousand dollars and half a million dollars.
Bankman Fried’s parents — Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried — were the other two parties who signed off on the bond.
In addition, the judge stated that the guarantors voluntarily signed individual sureties as part of a "high-profile criminal proceeding" and thus went through public scrutiny.
Related: US Attorney requests SEC and CFTC civil cases against SBF wait until after criminal trial
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 provided no reason to reject the motion, but added that the topic would be discussed further in February. 9 hearing.
Kaplan gave its decision in February. 1 that Bankman-Fried was barred from contacting FTX or Alameda Research employees citing a risk of “inappropriate contact with prospective witnesses” after it was revealed the former CEO had been contacting past and present staff.
