In accordance with 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 in regards to the visits, White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed the press the conferences concerned discussions about “pandemic prevention.”
Senior White Home Workers 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 monetary fraud and misconduct, met with the senior White Home adviser Steve Richetti 3 times. SBF additionally met with the White Home deputy chief of employees Bruce Reed on one event as properly. 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.
In accordance with reports, a number of members of the U.S. Democratic Occasion and sure marketing campaign committees are at the moment below 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 coated right here by the Hatch Act,” Jean-Pierre remarked to the reporter. She additional famous that there have been limitations on what she might say to the press. ”Something that’s related 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 in regards to the 4 conferences with SBF and senior Biden administration officers. Biden’s press secretary defined that the conferences had been about gathering common information in regards to the crypto business and pandemic prevention.
“Let me provide you with a number of rundowns right here. As we beforehand confirmed and as you understand, I do know you’re following this very carefully, these conferences included Steve Richetti and Bruce Reed, the conferences centered on pandemic prevention associated to Sam Bankman-Fried’s basis,” Jean-Pierre stated. “And common data on the cryptocurrency business and crypto exchanges. Look, you understand, the administration has been clear in regards to the want for Congress to take motion after we discuss addressing cryptocurrency.”
Jean-Pierre additionally mentioned Biden’s focus on the crypto business and his current executive order final March. “The president as you understand launched an government order on this subject simply final March. And the president launched a framework for shielding shoppers final fall and final November,” the press secretary continued. “Secretary Yellen renewed the administration’s name for Congress to take motion. In order you understand the White Home commonly engages with officers from a spread of industries and sectors together with leaders in companies like nonprofits.”
Jean-Pierre added:
Once more this assembly with Sam Bankman-Fried was centered on pandemic prevention-related issues and cryptocurrency and crypto exchanges.
The pandemic prevention commentary was a topical discussion on social media after the Jan. 3 press briefing revealed on Tuesday. Jean-Pierre’s statements had 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.”
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