Ryan Salame Case: Prosecutor Refutes Immunity Allegations in FTX Criminal Proceedings

In a significant development during testimony at Manhattan’s federal courthouse, former U.S. federal prosecutor Danielle Sassoon directly challenged claims that she had pledged immunity protections to Michelle Bond, the associate of Ryan Salame. The ex-FTX Digital Markets co-CEO received a sentence exceeding seven years following his guilty plea admission.

Bond, who faces separate criminal charges tied to the FTX scandal, contends that prosecutors manipulated Ryan Salame into accepting guilt. Sassoon explicitly rejected this characterization, stating: “I had no intention of setting anyone up or inducing anyone to plead guilty.” The prosecutor’s testimony came during an evidentiary proceeding examining Bond’s assertions.

The charges against Bond encompass multiple campaign finance violations, including conspiracy to funnel illegal contributions, coordination of excessive campaign donations, facilitation of improper corporate contributions, and involvement with straw donor arrangements. These allegations emerged following the intensified investigation into Ryan Salame and his then-romantic partner Bond.

Bond maintains her innocence across all counts and seeks to have the case dismissed based on prosecutorial misconduct allegations. As one of the remaining key figures facing prosecution in connection with FTX’s executive leadership scandals, her case represents a continuing legal reckoning for the cryptocurrency exchange’s former inner circle. The courtroom battle underscores the persistent legal complexities surrounding Ryan Salame’s associates and the broader FTX criminal investigations.