Wife of Ex-FTX Executive to Stand Trial Nov. 9

U.S. District Judge George Daniels set a Nov. 9 trial date in the Southern District of New York for Michelle Bond, who faces four federal charges alleging violations of campaign finance law. The judge denied Bond’s motion to dismiss the indictment, resolving delays tied to legal filings that referenced her husband’s plea agreement.

Prosecutors allege Bond and former FTX Digital Markets co-CEO Ryan Salame used $400,000 of FTX funds to finance Bond’s 2022 campaign for New York’s 1st Congressional District. The indictment describes the payment as a “sham” intended to conceal the source of funds and to evade contribution limits and reporting requirements.

Bond, a Republican, lost the 2022 primary to Nicholas LaLota. The four counts against her relate to federal laws governing contribution limits and disclosure obligations.

Salame pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiracy to make unlawful political contributions and was sentenced to 90 months in prison. He initially sought to withdraw his plea, arguing prosecutors had indicated Bond would not be charged, but he began serving his sentence in October 2024.

Bond argued the alleged promise to Salame barred her prosecution; Judge Daniels rejected that argument, finding the record did not support dismissal of the indictment.

The Bond case remains one of the criminal matters arising from FTX’s 2022 bankruptcy. Former FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven felony counts and sentenced to 25 years; the Second Circuit rejected his appeal and he has sought a presidential pardon. Other former executives received varying outcomes after cooperating with prosecutors, including early release or credit for time served.

With the November trial date set, Bond is scheduled to face a federal jury in Manhattan on the four campaign finance counts.