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Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

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Re: Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

#61
post #2

Seems low for what prosecutors consider "one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history." https://www.reuters.com/technology/sam-bankman-fried-be-sent...

If someone isn't a violent threat to society, there isn't much social benefit to keeping folks locked up longer then 20-ish years. 20-25 (assuming he gets the 15% off for good behavior the feds allow) is plenty.

I have to ask: does 20 years provide more social benefit than 10? 5? Surely there's diminishing returns on imprisonment.

As a deterrent and as a punitive, I get it, but even life sentences don't seem to deter crimes that can yield those punishments.

Re: Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

#62
I think that's about fair and reasonable. It's been said in Europe he would not have gotten more than years and it's probably true. 25 years is a really long time and even if he does only 20, still super long.

Here's a live tweeting of the sentencing hearing; some of Judge Kaplan's remarks are really interesting.

https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/177334004374401064...

Re: Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

#63
post #39

Is it possible he gets a pardon from Biden? Apparently Ross Ulbrecht who is arguably much more serious crime, was close to getting a pardon from Trump (he seriously discusses it with his advisors at least and expressed sympathy)

No chance, it would be a very politically expensive pardon for no real benefit

Re: Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

#64
post #41
post #2

Seems low for what prosecutors consider "one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history." https://www.reuters.com/technology/sam-bankman-fried-be-sent...

Low? That's high! He didn't kill anyone. A sentence of 25 years completely destroys his life. He's been made an example of.

Maybe he didn't kill anyone directly, but I can assure you that plenty of people committed suicide solely as a consequence of his actions

Re: Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

#66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If someone isn't a violent threat to society, there isn't much social benefit to keeping folks locked up longer then 20-ish years. 20-25 (assuming he gets the 15% off for good behavior the feds allow) is plenty.

I think ruining thousands of lives through fraud without remorse constitutes a threat to society. He should never see the light of day again.

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Re: Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

#67
post #16

He will have to serve 21 years before early release. There is no parole in federal prison. I heard 5 years are concurrent making it 20 actual years. If that’s the case he can get out in 17 years. He wasted a good part of his life.

I don't get it, what's the difference between parole and early release? Also how do you get to 21 and 17 from 25 and 20?

Parole means you're still serving your time and have a bunch of restrictions on movement and other things.

Early release means your sentence is concluded and the only lasting impacts on your life is that of having been convicted of a felony.

Re: Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

#68

If he’s eligible for parole at 1/3 of a 25 year sentence, he will spend anywhere from between 8 years, 4 months in prison or 25 years. That would make him somewhere between 40 and 57 when he gets out.

> If he’s eligible for parole at 1/3 of a 25 year sentence

He is not; there is no federal parole (for people sentenced ib the last ~37 years.) There is “good conduct time” that can reduce time served to not less than ~85% of the time sentenced, so around 21 years minimum.

Re: Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

#69
post #41
post #2

Seems low for what prosecutors consider "one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history." https://www.reuters.com/technology/sam-bankman-fried-be-sent...

Low? That's high! He didn't kill anyone. A sentence of 25 years completely destroys his life. He's been made an example of.

[dead]

Re: Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

#70
post #8

A year ago, HN didnt think he was going to jail: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33908850

Yeah, it's been a bit funny to watch the goalposts move. He won't be arrested, he won't be charged, he won't go to trial, he won't be convicted, he'll get a light sentence, his political donations will get him off, etc.

And I'm wondering now, who else will join him?
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