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Former FTX executive under investigation for possible campaign finance violations

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Former FTX executive under investigation for possible campaign finance violations

Source: blockchain.news

Ryan Salame, former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, is reportedly under investigation by US authorities for possible violations of campaign finance law. Salame, along with his girlfriend Michelle Bond, who is running as the Republican candidate for New York’s 1st congressional district in 2022, are at the center of this investigation.

Authorities are specifically examining the financial ties between Salame and Bond in connection with Bond’s 2022 campaign for Congress. This information comes from a recent report by The New York Times. It’s important to note that this investigation is separate from federal charges that other people linked to FTX and its subsidiaries have faced since the exchange filed for bankruptcy in November 2022.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has set limits on individual campaign contributions. For the 2022 election cycle, individuals can donate up to $2,900 to a primary campaign for a candidate for federal office and an additional $2,900 for the general election. FEC records show Salame made two donations of $2,900 each to support Bond’s Massachusetts primary campaign and two more donations of $2,900 each for the general election.

In addition to Salame’s contributions, Bond herself made significant financial contributions to his campaign. She personally contributed more than $145,000 and loaned her campaign more than $877,000.

In April, officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation reportedly searched Salame’s residence. However, to date, no charges have been filed against Salame in connection with his tenure at FTX Digital Markets. Salame served as Co-CEO of the Bahamian arm of the exchange as of December 2021.

Interestingly, Salame was the person who first reported FTX to Bahamian authorities about concerns about the exchange sending user funds to Alameda Research. It remains to be seen what potential role she can play in the upcoming criminal trials of Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of FTX, scheduled to begin in October 2023 and March 2024.

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