Michelle Bond Charged With Illegally Funding Her 2022 Campaign Using FTX Cash

Crypto promoter Michelle Bond has been charged with 4 marketing campaign finance legislation violations by US authorities for allegedly funding her 2022 marketing campaign utilizing FTX money.

An indictment unsealed on Aug. 22 within the US District Court docket for the Southern District of New York reveals that US Lawyer Damian Williams accused Bond and an unnamed co-conspirator of illegally funding her 2022 marketing campaign for a seat within the US Home of Representatives.

Unnamed Co-Conspirator Description Factors To FTX Exec

Prosecutors charged Bond with conspiracy to trigger illegal marketing campaign contributions, in addition to inflicting and receiving illegal marketing campaign contributions, extreme marketing campaign contributions, and a conduit contribution. 

Bond allegedly organized an unlawful $400K fee. “I simply needed to say thanks a lot for paying that bill…actually admire this, means quite a bit,” Bond wrote in a textual content to associate and former FTX Digital Markets co-CEO Ryan Salame, in keeping with the indictment. 

My story former congressional candidate Michelle Bond’s marketing campaign $$$ and ties to FTX in 2022 (earlier than the alternate collapsed) was talked about in her indictment that was unsealed at this time –>https://t.co/2qG82NXFkt pic.twitter.com/kfgBrMycdn

— Stephanie Murray (@stephanie_murr) August 22, 2024

Though the co-conspirator was not named within the indictment, the doc mentions that the particular person is Bond’s “romantic associate” and a ”high-level govt at a now-defunct cryptocurrency alternate.”

This doubtless refers to Salame, who has a baby with Bond and was typically featured along with her throughout her failed Republican marketing campaign.

Prosecutors additionally accused Bond of creating false statements to the Federal Election Fee and a congressional committee to hide the true supply of the funds.

Prosecutors Argue Nearly All Of Michelle Bond’s $1.5 Million Marketing campaign Elevate Was From FTX

Bond raised over $1.5 million throughout her marketing campaign, in keeping with information from the Federal Election Fee. 

Nevertheless, the indictment argues that just about all the funding got here from both Salame or FTX, which violates election guidelines for self-funded candidates. 

After the allegations emerged, Bond resigned because the CEO of the Affiliation for Digital Asset Markets (ADAM).

In direction of the tip of 2023, Salame pleaded responsible to conspiracy to function a money-transmitting enterprise with out a license and interesting in marketing campaign finance fraud. A federal decide sentenced the previous FTX govt to 7.5 years in jail. 

On Aug. 21, attorneys representing Salame filed a petition asking to void his responsible plea. Salame claims that he and prosecutors reached a verbal settlement that Bond wouldn’t be charged in alternate for his plea.

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