TLDR
- Former FTX executive Ryan Salame has requested a delay in reporting to prison due to a dog attack
- Salame was bitten in the face by a German Shepherd on June 29 while visiting a friend’s home
- His lawyers have asked to postpone his prison reporting date from August 29 to October 13
- A federal judge has granted the motion, giving Salame an additional 45 days before he must report to prison
- Salame was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to criminal charges related to his work at FTX
Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, has been granted a 45-day delay in reporting to prison following a severe dog attack. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan approved the motion on July 30, 2024, pushing Salame’s self-surrender date from August 29 to October 13.
Salame’s legal team filed the request on July 26, citing medical complications from a dog bite to his face. According to the motion, Salame “was mauled by a German Shepherd while visiting a friend’s home” on June 29. The incident occurred just one month after Salame was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for his role in the FTX scandal.
Got bit in the face by a dog (my fault not the dogs) and all I can think is I hope this surgeon isn't a democrat who knows I'm a republican
— Ryan Salame (@rsalame7926) June 29, 2024
The former executive sought medical attention on July 3, where he was evaluated for a “dog-bite injury to the face.” His lawyers argued that Salame requires “urgent and necessary medical treatment and surgery” before beginning his prison term. The court filing included a physician’s letter and other medical information, though much of it was redacted to protect Salame’s privacy.
Salame’s case is part of the larger legal fallout from the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX in November 2022. He pleaded guilty in September 2023 to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business and engaging in campaign finance fraud. These charges stemmed from his close work with former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who was convicted on seven felony charges and sentenced to 25 years in prison in March 2024.
The dog attack adds an unusual twist to the ongoing FTX saga. Salame broke a two-year silence on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to comment on the incident, saying, “Got bit in the face by a dog (my fault not the dogs) and all I can think is I hope this surgeon isn’t a democrat who knows I’m a republican.” This statement raised eyebrows, suggesting Salame’s concern that political differences might affect his medical treatment.
Salame’s sentencing and subsequent prison delay come as other former FTX executives await their fates. Nishad Singh and Gary Wang, who also pleaded guilty and cooperated with prosecutors, are scheduled for sentencing in October and November, respectively. Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research, is still awaiting a sentencing date.
The FTX case has been a landmark event in the cryptocurrency industry, revealing the misuse of over $8 billion in customer funds between FTX and its sister company, Alameda Research. Salame’s role in the scandal, while significant, was less central than that of Bankman-Fried. In addition to his prison sentence, Salame has been ordered to pay a combined $11 million in forfeiture and restitution.
