Romantic partner of FTX executive indicted for campaign finance violations

Michelle Bond, the domestic partner of convicted former FTX executive Ryan Salame, has been indicted on federal charges in New York for allegedly conspiring to raise illegal campaign contributions for her unsuccessful 2022 congressional campaign. Prosecutors claim that Bond, 45, received a "sham" $400,000 payment from the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, which she used to fund her campaign in New York's first congressional district. The indictment details how Salame, identified as CC-1, facilitated these payments, wiring hundreds of thousands of dollars to Bond's personal account. Bond was released on a $1 million personal recognizance bond following her court appearance in Manhattan. The indictment comes just a day after Salame sought to void his guilty plea related to campaign finance violations, alleging that prosecutors had promised not to pursue charges against Bond in exchange for his cooperation. Salame, who has a child with Bond, was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for his role in the FTX scandal. The indictment includes evidence such as text messages and emails that suggest Bond attempted to circumvent campaign finance laws. Bond, who previously served as CEO of a digital assets trade group, had recently launched a think tank aimed at promoting the financial services industry. The case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of campaign financing in the wake of the FTX collapse, which has drawn significant attention due to its implications for cryptocurrency regulation. As the legal proceedings unfold, both Bond and Salame's actions continue to raise questions about the intersection of politics and the cryptocurrency industry, particularly in light of the high-profile trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fraud.