The Department of Justice pursues forfeiture of two luxury jets allegedly owned by Sam Bankman-Fried amid ongoing legal proceedings, while ownership remains disputed.
In a dramatic legal twist, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is making moves to seize two opulent aircraft, allegedly owned by the former CEO of the now-defunct crypto exchange, Sam Bankman-Fried. These jets, a Bombardier Global 5000 BD-700-1A11 (N410AT) and an Embraer Legacy EMB-135BJ (C6-BDE), are listed as assets tied to Bankman-Fried in a recent DOJ filing.
Interestingly, FTX debtors previously staked claim to these planes in August, and the Bombardier Global has been in government custody since February. However, Island Air Capital (IAC), a Bahama-based charter flight operator, contests this ownership, asserting that they acquired both aircraft for $15.9 million and $12.5 million, respectively, through financing from FTX.
The legal tussle escalates as Aranha, a figure connected to the case, expresses intentions to operate the Legacy and sell the Global to settle the remaining aircraft debt. Meanwhile, Sam Bankman-Fried faces trial in New York, accused of defrauding FTX customers, with charges encompassing wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering.