US House committee chair pushes back against SBF's excuse to potentially delay testimony
Maxine Waters, chair of the United States House Financial Services Committee, has called out former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried for announcing on social media he intended to testify after “learning and reviewing what happened” at the exchange.
In a Dec. 5 Twitter thread, Waters cited Bankman-Fried’s numerous media interviews in the wake of FTX’s bankruptcy as evidence that his information was “sufficient for testimony” before the committee. Waters will preside over a hearing investigating the collapse of FTX on Dec. 13, in which committee leadership said they expected Bankman-Fried and other individuals associated with the events around the exchange’s downfall to appear.
“The collapse of FTX has harmed over one million people,” said Waters, in a statement directed to Bankman-Fried. “Your testimony would not only be meaningful to Members of Congress, but is also critical to the American people. It is imperative that you attend our hearing on the 13th, and we are willing to schedule continued hearings if there is more information to be shared later.”
.@SBF_FTX,Based on your role as CEO and your media interviews over the past few weeks, it’s clear to us that the information you have thus far is sufficient for testimony. (1/3) https://t.co/YUVVjOkC40
Bankman-Fried has reportedly not spoken directly to U.S. lawmakers following FTX’s bankruptcy filing on Nov. 11, but has taken part in many media interviews and posted to Twitter on the events around the exchange’s collapse. Many on social media have suggested the former FTX CEO was unlikely to testify given he would be under oath and his statements could be used to establish a possible intent to defraud investors.
Committee ranking member Patrick McHenry, who alongside Waters called
Read more on cointelegraph.com
