Michelle Bond Charged in Major Campaign Finance Violation

Michelle Bond, a former U.S. congressional candidate, is facing charges for violating campaign finance laws during her 2022 campaign for a New York congressional seat. Prosecutors allege she used $400,000 from the FTX cryptocurrency exchange to fund her campaign. Bond’s partner, former FTX executive Ryan Salame, is also linked to the case.

Michelle Bond, a former U.S. congressional candidate and partner of ex-FTX executive Ryan Salame, has been charged with campaign finance violations, prosecutors revealed Thursday.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan states that Bond used $400,000 from the cryptocurrency exchange where Salame worked to illegally fund her 2022 campaign. This action contravenes laws prohibiting corporate contributions. Salame, in a court filing, claimed prosecutors had assured they wouldn't investigate Bond if he pleaded guilty, a promise he says they've now broken.

Salame, who admitted last year to making millions in unlawful contributions for his boss, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, received a 7.5-year prison sentence in May. He is now requesting his plea be vacated due to the renewed investigation into Bond.

Bond, with a background at Association for Digital Asset Markets, lost a 2022 Republican primary in New York. She faces charges of unlawful contributions and financial misconduct, while Bankman-Fried serves a 25-year sentence for an $8 billion fraud.

(With inputs from agencies.)