Though the Bankman-Fried’s lawyers have denied that the their client is engaged in any activity that could impact the integrity of the case, the defense and prosecution came together and agreed on a set of proposed changes to SBF’s bail—outlined in a March 3 letter. These adjustments included that Bankman Fried be explicitly barred from:
Communicating with any current or former employees of FTX or associated hedge j, Alameda Research.
Using encrypted messaging or call apps including Signal.
Using a VPN except under specific, qualifying exceptions relevant to accessing his case documents.
Purchasing or obtaining any new internet-connected devices.
The proposed bail condition changes also would’ve limited SBF’s tech access to a non-smart, flip phone without internet capabilities and a laptop with limited functionality, installed with monitoring and security software that would log his activity. Finally, his parents would have been required to submit documentation of all of their internet-connected devices with the court and SBF would’ve had to hand over both his flip phone and mo
Meanwhile, The Flash (which focuses on Wally West) will also relaunch in September, with the new team of Si Spurrier (Legion of X) and Mike Deodato Jr. (The Resistance). The pair teased their story for Wally will be more focused on “cosmic horror” as he explores new realms and gets a handle on his new powers. Like with Wonder Woman, the relaunch will be preceded by The Flash #800 in June, which will be oversized and bring the current run by Jeremy Adams and Roger Cruz to a close.
Finally, DC announced two brand new comics: Steelworks and Hawkgirl. The former hails from Star Trek’s Michael Dorn and Harley Quinn’s Sam Basri, will dig into John Henry Irons as he tries to determine if it’s time for him to stop being Steel entirely and leave the hero duty to his niece Natasha (Steel II) so he can run the titular Steelworks company. And Hawkgirl from Jadzia Axelrod (Galaxy: The Prettiest Star) and Amancay Nahuelpan (Wonder Woman) will see Kendra Saunders set up a life in Metropolis when she’s drawn into the orbit of a villain with a connection to the Nth metal that makes up her wings and weapons.
Bankman-Fried’s behavior while on bail became an issue after prosecutors said he tried to contact FTX Chief Executive John Ray and an in-house lawyer, in a possible attempt to tamper with witnesses. Defense lawyers said Bankman-Fried was trying to help, not interfere.
Last Friday, prosecutors and defense lawyers proposed letting Bankman-Fried have a flip phone with no internet capability and a basic laptop with limited functions, but be forbidden from using other electronic communication devices. But at Friday’s hearing, Kaplan said Bankman-Fried was “inventive,” and could find a way to circumvent the restrictions and secretly communicate with others electronically.
