Sam Bankman-Fried responded to Maxine Waters’ Friday invitation on Twitter by stating that he is “not sure” he will be prepared to participate in the December 13 U.S. Hearing in Washington, D.C.
The Financial Services Committee (FSC) of the U.S. House of Representatives requested testimony from Bankman-Fried.
Maxine Waters said in a tweet that she and other members of the committee welcome SBF in their hearing on Capitol Hill.
“We appreciate that you’ve been candid in your discussions about what happened at FTX,” Waters wrote. “Your willingness to talk to the public will help the company’s customers, investors, and others.”
SBF’s response was neither a yes nor no, and the offer was neither a demand nor a summons.
Rep. Waters, and the House Committee on Financial Services:
— SBF (@SBF_FTX) December 4, 2022
Once I have finished learning and reviewing what happened, I would feel like it was my duty to appear before the committee and explain.
I'm not sure that will happen by the 13th. But when it does, I will testify. https://t.co/c0P8yKlyQt
Crypto Twitter has noted Bankman-Fried’s nonchalant attitude to the invitation.
Our elected representatives exercise great restraint in communicating their expectations. And still this fraudster insults their authority. What a disgrace. https://t.co/YXaAZLfxrK
— paulgrewal.eth (@iampaulgrewal) December 4, 2022
The tone of Water has also drawn criticism from a number of Twitter accounts, notably LBRY. In a recent court case, the blockchain-based video streaming service lost against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on allegations that it sold unregistered securities using the LBC token.
Hey Maxine Waters, we'd like to be treated nicely by the government the way criminals like SBF are.
— LBRY 🚀 (@LBRYcom) December 2, 2022
Can you let us know how much to write a check for and where to send it?
Feel free to DM if you want to keep this private.
Others seized the chance to criticize Bankman-Fried and label the former CEO a fake.
Rep. Waters, we appreciate that you're holding a hearing on the 13th, and we look forward to substantive factfinding about what happened at FTX. I am certain that factfinding will show that @SBF_FTX has not, in fact, been candid in his discussions. He committed fraud, full stop.
— Jake Chervinsky (@jchervinsky) December 2, 2022
As of November 11, 2022, when FTX declared bankruptcy, Bankman-Fried has been on what some have referred to as an apology tour. The former millionaire and proponent of effective altruism have participated in several high-profile interviews, including those with Andrew Ross Sorkin o CNBC and George Stephanopoulos of Good Morning America.
Although it’s speculation for now, 👇 makes perfect sense. It also corroborates that @SBF_FTX’s apology tour is 💯 intended to control the narrative, admit criminal negligence and deny specific intent at ALL costs. He’s trying to minimize prison time, nothing else. https://t.co/zCbXynGYN7
— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) December 4, 2022
SBF informed Sorkin that he had attended these interviews against the advice of his attorney. Bankman-Fried emphasized that he did not deliberately mix customer money during the conversation with Sorkin.
I don't care how messy your accounting is (or how rich you are) – you're definitely going to notice if you find an extra $8B to spend.
— Brian Armstrong 🛡️ (@brian_armstrong) December 3, 2022
Even the most gullible person should not believe Sam's claim that this was an accounting error.
“I didn’t knowingly commingle funds. It was, in effect, tied together substantially more than I would have ever wanted it to be,” said SBF.