Caroline Ellison was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for her involvement in supporting FTX and Alameda Research. The sentencing hearing was dominated by discussions of her former boss and boyfriend, Sam Bankman-Fried, who was not present. The prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, contrasted Ellison's remorse with Bankman-Fried's lack of it, highlighting that Ellison was not a threat and did not pose a risk of recidivism.
Ellison's lawyer, Anjan Sahni, emphasized that her actions were influenced by Bankman-Fried and that she had become deeply embroiled in his orbit, both professionally and personally. The judge, Lewis Kaplan, also referenced Bankman-Fried, noting that Ellison had cooperated with the authorities, unlike Bankman-Fried, who had denied any wrongdoing. Despite expressing sympathy for Ellison, the judge ultimately handed down a custodial sentence, citing the seriousness of the case.