Michelle Bond Charged With Campaign Finance Violations

Michelle Bond, a former congressional candidate and partner of ex-FTX executive Ryan Salame, has been charged with multiple campaign finance violations. Prosecutors allege that Bond unlawfully funneled $400,000 from FTX into her 2022 campaign, violating federal laws against corporate contributions. The indictment outlines that Bond had a 'sham consulting agreement' with FTX and misrepresented the funds on a congressional financial disclosure form. Salame, who pleaded guilty to related charges and received a 7.5-year prison sentence, claims that prosecutors assured him they would not investigate Bond if he cooperated. The case underscores the ongoing scrutiny of campaign financing in the wake of FTX's collapse, with Bond potentially facing significant legal repercussions. Both Bond and Salame are central figures in a broader investigation into campaign finance abuses linked to the disgraced cryptocurrency exchange.