3 ms·

Please just read the plea deal. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23495436-crypto-cooperator-ftx-alamedas-caroline-ellisons-plea-agreement-inner-city-pre

Please just read the plea deal. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23495436-crypto-cooperator-ftx-alamedas-caroline-ellisons-plea-agreement-inner-city-press-on-the-case https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23495436-crypto-coop...

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
elliekelly 4y ago
I think you’re hung up on the number of years thing. The whole reason you cooperate is to get a reduced sentence. So of course that’s part of the deal. That’s the point of it. The formal agreement isn’t going to spell out “we will recommend X years” for a lot of reasons. First, what if she doesn’t cooperate? Or worse, lies and impedes the prosecution? More importantly, having a set-in-stone agreement like that for a specified number of years undermines your witness. And from the government’s perspective that’s the whole reason they do the deal: to have a witness. Imagine Caroline Ellison on the witness stand. “Ms. Ellison you were looking at charges that could bring 110 years of prison or more, is that correct? And how many years did the prosecutor’s office agree to recommend instead in exchange for your testimony today?” There’s really no good answer, is there? The best answer your witness can give in that situation is something along the lines of “I’m cooperating with the hopes that the prosecution will recommend leniency to the court at my sentencing.” So that’s exactly the situation they’ve put her in. They’re under no obligation, per the agreement, but it’s absolutely on the table. And, assuming she holds up her end of the bargain, they will definitely file a motion with the court to have her sentence drastically reduced. Although the judge will be free to ignore it.
- Kon-Peki 4y ago
  The defense asks that question to every single cooperating witness. They also ask every single expert witness how much they got paid for their testimony. It doesn’t sway the jury.

deleted 4y ago

[deleted]

elliekelly 4y ago

I think you’re hung up on the number of years thing. The whole reason you cooperate is to get a reduced sentence. So of course that’s part of the deal. That’s the point of it. The formal agreement isn’t going to spell out “we will recommend X years” for a lot of reasons. First, what if she doesn’t cooperate? Or worse, lies and impedes the prosecution? More importantly, having a set-in-stone agreement like that for a specified number of years undermines your witness. And from the government’s perspective that’s the whole reason they do the deal: to have a witness. Imagine Caroline Ellison on the witness stand. “Ms. Ellison you were looking at charges that could bring 110 years of prison or more, is that correct? And how many years did the prosecutor’s office agree to recommend instead in exchange for your testimony today?” There’s really no good answer, is there? The best answer your witness can give in that situation is something along the lines of “I’m cooperating with the hopes that the prosecution will recommend leniency to the court at my sentencing.” So that’s exactly the situation they’ve put her in. They’re under no obligation, per the agreement, but it’s absolutely on the table. And, assuming she holds up her end of the bargain, they will definitely file a motion with the court to have her sentence drastically reduced. Although the judge will be free to ignore it.

Kon-Peki 4y ago
The defense asks that question to every single cooperating witness. They also ask every single expert witness how much they got paid for their testimony. It doesn’t sway the jury.