FTX Executives Ellison and Wang Were Accused by SEC

Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison has pleaded guilty to charges related to the FTX collapse.
New York announced the charges against Ellison and Wang.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said on December 21 that FTX Co-founder and former CTO Gary Wang and former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison. And they have pleaded guilty to charges related to the collapse. And both are collaborating with the law, according to Williams. The SEC stated in a separate action that they were both charged with misleading FTX investors. And have reached a settlement with the SEC.

Statement of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on U.S. v. Samuel Bankman-Fried, Caroline Ellison, and Gary Wang pic.twitter.com/u1y4cs3Koz
— US Attorney SDNY (@SDNYnews) December 22, 2022

Meanwhile, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared separately. And that it will charge them for their roles in the multi-year scheme to defraud equity investors in FTX.

SEC Filing Against Ellison & Wang

In the SEC complaint, between 2019 and 2022, Ellison worked with Bankman to further a scheme to manipulate the price of FTX’s token FTT. By purchasing large amounts on the open market to prop up its prices, and this practice allowed FTX to use FTT as collateral for loans. And taken out by FTX using its customer assets to Alameda.

Based on the SEC complaint, the conclusion caused the value of Alameda’s balance sheet to inflation and misled investors about FTX’s exposure. And they are both active participants in the scam, engaging in behavior that is critical to its success.

According to the SEC filing, the FTX client funds were utilized for Alameda’s trading activities. And led loans to FTX executives, and personal real estate acquisitions. In accordance with the SEC, FTX’s CTO Wang built the platform’s software code. That is which allowed Almeda to redirect FTX customer funds.

The SEC’s filings accused Ellison and Wang of breaching the anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Act of 1933. And the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, the complaint seeks injunctions against future securities law violations. As well as an injunction prohibiting Ellison and Wang from participating in the issuance, acquisition, offer, or sale of any securities, except for their accounts. And there will be several filings against both, with the court deciding on the consequences. In a parallel action, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced the charges against Ellison and Wang.