A federal judge has rejected a motion by Michelle Bond to dismiss federal campaign finance charges, allowing the case against the former congressional candidate to proceed.
Ruling Keeps Indictment Intact
The court denied Bond’s bid to throw out the charges, which stem from alleged violations of federal election law. The decision means prosecutors can continue pursuing the case through pretrial proceedings and, potentially, a trial. Specific details of the judge’s reasoning were not immediately available.
Background on the Case
Bond, a Republican candidate in New York’s 2022 congressional races and a former leader in a digital asset industry trade group, is accused of breaking federal campaign finance rules tied to fundraising and reporting during her campaign. She has contested the allegations through her legal team.
FTX Connection and Broader Context
Bond is closely connected to Ryan Salame, a former executive at the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX. Salame pleaded guilty in 2023 to campaign finance violations and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and was sentenced in 2024 to seven and a half years in prison. The FTX collapse in November 2022 sparked multiple federal probes and prosecutions, including the conviction and 25-year sentence of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried in 2024.
What Comes Next
With the motion to dismiss denied, the case moves forward to further pretrial litigation and potential trial preparation. No timeline has been announced. Bond remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.