Key Takeaways
- Clayton’s request emphasized that the temporary delay would “serve the ends of justice and outweigh the best interests of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial.
- The Speedy Trial Act mandates that criminal trials begin within 70 days of an indictment or initial court appearance, but allows courts to exclude certain periods if they determine it would serve justice.
Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to delay proceedings in the criminal case against Michelle Bond, citing ongoing discussions that could resolve the matter without going to trial. In a court filing submitted Thursday to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, interim U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton requested a seven-day exclusion under the Speedy Trial Act.
Judge George Daniels signed an order the same day, formally canceling a pre-trial conference originally scheduled for July 15. Oral arguments on pending motions have been rescheduled for July 22.
Clayton’s request emphasized that the temporary delay would “serve the ends of justice and outweigh the best interests of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial.” He also noted that such time would allow for a more thorough review of evidence and enable meaningful discussions about resolving the charges through pretrial measures.
He argued that the proposed delay would give both parties time to exchange discovery materials, consider legal motions, and negotiate a possible agreement.
Michelle Bond, a former congressional candidate, was charged in connection with alleged campaign finance violations related to her 2022 run for office. She is married to Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, who was sentenced earlier this year to over seven years in prison as part of a plea deal. Bond’s legal team previously submitted a motion arguing that prosecutors had verbally assured her she would not be prosecuted in relation to Salame’s plea—a claim the government has not confirmed.
The Speedy Trial Act mandates that criminal trials begin within 70 days of an indictment or initial court appearance, but allows courts to exclude certain periods if they determine it would serve justice. Clayton’s motion followed an earlier, shorter extension request filed by Bond’s attorneys earlier in the week.
Bond’s case remains one of the few unresolved legal matters stemming from the fallout of FTX, the now-defunct crypto exchange that has triggered a wide range of criminal and civil investigations. Although her husband was a central figure in the broader probe, Salame did not testify during the high-profile trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who was later convicted on multiple fraud charges
