Penthouse to Prison: An FTX Dispatch from the Bahamas

The saga of Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of FTX, is unfolding every day like a TV drama. After his crypto company imploded in November, the 30-year-old was arrested in the Bahamas on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, and could face up to 115 years in prison. SBF, as he’s often called, was denied bail and is now awaiting extradition in Fox Hill, the only prison on the Bahamas. It’s a short drive from his $30 million penthouse on the island, but a long way from the life of luxury he once enjoyed. Back at the end of November, as SBF’s empire fell apart, Brazen reporter Georgia Gee got a rare glimpse inside Albany, the upscale resort where he and FTX were based. In this Brazen Presents dispatch, Georgia shares what she found there — and how locals are reacting to the scandal. Make sure to subscribe to Brazen Presents for more – and, as always, you can follow our latest reporting in our newsletter, Whale Hunting. For ad-free listening, exclusive bonus content and early access to Project Brazen podcasts, subscribe to our channel on the Apple Podcasts app. You can try the subscription free for 7 days by going to apple.co/brazen www.projectbrazen.com

Om Podcasten

William Veres is in trouble. In 2018 he was arrested following the largest ever investigation by the Italian police’s art squad. They accuse him of running a pan-European art-smuggling ring with ties to the Sicilian mafia. He is alleged to have stolen $40 million worth of art and antiquities from Italy. Charged with 14 counts, including money laundering, forgery, wire fraud and conspiracy, he faces a jail term of up to 20 years. But he has a plan to get out of trouble. In this four-part podcast, host Simon Willis follows him as he puts that plan into action. It’s a story that takes listeners deep into the underworld, and into the dark heart of the most famous criminal organization of them all – Cosa Nostra. It is a story of drug dealers, hitmen, smugglers, spies – even a corrupt prime minister. And in the middle of it all is William Veres’s quest to save himself. How? By solving the coldest cold case in the history of art crime – the theft of Caravaggio’s Nativity. The Professor is a series for Hidden Worlds, the home of unbelievable true stories and gripping investigations into shadowy places. Stay subscribed to Hidden Worlds and get brand new series delivered to your favorite podcast app year-round. One podcast, endless stories. For more, visit brazen.fm/hidden-worlds. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://brazen.fm/plus/