More Texans give away campaign donations from Sam Bankman-Fried

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As authorities proceed to launch extra information on alleged crimes by cryptocurrency alternate founder Sam Bankman-Fried and his associates, Texas politicians who acquired donations from FTX associates are scrambling to give again the cash.

Earlier this month, The Texas Tribune reported that Beto O’Rourke had returned a $1 million donation that Bankman-Fried had given his campaign. The campaign additionally acquired $100,000 from Nishad Singh, one other FTX govt. The campaign has not mentioned whether or not it additionally returned that donation.

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep.-elect Greg Casar mentioned he would give away almost $7,000 in donations from folks related to Bankman-Fried and FTX. The Austin Democrat acquired $3,900 from Gabriel Bankman-Fried, the FTX CEO’s brother, and $2,900 from Singh, for a complete of $6,800. The campaign mentioned it will give a donation in that quantity to the advocacy group Fight Corporate Monopolies.

That got here after federal authorities arrested Sam Bankman-Fried on Monday within the Bahamas and charged him with crimes in federal court docket. The grievance towards Bankman-Fried additionally alluded to co-conspirators, which has pushed extra Texas politicians to attempt to offload the cash.

On Thursday, U.S. Rep.-elect Monica De La Cruz’s campaign mentioned she can be donating $1,000 she acquired from Ryan Salame, an FTX govt who donated closely to Republican candidates. The South Texas Republican’s campaign mentioned the cash can be given to the household of Raul Gonzalez, a U.S. Border Patrol agent who died this month in an ATV crash whereas pursuing migrants on the border.

On Friday, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, mentioned on Twitter he’d give away $2,900 his campaign had acquired from Salame.

“If a thief randomly contributes $2,900 to you online,” he said, “I recommend donating the money to the Border Patrol Foundation like I did.”

Others who acquired cash from Salame have mentioned they plan to give the cash away however haven’t determined the place they’ll ship it. That’s the case for U.S. Reps. John Carter, R-Round Rock, and Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, in response to The Dallas Morning News.

But not all of the recipients of the cash are clamoring to give it again. Justin Discigil, an aide for U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, informed The Dallas Morning News, “We can’t do a background check on everyone or assess their networks or affiliations. It’s ridiculous to think so. And return the donation? You’re suggesting we write a check to someone affiliated with FTX? No.”

Bankman-Fried is accused of securities fraud, wire fraud, and a number of other conspiracy counts involving cash laundering and campaign finance violations in what prosecutors referred to as a “massive, yearslong fraud.”

Just one month in the past, Bankman-Fried was thought of a cryptocurrency whiz child and was seen as one of many solely leaders in that business pushing for presidency regulation. Then his firm, which was valued at $32 billion, fell aside inside a matter of days. Federal authorities are investigating whether or not he diverted funds from FTX to a sister firm, Alameda Research, and used the cash for political donations.

Bankman-Fried gave $40 million to Democratic candidates, together with $5 million to President Joe Biden. Salame gave round $23 million to Republican candidates.

Other Texas politicians who haven’t mentioned what they’re doing with the FTX-affiliated donations embody U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo; U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville; and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, who acquired monetary help for his campaign from America United, a political motion committee backed by Bankman-Fried, in response to The Dallas Morning News.

U.S. Rep.-Elect Jasmine Crockett additionally acquired help for her campaign from PACs backed by Bankman-Fried and has not responded to inquiries in regards to the donations. She additionally acquired $2,900 in direct donations from Gabriel Bankman-Fried. Cassandra Garcia, a Republican who challenged Cuellar, additionally acquired $1,000 from Salame and has not commented.