It has been reported that Caroline Ellison, star witness in the Bankman Fried trial that has been taking place in New York, has been living in a constant state of dread since her testimony began. After taking the stand on March 13th, Ellison told of her harrowing experiences of living with bank CEO Kenneth Fried.
During her 5 days on the stand, the 29-year-old Ellison recounted the events which left her living in constant fear. She reported being confined to their Manhattan apartment for weeks at a time, being denied access to her personal funds and having to witness physical and emotional abuse of Fried’s family members, including her own. She also reported being fearful of leaving the home at any time Fried was present, either in person or via video conferencing.
The details of Ellison’s testimony have been made particularly difficult for her to process, due to her intimate relationship with Fried. She had considered him her guardian at the time of her witness testimony, after having spent almost two years in the position of financial assistant for the Bankman Fried company. However, her positive opinion of him changed to shock and dismay after what she described as the “chilling events” that unfolded in the past year.
These events involved Fried’s alleged illegal withdrawals and embezzlement from bank accounts, going undetected by bank security for some time. Ellison also testified to witnessing the physical abuse of his family members at his hands, which deeply distressed her. As a result of these events, she has been living in a state of constant fear while being drug through the legal process.
The case has put Ellison’s emotional and mental health to the test. To those close to her, she is a strong survivor who not only has the courage to testify in court, but to also speak out against Bankman Fried’s wrongdoings. She stands as a beacon of hope for herself and others living in a state of fear in similar circumstances.
. “A Constant Dread: Caroline Ellison’s Story as Star Witness in Bankman-Fried Trial
