L ast year, during the sprawling criminal trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, the most important witness against the crypto fraud was his former girlfriend and employee, Caroline Ellison.

Caroline Ellison was praised by prosecutors for her “exemplary” cooperation in the FTX fraud investigation, even though it made her the target of relentless harassment and public scrutiny.

The legal team for Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, has requested a lenient sentence for the star witness of the FTX trial, claiming that Ellison’s cooperation with the government qualifies her for softer sentencing.

Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, faces potential prison time but could receive a lenient sentence after a recommendation from US prosecutors.

Lawyers for Ellison made the request shortly before midnight Tuesday in a filing in Manhattan federal court in advance of a sentencing scheduled for Sept. 24.

Fried’s former girlfriend and a top executive in his empire, is set to be sentenced on Sept. 24 for her role in the collapse of the crypto exchange.

U.S. prosecutors made a case for leniency for former FTX cryptocurrency executive Caroline Ellison when she is sentenced over her role in the exchange's collapse, citing her help in sending FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried to prison for 25 years.