Ellison’s sentence was reduced due to her significant cooperation with the authorities, which was instrumental in securing Bankman-Fried’s conviction. Prosecutors recommended leniency because of her honest and full cooperation.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan acknowledged that Ellison was “gravely culpable” in the fraud but also recognized her “remarkable cooperation,” which distinguished her from Bankman-Fried.

Ellison pleaded guilty to seven felony counts, including fraud and conspiracy.

Ellison was sentenced for her role in a massive financial fraud, which involved the misappropriation of $8 billion in customer funds from FTX, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by Sam Bankman-Fried.