Ryan Salame, a former top executive at the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, is set to be sentenced on May 28th. Federal prosecutors are seeking a prison term of 5 to 7 years for Salame, arguing that he committed serious crimes and deserves substantial punishment.

Salame pleaded guilty in September to two counts of campaign finance violations and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Prosecutors allege that he helped channel over $100 million in illegal political contributions to support FTX's legislative priorities and founder Sam Bankman-Fried.

While Salame cooperated with authorities by providing documents and emails, prosecutors say his assistance was relatively minor compared to a formal cooperation agreement. They argue that none of the information he provided led to significant new leads, arrests or charges.

Salame's lawyers are seeking a lighter sentence of 18 months, claiming he was misled by Bankman-Fried and was the first to alert authorities in the Bahamas about the fraud. They paint Salame as a good man who conspired with a criminal leader who had deceived many others.

Since pleading guilty, Salame has started a new chapter, pursuing a law degree, raising his first child, and seeking treatment for substance abuse. However, he now faces the prospect of spending several years in prison for his role in the collapse of FTX, which saw billions siphoned from customers, investors and lenders.

The sentencing of Salame comes after Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison in March for his central role in the FTX scandal, a sentence he plans to appeal. Prosecutors are seeking to hold accountable those involved in what they describe as one of the largest campaign finance violations in US history.