Elizabeth Lopatto

Senior Reporter

Elizabeth LopattoOct 22, 2023

What happens when an artist who’s famous on social media gets taken seriously by the mainstream art establishment?

Ben Davis wrote a review of artist Devon Rodriguez’s solo show called “Underground,” a nod to how Rodriguez rose to fame: doing portraits of fellow subway riders, giving them the portraits, and posting the whole thing to TikTok.

I tend to view the existence of a review as someone taking art seriously — even if the reviewer doesn’t like the art, it was worth considering thoughtfully. Rodriguez didn’t see it that way, and now Davis is writing about what happens when social media and the art world interact.

The World’s Most Popular Painter Sent His Followers After Me Because He Didn’t Like a Review of His Work. Here’s What I Learned | Artnet News

[Artnet News]

Elizabeth LopattoOct 20, 2023

I have been standing in line for the SBF trial with a man named Taco.

The mix in the courtroom for the Sam Bankman-Fried / FTX trial has been reporters, occasional members of the general public, curious lawyers, crypto influencers... and one very devoted degen. Fellow line-stander David Yaffe-Bellany profiles Taco, who politely refused to tell me his government name.

Crypto Influencers and ‘Degenerates’ Flock to Sam Bankman-Fried’s Trial

[The New York Times]

Elizabeth LopattoOct 18, 2023

SBF Trial, day uhhhh 10? I think it’s 10 if we don’t count jury selection.

We are very close to the end of the prosecution’s case, and today was pretty uneventful. I will be writing a wrap of some of the financial testimony shortly, but if you can’t wait, the talented reporters at CoinDesk have been doing all-hands-on-deck coverage.

‘Oh, Yes’: Accounting Prof Says Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX Definitely Mishandled Customers' Money

[CoinDesk]

Elizabeth LopattoOct 18, 2023

Fun Easter egg in FBI agent’s testimony today!

The majority of FBI agent Richard Busik’s testimony seemed geared toward establishing jurisdiction — he was explaining cell phone pings that occurred in New York City — so I left it out of my recap.

But in order to tie Sam Bankman-Fried to the cell phone number, CoinDesk reports how the prosecution picked perhaps the funniest possible email: the Bahamian Prime Minister asking for a favor.

Screenshot of an email from Bahamaian government official: “Sam, my son Christopher is being engaged as a consultant for an NFT entity that is considering your platform. grateful if you were to take a call to discuss. my son is copied on this email, thanks.”

Image: DOJ

Sam Bankman-Fried’s defense finally woke up

Nishad Singh looks less reliable. Is it enough?

Elizabeth LopattoOct 18, 2023

Sam Bankman-Fried was a bad friend, too

Nishad Singh says he tried to get Bankman-Fried to do the right thing — but he wouldn’t listen.

Elizabeth LopattoOct 16, 2023

Sam Bankman-Fried on the stand?

There’s a Sunday evening filing from the defense team (PDF) in SBF’s fraud trial.

Turns out Bankman-Fried still doesn’t have access to his prescribed medication, which seems lousy. But that’s not the part that interests me. This is (emphasis mine, obviously):

However, as we approach the defense case and the critical decision of whether Mr. Bankrnan-Fried will testify, the defense has a growing concern that because of Mr. Bankman-Fried’s lack of access to Adderall he has not been able to concentrate at the level he ordinarily would and that he will not be able to meaningfully participate in the presentation of the defense case.