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It's hard to tell what deals were cut by the Feds to get Bankman-Fried. Sometimes people get a relative slap on the wrist and it's because they provided a bunch of ammunition the government needed for its case to get the top target/s.

They plead guilty, which would have been the smart thing for SBF to do even if there was no deal on the table. At least he'd have avoided annoying the judge with hours of blatantly dishonest testimony.

Why is it acceptable to let people go so lightly just for snitching? They commited similar crimes.

So lightly as what? They haven't been sentenced yet

Because they collaborated with the prosecution. Without collaboration it's entirely possible that no one would've been found guilty.

It’s makes it harder for organizations like this to exist in the future. If you and your co-conspirators knew you were all getting the same sentence, no matter what, you’re not likely to snitch.

But if the option of plea deals is ever present, you’re more likely to get whistleblowers. Any single whistleblower make the whole thing tumble.