Television Legend David Letterman Appears as Potential Juror in Cryptocurrency Fraud Trial
David Letterman, the renowned television host of “The Late Show,” made a surprising appearance in a Manhattan federal court on Monday as a potential juror in a criminal trial related to cryptocurrency fraud.
Reported by ABC News, Letterman, known in court as “Juror 16,” participated in the standard juror questioning process among around thirty-six other potential jurors. The court aimed to finalize a panel of twelve jurors and four alternates for the upcoming trial.
During the questioning, Judge P. Kevin Castel posed various inquiries to Letterman to determine his eligibility for the jury. In a light-hearted moment, Letterman initially joked about his residence being in Hartford, Connecticut, before clarifying his actual location.
Letterman disclosed that he is currently employed by Netflix and shared personal details about his family and hobbies, including his son in college and his interests in sports and outdoor activities. When asked about his prior jury duty experiences, Letterman mentioned being called multiple times but unable to serve until now.
Despite advancing in the selection process, Letterman was ultimately dismissed from the jury pool when the prosecution utilized a peremptory strike, a legal move to remove potential jurors without providing a specific reason.
While the details of the cryptocurrency fraud case remain undisclosed, reports indicate a concerning rise in fraud within the crypto industry. Recent FBI data revealed that in 2023, cryptocurrency was linked to a record 87% of all investment fraud losses, totaling $3.96 billion—significantly higher than previous years.
Article edited by Andrew Hayward