Federal Judge Warns FDIC of Serious Sanctions in Coinbase FOIA Lawsuit Involving Michael Williams, February 6, 2025

In a recent hearing regarding Coinbase's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), a federal judge expressed strong discontent over the FDIC's handling of document requests. The judge warned of potential 'serious sanctions' against the FDIC for its failure to comply fully with the FOIA request. The FDIC's leadership has been criticized for allegedly politicizing the process and obscuring certain documents. The whistleblower in this case has been identified as Michael Williams. Legal experts highlighted the judge's unusual level of frustration, noting that it is rare for a federal judge to display such overt anger towards attorneys in court proceedings. The hearing transcript reveals concerns over the FDIC's possible destruction of documents relevant to Coinbase's request.