I don't think this is correct. That was the judge (Abrams) who decided to recuse herself. The judge who had already set the bail conditions (Gorenstein) was a different person, and I haven't heard that he had any prior connection to SBF or FTX. Here's an article about it: https://www.ibtimes.com/judge-handling-sbf-case-recuses-hers...
Aside from this not being true (a different judge set his bail), I don’t understand why people assume this conflict of interest would have somehow benefited SBF.
Presumably the reputation of her husband’s firm has been damaged by their relationship with FTX. They are embarrassed to have worked with him. They stand to gain absolutely nothing from him getting off lightly. The judge recused herself to avoid the appearance of bias against SBF. She doesn’t want him to appeal a conviction by arguing “of course I was found guilty, the judge’s husband hates me!”
This is likely one of the many nails he’ll hand them so they can hammer his coffin shut at trial and sentencing.
Also minor nitpick - a "first class private flight" is incongruous. He flew back first class on a commercial flight which has terrible optics but is actually pretty reasonable considering his profile, he (supposedly) had federal agents shadowing him, etc.