Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Monday, September 15, 2025
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Friday, September 12, 2025
Sean Combs Said He Wanted to Include 3500 Material Unredacted Now US Says Sealing Deal
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 12 – At 4:30 pm on September 16 Inner City Press was told by its SDNY source to expect "the big one" - Sean Combs - the next day in an SDNY courtroom.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. Week 8 book here
On July 2 the jury came back with not guilty on RICO and sex trafficking, guilty on counts 3 and 5, transportation for prostitution.
On July 29 Sean Combs through counsel requested release on $50 million bond, 12 page memo on Patreon here.
On July 31, after Combs moved for acquittal or a new trial, the US Attorney's Office at 11:30 pm filed an 11-page opposition, on Patreon here
On August 3 Combs replied including that "Virginia ‘Gina’ Huynh... has written a letter in support of Combs’s motion for bond, which is attached as Exhibit A [REDACTED] if any of this was true" - filing with redactions on Patreon here
On August 4 Judge Subramanian denied bail, saying Combs hadn't met the standard, order on Patreon here
Late on August 20 the US Attorney's Office filed a 58 page opposition to Combs' motion for acquittal or a new trial - full 58 page filing on Patreon here
On September 10 Combs' lawyer Agnifilo - who also represents detained Uzbek businessman Shadmanov - wrote in that "anticipate referring to 3500 material in the sentencing brief. The reason for this, is the government has taken the view that several consenting male “entertainers,” who willingly consented to sexual activity with Ms. Ventura and Jane, are now victims under the meaning of the Guidelines... we are seeking are seeking the Court’s permission to include information in the 3500 material in the sentencing submission without redactions" - full filing on Patreon here
On September 11 Judge Subramanian said, The Government shall respond to the Defendant's 3500 request by tomorrow, September 12, at 5:00 PM" - order on Patreon here
On September 12 the US wrote in that "the parties have since conferred, and the defense has agreed to redact this information pursuant to the protective order in this case," then more - three page letter on Patreon here
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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As Pinnacle Bank Synovus Merger Protested Fed and GA Acknowledge But TN Collusion
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
NASHVILLE, Sept 12 – Synovus Bank, with a track record of disparate lending and consumer complaints, now proposes to cash out and merge with Nashville-based Pinnacle.
But Pinnacle has its own disparities, and is under-regulated by the Tennessee Commissioner of Financial Institutions, who refuses to provide any documents to anyone but Tennessee "citizens" (not even those *in* Tennessee).
So Fair Finance Watch filed Community Reinvestment Act challenges with the Federal Reserve and the Georgia regulator (both have confirmed receipt) as well as the recalcitrant Tennessee regulator, who refuses to give records or even confirm receipt of the challenge. Pinnacle for now seems to think it has Tennessee in the palm of its hand, lock stock and barrel, regulator and media. But then there's Inner City Press, and other states...
Dear Chair Powell and others in the FRS:
This is a timely first comment on, the Applications of Steel Newco Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia to acquire Synovus Financial Corp., and thereby indirectly acquire Synovus Bank, both of Columbus, Georgia, as well as Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., and Pinnacle Bank, both of Nashville, Tennessee.
Among with Inner City Press' pending FOIA request to the Board for its communications with Pinnacle and/or Synovus, it requested information about Pinnacle from the Tennessee Commissioner of Financial Institutions, to whom the public notice says public comment can be sent.
On September 10 their associate general counsel responded, "it does not appear that you are a citizen of this state, and therefore the Tennessee Public Records Act does not apply to this request." It is problematic for a multi-state bank's home state regulator to give any information to residents of other states. These comments are being submitted there as well as to the FRS.
Fair Finance Watch has long been concerned about Synovus, as the Federal Reserve memorialized, noting "disparities in denial rates and home mortgage originations to African Americans and/or Hispanics, as compared to whites, in certain markets. The commenter also noted a complaint filed with the CFPB against Synovus Bank relating to collecting on a debt allegedly not owed."
Fair Finance Watch has reviewed the just-released 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data of Synovus and finds that while it made 3.18 loans to whites for each denial to whites, it made only 1.7 loans to African Americans for each denial to African Americans.
Pinnacle is of even greater concern. In Virginia, where Pinnacle received a Low Satisfactory on the Lending Test in its most recently (May 2023) CRA performance evaluation, in 2024 it made 133 mortgage loans to whites, with 19 denials, but only 13 loans to African Americans, with fully eight denials.
In Alabama, where Pinnacle also received a Low Satisfactory on the Lending Test, in 2024 Pinnacle made 106 mortgage loans to whites, with 16 denials, but only 56 loans to African Americans, with fully nine denials.
In North Carolina, where Pinnacle also received a Low Satisfactory on the Lending Test, in 2024 Pinnacle made 653 mortgage loans to whites, with 178 denials, but only 202 loans to African Americans, with fully 82 denials.
Even in Tennessee, which conceals its records, Pinnacle was rated Low Satisfactory on the Lending Test in Knoxville and Chattanooga. Not in the exam:
In Florida in 2024 Pinnacle made 38 mortgage loans to whites, with 11 denials, but only five loans to African Americans, with fully NINE denials.
In Kentucky in 2024 Pinnacle made eleven mortgage loans to whites, with seven denials, but NO loans to African Americans. This application should not be approved; particularly in light of the disparities, public evidentiary hearings are needed.
FFW and Inner City Press have been deeply concerned about the rush by the Federal Reserve's to rubber-stamp mergers by redliners, money launderers and predatory lenders. This has been killing the Community Reinvestment Act --
FFW notes in the FDIC's pending proposal RIN 3064-AG10: "the FDIC has received a limited number of public comments in response to subpart C applications.... Therefore, the FDIC is proposing to eliminate the public notice and related public comment period from subpart C and to make conforming changes to subpart A of 12 CFR part 303 of the FDIC Rules." Op-ed here
The Community Reinvestment Act specifies that "the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency shall (1) assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of such institution; and (2) take such record into account in its evaluation of an application for a deposit facility by such institution."
That is, the only enforcement mechanism of CRA is its consideration on applications for deposit facilities: branches, and proposed mergers like this one. But now the Federal regulator(s) blithely propose(s) to eliminate public notice and public comment on banks' proposals to expand. The above-quoted reasoning is that few comments are filed. So, that is now changing...
Watch this site.
***
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First Security Bank Protested As FDIC Moves To Cut Notice of Branches Citing Few Protests
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SOUTH BRONX / SDNY COURT, Sept 12 – The Community Reinvestment Act directs bank regulators to consider banks' records of lending in poor neighborhoods when they apply to expand with mergers or, right in the statute, branches ("deposit facilities").
But now the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is quietly moving to eliminate public notice of, and public comment on, banks' branch applications. While Inner City Press has Freedom of Information Act requests pending, Fair Finance Watch on August 30 commented to the FDIC, on the proposed change - and on sample current branch applications pending.
On August 21, in part to forestall the Federal Reserve using the same twisted logic of "few comments so let's eliminate public notice," Fair Finance Watch filed a branch comment with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis on the pending application by Arkansas-based First Security Bank to open a branch at 4001 Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock, noting that First Security Bank in Arkansas in 2024 it made 1030 mortgage loans to whites and denied only 120 applications, 1 to 9. For African Americans, only 17 loans and fully 10 denials: approximately 1 to 1.7.
On September 11 First Security Bank vaguely responded, pointing to a 2023 CRA Performance Evaluation 1) that did not consider the 2024 HMDA data. 2) that PE states, inter alia, Distribution on loans in non-MSA Arkansas is "Poor" (id. at 10); on the Investment Test in Jonesboro, Hot Springs and Fort Smith is "Below" (id. at 13); in the same Jonesboro and Hot Springs communities, accessibility of delivery systems are "Below." Community Development Services in Jonesboro, also "Below." Fair Finance Watch reiterates its request for hearings, and denial. See also, Inner City Press' op-ed in the American Banker here
There will be more.
This proposal to eliminate public notice and comment on branch applications must be withdrawn - or sued.
Watch this site.
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Tekashi #6ix9ine Charged with Drugs Admitted MDMA New Violations Judge Says so Sept 25
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 11 – Rapper Daniel Hernandez a/k/a Tekashi #6ix9ine, still on probation after sentencing as a cooperator in the Nine Trey gang case, was ordered detained on alleged violations of supervised release on October 29 by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Paul A. Engelmayer. Inner City Press was there, from the thread (when he spoke for himself)
#6ix9ine: I'm not a piece of, uh, I'm not a bad person. I apologize.
On November 5 the US Attorney's Office wrote to "recommend that the following sentence be imposed: (1) a period of thirty days’ incarceration; (2) followed by" - letter on Patreon here.
On November 6 Judge Engelmayer noted that he would ask questions.
And he did, before imposing a 45 days sentence. Thread here
Jump cut to April 11, after Inner City Press published a book on 6ix9ine (and Kay Flock) here - more VOSRs and a hearing: "Daniel Hernandez. The Court schedules a conference for the purpose of arraigning the defendant on multiple supervised release violations specifications on April 21, 2025."
Inner City Press live tweeted, here - the next court day was set at May 22.
On May 5, the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for a delay to July: "Earlier today, the Government learned that it will take at least approximately six weeks from tomorrow’s date (i.e., June 17, 2025) for the Palm Beach County Sherriff’s Department to develop and compare results, if any, of DNA swabs taken from Hernandez’s person and from a firearm recovered in Hernandez’s pool house" - full letter on Patreon here
On May 6 the hearing was pushed back: "The Court adjourns the hearing until July 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. This conference will not be further adjourned. As proposed in the parties' letter, a joint letter is due one week before the hearing, stating whether the hearing will entail a plea by Mr. Hernandez (and if so to what violation(s) and on what terms) or an evidentiary hearing (and if so, outlining the evidence that will be presented)." Endorsed filing on Patreon here
On July 3 the US Attorney's Office wrote in that "Hernandez will admit to VOSR Specifications 3 and 4, which are each Grade C violations, charging him with unlawfully possessing MDMA and cocaine, respectively. Following his admissions, the Government will move to dismiss Specifications 1 and 2, whereupon the Government understands that the defendant—with the Government’s consent—will request an adjournment for sentencing."
On July 23, Inner City Press live tweeted, from the thread:
Judge: Any objection to putting off sentencing to September 25 at 11 am? No. Judge: Mr. Hernandez, I will consider what you do between now and then. 6ix9ine: Yes Your Honor
But on September 11, Judge Engelmayer "adjourn[ed] the present deadlines for sentencing submissions in this case, in light of the parties’ expectation that defendant Daniel Hernandez will be arraigned on new specification(s) with respect to additional alleged violation(s) of violations of supervised release. The Court schedules that arraignment for September 25, 2025."
more courtroom details on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is still USA v. Jones, et al., 1:18-cr-834 (Engelmayer)
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SDNY Press Room
Pinnacle Bank Lending Disparities Trigger CRA Challenge to Fed and TN Citizen Only Regulator
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
NASHVILLE, Sept 11 – Synovus Bank, with a track record of disparate lending and consumer complaints, now proposes to cash out and merge with Nashville-based Pinnacle.
But Pinnacle has its own disparities, and is under-regulated by the Tennessee Commissioner of Financial Institutions, who refuses to provide any documents to anyone but Tennessee "citizens" (not even those *in* Tennessee).
So Fair Finance Watch has filed Community Reinvestment Act challenges with the Federal Reserve, the recalcitrant Tennessee regulators those in Georgia, who have confirmed receipt:
Dear Chair Powell and others in the FRS:
This is a timely first comment on, the Applications of Steel Newco Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia to acquire Synovus Financial Corp., and thereby indirectly acquire Synovus Bank, both of Columbus, Georgia, as well as Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., and Pinnacle Bank, both of Nashville, Tennessee.
Among with Inner City Press' pending FOIA request to the Board for its communications with Pinnacle and/or Synovus, it requested information about Pinnacle from the Tennessee Commissioner of Financial Institutions, to whom the public notice says public comment can be sent.
On September 10 their associate general counsel responded, "it does not appear that you are a citizen of this state, and therefore the Tennessee Public Records Act does not apply to this request." It is problematic for a multi-state bank's home state regulator to give any information to residents of other states. These comments are being submitted there as well as to the FRS.
Fair Finance Watch has long been concerned about Synovus, as the Federal Reserve memorialized, noting "disparities in denial rates and home mortgage originations to African Americans and/or Hispanics, as compared to whites, in certain markets. The commenter also noted a complaint filed with the CFPB against Synovus Bank relating to collecting on a debt allegedly not owed."
Fair Finance Watch has reviewed the just-released 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data of Synovus and finds that while it made 3.18 loans to whites for each denial to whites, it made only 1.7 loans to African Americans for each denial to African Americans.
Pinnacle is of even greater concern. In Virginia, where Pinnacle received a Low Satisfactory on the Lending Test in its most recently (May 2023) CRA performance evaluation, in 2024 it made 133 mortgage loans to whites, with 19 denials, but only 13 loans to African Americans, with fully eight denials.
In Alabama, where Pinnacle also received a Low Satisfactory on the Lending Test, in 2024 Pinnacle made 106 mortgage loans to whites, with 16 denials, but only 56 loans to African Americans, with fully nine denials.
In North Carolina, where Pinnacle also received a Low Satisfactory on the Lending Test, in 2024 Pinnacle made 653 mortgage loans to whites, with 178 denials, but only 202 loans to African Americans, with fully 82 denials.
Even in Tennessee, which conceals its records, Pinnacle was rated Low Satisfactory on the Lending Test in Knoxville and Chattanooga. Not in the exam:
In Florida in 2024 Pinnacle made 38 mortgage loans to whites, with 11 denials, but only five loans to African Americans, with fully NINE denials.
In Kentucky in 2024 Pinnacle made eleven mortgage loans to whites, with seven denials, but NO loans to African Americans. This application should not be approved; particularly in light of the disparities, public evidentiary hearings are needed.
FFW and Inner City Press have been deeply concerned about the rush by the Federal Reserve's to rubber-stamp mergers by redliners, money launderers and predatory lenders. This has been killing the Community Reinvestment Act --
FFW notes in the FDIC's pending proposal RIN 3064-AG10: "the FDIC has received a limited number of public comments in response to subpart C applications.... Therefore, the FDIC is proposing to eliminate the public notice and related public comment period from subpart C and to make conforming changes to subpart A of 12 CFR part 303 of the FDIC Rules." Op-ed here
The Community Reinvestment Act specifies that "the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency shall (1) assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of such institution; and (2) take such record into account in its evaluation of an application for a deposit facility by such institution."
That is, the only enforcement mechanism of CRA is its consideration on applications for deposit facilities: branches, and proposed mergers like this one. But now the Federal regulator(s) blithely propose(s) to eliminate public notice and public comment on banks' proposals to expand. The above-quoted reasoning is that few comments are filed. So, that is now changing...
Watch this site.
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
UN PGA Baerbock No Show on Press Access So Far No Disclosure of Secondment After Ashe
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE / SDNY, Sept 11 – New UN General Assembly President Annalena Boerbock has said the GA must live up to its claims. But those include transparency and press access, and due process - all of which are being denied, now under Boerbock. Inner City Press has written to her Office, on September 10, so for without response:
Dear PGA Baerbock - I am writing to you as President of the UN General Assembly, more than two weeks before the UNGA High Level Week, for access to enter the UN and cover the UNGA session you will be presiding over. I am a journalist who covers the UN - and its General Assembly - closely. I also covered international affairs beyond the UN, as simply one example earlier this month see reporting of my questioning of the IMF at one of its briefings I routinely am allowed to enter and cover, "Sept 1, 2025, Decrypt, "El Salvador Is Splitting Up Its Bitcoin," by Mat Di Salvo, "In late July, an IMF spokesperson told Inner City Press that El Salvador was not, in fact, purchasing Bitcoin on a weekly basis but was instead simply moving funds around from internal wallets," here (Also asked IMF about Ghana on September 11).
By contrast, and in a lawless inconsistency of the UN and UNGA that I am hereby asking you to reverse, I and Inner City Press are not allowed into the UN, without reason given. To covering your GA, on June 19, 2025 I wrote to USG Melissa Fleming and MALU's Tal Mekel.
More than two months later, they have not answered. This is unacceptable for the UN and I ask you to ensure that Inner City Press gets a response and is allowed in to cover your GA. This press freedom question, about covering the General Assembly you preside over, is your responsibility and cannot be delegate. Now that you have received this, we will await and report on your response.
For now, Baerbock's office's website does not list any outside fundings, for travel or secondment of staffers (whom we will review) - this after the PGA scandals under John Ashe (RIP), Sam Kutes and since - Inner City Press has covered at least two corruption cases here in SDNY Federal court in lower Manhattan.
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
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Bob Menendez Got 11 Years Now Nadine Gets 54 Months Amid Heavy Redactions
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 11 – Amid reports of investigation against Sen. Robert Menendez for taking gold bars, Inner City Press' sources on September 21 it to expect on Friday, September 22 an appearance in Federal court in Manhattan by Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian, now facing trial alone. This scoop was true.
Later a superseder was unveiled, including charges of bribes to act for Qatar.
On January 10 Menendez filed a motion to dismiss, on Patreon here
On February 1, Judge Stein granted some unsealing - including of some of the material in the vault which Inner City Press requested. Order here.
Jump cut: Menendez et al were convicted; Inner City Press published a book, here.
Inner City Press live tweeted on January 29 as Daibes got eight years, Hana 97 months - and Bob Menendez 11 years, after which he told the press that "Trump was right" about political witch hunt
Early on April 10 Nadine Menendez' lawyer wrote in that the US Attorney's Office is opposing the introduction of evidence it allowed in Bob Menendez's trial, and other issues - letter on Patreon here
In the April 10 trial day, former US Attorney for the District of New Jersey Philip Sellinger testified about being recused from the Daibes case and then Bob Menendez skipping his investiture in Trenton. Thread.
On April 17 after the Government's closing Nadine's lawyer Coburn took a different approach in reasonable doubt-land, saying there was no quid pro quo with Grewal and citing and even pantomiming Uribe's small bell. Thread.
On April 21 Nadine Menendez was found guilty; sentencing was set for June 12 with her lawyer implying he will be asking for delay, presumably on health grounds.
On May 7 her lawyer wrote in asking to push sentencing to September 11, saying "I had hoped to have detailed information this week from one of these professionals, but he is out of the country and" - letter on Patreon here
On May 8, the US opposed - and appeared to support the public's, and not just the Office's, right to see the filing - on Patreon here.
On April 22 Bob Menendez wrote in asking for a ruling on his motion for bail pending appeal- filing on Patreon here.
And on April 25 Judge Stein denied bail pending appeal- order here.
On July 2, the US Attorney's Office docketed it 100 page opposition to Nadine Menenedez' bid for a new trial - along with a January 2025 list of possible witnesses it gave her lawyer, including the Federal Reserve's Joseph Catania.
On September 11, after heavily redacted sentencing exhibits, Nadine Menendez was sentenced to 54 months, four and a half years.
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