Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Monday, June 23, 2025
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Friday, June 20, 2025
In Sean Combs Trial Brendan Paul Admits Drug Buys But Calls 29 Grams Personal then Charts
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 20 – 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. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On June 20 Brendan Paul said his arrest with 29 grams of narcotics was a personal use quantity and was asked what he thought the $5000 cash he brought Combs on a Wild Kings night was for, then charts, thread
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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US Indicted Epoch Times CFO Guan as Money Launderer now Trial to Feb Amid Co-D Talks
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 20 – Amid the US v. Miles Guo trial, prosecutors from the Southern District of New York on June 3 announced they are charging "WEIDONG GUAN, a/k/a 'Bill Guan,' the Chief Financial Officer of a multinational media company headquartered in New York City with participating in a transnational scheme to launder at least approximately $67 million of illegally obtained funds to benefit himself and the media company. GUAN was arrested yesterday morning and will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron."
The media company is Epoch Times. And before Judge Aaron in the SDNY Magistrates Court, which Inner City Press closely covers, unlike in the Guo and Wang case, a bail deal was reached, $3,000,000 personal recognizance bond
Inner City Press went to cover the conference on June 21. The prosecutors told Judge Marrero they seized 50 devices and are imaging them. The Federal Defender said "Mr. Guan may be retaining counsel." So Judge Marrero set the next conference for September 20.
Then the prosecutors asked for a trial date, which was put back to March 2025.
On September 13, Guan's lawyer wrote in citing 900 GB of discovery, asking to postpone September 20 to December 6.
On November 15, Inner City Press heard of an extradition in from South Korea, of Le Van Hung. A Vietnamese interpreter was found; Inner City Press was the only media - the only civilian - in the courtroom for the presentation. Thread:
Defendant is brought out, slight build, intepretation headphones.
All rise! Judge Ona T. Wang: Date of arrest? AUSA Dell: He was extradicted in frim South Korea this morning. Judge: How do you plead? Defendant: Not guilty. AUSA: We seek detention; they consent without prejudice.
Judge: Time excluded to next conference.
On December 6, Judge Marrero set trial for both for October 2025: ":Status Conference as to Weidong Guan, Le Van Hung held on 12/6/2024. Mandarin interpreter present. Vietnamese interpreter present. The parties discussed discovery progress. The Court adjourned the trial date for both Defendants to October 6, 2025 to October 31, 2025."
But then Hung asked for delay to late February 2026. The AUSA said her Office does not oppose, but she'd need to May 2026 - and that MDC may inspect legal mail for contraband but will not read it.
On May 29 Guan wrote in that he will not agree to any later than February 20, 2026 for trial.
On June 20 Inner City Press attended the conference at which Judge Marrero pushed the trial to February 2, 2025. The AUSA said Guan's co-defendant is in plea discussions and that October 2025 might still be posssible. Guan's counsel said he wanted certained. So February 2, 2026 it is.
Inner City Press will stay on it.
The case is US v. Guan, 24-cr-322 (Marrero / Aaron)
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After SBF Got 25 Years Salame Got 90 Months Michelle Bond Wants Hearing on Salame Plea
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 19 – On the US v Sam Bankman-Fried trial, hours after the guilty verdict, a book was published: "Crypto Criminal: The Conviction of Sam Bankman-Fried: As live tweeted and investigated from inside the SDNY courthouse by Matthew Russell Lee," audio/book here.
On March 28, 2024, Inner City Press live tweeted his sentencing, to 25 years.
On May 28 Salame was "sentenced to 90 months."
On August 21, Salame filed that "the Government used the plea negotiations to threaten Salame’s domestic partner and the mother of his child, Michelle Bond." Full filing on Patreon here.
On August 22, after Inner City Press published a curtain raiser on Michelle Bond being presented in SDNY Mag court, it happened, from the thread:
AUSA Sweat: We propose release on $1 million bond, 1 financially responsible co-signer
Judge: I accept those conditions, travel restricted to the continental US
On January 8, 2025 Inner City Press attended the US v. Michelle Bond status conference. The AUSA called it a "spin off" of the FTX case; Judge Daniels set a next conference, to set trial date he said, for June 10.
That was moved to July 14 - and on June 19 Bond's lawyers requesting a hearing about Salame's plea, saying she is a third party beneficiary and that the case provides a rare opportunity to cast Brandeis' sunshine onto the SDNY prosecutors' "tactics in obtaining pleas."
More details on X for Subscribers here, Substack here
This case is US v. Bond, 24-cr-494 (Daniels)
We'll have more on this.
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Ecuadorian Teen Whose Parents Seek Visa Detained by ICE by 26 Fed Has Habeas Petition
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 19 – An Ecuadorian teenager who was detained by ICE on June 6 has filed a habeas corpus petition in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York courthouse, where unlike other such petitions it is in the public docket, where Inner City Press on Juneteenth found it, with a June 20 video proceeding.
The complaint recounts how the 19 year old entered the US at Otay Mesa, California on March 15, 2024; his parents are applying for asylum.
At his required check-in at ICE on the 12th floor of 26 Federal Plaza, he was separated from his parents and detained.
When the complaint was filed "his current detention facility [wa]s 26 Federal Plaza NY NY 10278." ICE now says that is only a transfer station, precluding Congressional visits.
His name is Derlis Snaider Chusin Toaquiza.
The case is Toaquiza v. Trump, et al., 1:25-cv-4791 (Failla)
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Amid UN Press Freedom Claims Application by Inner City Press to Enter Is 2025 Litmus Test
UN GATE, June 19 – On World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations of Antonio Guterres claimed to be in support of journalists being able to do their work without hinderance.
But UN Global Communications chief Melissa Fleming put out a video of Guterres equating what he (and she) characterize as disinformation as the threat to press freedom, Guterres has banned Inner City Press from entering the UN since 2018, when it exposed the omission of links to bribery firm CEFC China Energy from his financial disclosure.
On June 19, 2025, Inner City Press submitted an application to cover the UN General Assembly, letter here.
Law firm Quinn Emanuel, on a pro bono basis, wrote to Fleming and the UN Correspondents Association (with state media of China on its board of directors) seeking a dialogue to reinstate Inner City Press. Later, so did the pro bono law firm of Duane Morris.
There has been no answer to an appeal to Guterres head of security Gilles Michaud.
But now, with Inner City Press' UN and SDNY covering, including the Sean Combs trial, being picked up all over the world, the application. Watch this site.
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CRA Problems with First National Bank of Omaha Bid for Country Club Bank So Challenge
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SOUTH BRONX/Federal Court, June 18 – A proposed by First National Bank of Ohama of Country Club Bank has brought into focus FNBO's disparate lending.
On June 18 Fair Finance Watch, reviewing Home Mortgage Disclosure Act patterns nationwide, filed a timely Community Reinvestment Act protest with the OCC:
The applicant First National Bank of Ohama in Missouri in 2023 made 108 mortgage loans to whites and only eight to African Americans; it denied six applications from African Americans and only 21 from white. For whites, five originations for every denial. For African Americans, barely one and a third originations for every denied. This is outrageous; the practices should not be further imposed on Missouri.
First National Bank of Ohama in 2023 in Colorado made 827 mortgage loans to whites and only SIX to African Americans.
First National Bank of Ohama in 2023 in Illinois made 562 mortgage loans to whites and only TEN to African Americans.
First National Bank of Ohama in 2023 in Texas made 35 mortgage loans to whites and only ONE to African Americans.
Nationwide in 2023 First National Bank of Ohama made 4824 mortgage loans to whites and only EIGHTY ONE to African Americans; it denied 53 applications from African Americans and only 1128 from white. As with its ratio for Missouri, above, this is outrageous. This application should be denied. These practices should not be allowed to expand.
See also, for the record on the application: "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ordered First National Bank of Omaha to provide $27.75 million in relief to roughly 257,000 consumers harmed by illegal practices with credit card add-on products." This acquisition proposal should be denied.
FFW and Inner City Press have been deeply concerned about the rush by the OCC's move to rubber-stamp mergers by redliners, money launderers and predatory lenders, and to deny or delay under FOIA. This has been killing the Community Reinvestment Act and we timely request public hearings. [Our timely comments on OCC's unilateral withdrawal of merger review rules could not be submitted through the directions on Regulations dot gov and were email to the address used here, and are incorporated herein by reference]. The comment period should be extended; evidentiary hearings should be held; and on the current record, the application should not be approved.
Watch this site
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With Sean Combs Trial Suspended for Day Order on Exhibits for Deliberations Issued
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 18 – 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. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On June 13 personal assistant Jonathan Lopez, about setting up Kings Nights, then Judge Subramanian spoke on excluding Juror 6, thread 3 of 3
On June 18 after suspending the trial until Friday due to a juror with vertigo, Judge Subramanian docketed an order about exhibits: " The Government shall share such laptop with the defense for its review by Monday, June 23, 2025. The parties may add exhibits to this laptop through to the close of evidence in this case. Prior to closing arguments, the Court will require each side to confirm on the record that it has reviewed the laptop and that the laptop contains all electronic evidence admitted—and only the electronic evidence admitted. On or before the date of closing arguments, the Government shall collect and identify to the defense all physical exhibits admitted as evidence in this case. Noncontraband exhibits will be provided to jury in the jury room upon request. Any contraband admitted as evidence will remain in the courtroom for the jury’s viewing there. Again" - order 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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Adult Film Star Austin Wolf Charged with CP Gets 2 Extra Days Before Guilty Plea Hearing
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 17 – Friday morning saw "the arrest of JUSTIN HEATH SMITH, an adult film actor who uses the stage name 'Austin Wolf.' SMITH is charged with sending and receiving hundreds of videos of child pornography via the Telegram application. Those videos depicted children as young as infants, including a video showing a 10-year-old child bound and raped. SMITH will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York."
Inner City Press was there. Smith was ordered detained; then requested that a slew of medicine in MDC-Brooklyn. His lawyer was told that the medicine cannot be taken in. The law clerks diligently jotted down the names of the medicine.
Jump cut to June 17, 2025 when after a series of continuance in the interest of justice a change of plea was scheduled for June 18 - then pushed to June 20. Defense counsel wrote that Smith "intends to plead guilty to a mandatory minimum charge." Now it's June 20 at 11:45 am.
The case is US v. Smith, 24-mj-2422 (Engelemayer)
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In Sean Combs Trial Agent Crossed On Positive Messages by Cassie Then Juror Under Seal
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 17 – 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. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On June 17 Special Agent DeLeassa Penland was on the stand all day, cross examined about Cassie's pro-freak-off messages not included in her chart. Then things went sealed on juror issue(s), thread
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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In Venezuela Cartel Case Citing Maduro Alcala Got 260 Months Rulings for Pollo Trial June 30
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jun 16 – Cliver Antonio Alcala Cordones is charged as part of a wide indictment of the Venezuelan "Cartel de Los Soles" and Colombia's FARC. Also charged: El Pollo, due in New York on July 20, 2023, see below.
On June 7, 2021 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein held a proceeding. Inner City Press covered it.
The indictment cites Nicolas Maduro, and said he "coordinated foreign affairs with Honduras and other countries to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking."
Jump cut to November 30, 2022, when not only the UN's Antonio Guterres but now the Administration in Washington, eager for oil, has taken a different view of Maduro. But the case goes forward - in a pre-trial proceeding attended by Inner City Press, the US asked for a July 2023 trial date and got one, July 10 - threadette:
OK - now at Venezuela narco case of US v. Carvajal-Barrios, et al., proceeding delayed for some by lack of interpreter....
Asst US Attorney says wants July trial date for today's defendant Cliver Antonio Alcala Cordones - but DOJ is still providing discovery from another case.
Judge says July 10 trial, "no adjournments."
Then, guilty plea- of Cliver Cordonez on June 29.
On January 8, 2023 Cliver's lawyer wrote it noting that Cliver only pled to providing aid to the FARC when he was a general. He asked for 72 months as a sentence.
On January 15, MLK Day, the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for 360 months: 30 years.
On January 18, the sentencing was scheduled but did not happen. Rather, a fact-finding Fatico hearing was set: "Status Conference as to Cliver Antonio Alcala Cordones held on 1/18/2024. Sentencing began... Sentencing is adjourned; Fatico hearing is scheduled for 2/27/24- 2/28/24 at 10:00am."
In the hall it was said Cliver must be disappointed that drugs are still in the case, at least at sentencing.
On March 11, after the Fatico hearing(s), Alcala filed again, specifically dissing the witness with the pseudonym Jorge Leon, saying he is a "well paid DEA informant ($45,000 to date, with a $3,000 monthly stipend since May 2023." Alcala also attacked the credibility of Antonio Arvelaiz, who also testified in SDNY against Carlos Orense. The defense says Orense was not a witness at the Fatico hearing; DOJ says that the FRE do not apply at Fatico hearings, where hearsay can be considered. The sentencing wasvpushed back again.
On April 4, Judge Hellerstein ruled that Alcala did help the FARC's narco trafficking. He wrote that "Arguments with respect to the above findings can be made at the inception of the sentencing hearing, previously scheduled for April 8, 2024 at 10 a.m. The following edits shall be made to the transcript at ECF No. 154: At 12:6, the transcript shall say "base level is 26." At 13:4, 13:9, and 13:25, references to criminal history "IV" shall be changed to "VI." SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein on 4/4/2024)."
On April 8, Alcala spoke against Maduro, after which Judge Hellerstein sentenced him to 260 months. Thread here
On May 13, counsel for El Pollo Caravajal Barrios opposed the US Attorney's Office ex parte CIPA filings and bid for delay, asserting again the Speedy Trial Act. This comes after Judge Furman granted Inner City Press' application the CIPA transcripts be unsealed in US v. Schulte (although due to the US Attorney's Office mulling appealing, nothing has yet been unsealed).
On May 29, Pollo's counsel wrote in to say no 12(b)(4) motions despite saying the government may have illegally searched his residences and internet accounts in Venezuela. But, he noted, there will might be motions as discovery is ongoing.
On March 5, 2025 Judge Hellerstein - in the midst of presiding over the US v. Charlie Javice fintech fraudster trial - moved the trial to June 30, 2025.
On June 16, rulings: "The Government seeks to introduce evidence of Defendant's drug-related corruption, and the Defendant does not oppose the introduction of such evidence. The Government's motion is granted. The Government seeks to introduce evidence of drug-related violence as it pertains to three specific incidents, two occurring in 2007 and one occurring in 2010. The violent actions were allegedly undertaken by a co-conspirator of the Defendant to fulfill the Defendant's directive to protect his drug-trafficking operation. As such, the evidence is relevant and admissible, and the Government's motion is granted. The Defendant opposes the introduction of evidence pertaining to his arrests in Aruba and Spain and extradition-related proceedings. The Government has represented that it will not introduce such evidence, and as such, Defendant's motion is denied as moot. The remaining motions in limine are brought prematurely, and I reserve ruling on those issues unless and until evidence and arguments are presented at trial and objections made. (Signed by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein on 6/16/2025)"
More details on X for Subscribers here and Substack (with Spanish) here
The case is US v. Carvajal Barrios, et al., 11-cr-205 (Hellerstein)
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