Monday, July 14, 2025
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Friday, July 11, 2025
Before Roman Storm Trial Judge Allows as US Witness User of Tornado Cash But Venue Doubt
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 11 – Roman Storm is charged using his cryptocurrency mixed Tornado Cash to help launder money for North Korea's hackers in the Lazarus Group.
On September 6, 2023 he was arraigned before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Katherine Polk Failla. Inner City Press was there - thread
Full scheduling order on Patreon here
The US on July 9 filed opposition - just as in the Samouri Wallet case a letter from Senator Lummis and Wyden that cites theTornado Cash case, letter now on Patreon, with Samouri story, here.
On July 12, Judge Failla did delay the trial, but not as far as Storm requested: "trial in this matter is scheduled to begin on 12/2/2024 at 9:00 a.m."
On September 26, Judge Failla denied Storm's motions, thread
On October 10, a hearing Inner City Press covered, thread
On November 1, Inner City Press covered the proceeding and first reported the new trial date: April 14, 2024, here.
On December 9 there was a status conference; Inner City Press went and live tweeted, thread
On July 8 Judge Failla said North Korea could come in, but not WMD, and not the 2022 sanctions until their repeal also comes in, thread
On July 10 Storm moved to exclude as a US witness "the claimed perpetrator of an alleged hack who allegedly used Tornado Cash and is apparently cooperating with the government while finishing up a federal sentence."
On July 11 Inner City Press live tweeted a conference in which the US said Witness-1 only began speaking to them on July 3 and is seeking sentence reduction under Rule 35. Judge Failla will let Witness-1 testifying, but expressed doubts on venue. Thread.
The case is USA v. Storm, et al., 1:23-cr-430 (Failla)
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Truglia for Role in Stealing $20M in Crypto Got 18 Months Now For Not Paying Gets 12 Years
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 10 – Nicholas Truglia was charged with -- and pleaded guilty to - cyber intrusion in order to steal crypto-currency.
On May 21, 2021 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein held a proceeding. Inner City Press covered it.
Truglia was charged with "SIM swapping;" the complaint says $23.8 million were diverted. Then money was laundered.
Judge Hellerstein set a deadline of June 29 , 2021 at 2:30 pm to make motions or waive the right.
Truglia pled guilty on October 28, 2021, and was belatedly set for sentencing on November 2, 2022. Inner City Press again was there.
After a discussion of information still lacking from his counsel to Probation for the Pre-Sentencing Report, it was postponed to November 30, and he was taken back into detention. Inner City Press live tweeted here
More on Patreon here.
On December 1, Judge Hellerstein arrived at 18 months, 12 of them already served, and the six to be cut by "good time." Thread:
In August of 2023 the question was whether Truglia had failed to pay restitution, and thus whether he should be resentenced. A hearing was held in early November, with questioning about a Trezor cold storage wallet. And on November 17 the prosecutors urged the resentencing, citing "the elaborate and fraudulent scheme the defendant has pursued since sentencing in an attempt to deceive this Court, the Probation Office and his victim that he would honor that obligation."
On December 23, Federal Defenders wrote in that Truglia cannot be resentenced for failure to pay restitution, only failure to pay a fine - and stating that Truglia "has been unable to find the key that would allow him to gain access to the wallet with the Bitcoins."
Docketed on February 29, "ORDER ON CIVIL CONTEMPT as to Nicholas Truglia: Upon the motion of the Government for an order to show cause for a finding that Defendant Nicholas Truglia is in willful default of the Court's order of restitution, and for a finding of civil contempt and resentencing, it is ordered that Defendant is in civil contempt of the Court's order of restitution. Defendant shall be incarcerated until such time as he satisfies his obligations to make the restitution imposed by the Court or establishes to the satisfaction of the Court that he has taken all reasonable bona fide steps available to him to satisfy his restitution obligation. Resentencing is deferred until the next status conference, scheduled for September 17, 2024 at 11 a.m, or such earlier date as the Court orders. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein on 2/29/2024)."
On November 12, 2024, Judge Hellerstein ordered him released: "RELEASE FROM CUSTODY ORDER as to Nicholas Truglia. The Court having considered the length of time and the conditions in which Defendant has been jailed, and having considered that Defendant may more efficiently pursue restitution efforts if released, Defendant is hereby released from civil confinement, effective immediately, upon condition that he continue to further assist the United States Government in pursuing restitution efforts. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein on 11/12/2024)
On December 11, 2024 they were back at it, and Inner City Press was in the courtroom. Judge Hellerstein requested certified financial statements and set a date for re-sentencing: ORDER as to Nicholas Truglia. Re-Sentencing set for 3/19/2025 at 10:30 AM before Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein
On February 28, 2025 Judge Hellerstein docketed that Truglia "has failed to comply with the due dates for the submission of financial information." He set a March 5 deadline for submission of "details regarding the nano ledger that stores 3,196.16929720 in Bitcoin."
On June 6 Truglia's Federal Defender wrote in that re-sentencing is unjust, that he should be released after serving 13 extra months amid restitution disputes or non-performance.
On June 20 the Assistant US Attorney said he should be resentenced at the top of the guideline, citing statements on a show they have not been able to find a copy of, but have witnesses to and even a photograph of.
On July 10, Inner City Press attended, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm - the prosecutors had found the video clip, in which a mask man said I could serve ten years in prison then come out and still have the hidden crypto.
Judge Hellerstein sentenced Truglia way above the guidelines, to 12 years in prison, instant remanded to the MDC then Essex. Thread here
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
Watch this site.
The case is USA v. Truglia, 1:19-cr-921 (Hellerstein)
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UNRWA Is Not Immune US Told Judge for UN Aiding Hamas Oct 7 Attack Now 2d Case Filed
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 9 - For the UN's role in Hamas' October 7 attacks, non-US citizen plaintiffs and estates on June 24 filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, Pierre Krahenbuhl, Filippo Grandi, Leni Stenseth, Sandra Mitchel, Margot Ellis and Greta Gunnarsdottir.
The individual plaintiffs are sued for, inter alia, their "constant travel to New York" to raise and get money and "their material support of Hamas' terror infrastructure." Also cited, for jurisdiction and venue, is "over one billion dollars from UNRWA's New York bank account in Manhattan that Defendants then caused to be delivered to Gaza in cash U.S. dollars to benefit Hamas."
Inner City Press, which daily cover the SDNY court in-person and the UN from outside the gate, banned from entry by SG Antonio Guterres, asked Guterres' spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming about the lawsuit, without any response per usual.
Nor have they responded to Inner City Press' June 19, 2025 application to enter the UN to ask these questions.
On February 18, the (new) SDNY wrote in, "The Government is currently reviewing the views." Letter on Inner City Press' DocumentCloud here
On April 17 DOJ wrote in asking for one more week to finalize. Inner City Press, still banned from the UN by Antonio Guterres, tweeted it.
On April 24 the Administration wrote in that it "has since reevaluated that position, and now concludes UNRWA is not immune from this litigation. Nor are the bulk of other defendants" - 10 page filing on DocumentCloud here.
On June 27 the UN's lawyer while citing the immunity of Ruud Lubbers for sexual harassment also argued "While Halk Bankasi is irrelevant, Plaintiffs’ case is not predicated on any commercial activity by Defendants." This while Guterres and others are pitching hard for funds... 17 page UN filing on DocumentCloud here.
On July 9 a second case, noted as related, was filed by US citizens under the Anti-Terrorism Act, naming UNRWA, Lazzarini, Krahenbuhl, Grandi, Leni Steseth, Sandra Mitchell, Morgot Ellis and Greta Gunnarsdottir.
It is Atzili v. UNRWA, 1:25-cv-5677 (Unassigned) Inner City Press has put the 215 page complaint on its DocumentCloud here
The first UNRWA case is ESTATE OF TAMAR KEDEM SIMAN TOV, BY HEIR-AT-LAW GAD KEDEM v. UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY (UNRWA) et al., 24-cv-04765 (Torres)
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Challenge to BancFirst Bid for American Bank of Oklahoma Leads to Referral to FR Board
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SOUTH BRONX/Federal Court, July 9 – A proposed acquisition by BancFirst of American Bank of Oklahoma after the latter's redlining settlement, and deteriorating record since, have given risen to a challenge under the Community Reinvestment Act.
On July 3 Fair Finance Watch, reviewing Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data of both banks from 2019 to 2024, filed a CRA challenge to the merger with the Federal Reserve Board:
"American Bank of Oklahoma settled redlining charges with DOJ for its lending to 2021, while pushing to have reference to the Tulsa Race Riot removed from the complaint it settled.
But since 2021, American Bank of Oklahoma's lending has hardly gotten better, including in 2024 a year for which data has not been considered in any CRA exam. And BancFirst is scarcely better. Public evidentiary hearings are needed and hereby requested.
In 2024 American Bank of Oklahoma made 9 loans to African Americans in Oklahoma, and 225 loans to whites. For whites it made 20.45 loans for every denied, versus only 4.5 originations for even denial to whites. In 2023 American Bank of Oklahoma though still low made more loans to African Americans (15) while fewer to whites (223) then in 2024.
American Bank of Oklahoma is getting worse over time. (Back in 2019 in Oklahoma it made 14 loans to African American).
The proposed acquirer BancFirst is problematic. In Oklahoma in 2024 BancFirst made 69 loans to African Americans, and 2413 loans to whites. For whites it made 7.18 loans for every denied, versus only 2.55 originations for even denial to whites.
This application should not be approved; particularly in light of the redlining settlement public evidentiary hearings are needed.
On July 9 the FRBKC wrote, "Application filed by BancFirst Corporation to acquire American Bank of Oklahoma - Dear Mr. Shadid: We are writing to advise you that effective July 9, 2025, processing of the above referenced filing is being transferred from the “Delegated Action” processing procedure to “Board Action” in order to permit additional time to review the public comment received. As a result, the processing schedule will be extended; however, the filing will be acted on within the timeframe allowed by regulation." Letter on DocumentCloud here. A new hurry-up at the Board?
Watch this site
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LA Reid In Sexual Assault Lawsuit By Dixon Has Stopped Paying Lawyer May Face Default
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 9 – In 2023 Drew Dixon sued music producer L.A. Reid for sexual assault, saying it had cost her, along other things, producer points on Kanye West and John Legend.
On July 9, 2025 counsel for Reid appeared before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Jeannette A. Vargas, asking to withdraw from the case due to Reid failing to pay. Inner City Press was there, thread:
Defense counsel says not getting paid, LA mansion can't be sold. Defense counsel: At one point Mr. Reid changed his phone number and I couldn't reach him. When we became aware of destruction of text messages, our firm paid for forensic review, Judge Caproni called us generous
Judge Vargas: Has Mr. Reid spoken to you about your motion to withdraw? Defense counsel: He expressed displeasure. Dixon's lawyer: We deposed Mr. Johnson, the house can be sold, Mariah Carey met at his house in October 2024
Dixon's lawyer: Mr. Ried could pay from the song Good, Good with Usher.
Judge Vargas: There may be a pattern of delay tactics by Mr. Reid. But I don't want to hurt this small boutique defense firm. I am considering denying the motion to withdraw, so discovery can end. But not for trial Judge: I will allow them to withdraw before trial. If Mr. Reid or a new counsel does not appear for the final pre-trial conference, Dixon may move for default.
More on X for Subscribers here and on Substack here
The case is Dixon v. Reid, 1:23-cv-9878 (Vargas)
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UN Spokesman Steph Dujarric Vanishes From X While No Posts or Replies on BlueSky a Censor
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, July 8 – UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric has been taking taxpayer dollars since the UN administration of Kofi Annan, ostensibly to answer questions from the press and public about the UN.
In 2018 he worked to get Inner City Press, which asked him the most questions at his UN noon briefing, thrown out of the UN. Pushed, he said on camera that he would still answer written questions from Inner City Press by e-mail. Then he stopped doing that. He blocked Inner City Press on Twitter, now X.
Now in 2025, with the reputation of the UN and Dujarric's third Secretary General boss, Antonio Guterres, sinking ever lower, Dujarric appears to have closed his account on X. His handle, @StephDujarric, is now dead.
One wondered, Has Dujarric as a matter of principle quit X for BlueSky, or Threads? No. On BlueSky there is a profile, but not a single skeet much less reply.
The UN is closing in on itself - but still taking taxpayer dollars. Its spokesman is, in fact, nothing but a censor. Watch this site.
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As Megan Thee Stallion Faces Cameraman Suit Judge Orders Desiree Perez 3 Hour Deposition
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 8 – Megan Thee Stallion's personal cameraman has sued her and Roc Nation for discrimination and retaliation, recounting being forced to witness sex on a trip to Ibiza, Spain, in a New York City strip club and elsewhere.
On February 10 a conference about depositing Megan Thee Stallion, identified in the Complaint as Megan Pete, was held by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Gregory H. Woods. Inner City Press live tweeted it, thread
On February 12, ROC Nation moved to dismiss, notice of motion on Patreon here.
On May 22, a discovery conference that Inner City Press covered and live tweeted, here
In July, "The Court holds that Plaintiff fails to allege facts sufficient to plausibly plead a California hostile work environment claim; overtime and notice claims under California labor law; overtime claims under New York labor law; and aiding and abetting claims against the corporate entities under the New York human rights laws. Plaintiff adequately pleads a meal and rest break claim under California law; retaliation under California and New York law; and discrimination under the New York human rights laws. Therefore, Defendants’ motions to dismiss are GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART."
On July 8, Inner City Press live tweeted a discovery conference in which Judge Woods ordered a three hour deposition of Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nations, by July 26, thread
The case is Emilio Garcia v. Roc Nation LLC, et al., 1:24-cv-7587 (Woods)
More from and about the case on X for Subscribers here and on Substack here
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Before Tornado Cash Roman Storm Trial Judge Indicates Sanctions & WMD Out North Korea In
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 8 – Roman Storm is charged using his cryptocurrency mixed Tornado Cash to help launder money for North Korea's hackers in the Lazarus Group.
On September 6, 2023 he was arraigned before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Katherine Polk Failla. Inner City Press was there - thread
Full scheduling order on Patreon here
On March 29, 2024, Storm through counsel submitted motions to suppress and to compel discovery, including into MLATs with The Netherlands, and FinCEN and OFAC communications. Memo/motion on Patreon here
On July 5, a court holiday, Storm's lawyer filed an opposed request for a delay into 2025 of the trial: "We write on behalf of our client Roman Storm to respectfully request that the Court grant a continuance of the trial date from September 23, 2024 to late January or February 2025." Letter on Patreon here.
The US on July 9 filed opposition - just as in the Samouri Wallet case a letter from Senator Lummis and Wyden that cites theTornado Cash case, letter now on Patreon, with Samouri story, here.
On July 12, Judge Failla did delay the trial, but not as far as Storm requested: "trial in this matter is scheduled to begin on 12/2/2024 at 9:00 a.m."
On September 26, Judge Failla denied Storm's motions, thread
On October 10, a hearing Inner City Press covered, thread
On November 1, Inner City Press covered the proceeding and first reported the new trial date: April 14, 2024, here.
On December 9 there was a status conference; Inner City Press went and live tweeted, thread
On July 8 Judge Failla said North Korea could come in, but not WMD, and not the 2022 sanctions until their repeal also comes in, thread
The case is US v. Storm, et al., 23-cr-430 (Failla)
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Diddy Alternate Juror from UN Cites Tame Freak Off Videos & Takedown of Dawn Richard
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 8 – An alternate juror from the US v. Sean Combs trial, who works for the United Nations, has gone on CNN and called the freak-off videos that the Press was not allowed to see during the trial "tame."
When the UN official, to get on the jury, said over two days in May that the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism where he works never engages with US law enforcement, Inner City Press reported publicly that this was false. The UN official, it seemed clear, wanted to badly to get on this jury.
And immediately after the three not guilty, two guilty verdicts, he appeared on CNN, identified as George and showing his face. He lied on CNN too: He said that jurors were never told until the end who were the alternates.
False. He knew from the beginning that he was an alternate, the last alternate, who would deliberate only if six of the 12 actual jurors were knocked out.
But he makes himself more newsworthy by claiming that until the end he thought he could deliberate.
He also makes representations about how other jurors responded to victim / witness Dawn Richard (poorly) - even though Judge Subramanian said the jurors and alternates should not discuss the case or witnesses until after the closings and legal charge.
So he outed not only himself - it would appear he wants to sell the 350 pages of notes he bragged about - but also the other jurors.
More on CNN Alternate Juror George on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
Watch this site
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