Saturday, November 8, 2025
Friday, November 7, 2025
Mistrial for Brothers Taking $25 Million from Ethereum Sandwich Bots So Book Coming
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 7 – James Peraire-Bueno was indicted for "conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges in the Indictment arise from an alleged novel scheme by the defendants to exploit the very integrity of the Ethereum blockchain to fraudulently obtain approximately $25 million worth of cryptocurrency within approximately 12 seconds."
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here.
On October 14, Inner City Press live tweeted jury selection, here.
On the evening of November 3 the defense put in a filing, on Patreon here
On November 7 it went to 7 pm when the jury sent out a note they were suffering and making no progress. Judge Clarke declared a mistrial. In the hall Inner City Press spoke with the brothers' mother, others including from the jury - and it putting out a book (very) soon. Code Is Law Live On?
Analysis and more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
While Amazon took down Inner City Press' books on SBF, Do Kwon, Roman Storm and more from October 24 to October 30, this interim book was put on Google Play here
Now the full trial book is coming via here
Inner City Press is covering this trial.
The case is USA v. Peraire-Bueno, et al., 1:24-cr-293 (Clarke)
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Blind Man From Ecuador Released Under Biden Still Held in 26 Fed As Son Instead Is Produced
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 7 – A blind man from Ecuador who entered the US through Texas and was released upon request under the Biden Administration in January 2023 was detained in 26 Federal Plaza on November 4.
His sister filed a habeas corpus petition on his behalf.
It will be heard on November 7 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which Inner City Press closely covers.
His filing cites a decision by SDNY Judge George B. Daniels in Valdez v. Joyce, 25-cv-4627, 2025 WL 1707737 (June 18, 2005) that detentions such as his are "clear violation[s] of due process rights."
On November 6 the US Attorney's Office wrote in that the petitioner is being held in 26 Federal Plaze pending arrangements for his transfer to the Orange County Jail in Goshen, NY (the only ICE detention facility within the SDNY).
On November 7 the AUSA asked Judge Carter to allow ICE to move father and his son together to a facility outside of SDNY, saying the Orange County jail could not take both.
Judge Carter said he would not take substantive action until the father has a lawyers, and an interpreter. An interpreter was arraigned but then the son, not the father, was produced. So, weekend in 26 Fed. Thread.
The case is Chalco-Beltran v. Francis, et al., 1:25-cv-9205 (Carter)
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As Fifth Third Bids to Buy Comerica Disparities Raised by Fair Finance Watch and Tricolor Loss
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY/SOUTH BRONX, Nov 7 – As US bank regulators loosen rules - including the FDIC moving to eliminate public comment altogether on branch expansion applications - now more big banks are moving to get bigger.
On October 6, amid the pending PNC - FirstBank and Pinnacle - Synovus proposals, Fifth Third announced it will apply to buy damaged Comerica Bank. Starting October 8, Fair Finance Watch filed opposition, and Inner City Press FOIA requests, including for the Fed's sealed questions.
One of the damages to Comerica is that the Treasury Department took from Comerica its Direct Express contract - and awarded it to Fifth Third.
Now Fifth Third has applied to the Treasury Department's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to buy Comerica. Talk about picking winners and losers.
And talking about losers, Fifth Third's nationwide lending in 2024, the most recent year for which data is available, was disparate: 26,121 mortgage loans to whites and only 11,566 denial to whites, versus only 1784 loans to African Americans and even more denials: 1970. These disparities continue in Fifth Third's other states, as Fair Finance Watch has demonstrated. On November 7 it filed this:
In the month since Fair Finance Watch commented to the agencies, the Federal Reserve has put some question to Fifth Third's outside counsel Rodgin Cohen - but has characterized them as entirely confidential. Inner City Press has submitted a FOIA request, and a second one for the over-withheld exhibits. For now, for the record: "Fifth Third Bank faces $200M in provisions from Tricolor ‘fraud’ - "potential loss of millions following subprime lender Tricolor Holdings’ bankruptcy filing. Fifth Third faces 'nearly $200 million of provision expense associated with the fraud at Tricolor.'" Public hearings are needed
Inner City Press, which has opposed the FDIC's moves to close itself to public scrutiny - American Banker op-ed here - has submitted FOIA requests on all this. The FDIC said it will eliminate public notices because it does not receive enough public comments. That is changing, starting now. Watch this site.
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UN Corrupt in South Sudan As Tony Cronies Off Layoff Hit List Leaked to Inner City Press
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE / Juba, Nov 6 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Consider South Sudan, where UN personnel stand accused of child rape on which UN spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming have refused all Press questions. On November 6 this, from a UN whistleblower sent to Inner City Press:
Dear Matthew Russell Lee,
The UNMISS Leadership has failed its' Staff, as a result, staff have lost confidence and trust in its Leadership and in the ongoing CRP process. On 6 Nov, in what seems like a pre-approved list shared by the UNMISS-SMG by mistake - and now given no answers published by Inner City Press on its DocumentCloud here - details some offices with specific names of International staff, to be considered for cuts.
This Mission Leadership's internal conspiracy list, shows names of who they already recommended for the CRP, which will result in staff cuts. Miraculously, the decision makers' offices such as the SRSG, Human Resources, Chief of Staff - JOC, JMAC, etc, offices have been exempted from the CRP, whereas, other offices' staff have been thrown in the dungeons to compete amongst themselves. This cancels the fairness of the CRP process.
It is evident that the Mission Leadership have been very unfair and biased, contrary to the tenets of natural justice as the flawed CRP exercise itself is being conducted with due regard to individual parochial interest. It is no secret that prior to the start of the CRP process, the final outcome of the CRP with names of staff that are confirmed to go home had already been decided and known by the Chief of Staff. T
he plan was to serve staff with termination letters on/after 20 November, however, it will change, as the Contigency plan is on hold. That being said, the formation of the SMG and talks about fairness and transparency are all lies and a Mirage. Of note, the Mission was compelled to form the SMG only because of the pressure from and awareness raised by whistle blowers. The level of deception by UNMISS Senior Management raises serious concerns about their integrity and calls for urgent HQ intervention in ensuring that these 25 - 30% cuts applies to all offices in all locations, and at all levels/categories. It should be noted that, the USG's instruction of *15% cut is for the entire Mission* however, from the onset, the Chief of Staff, Ms Leda Limann together with her Country woman - the Acting SRSG, Ms. Anita Gbeho at their discretion (with no consultation with others such as, Section Heads) unilaterally, decided that, the cuts should affect only some locations in order to protect some staff in HQs.
Guterres, they say, should end censorship. Application was made on June 19, 2025, here. Still as of October 7 no answer at all from Melissa Fleming or Stephane Dujarric. Totally corrupt. Watch this site.
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Tekashi #6ix9ine Charged with 3d Violation of Supervision Asks 6 Months Home Detention
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 6 – 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
Jump cut to November 6 when the defense, Lazzaro, wrote in to asking for not the three months in prison probation recommended but rather six months home detention, letter on Patreon here
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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Alexander Brother Hired Diddy Lawyers Who Asked Questionnaire But Judge Says Unlikely
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 6 – Amid the news of the arrest of the Alexander brothers in Miami on SDNY sex trafficking charges, in the SDNY Magistrate Court on the morning of December 11 the superseding indictment was "wheeled out" to District Judge Valerie E. Caproni. Inner City Press was there, and tweeted / X-ed it out.
On December 24 Tal Alexander filed opposing transfer to SDNY - Notice of motion on Patreon here.
On December 31 Tal Alexander's lawyer wrote to Judge Caproni asking for bail, offering $115 million in security, citing US v. Ng Lap Seng that "conditions were adhered to by the security service provider." Really? Massages behind closed doors? 12 page filing on Patreon here
On June 13 Judge Caproni to her credit docketed that a "Rule, in turn, requires any party wishing to file a submission in redacted form or under seal to explain why redactions or sealing are appropriate in light of the presumption of public access to the federal courts. See United States v. Akhavan, 532 F. Supp. 3d 181, 184 (S.D.N.Y. 2021) -- a case Inner City Press sought and won unsealing in - citing Lugosch v. Pyramid Co. of Onondaga, 435 F.3d 110, 11920 (2d Cir. 2006))."
On August 21 Oren Alexander retained two of the defense lawyers in Sean Combs' recent trial, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, amid pre-trial skirmishes.
On November 6 Inner City Press live tweeted the conference at which Judge Caproni said a jury questionnaire is unlikely and the trial date may slip to May 2026, thread here.
Meanwhile Marc Agnifilo is representing Stephanie Gonzalez, charged in state court with hate crime assault of a Jewish woman while tearing down posters of October 7 hostages, here
More / extra on X for Subscribers here and on Substack here
This case is USA v. Alexander, et al., 1:24-cr-676 (Caproni)
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SDNY Press Room
Samourai Wallet Duo Pled Guilty Now Rodriguez Get 5 Year Max Hill Next on Nov 19
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 6 – In another crypto industry prosecution by DOJ, on April 29 crypto-mixed Samourai Wallet's Keonne Rodriguez was presented and released on bond in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Court, where Inner City Press was the only media present.
Rodriguez, 35, was released on $1 million bond, to be secured by a property at 610 Wood Street, Harmony, PA 16037.
Jump cut to July 29, when an intent to change plea was docketed: "ORDER as to Keonne Rodriguez: Having been informed that the defendant wishes to enter a change of plea, it is hereby ORDERED that a change of plea is scheduled for July 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM (Signed by Judge Denise L. Cote on 7/29/2025)
Rodriguez' co-defendant William Hill was arrested in Portugal and would, DOJ said, be extradited.
Minutes later on July 29, notice that Hill was set to change plea, half an hour after Rodriguez.
They did, and on October 24 Rodriguez asked for a year and a day on November 6, and Hill asked for time served on November 7, both at 11
On October 31 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for five years on each defendant.
On November 6 Inner City Press went and live tweeted Rodriguez' sentencing, to five years
More detail and analysis on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
Hill is up on November 19...
On July 22, amid the US v. Storm / Tornado Cash trial (book - as of October 24 blocked by Amazon), Inner City Press went to Judge Cote's courtroom where she told the Samourai defendants to put their filings on the docket
It is now USA v. Rodriguez, et al., 1:24-cr-82 (Cote)
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UN Whistleblowers in South Sudan Tell Inner City Press of Vehicle and Housing Corruption
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE / Juba, Nov 5 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Consider South Sudan, where UN personnel stand accused of child rape on which UN spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming have refused all Press questions. On October 18 this, supplemented on November 4, from UN whistleblowers sent to Inner City Press:
Dear Matthew Russell Lee,
The privilege of a dedicated vehicle is typically reserved for Directors (D1 level) and above. Ashraf Ouf a P5, not only has a dedicated vehicle but commands two SUVs for his exclusive use: a Toyota Prado (UN 55555) with automatic transmission and a Nissan Patrol (UN 05555).
A concerning practice has been observed wherein vehicles recommended for write-off are first fully serviced and, in some cases, filled with a full tank of fuel before being dispatched to the Property Disposal Unit. A telling case involves a Toyota Hilux double cabin, previously assigned to Mr. Kanwaljeet Singh, (KJ Singh) a former Transport Officer in UNMISS transport section. Upon his retirement in 2023, the vehicle was fully serviced, fitted with a set of new tires and given a full tank of fuel, then taken the Property Disposal Unit (PDU) to be officially written off. UN rules explicitly state that international staff aren't allowed to purchase disposed UN assets. The first right of purchase for written-off assets belongs to national staff. A national staff member expressed interest in the vehicle but was advised by an insider not to bother, as the vehicle was "going to KJ Singh." Subsequently, the vehicle was purchased by a third party and was spotted in Kampala, Uganda, where the retired Mr. Singh runs a business...
Denise Guce, Chief of Budget and Finance Section: Despite having a perfectly functional and high-spec Toyota Land Cruiser. In 2025 she was issued a brand-new 2023 Toyota Prado
Gordon Wardley, Chief of Conduct and Discipline: He was issued an automatic transmission 4x4 SUV.
On top of his two SUVs, Ashraf has secured two UN-issued accommodations, while entitled to one staff accommodation, which he merged two units to create one large personal residence. Thereby denying another international staff a standard accommodation. Within this expansive compound, he has two washing machines and two dryers installed. This is especially galling to other staff as the mission has officially stopped issuing dryers to all staff due to a severe liquidity crisis.
Tony's cronies... and (money) laundering.
Guterres, they say, should end censorship. Application was made on June 19, 2025, here. Still as of October 7 no answer at all from Melissa Fleming or Stephane Dujarric. Totally corrupt. Watch this site.
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Jury Found Charlie Javice Guilty Then Judge Gave Her to 85 Months US Gets 68 on Amar
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 5 – JPMorgan Chase bought a start-up called Frank, which claimed to have 4 million students signed up to file their FAFSA forms, for $175 million. Then Chase learned Frank had only 300,000 customers.
On April 4, 2023, Frank founder Ms. Charlie Javice was brought before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses and was freed on $2 million bond.
On January 24, 2025 Inner City Press published the first book on the case, Fintech Fraudster? here
On March 28 Charlie Javice was found guilty - and Olivier Amar too. Both sought severance from each other so expect appeals on those grounds.
On September 29 Inner City Press live tweeted; Judge Hellerstein after breaking from 1 pm to 2:40 pm sentenced her to 85 months.
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
And, " Deft. shall continue on bail pending appeal."
On October 6 the US Attorney's Office asked for 72 months on Oliver Amar.
On November 5 Inner City Press live tweeted the sentencing, thread - Judge Hellerstein returned from a break and sentenced Amar to 68 months. Much was said -
More of it on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
This case is USA v. Javice, et al., 1:23-cr-251 (Hellerstein)
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