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On Man Convicted of al Shabaab Attack Plan US Says He Has Not Adopted Sentencing Memo
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 13 – Cholo Abdi Abdullah is charged with planning with al Shabaab to attack the US with a commercial jet.
On September 5, 2023 he appeared in court saying he has lost faith in lawyers, and intially saying he now wants to represent himself. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the courtroom.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Analisa Torres advised him that without a lawyer he would be at a major disadvantage.
On November 21, 2023 Inner City Press went at 9 am to Abdullah's Faretta hearing. But it was asked to leave the courtroom, from 9:22 am to 9:50 am. It filed a letter to get the transcript of the closed proceeding, here.
On August 5, 2024 Judge Torres set a schedule for an October 28 start of trial.
On October 18, the US Attorney's Office wrote in with issues for the final pre-trial conference on October 21, and trial set to start October 28: he "wants to merely sit passively during the trial... because he does not believe that this is a legitimate system."
He has not requested assistance in filing a proposed clothing order. So will he sit on trial in MDC tan?
On October 21, he appeared in MDC tan for the final pre-trial conference. Inner City Press was there. Thread:
All rise! [Inner City Press is the only media - the only civilian - in the courtroom] Judge: Mr Abdullah, the trial begins next week. Abdullah: I wish to remain passive
Judge: If your stand-by counsel becomes active, I will assume it is with your consent. Abdullah: I am deliberating if I might question some witnesses. It is up to me. They are not going to participate in this case.
Judge: If you engage in misconduct you may lose your right to represent yourself. You are at an extreme disadvantage if you represent yourself. You are putting yourself in extreme danger. Abdullah: I have my reasons. I keep them to myself
Abdullah: I would prefer to not even have stand-by counsel. But you do not allow that. Judge: Did you receive the US motions in limine? Abdullah: I have objections, but no stamps to mail them. Judge: You may make them now.
Abdullah: The US is going to use Al Shabaab propaganda videos. Fine. But they should not show video of suicide bombers to the jury. It is going to play with verdict. I want them to cut the part with the shooting,start with the reporter
Abdullah: There is CCTV provided by the Kenyan government. I do not want the suicide bomber video in AUSA: We want it in. He searched for the video almost contemporaneously. It is probative. [White noise is turned on]
Abdullah: I don't object to the jury being shown the anti American and anti Zionist statements... But using the other Al Shabaab statements of CC-1 and CC-2, it is hearsay.
Judge: Having received no objections, I issued an order on October 16. I assume you got it- Abdullah: I did not. Judge: You should read it. We will take a break.
On October 24 stand-by counsel wrote in that Abdullah has only been given access to legal research six days before trial. He had wanted jurors to asked about "bias about Israel and Palestine" but withdrew his request.
On October 28, Inner City Press attended the first day of jury selection, from the thread:
defendant who is representing himself (with 3 stand-by counsel) did not ask to appear in a suit, so he is here in tan MDC jail uniform
Judge: Does anyone have religious or philosopical beliefs that would impact their fairness in this case? No one says yes. Break taken.
Now judge questioning prospective jurors. Judge: Number 21? Woman: New Rochelle, Master in finance. I could be fair 2d woman: Rockland, hospice social worker. Man (playwright) I am concerned about the defendant representing himself, that I'll perceive propaganda
Woman, Lower East Side, Islamic Studies, Meddle Eastern studies. Spouse is a lawyer in estates and a Animal law... Woman, lawyer in larges civil rights & civil liberties firm. Concerned colleagues would talk about case. Would not ask them not to.
Judge: We'll break here.
On October 29, Inner City Press covered the end of jury selection, the shut-down of defense opening, then the US opening - they say (not surprisingly) the pace is "brisk." From the thread:
final jury selection AUSA: We challenge Number 37. Judge: Does the defense challenge 38 or 48? Cholo (pro se) No. [Jury picked]
Judge: Openings? AUSA: 50 minutes. Cholo: I will explain why I will not participate. Judge: That is not a proper subject for opening. Cholo: Then no openingDefendant said he wanted to open by telling jurors why he will NOT be defending himself, but was told that is not a proper subject for an opening. So, no opening by him (!)
AUSA: The defendant traveled to meet al Shabaab. He learned to use explosives. He learned what's called operational security. After many months, he was told he was chose for a special important mission: to hijack a plane and attack. He agreed
AUSA: He enrolled in flight school. He stayed in it for more than a year. He tried to get a job with a US airline. [Defendant Cholo Abdullah is sitting slumped in his chair at defense table, in a tan MDC-Brooklyn prison jacket. 2 of his 3 stand-by lawyers there
AUSA: After an attack, the defendant Googled it. He searched online. He maintained contact with his Al Shabaab handlers. In June 2019 he reached the final stages of his pilot training. But he was arrested [and has been in jail since, next cell to Joshua Schulte
AUSA: At the end of this trial [Nov 15?!?] we'll have a change to talk to you again. Between now & then, pay attention, follow Judge Torres' instructions, and use your common sense. If so, you'll reach the only verdict, that defendant Cholo Abdullah, is guilty
Judge: Witnesses, after lunch. We'll break.Update: as US puts on the stand an American University professor about global jihad, Cholo Abdullah is not cross examining anyone, and once told that explaining why was not a proper opening argument, didn't make one...
As US v. Cholo Abdi Abdullah trial ends for the day, without defendant doing any cross, AUSA says "We are moving briskly."
On October 30, even more brisk, Your Honor - from the thread:
AUSA: Professor, what are we about to see? Prof Tricia Bacon: People fleeing Al Shabaab's mall attack [Defendant Cholo Abdi Abdullah in final pre trial conference raised issues about these videos - but so far only objected once, overruled]
AUSA: Doctor Bacon, has Al Shabaab participated in airplane attacks? Bacon: Twice. In 2016, an operative with a laptop blew himself out of a plane. Also in 2016, they tried it in print cartridges. They didn't make it on the plane but they did injure several people
Bacon: The one in 2018, they said they had intended to get on Turkish Airlines. AUSA: No further questions. Judge: Cross examination? Cholo Abdi Abdullah: No. [He is "going passive"] Judge: The government may call its next witness
[Next witness] AUSA: What is your name? Witness: Joseph Kalum, of the Kenya anti-terrorism police unit for 21 years. AUSA: What sort of cases do you focus on? Kalum: All terrorism cases, digital forensics.
AUSA: Did you investigate this attack? Kalum: Yes, Your Honor. Judge: Please don't call the prosecutor "Your Honor." You may call me that. Kalum: Yes, your Honor. AUSA: Did you collect digital evidence? Kalum: Yes, your Honor.
AUSA: What kind of evidence? Kalum: From laptops, Your Honor. Judge: You should just not use that term Your Honor to anyone. AUSA: Is this a portion of the CCTV footage? Kalum: Correct. AUSA: We offer GX 802. Judge: Any objection? [Silence] Judge: Admitted.
On October 31, the US put in audio and more - and then rested its case. Thread:
Assistant US Attorney: Agent, did you review messages form the Elusive Router account on Facebook? Agent: I did. Here's the IP address it used. AUSA: What is shown in GX 296? Agent: More log ins to Facebook. AUSA: Move to admit. Judge: Any objection? Cholo: No
AUSA: Special Agent, what website was he going to? Agent: The complete audio of the Sheikh Anwar al-Awlaki lecture series - he is a deceased member of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. There's a photo of him with others. I worked all of these cases
AUSA: Play the audio. Jury hears Anwar al-Awlaki talking about getting on planes with no ID check. "But America thought it could occupy and plunder without consequence." Chola Abdi Abdulla is slumped in his chair at defense table, stroking his beard.
Update: Now Judge Torres has asked the prosecutors how they would argue against a Rule 29 motion (for acquittal) by Cholo Abdi Abdullah, if he were to make one - since he is NOT making one, or doing anything else. AUSA: We have proved our case
Judge: Does the defendant wish to present evidence? Cholo Abdi Abdullah: No, I do not trust these public defenders, they work with the US. I was asking for discovery since January. I got it last week. Judge: I believe BOP- Cholo: I am an honorable person.
Judge: I've watched you talk to your stand-by counsel, then talk to me. So you accept his advice- Cholo: Only when it conforms with my views. Judge: Have you had enough time to discuss testifying or not? Cholo: He mentioned it to me. We did not discuss
Cholo: I told him, I will remain passive. Judge: Have he mentioned your right to you, did he remain there in a listening posture? Cholo: I have no problem with- Judge: I need you to answer my question. Did he remain? Cholo: Yes.
Judge: You've made a decision not to testify? Cholo Abdi Abdullah: That is correct. Judge: Be seated. The charge and jury sheet have been delivered. We are adjourned.
On November 1, Cholo Abdi Abdullah's stand-by counsel "on behalf of Mr. Abdullah, and his instuction," moved to exclude co-conspirator statements, citing US v. Rangott (which Inner City Press also covered). Judge Torres issued an order she will allow them to come in.
On November 4, he was quickly found guilty. Thread:
Cholo Abdi Abdullah has just been found guilty. Judge: Jurors, thank you for your service. You are excused. [Jury exiting]
Judge: Mr. Abdullah, will you continue to represent yourself? Abdullah: Yes. I will not take any advice. Judge: He continues as your stand-by counsel, I am requiring it. Any motion by Dec 6
Judge: Sentencing March 10 at 10 am. Probation will want to interview you... Abdullah: Is it my choice? Judge: It is your choice. Abdullah: Then I will not talk with anyone. I will never change my mind. You already know this about me. I will remain rigid
Judge: I want to thank the lawyers for your civility. We are adjourned.
On February 21 his appointed lawyers wrote to Judge Torres for more time for the sentencing memo because "he has refused to speak with counsel since November 14, 2024, and has insisted on not participating in sentencing proceedings."
On March 3 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for life imprisonment. Sentencing was scheduled for March 10.
Until it wasn't: "ORDER as to Cholo Abdi Abdullah. Accordingly, by March 10, 2025, Standby Counsel shall file a sentencing submission. Such submission shall include Standby Counsel's analysis of (1) the appropriate Guidelines range to be used and (2) the sentences that have been imposed in comparable cases. The sentencing scheduled for March 10 is ADJOURNED to March 24, 2025. (Signed by Judge Analisa Torres on 3/4/25)
On March 10 standby counsel wrote in that he has no reason to believe that the Guideline is not life in prison but emphasized that "the pro se litigant is entitled to a favorable exercise of the Court's discretion."
On March 13 the US Attorney's Office wrote in that "there is currently no basis to believe that the defendant has adopted stand-by counsel's sentencing memo," and suggested questions to be asked.
Watch this site.
More on Substack here
The case is USA v. Abdullah, 1:20-cr-677 (Torres)
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New BIS Study of Data and Antitrust Cited to Fed Against Capital One Discover Merger
SOUTH BRONX, March 21 – Before Capital One announced and applied to buy Discover, they and their law firm were allowed to meet secretly with the Federal Reserve.
After they applied late March 20, Inner City Press submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the Fed. While they granted expedited treatment, they delayed nearly a near before on March 4 dumping over 1000 redacted pages.
These begin with ex parte meetings between the bank, its law firm and the Fed - telephone calls in February 2024, and a meeting inside the Fed on March 7, 2024 (the Fed waited until March 4, 2025 to disclose this). 1000 page on Inner City Press' DocumentCloud here. 200+ more pages here. FOIA determination letter here
Inner City Press has filed a FOIA appeal to the Federal Reserve - and raised it in a March 21 comments, along with a new Bank for International Settlements study that cris out for denial of the merger. Who's in the OCC's and Fed's wallet, now?
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Amid USAID Cuts UN Security Cuts Back While SG Guterres Jets Off on Junket
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, March 21 – With the United Nations facing budget cuts and its Secretary General on a junket to Bangladesh, the following from inside the UN was leaked to Inner City Press:
Dear Council Members, The message below, which was circulated to you, reflects the outcome of our meeting between the Staff Federation and the USG-UNDSS, Mr. Gilles Michoud. In addition to the details provided in the message, I would like to take this opportunity to summarize the implications of the $30 million budget cut for UNDSS:
Due to the recent USAID funding cut to the UN, approximately $30 million has been removed from the extra-budgetary (XB) resources, resulting in a significant reduction in staffing.
As a consequence, UNDSS will no longer have a presence in approximately 35 to 45 countries, severely impacting field operations. In the remaining 120 countries where UNDSS will maintain a presence, regional hubs will be established. UN agencies will need to reconsider their operational footprint in countries where UNDSS will no longer be present. In the short term, approximately 100 UNDSS staff members will be affected, with more at risk if the situation does not improve. The USG emphasized that UNDSS is not a protection agency but a risk management and analysis entity.
This distinction should be clearly communicated to staff. I advocated for our security colleagues in the field, particularly those in UNAMI who are facing downsizing in the coming months. However, I was informed that there will be no available positions to absorb affected personnel. The USG candidly stated that he cannot justify bringing someone from the field when he is already forced to send his own staff home. The UN is currently experiencing its worst liquidity crisis since its establishment. The situation is expected to deteriorate further before any improvement occurs.
I will continue to follow up with DPO and DOS regarding our position papers and other matters related to the future of peacekeeping operations.
Please stay tuned for further updates. Best regards, Milan Victor Dawoh President-United Nations Field Staff Union
Message sent on behalf of Mr. Bill Blanchard, DFO Dear colleagues in DFO, I would like to update you with the latest developments on the financial situation for DFO. We have received some bad news from USAID, whose extra-budgetary (XB) funding provides for a very large proportion of DSS's crisis response work in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, as well as a relatively smaller proportion in Nigeria and Ethiopia.
Most of this has now stopped and I am not optimistic that we will have any remaining after about May, let alone into 2026. This means that our XB funding will fall from above $20m a year to around $1m if we can't find other donors. We will need to use the Jointly Financed Activities account (JFA) to absorb some positions, particularly in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. Meanwhile, the Controller has announced a recruitment freeze, initially for six months.
We will not be able to run normal recruitment processes on positions funded by regular budget or JFA or the peace-keeping budget. It is vital that we continue to retain the agility to be able to respond to the crises of the world, so we need to be able to move people where they are needed. We are exploring how we do this.
As he mentioned in his talk to staff, the USG went to the Finance and Budget Network (FBN) meeting on 10 March, where he presented two budgets for 2026, one with a flat maintenance budget and one with a 20% decrease. He explained what this decrease would mean for DSS (JFA is used by DPSS and EO as well as DFO). Even if we start by maximizing savings on non-post costs, and if we use vacant positions and forthcoming retirements fully, under a 20% cut we would have to significantly reduce our filled positions in both HQ and the field.
We would have to prioritize rigorously and change our model in large parts of the world, for example by extending regional coverage and nationalizing positions. The FBN asked the USG a range of questions and we are now preparing a more detailed briefing for the FBN to consider at their meeting on 21 March. The FBN was clear that the brutality of the financial crisis that the UN and its agencies are facing means that security will also need to absorb cuts. We can therefore expect that DFO budgets will be cut. We don’t yet know by how much.
As you know, the reduction in AFP funding is affecting discussions about Locally Cost-Shared Security Budgets (LCSSB) around the world. We have asked all our P/C/SAs to model 25% cuts for 2026 as a preliminary precaution. Some of you are already facing pressure to reduce recently agreed 2025 budgets. We are also funded by the Regular Budget and Peacekeeping Budget for some posts in DFO.
As well as being subject to the freeze, I expect that they too will come under pressure. There is a risk of liquidity issues towards the end of the year which is why we have a hiring freeze. We have been able to withdraw from the Global Mobility scheme in order to be able to concentrate on managing the financial situation. My apologies to those of you who applied for this in good faith, but the truth is that we can't guarantee that all the jobs would continue to exist which means the circular sequences of moves would get stuck.
As some of you know we had just completed a Strategic Resource Allocation process which would have repositioned us for the security risks we face today. We will not be able to proceed with this as planned, but it gives us a data-based methodology for considering where any required reductions will be made in new, tougher circumstances. I expect that no geographical area of the world will be immune.
We can be sure, if we face cuts anywhere near 20%, that it will affect both national and international colleagues. As the USG mentioned, we will consider whether part of our response should be agreed terminations. We have not yet considered how we would run any downsizing process. All that we can say at this stage is that there are some well-established UN rules to follow, and that we would want to be as humane and fair as possible. I am aware that some of you will be feeling uncertain and may worry what it means for you personally as well as for the Department.
As soon as we can give you substantive news we will do so. In the meantime, I have no doubt that there will be lots of unfounded rumours, so please keep your disinformation antennae up. Please look after yourselves and those around you, in and beyond DSS. Those of you who are line managers please check in on your teams. Please remember that our counselors are available to support you through stressful times.
My own self-management of stress, which I don't always get right, involves stopping doom-scrolling through the news, talking with my family and playing the piano - you will have your own methods. The most important thing we can do is to keep on doing a good professional job in support of the UN, especially important when it is under attack and underfunded. A smaller UN will need an excellent security team just as much as a bigger UN does. The world is not getting safer, and the UN will still want to reach the most dangerous places. We will continue to be essential. We will let you know when we get more clarity.
Best wishes, Bill Bill Blanchard Director Division of Field Operations United Nations Department of Safety and Security
Inner City Press will have more on this.
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After SBF Got 25 Years Salame Got 90 Months Michelle Bond Gets Time to Unfreeze Assets
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 20– 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." 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.
More on X for Subscribers here, Substack here
Jump cut to mid-March 2025: Michelle Bond's retained counsel wrote in about a letter from Sullivan & Cromwell, counsel for the FTX Bankruptcy Trustee, that "advised that Ms. Bond is not permitted to use funds on retainer at Duane Morris LLP because those funds are subject to a TRO." An extension for defense motion to June 20 was requested. Judge Daniels granted to May 4 - the US Attorney's Office says that's a Sunday, so May 5, and to extend the June 10 conference for a month.
This case is US v. Bond, 24-cr-494 (Daniels)
We'll have more on this.
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In Charlie Javice Trial She Subpoenaed a Witness & Wants Judge to Compel Appearance
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 20 – 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
February 20 openings, thread here.
On February 21 as Houston Cowan took the stand, then paused due to audio problems, Javice filed that "evidence and argument regarding Bank-1 should be excluded." Letter on Patreon here.
On March 3 the US put on a Google record custodian (thread here), then a former Frank staffer Jen Wong who said she was pissed Chase fired her.
On March 5 Jen Wong finished, then a man from ASL (thread)
On March 6 there was Sarah Youngwood, now of NASDAQ, about minutiae (thread) then the orange jumpsuit quote and judge's timing questions.
On March 10 US witness Patrick Vovor was cross examined (thread) including about his body talk and coming onto Charlie.
On March 11 US witness Adam Kapelner described Javice doubling his rate (thread), the NDA for synthetic in the continued thread on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
On March 12, Kapelner was cross examined by Sullivan, thread, then a Capital One witness began direct.
On March 13 the Capital One witness on cross could not remember of Olivier Amar (or Matt Glazer) were on the video calls, or is his camera was on - thread
eextended on Substack here.
On March 17 the trial continued, including with witness quoting Charlie Javice that Frank's customer acquisition cost was below $5, thread
On March 18, the US put on JPMC witnesss Keono Drakeford in from Columbus, Ohio - and it set to rest it case on March 19, when the defense will be asked if it will put on a case. Thread
On March 19, Javice's lawyers files a letter including that Amar’s desire to admit this exhibit exemplifies his antagonistic defense."Letter on Patreon here
On March 20 the defense case proceeded, until one of Javice's lawyers asked Judge Hellerstein to admonish a witness under subpoena that he must remain and testify.
More 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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