By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Order Podcast Song II
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 17 - In the Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin jury trial, the first witnesses testified on the afternoon of October 13. Inner City Press live tweeted it here and here. Vlog here.
On the morning of October 15, before the jury came in, the defense successfully argued to have the jury instructed that the Times Square "street fight / racist" video shown the day before is not relevant and is excluded. Inner City Press live tweeted it here, podcast here.
After that, Adam Laxalt and exhibits fights, which Inner City Press live tweeted here and below. New song here.
On Sunday October 17, the US Attorney's Office filed a letter seeking to bar cross-examination about how was at the Parnas home during the search, but yes including evidence of his intent. And, the US says, "he key disagreement on these exhibits appears to be that they contain nothing that proves the facts for which Kukushkin claims to offer them. For example, Kukushkin’s counsel has argued that DX B-2 “is evidence” that Correia’s trip to California “was about” Correia feigning a purpose “to come investigate Oasis on behalf of Fruman.” (Tr. 726). In fact, DX B-2 indicates merely that Correia was traveling to California at Oasis’s expense in August 2018, and says nothing about the trip’s purpose." Full letter on Patreon here.
From October 15, final hour - cross examination of Deanne Janse Van Rensburg who would like to leave NYC today
Bondy: Do you speak Russian? A: No. Bondy: Have you heard of a restaurant named Memo? A: I have. Bondy: Do you know how much of the refinance of Igor Fruman's condo went to the restaurant? A: I don't. This was a long time ago.
Bondy: You typed these emails, right? A: Yes. Bondy: You communicated with Pete Sessions' chief of staff, right? A: Yes. Bondy: At some point you learned of an FEC complaint, right? A: Yes.
Bondy: You were upset at being owed money? A: It was more disappointing. Bondy: But you continued to work at GEP? A: I did. Bondy: You're aware Mr. Fruman's names is often mis-said Furman? A: Now I do. Two years ago that's what I remembered
Bondy: When your daughter was sick, Lev Parnas and his wife -- AUSA: Objection. Judge Oetken: Sustained. Bondy: In filling out the forms for Ron DeSantis, you indicated that Igor Furman and GEP wanted to contribute, correct? A: Yes.
Bondy: What is ProtonMail? A: An encrypted email system. Bondy: When did the government speak to you about Proton email? A: They asked me -- AUSA: Hearsay! Judge Oetken: Sustained.
Bondy: Did you give the ProtonMail password of Lev Parnas? A: I don't remember. Bondy: Mr. Kukushkin arguing with you about airfare to a briss, right? A: Right. In Miami. They said, Igor's going to take care of it.
Bondy: And you could take eight donors and put them on a single credit card? A: I think it was only seven donors. Bondy: Did you communicate with the Congress member's staff, named Tandy? A: Yes, Tandy.
Bondy: In April 2018, Mr. Parnas attended a small dinner at the Trump International Hotel, with the President of the US, Donald Trump Jr., and Igor Fruman? A: I don't remember. I remember Mar-a-Lago.
Bondy: Did you send a message to Caroline Booth -- AUSA: Objection. Judge Oetken: Sustained. Bondy: Mr. Parnas would sent you articles and you'd respond with emojis to stroke his emotions, without reading them, correct? Deanna Janse Van Rensburg: Correct
Bondy: Anywhere in the universe of the two years you've been speaking to the government, do you have proof A: I have a text setting up a call about the DeSantis contribution Bondy: And what did Lev say on the phone? A: I don't remember. Lev was very consistent.
Deanna Van Rensburg: Caroline was 1st I had to ask about how to donate. Bondy: And you wouldn't remember if you were wrong? AUSA: Objection! Judge Oetken: Sustained Bondy: Did you ever meet Mr. Giuliani? A: Yes. At the briss. Then right before they were arrested.
Judge Oetken: Jurors, sorry I kept you past 4:30. I'm going to let you go. Don't do any research. And leave your pads here. After jurors leave, he says 1 juror had to be somewhere. AUSA: We're on track to rest early next week - maybe Monday, more likely Tuesday.
Now arguments about admissibility of exhibits, US Attorney Office wants to keep out mentions of Steven Fruman until he comes to be cross examined. Earlier in case, Judge Oetken said Steve Fruman ""may not be suitable as a co-signer" for Igor's bond Defense: Steve Fruman refused to talk to the government. So I don't think he's available to us.
Voice: Can we just walk over to Mamo?
Judge Oetken: which ones?
Defense: A-1 lines 1 and 6 - line six is key, we will not agree to redated it. All of A-2, A-3 line 11 Inner City Press @innercitypress · 2h Defense: A-10, line 2 and 6; A-12, now US objects to lines 2-7 and 7 AUSA Roos: We're OK with "Igor please, I need to pay the Amex"
Defense: His sister-in-law, his niece and this brother couldn't buy lunch. AUSA: I don't understand the relevance. We'll let in the part about desperation. Defense: Steven was the primary signer on the black Amex that got cut off. So they pressured Muraviev.
Defense: Mr. Scotten mischaracterized our intent. Judge Oetken: How does this relate to the Russian Roots email? AUSA: I'm happy to do a brief letter. Judge Oetken: I can also look at it.
AUSA: If our narrative falls apart, the jury will tell us. But all they have is eight disparate points. Judge Oetken: That could be reasonable doubt...
AUSA: I wish they'd just admit they are aiming for a mistrial.
Judge Oetken: I'm not ruling. I'm too tired. AUSA: Some of our witnesses for Monday are short. Judge Oetken: How short? Like 5'1"? Or 5'2"? #RimShot
And now at 5:56 pm, adjourned.
On October 11 Kukushkin asked to exclude a slew of Government Exhibits, full 8-page letter on Patreon here.
On October 5 Judge Oetken held the final pre-trial conference in advance of October 12 jury selection. Inner City Press live tweeted it here and below (podcast here)
Late on October 7 the US Attorney's Office has written to Judge Oetken seeking rulings in advance to admit exhibits including "The Inaugural Committee Articles, the FEC Complaint Article, the Time cover, and the Russian Root Emails." Full letter on Patreon here. And now, song here.
On September 10, Igor "The Glue" Fruman pleaded guilty. Inner City Press live tweeted it here (with vlog; podcast here)
The case is US v. Parnas, et al., 19-cr-00725 (Oetken).
***
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.
