By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Podcast
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
FEDERAL COURT, Nov 2 – Thomas Barrack and Matthew Grimes, indicted for illegal lobbying for the United Arab Emirates, were arraigned on July 26 before U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York Magistrate Judge Sanket Bulsara. Inner City Press live tweeted it here (and podcast here)
Now on August 3, Grimes has asked the Court for permission to travel to New York where his lawyers are based - and then to take the train to Boston (the conditions of release were limited and car and common air carrier, with private jet access cited). Letter on CourtListener here.
On November 2, Judge Cogan held another proceeding in the case - but no listen-only call-in line was provided, unlike the in-person EDNY guilty plea the same day in US v. Daniel Rendon Herrera, a Colombian drug kingpin charged with continuing criminal enterprise and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization before Judge Dora L. Irizarry. Inner City Press live tweeted thread here.
Why less transparency on Barrack? Judge Cogan's minute order: Status Conference as to Thomas Joseph Barrack and Matthew Grimes held on 11/2/2021 before Judge Brian M. Cogan. All parties appeared in person. The Court grants [54]. Time is excluded under the Speedy Trial Act through 1/5/2022 for complex case designation. A Status Conference and CIPA Section 2 hearing is set for 1/5/2022 at 11:45 AM in Courtroom 8D South." We'll have more on this.
From July 26: Judge Bulsara: Mr. Grimes, I have a document that's called an appearance bond. What's your relationship with Matthew Grimes? A: He's my brother... I earn $140,000 a year.
Judge Bulsara: Mr. Grimes, I'm prepared to release you pending trial, provided you understand the conditions. Grimes: I do, your Honor.
Judge Bulsara: You can only travel on a common air carrier. Fund transfers are restricted, as set forth in the bond.
AUSA: This case has been set down for a conference before Judge Cogan on September 2 at 10 am. We request the exclusion of time under the Speedy Trial Act until then
Judge Bulsara: Defense, do you consent? Yes. Judge Bulsara: OK, we are adjourned.
Both defendants entered pleas of “not guilty” to the indictment through their attorneys. No changes in their bond conditions except that Barrack is now also allowed to travel to the state of Colorado where he will reside at his home in Aspen. Their first appearance before U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan will be on September 2 at 10 a.m. The government will begin turning over discovery to the defendants. Grimes’s father was present in the courtroom in Brooklyn today. Barrack’s ex-wife, son and Barrack’s friend were on videoconference as suretors for his $250 million bond.
The case is USA V. AL MALIK ALSHAHHI et al., 21-cr-371 (EDNY, Cogan, J.)
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