Sunday, August 24, 2025
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Friday, August 22, 2025
Chinese Consulate Sought to Visit Fentanyl Duo in Hubei Biotech Case now Chen Gets 15 Years
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Aug 21 – The day after fentanyl and China were denounced by all eight GOP candidates in their debate in Milwaukee, two defendants were brought shackled into a federal courtroom in New York, charged with conspiracy to important at least 200 kilograms of fentanyl precursors. Inner City Press was there.
Qingzhou Wang had recently changed lawyers, from a free Federal Defender to retained counsel Daniel Arshack.
Citing the change of counsel, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Paul G. Gardephe set another court date in the future, October 24 at 10 am.
The Assistant US Attorney described trying to brute-force crack the defendants' cell phones, two each.
Also charged in the case is the company Hubei Amarvel Biotech Co. LTD, which is unrepresented in the docket like a Last Name Unknown co-defendant also known as Er Yang or Anita.
Back on June 28 , counsel to co-defendant Yiyi Chen asked Judge Gardephe, "I've spoken to representatives of the Chinese Consulate. They're here in court today. They'd like to know if they can have a brief non-contact visit with Ms. Chen and the co-defendant if it's okay with the Court and the marshals."
On September 5, now Yiyi Cheng brought in as retained counsel Shaoming Cheng (whose only SDNY case this is).
On October 12, counsel to Qingzhou Wang wrote to Judge Gardephe complaining about the government's delay in providing funds for translations to Mandarin (initially justified by the possible government shutdown). Counsel remains "available" on October 24, though.
On October 24, Inner City Press was on the 7th floor of 40 Foley Square when the two defendants would brought up by elevator, in MDC tan, by Marshals. Afterward, "Status Conference as to Qingzhou Wang held .
On July 25, Judge Gardephe held a status conference and Inner City Press went, thread
On November 18, Judge Gardephe denied severance and heard of discovery and health issues. Inner City Press was there, from the thread
Judge: I deny Wang's motion to sever. Trial is set for Jan 13.
On January 14 Inner City Press went; jury selection continued, with the legal question eliciting "yes" answers from a Westchester defense attorney and former prosecutor. Wang had written in to the judge in Chinese (docketed); the US put in the docket exhibits from Google Ads, rejecting an ad for fentanyl.
On January 15, Yiyi Chen requested, and Judge Gardephe granted, the right for the defendant to have her discovery laptop in Courtroom 105 during trial.
On January 17, Inner City Press was there amid testimony about a meeting on meth and fentanyl, thread:
AUSA: What were you buying from them? Witness: Fentanyl. Also chemicals for meth. AUSA: Please play the video 502 [mostly audio, of witness talk drug shop with the defendants]
After a break, more audio played for jury. Chen: We can ship it to Mexico, but it has to go through America Rodriguez: Mr Wang is the boss, right? Chen: There is another boss in Japan
AUSA: Did you end up meeting this other boss, during the meeting in Bangkok? Rodriguez: Yes, by Facetime.
Jump cut to January 29, when the US proposed to Judge Gardephe to add more to his answer to the jury question, Does supplying chemical constitute manufacturing?" Judge Gardephe denied the US motion to supplement his answer.
On January 30, a mixed verdict: "JURY VERDICT as to Qingzhou Wang (2) Guilty on Count 2s and Yiyi Chen (3) Guilty on Count 2s. Qingzhou Wang (2) Not Guilty on Count 1s and Yiyi Chen (3) Not Guilty on Count 1s." They will be sentenced in May and June - and they remain in detention...
On April 16 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for forfeiture of $67,168.25 from Wang, and two domain names from Chen.
On June 5 the June 26 sentencing of Wang was pushed to August 21 after his lawyer said he just learned that when he was just days old he was sold for $400 by his biological parents to his adoptive parents in a remote village of China; counsel wishes to explore it.
On June 26 "as to Qingzhou Wang, Yiyi Chen. Defendants' Rule 29 and Rule 33 motions (Dkt. Nos. 135-136) are denied. (Signed by Judge Paul G. Gardephe on 6/24/2025)."
On July 21 Wang asked for three years on August 21.
On August 18 Inner City Press went to cover Yiyi Chen's sentencing at 3 pm. The defendant and defense counsel, who had filed a letter that morning, were there, as was the prosecutors and others. But the sentencing was pushed back to Friday, August 22...
Inner City Press went on August 22, for more than two hours. Thread. She declined, twice, to speak. Judge Gardephe sentenced her to 15 years. Afterward into the elevator in shackles, stoic still. She is 33 years old, has no children, her cancer-ridden mother in Wuhan saying if only she hadn't been trapped there during the pandemic...
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Hubei Amarvel Biotech Co. LTD, et al., 1:23-cr-302 (Gardephe)
More details on Substack here
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UN Spox Daniela Gross No Maxwell Answers Nor Reply on UN Rape As Steals Public Money
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
UN GATE / SDNY COURT, Aug 21 – The United Nations under SG Antonio Guterres turns people into thieves and censors.
This week's example is Daniela Gross. She has been getting paid public money in the UN Spokesperson's office for a long time, but never answering written Press questions.
On August 22 she conducted the in-person briefing from which Inner City Press is banned - and took only two questions, from the same questioner. She did not answer any of the Press questions submitted in the morning, including about the UN's links with Jeffrey Epstein's trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, who was given a UN press conference and on who Terramar board UNSG Antonio Guterres had a rep in one of only five seats.
So in the afternoon Inner City Press emailed the question to here again, highlighting just three, and stating a deadline, "please advise." Nothing. Money for nothing. That is, theft.
This is simply stealing public money, particularly given the polite pro bono letter from the Quinn Emanuel law firm sent to the UN's Melissa Fleming - and Inner City Press' June 19, 2025 application to MALU to enter and cover UNGA80 - no answer at all after two months.
And note that Daniela Gross' boss Stephane Dujarric said, on camera, "We continue to answer e-mailed questions from Mr Lee/ Inner City Press," here.
This is censorship - and theft. We'll have more, much more, on this - as long as it takes. Watch this site.
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After Roman Storm Trial DOJ Says Code Is Not a Crime Still DragonFly SDNY Unsealing Pends
| After Roman Storm Trial DOJ Says Code Is Not a Crime Still DragonFly SDNY Unsealing Pends by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack SDNY COURTHOUSE, Aug 22 – Roman Storm was charged using his cryptocurrency mixer 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 The US on July 9, 2025 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. After the trial, and conviction on the money transmitter count, on August 21 DOJ's Matthew Galeotti said, "Our view is that merely writing code, without ill intent, is not a crime... The department should not leave innovators guessing as to what could lead to criminal prosecution." Meanwhile the US v. Storm prosecutors continue to insist that what they said in open court about crypto investing firm DragonFly should be sealed - leaving them and others guessing. 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. On July 14 Inner City Press live tweeted jury selection. Crypto Tornado book 1 here The prosecutors spoke about Dragonfly - then asked to seal it. Inner City Press moved to unseal, and Judge Failla asked them and the defense to respond by August 19. On August 5 the jurors returned with this: no unanimity on Counts 1 and 3, guilty on Count 2, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmittal business. The AUSA then asked that Storm be remanded to jail as a flight right. Thread. Judge Failla denied that. On August 19 Storm through counsel wrote in saying he does not oppose Inner City Press' motion to unseal. And the prosecutors? We hope to be able to report on this soon, particularly now after DOJ Galeotti's statement - for now, on August 21, Shakeeb Ahmed who was transported from jail in West Virginia to testify against Storm had his sentence ended as "time served"... More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here The case is USA v. Storm, et al., 1:23-cr-430 (Failla) *** 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. Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com |
In NYS Raise The Age Court First Amendment Rights In Question Amid Social Media Bans
by Matthew & Russell Lee, Patreon Substack
111 CENTRE STREET, Aug 21 – New York State's "Raise the Age" law provided that defendants below 18 years old are treated differently. The differences, two cases on August 21 show, include an exemption from First Amendment rights.
In RTA-Part 73 in 111 Centre Street, a seventeen-year-old was told his social media cannot include gangs, guns or "violence," with terms not being defined. He was told to stay away from the Marble Hill Houses in The Bronx.
Next, a sixteen-year-old was not that he CANNOT leave The Bronx - and his social media ban on gangs, guns and violence includes retweets and even likes.
Apparently he cannot for example advocate against war, whether in Ukraine or Gaza.
Inner City Press was in the courtroom, and standing next to the judge later by the elevator put a question to him.
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
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In Roman Storm Trial Ahmed Testified Now Released from Jail Dragonfly Unsealing Pends
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Aug 21 – 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
The US on July 9, 2025 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 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.
On July 14 Inner City Press live tweeted jury selection.
Crypto Tornado book 1 here
The prosecutors spoke about Dragonfly - then asked to seal it. Inner City Press moved to unseal, and Judge Failla asked them and the defense to respond by August 19.
On August 5 the jurors returned with this: no unanimity on Counts 1 and 3, guilty on Count 2, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmittal business. The AUSA then asked that Storm be remanded to jail as a flight right. Thread. Judge Failla denied that.
On August 19 Storm through counsel wrote in saying he does not oppose Inner City Press' motion to unseal. And the prosecutors? We hope to be able to report on this soon - for now, on August 21, Shakeeb Ahmed who was transported from jail in West Virginia to testify against Storm had his sentence ended as "time served"...
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Storm, et al., 1:23-cr-430 (Failla)
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In Blake Lively Case Baldoni Bid to Alternative Serve Ferrer and her Sanctions Motion Denied
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Aug 21 – In the Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni lawsuits, a hearing was held on February 3 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Lewis J. Liman. Inner City Press was there with live coverage, thread
On February 10, Lively's lawyer asked for delay: "Plaintiff Blake Lively respectfully moves for an extension of time to file her amended complaint to March 5, 2025. Full filing on Patreon here
On February 11 Baldoni's lawyer consented to delay but noted "unnecessary and baseless attacks on non-party Jed Wallace and the litigation pending against Ms. Lively" - filing on Patreon here
On February 25 Baldoni disagreed on the proposed protective order, on Patreon here
On February 28 Baldoni filed to expand the quashing of Lively's subpoena to include Warfarer employees - filing on Patreon here
On July 16, the eve of Lively's deposition, an emergency hearing which Inner City Press live tweeted here.
At 8:30 pm Lively's lawyers wrote in that her deposition is being pushed to July 31.
On July 28 Judge Liman denied a motion by Perez Hilton to seal information, calling it unnecessary - order on Patreon here
He filed a motion in Nevada - then on August 7 filed with Judge Liman, including "This case and your docket has become a circus" - filing on Patreon here
On August 21 Judge Liman denied the Wayfarer Parties' request to alternatively serve Ferrer, and Ferrer's bid for sanctions: "The Wayfarer Parties1 move for leave to serve third party Isabella Ferrer by alternative means. Ferrer opposes the motion and moves for sanctions, arguing that the subpoena is improper, burdensome, and designed to harass her. Dkt. No. 666. Both requests are denied" - full order on Patreon here
Back on February 6, a new book "Hollywood Hearsay," ranging from the CRD complaint in California o Jed Wallace's new case in Texas, comparing SDNY defamation cases, including Sarah Palin v NYT. Book here, Audiobook here
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here, Buy Me a Coffee here
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UN Spox Daniela Gross No Epstein Answer Nor Reply on UN Job Move As Steals Public Money
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
UN GATE / SDNY COURT, Aug 21 – The United Nations under SG Antonio Guterres turns people into thieves and censors.
This week's example is Daniela Gross. She has been getting paid public money in the UN Spokesperson's office for a long time, but never answering written Press questions.
On August 21 she conducted the in-person briefing from which Inner City Press is banned - and did not answer any of the Press questions submitted, including about the UN's links with Jeffrey Epstein's trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, who was given a UN press conference and on who Terramar board UNSG Antonio Guterres had a rep in one of only five seats.
Inner City Press' other written questions, sent to the Spokesperson's office and beyond, involve its exclusive report on chief of staff Courtenay Rattray's memo about moving mobs out of New York, and rapes by UN peacekeepers.
This is simply stealing public money, particularly given the polite pro bono letter from the Quinn Emanuel law firm sent to the UN's Melissa Fleming - and Inner City Press' June 19, 2025 application to MALU to enter and cover UNGA80 - no answer at all after two months.
And note that Daniela Gross' boss Stephane Dujarric said, on camera, "We continue to answer e-mailed questions from Mr Lee/ Inner City Press," here.
This is censorship - and theft. We'll have more, much more, on this - as long as it takes. Watch this site.
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On FOIA of Circle Proposal for Charter OCC Withholds Slide Deck and Questions So Appeal
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SOUTH BRONX/SDNY, August 21– With the US Congress passing the cryptocurrency GENIUS Act, Ripple Labs as well as Circle and others, have applied for banking charters to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Inner City Press asked the IMF about the GENIUS Act on July 24, here.
Later on July 24, the OCC responded to its FOIA request for communications related to Circle's proposal by stating "[p]lease provide the email addresses of Circle's counsel as well as the specific OCC personnel whose correspondence you would like for us to search.
This was a travesty: it is the OCC which knows the identity and address of applicant Circle's counsel, and of the OCC personnel.
Seeking to get the records during the comment period, Inner City Press provided what names it could. On August 21 - after closing its comment period - the OCC provided some 80 pages, more than half entirely redacted. Inner City Press has immediately appealed:
On this important application, after delaying until the OCC's comment period is officially closed, now the OCC withholds in full for example the slide deck Circle presented to the OCC on March 3, 2025 ("Sebastian - please see attached for today's presentation deck"). This is inappropriate. Circle is seeking approval based on this presentation; it cannot be withheld from the public in full. It appears to consist of 26 pages, with every single word and image withheld. The OCC is required under FOIA to make public all "reasonably segregable" portions of records it claims contain withholdable portions. That was not done here (nor on the b(5) redactions, which we are also hereby appealing).
Next, the OCC withholds in full at least 16 pages after a reference to helpful questions. Note that your sister regulator the Federal Reserve specifically provides the requesting public (or Press) with questions and answers. Withholding this in full is inappropriate, particularly on an application of this import. This appeal should be processed on an expedited basis - and the comment period should be re-opened / cannot close.
Watch this site.
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As UN80 Pay to Stay Alleged by Staff to Inner City Press Guterres Plan Panned by Staff Union
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Aug 20 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? His spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions. Inner City Press has asked them, and others, about the newest sex abuse case against the UN. Below, from a UN whistleblower sent to Inner City Press, about younger staff members being shaken down to pay bribes to "Tony's cronies" to keep their jobs. Meanwhile, pontificating to other staff:
"Dear colleagues, The Secretary-General has decided that, effective 1 October 2025, all staff members at New York Headquarters will be required to work onsite at least four days a week, an increase from the current three-day minimum.
This has already been opposed by UNSU: "evaluation of the Flexible Workplace Strategy (A/78/225) dated 25 July 2023, which found: • That the implementation of a flexible workplace may have negatively contributed to staff health and well-being; • That it did not increase in-person collaboration as projected; • Documented challenges with noise, privacy and limited focus spaces for staff (which have since accelerated); • That staff adaptation of a mobile way of working, including away from the office, has contributed to resilience and helped the Organization improve environmental sustainability; • A staff-to-seat ratio on Secretariat building floors averaging 1.49:1, and in some floors a staff-to- seat ratio of close to 2 staff per seat (which will create hardship situations for staff when most staff on a given floor have to be in the office)2. Noting the decreasing number of meeting rooms in the Secretariat building due to increasing conversion of meeting rooms on the 15th and 27th floor to offices for senior officials, as well as restrictions of use on the meeting rooms on the 27th floor... Recognizing the rising cost of living in New York City, including record-high rental prices, noting the disproportionate burden placed on lower-compensated staff – particularly those in General Service and entry-level Professional categories – who often face longer commuting distances, higher transportation costs and limited access to affordable housing near Headquarters; Mindful that a balanced hybrid model helps to sustain the integrity and vibrancy of New York Headquarters as the core of the multilateral system. The Staff Council hereby respectfully requests the Secretary-General to: 1. 2. 3. 4. Reverse the decision to mandate a 4-day in-office work modality across UNHQ." Big Tony is in Japan; Inner City Press still banned.
From UN whistleblowers to Inner City Press:
Dear Matthew Russell Lee,
Panic is spreading among senior personnel in South Sudan, particularly those who were promoted through favoritism—from P-3 to D-1 and D-2—without a transparent, merit-based process.
A notable case is that of Leda Limann, reportedly the daughter of former Ghanaian President Dr Hilla Limann. It remains unclear how she was promoted directly from P-3 to Chief of Staff position, D-2 within the same mission (UNMISS) and subsequently rostered for the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) position. This advancement was facilitated by the former Chief of Staff, Mr Paul Egunsola, shortly before his retirement. Mr Egunsola had aspired to the SRSG post, but that ambition did not materialise. Instead, the Secretary-General elevated the current DSRSG, Mr Cong, to the level of Under-Secretary-General (USG).
To retain his D-2 post as Chief of Staff, Mr Egunsola was reportedly allowed to remain in service beyond the mandatory UN retirement age of 65. His actions were reportedly supported by the current Director of Human Resources, Mr Aggrey Kedogo, who himself rose from P-4 to P-5 and then to D-1—allegedly by facilitating irregular recruitments and other questionable activities for senior officials. He is reportedly anticipating promotion to D-2 in the near future. The current Director of Mission Support (DMS), Ms Victoria Browning, previously served as a P-5 in Geneva before being seconded to UNMISS and appointed to a D-2 post.
Despite the ongoing financial crisis facing the UN, she has remained in this seconded position for nearly a decade—raising serious concerns about compliance with policy and equitable staffing practices. In order to preserve her role of seconded position, she is reportedly hesitant to provide the SRSG and Chief of Staff with accurate procedural guidance. These individuals are now reportedly working behind the scenes to shield their associates from the looming downsizing exercise.
Despite widespread awareness of these irregularities, the Office of USG Lopez has remained conspicuously silent. UN80 must take decisive steps to investigate not only those directly involved in acts of corruption and favou
ritism but also those whose silence and inaction contribute to institutional decay. Alarming allegations have emerged indicating that some officials are soliciting payments in exchange for protection from job cuts. These claims warrant urgent and thorough investigation to restore integrity, transparency, and fairness to staffing decisions.
Guterres, they say, should end censorship. Application was made on June 19, 2025. Watch this site.
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