Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Monday, June 16, 2025
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Woman Charged for Blackmail Arrested Trying to Fly to China Detained to Monday in SDNY
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 14 –A woman arrested at 1 am Saturday while trying to fly to China after a Federal search warrant was executed on her home resulting in blackmail charges was brought into court by US Marshals Saturday afternoon.
Inner City Press was there, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court, which it covers closely.
The SDNY prosecutor recounted how the defendant's travel to China had been booked at the last minute, and how she had refused to open her door to the agents with the warrant, and tried to hide electronic devices, giving rise to a second count in the Complaint.
The defendant had already retained a lawyer. Another lawyer standing in for him asked why no voluntary surrender had been provided for, if a proffer session was upcoming.
The prosecutor informed Chief Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn there was no proffer on the table. He relented from requesting home incarceration to home detention, but insisted that a GSP monitor be installed before the defendant was released on $500,000 bond, of which $100,000 must be cash within two weeks.
Also, defendant is not to use WeChat, nor contact Victim-1, who has already paid her $1 million through mediation, the prosecutor said. He added that in the US she knows only her ex-husband, which whom she does not speak, and her romantic partner.
She spoke for herself, briefly, that she was trying to visit her ill father in China.
Judge Netburn ordered her detained until Monday when a GPS monitor should be installed.
A US Marshal handed her a note. Judge Netburn announced that 25,000 protesters are headed to the courthouse - more likely, ICE in 26 Federal Plaza on "No Kings" day - and to clear out quickly. The case did not yet have a docket number.
It is USA v. Luo, 25-mj-__ (Netburn
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UNRWA Is Not Immune US Told Judge for UN Aiding Hamas Oct 7 Attack Plaintiffs 2bl Down
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jun 13 - For the UN's role in Hamas' October 7 attacks, non-US citizen plaintiffs and estates on June 24 filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, Pierre Krahenbuhl, Filippo Grandi, Leni Stenseth, Sandra Mitchel, Margot Ellis and Greta Gunnarsdottir.
The individual plaintiffs are sued for, inter alia, their "constant travel to New York" to raise and get money and "their material support of Hamas' terror infrastructure." Also cited, for jurisdiction and venue, is "over one billion dollars from UNRWA's New York bank account in Manhattan that Defendants then caused to be delivered to Gaza in cash U.S. dollars to benefit Hamas."
Inner City Press, which daily cover the SDNY court in-person and the UN from outside the gate, banned from entry by SG Antonio Guterres, asked Guterres' spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming about the lawsuit, without any response per usual.
Nor have they responded to Inner City Press' June 19 application to enter the UN to ask these questions.
On February 18, the (new) SDNY wrote in, "The Government is currently reviewing the views." Letter on Inner City Press' DocumentCloud here
On April 17 DOJ wrote in asking for one more week to finalize. Inner City Press, still banned from the UN by Antonio Guterres, tweeted it.
On April 24 the Administration wrote in that it "has since reevaluated that position, and now concludes UNRWA is not immune from this litigation. Nor are the bulk of other defendants" - 10 page filing on DocumentCloud here.
On May 1 the UN's law firm wrote in to "to request leave to respond to the U.S. Government’s letter dated April 24, 2025."
On May 2 the UN was given until May 22 to reply.
Late on May 22 the UN's publicly-funded law firm argued that the UN Administration's position is "not entitled to any deference" and should be disregarded.
When the plaintiff's asked for permission to respond, the UN's law firm - no answer from the UN on how they were chosen or how much in taxpayers' fund they are being paid - said they weren't asked and if granted, give them a surreply.
On June 13 the plaintiffs argued that There is no basis for the argument that absolutely any entity the GA creates is entitled to absolute immunity, and Lazzarini and Grandi are not immune. And Guterres?
The UNRWA case is ESTATE OF TAMAR KEDEM SIMAN TOV, BY HEIR-AT-LAW GAD KEDEM v. UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY (UNRWA) et al., 24-cv-04765 (Torres)
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UN Volker Turk Collaborated in Banning Press Now He Blames Failures on DC Staff Questions
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, June 13 – How corrupt and decrepit has the UN system become under Antonio Guterres, in this case due to Guterres? Today's example is again from the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, to which Guterres appointed his unqualified crony Volker Turk more than two years ago.
From OHCHR staff: Dear Mr Lee, The staff in OHCHR is demanding the resignation of High Commissioner Volker Turk, Guterres crony, deputy high commissioner Nada Al Nashif, corrupt chief of administration Kim Taylor and all the senior management. Now to Turk:
you are creating a Central Asia office in your home country (which is in Europe, not Central Asia) when you already have one in Bishkek. We also don’t understand how OHCHR will be closer to civil society in Vienna when the principal centres of the human rights community are in Geneva and New York. Further, UNICEF is now downsizing its regional offices in order to be “closer to the beneficiaries”. There is a strong likelihood that a future OHCHR leader will do the same.
Lack of transparency and accountability The criteria for identification of posts to relocate have not been explained to the affected staff members. Out of the many staff members performing similar or identical functions, only some were selected for relocation, without any explanation of the rationale behind the selection. In some cases, the selection of geographic destinations 12 June 2025 does not appear to be relevant to the functions performed by the staff. It is still unclear whether the moves are taken for purely financial reasons, whose rationale is questionable, are operationally justified or are purely for symbolic and legacy reasons. There were no prior consultations with the affected staff, and in some instances, the relocations appear inconsistent with their professional responsibilities. It remains unclear who identified the posts, with managers deflecting responsibility and pointing to one another. It is also unclear why you are mainly relocating junior to mid-level staff rather than your senior managers. Surely, leadership should be by example.
Disregard of personal compelling circumstances and lack of procedural clarity Under the OE 2.0 process, staff were repeatedly assured that posts, not staff, would be relocated. It was never clarified how the two would be distinguished in practice. Although the OE 2.0 process has been in its active stage since at least February 2025, no compendium has been developed to allow staff to opt in or out of relocation. Most vacancies remain frozen, and suggestions to apply for open positions do not seem viable. The personal circumstances of staff members have been disregarded, leaving them frustrated and under stress, without adequate support or consideration from their managers. Yet the UN’s own mobility policy does consider this matter. No mechanism has been established to assess individual cases, leaving staff uncertain about whom to contact for support or how to challenge the decisions made by management. Staff should not be forced to explain sensitive matters to their supervisors. Staff have been told that they must move within months. Yet UN 80 has made clear that no moves should take place before summer 2026. There is no rationale for rushing these moves if the underlying issue is a systemic one. Many staff members reached out to HR for support but received no response. The lists have already been finalized, while HR remains without clear guidance and continues to await instructions on the compendium and the definition of ‘special constraints’ from New York. This is the UN of Guterres.
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In Sean Combs Trial LA Guns Then Lopez Talks Drugs and Kings Nights KK Grilling on Video
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 13 – At 4:30 pm on September 16 Inner City Press was told by its SDNY source to expect "the big one" - Sean Combs - the next day in an SDNY courtroom.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On June 13 the HSI-LA agent who led the search of 200 South Mapleton testified about guns, all initially in a safe. Then personal assistant Jonathan Lopez, about setting up Kings Nights, buying drugs for Combs and being grilled about possible leak of Jane and entertainer sex video, thread 3 of 3
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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Sean Combs Lawyer Asks Jane About Referring Sly to Other Rapper As US Stresses Violence
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 12 – At 4:30 pm on September 16 Inner City Press was told by its SDNY source to expect "the big one" - Sean Combs - the next day in an SDNY courtroom.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On June 12 Jane finished, after a long robing room fight about the other rapper in Vegas, an icon, in the lifestyle. Jane spoke of her other income, thread
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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Man Charged With Assaulting Jews at NYC Protests Had $750000 Now 12 Month Plea Deal
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY MAG COURT EXCLUSIVE, June 11 – A young man charged with assault, the Assistant US Attorney said on Jews, was ordered free on $150,000 bond on May 7 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the only media there in the Mag Court for the first appearance and live tweeted
Letter was due Friday at noon.
But it did not go into the docket until Monday, May 12, with adults' names redacted. It acknowledges that "some of the messages and postings even indicate sympathies for designated terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hizballah, then cites Brandenburg v. Ohio. There is a footnote about threats.
On May 13, after argument he remained detained pending an order: "Court requests documents from counsel re: orders of protection... Court will issue a written decision; remand continues pending written decision; Court schedules next conference for 5/20/25."
On May 16 Judge Berman docketed: ORDER as to Tarek Bazrouk. The Court may have one or two questions for counsel before finalizing the bail/detention order. We can discuss at our conference on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Signed by Judge Richard M. Berman on 5/16/25)."
On May 21 Judge Berman ordered him detained, noting that "the total cash recovered from the Defendant is $750,062.06" and he traveled to the West Bank and Jordan for three weeks in September and October 2024.
On June 11 Inner City Press was in the courtroom when Bazrouk pleaded guilty; the plea deal estimates his sentencing guideline at 12 to 18 months.
Sentencing is set for October 1.
The case is USA v. Bazrouk, 1:25-cr-203 (Berman)
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Sean Combs Lawyer Asks Jane About Father of Her Child Not Getting Along Gender Goes XXX
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 10 – At 4:30 pm on September 16 Inner City Press was told by its SDNY source to expect "the big one" - Sean Combs - the next day in an SDNY courtroom.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On June 10 the cross examination of Jane began, leading to "you also talked about how he and your child's father also did not get along, right?" after the gender of Jane's and the rival's child was named in open court and live tweeted - then replaced with X's after a threat about the good faith reporting of another defense errors about Mia. Curtained thread
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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In Sean Combs Trial US Defends Admission of Inducement Notes as Jane Describes LA Assault
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 10 – At 4:30 pm on September 16 Inner City Press was told by its SDNY source to expect "the big one" - Sean Combs - the next day in an SDNY courtroom.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. On Week 1 of trial, book. Week 4. Also, docketing
On June 9 Jane completed her direct to the end, culminating violent assault by Combs in the LA residence, doors left broken, thread
Early on June 10, the US Attorney's Office filed a letter defending the admission of exhibits "as prior consistent statements, Jane’s notes confirm the fact that the defendant’s false promises of romance, love, and travel induced her to agree to a 'hotel night'" - filing on Patreon here
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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CRA Problems with Planters Bank and Trust Cross Keys Bank Merger Lead to Challenge
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SOUTH BRONX/Federal Court, June 9 – A proposed merger by Planters Bank & Trust in Mississippi and Tennessee with Cross Keys Bank in Louisiana and Texas has brought into focus Planters' disparate lending.
On June 9 Fair Finance Watch, reviewing Home Mortgage Disclosure Act patterns nationwide, filed a timely Community Reinvestment Act protest with the FDIC:
The applicant Planters Bank & Trust Company in 2023 in Mississippi had a denial rate for the mortgage loan applications of African Americans more than twice as high as for white applicants. For whites it originated 11.53 loans for every denial to whites; for African Americans it originated only 4.59 loans for every denial.
Planters Bank & Trust Company in 2023 in Louisiana, in which it proposes now to further grow, made three loans to whites with no denials to whites; one to an African American applicant with also denying an African Americans' application.
Planters Bank & Trust Company in 2023 in Tennessee originated eight mortgage loans to whites and NONE to African Americans.
These practices should not be allowed to expand, and should not be introduced into Texas. This merger and expansion proposal should be denied.
As ConnectOne Bank and First National Bank of Long Island congratulated themselves on a merger proposal. Inner City Press FOIA-ed the required applications for regulatory approval.
On November 25 the FDIC wrote to ConnectOne Bank Frank S. Sorrentino, III – Chairman and CEO that Fair Finance Watch "raises issues regarding both bank’s records of lending to African American persons in New York and nationwide, respectively."
In May 2025 the FDIC imposed a CRA condition on ConnectOne, after Fair Finance Watch's challenge - letter with condition on Inner City Press' DocumentCloud here.
And on Planters Bank & Trust?
Watch this site
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In Sean Combs Trial Jane Describes Assault in LA Residence Doors Broken Ubering to Anton
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 9 – At 4:30 pm on September 16 Inner City Press was told by its SDNY source to expect "the big one" - Sean Combs - the next day in an SDNY courtroom.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On June 9 Jane completed her direct to the end, culminating violent assault by Combs in the LA residence, doors left broken, thread
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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Honduran Woman Applying for U Visa Detained by ICE by 26 Fed Plaza Files Habeas Petition
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 6 – A Honduran woman with a pending U-Visa application who was detained by ICE on June 4 has filed a habeas corpus petition in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York courthouse on June 6, where Inner City Press found it.
The complaint recounts how at a required check-in at the ICE contract who oversees her supervised release she was separated from her attorney. It says she fled to the US in 2025, to escape "her abusive husband in Honduras." In 2021 she complained to NYPD of an attempted rape and cooperated; she applied for a U-Visa.
On June 2 she got an automated message to appear at the ISAP office on June 3 on June 4. She did, and was detained - and now does not appear in the ICE online detainee locator system.
Her name is Candida Ramirez Lopez.
The case is Ramirez Lopez v. Trump, et al., 1:25-cv-4826 (Unassigned)
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