by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 17 – A woman describing herself as a UN Representative at ECOSOC was arrested on November 21, 2024 and presented in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on charges of false statements about contact with the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federal. Inner City live tweeted, thread
now at US v Ms. Nomma Zarubina - an NGO "ambassador to UN ECOSOC," with Russian interpreter present. Inner City Press as only media here will report Judge: You are charged with false statements to US law enforcement about communications with Federal Security Service & official of Russian Federation.
AUSA: We agree to release with 1 co-signer, not communications with foreign officials except Russian consulate
After several continuances, on April 21, 2025 a three count indictment - Mann Act and two counts of false statements - was filed, and the case was assigned to the Chief Judge of SDNY.
On July 23, Chief Judge Swain prohibited any contact with Case Agents, after being told that Zarubina repeatedly texted Case Agent-1 to "start looking to massage places and long term relationships with Slavic females involving money." Full filing with more on Patreon here
On July 31 Judge Swain ordered a mental health evaluation: "Ms. Zarubina's release conditions are hereby modified by the addition of the following condition: Ms. Zarubina is hereby directed to undergo a mental health evaluation by a provider chosen by Pretrial Services and to engage in mental health treatment to the extent recommended by that provider. All other conditions remain in effect as previously ordered. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Laura Taylor Swain on 7/31/25)."
On August 19 the Federal Defender wrote in asking for permission for a trip to Texas from September 12 through 16, noting that "the government objects."
On August 20 Chief Judge Swain directed the US Attorney's Office to explain its opposition by August 25: "The Government shall file an explanation of the reasons for its objection by 5:00 p.m. on August 25, 2025.
On August 25 the US Attorney's Office wrote in that "on August 16, 2025 the defendant published on Facebook a post referring to a 'titled investigator,' which the Government believes is a reference to Case Agent-1... We believe that the defendant has traveled outside the Permissible Districts without permission... as recently as late July 2025, she has no known family or other connections to Texas.
On September 17 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for detention, annexing 8 pages of text messages including a selfie drinking wine, all texts on Patreon here
On September 18 Chief Judge Swain endorsed the parties' request that the hearing be pushed back a week to September 26 at noon, to allow a defense submission by September 22.
The case is USA v. Zarubina, 1:25-cr-179 (Swain)
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