Sunday, February 11, 2024

Before FNB Settled on Fair Lending Its Yadkin Merger Was Challenged But Fed Approved It


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SOUTH BRONX, NY Feb 5 – When First National Bank of Pennsylvania applied to the Federal Reserve to buy Yadkin bank in North Carolina, Fair Finance Watch challenged it on Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending grounds.  

 The Federal Reserve, as usually, rubber stamped the merger.   Now in February 2024 the Justice Department had sued and settled with FNB on fair lending grounds.

Inner City Press had wanted to ask DOJ about the Fed (including in its recent Patriot Bank action), but has been unable so far.  Watch this site

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Amid Gaza Guterres Partied with Sharon Stone With UNCA 2bl China State Media Clean Slate


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Feb 3 – In the midst of the war in Gaza, with the UN failing as on Ukraine, the tragic corruptions was mirrored in farce at the UN Correspondents Association garish ball on December 15.

They charged their members, including Iran and China state media, $150 - and much more to others.

The event has previously charged Chinese businessmen like convicted Ng Lap Seng money for photos with the UN Secretary General. Who paid this time?

Jump cut to February 2024, when UNCA published the ballot for its Executive Committee "election." In fine UN fashion there are no more candidates then spots: a clean slate, everyone will be elected. This includes, now, two representatives of China state media.

The UN continues to ban all journalists from Taiwan, and to ban Inner City Press with Melissa Fleming and now Ian Phillips refusing to answer pro bono law firms' letters seeking the application of free press principles to the UN. We'll have more on this.


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After UNOPS Corruption Exposed by Inner City Press Missing Docs in Vanshelboim UN Appeal


By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

UN GATE, Feb 3 – In the United Nations under Antonio Guterres, there is nothing but failure and excuses and fundraising on crises like Ukraine, Gaza, Burma, Haiti and Cameroon. 

There is impunity for sexual abuse by peacekeepers and UN staff like Juan Carlos Cunillera, just "along for the ride" during the UN sex-in-the-van exposed by Inner City Press. 

But now as we looked at and asked about Guterres' omission of his links to UN briber CEFC China Energy, leading to him banning the Press (and Melissa Fleming continuing the ban, not even answering a law firm's pro bono letter), on April 17, 2022 we published on other officials - including long time UNOPS operative Vitaly Vanshelboim (whom Inner City Press covered in connection with UNOPS gag orders before being banned from UN by corrupt Guterres.)

We noted  that Vanshelboim's skeeze in the S3i scam of UNOPS's Grete Faremo.

  While others then noted for example that a long time member of the UN Correspondents Association Gloria Starr Kins played a role in hooking up the fraud, they don't mention UNCA and their role in banning the Press.

Now, there is or might be some openness, of the UN circus:

 The Applicant, a former staff member of the United Nations Office for Project Services (“UNOPS”), contests the decision to impose on him the disciplinary measures of dismissal and a fine of twelve month’s net base salary. He also contests the decision to recover from him the amount of USD63,626,806 and to withhold the release of the PF.4 form (“separation notification”) to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (“UNJSPF”) until such indebtedness is fully recovered... By email dated 24 November 2023, the Tribunal asked the parties to confirm their availability to virtually attend a Case Management Discussion (“CMD”) between 11 and 15 December 2023.

Then, after Inner City Press on December 4 published the above, the UN changed Vanshelboim's proceeding, which portend more waste of the public's funds, to "closed to the public."

And now, after the non-public proceeding, more passing of the buck: Judge Sun Xiangzhuang has assigned "the following Judges to the Three-Judge Panel to adjudicate the matter of Vanshelboim UNDT/GVA/2023/020: Judge Sun Xiangzhuang, Presiding Judge Joelle Adda Judge Sean Wallace." This is Antonio Guterres' UN: totally corrupt.

On February 1, 2024, this: "Missing documentation 11. In response to Order No. 168 (GVA/2023), the Applicant requested on 29 December 2023 that the Tribunal order the Respondent to produce the Financial Report and Board of Auditors Report for the period ending on 31 December 2020 (A/76/5/ Add. 11). According to him, the report confirms that UNOPS created a bad debt provision for its joint investments and that the cancellation of the S3i initiative was a political decision unrelated to the Applicant’s relations with Mr. David Kendrick. To support this position, the Applicant filed excerpts of said report as Annex 17. 12. The Tribunal notes, however, that document A/76/5/Add.11 is available to the public" - the horrors!

Watch this site - and Vanshelboim, here:

Two (2) residential properties, Ukraine
Two (2) residential properties, jointly owned, USA
Annuity, ING, USA
Investment fund, Citi Bank, USA
Investment fund, Danske Invest, jointly owned, Denmark

So while Citibank ("Citi Bank") still does business in Russia, what are the statuses of Vanshelboim's Ukraine properties? Either way, no friend of Press freedom.

  We'll have more on this.

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@SDNYLIVE courthouse #CourtCastCast
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NYCB Was Gifted Signature Bank Barney Frank and Cephas on Board Now Down 60% Rogues


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SOUTH BRONX / SDNY, Feb 3 – With no public comment period, New York Community Bank has been handed the 40 branches of Signature Bank, to re-open them as braches of Flagstar, which NYCB bought in a proceeding delayed by fair lending problems.

  Back in April 2021, Fair Finance Watch and Inner City Press predicted that the proposed merger of New York Community Bank and Flagstar would flounder, on disparate lending and regulatory evasions. And it was delayed.

  So, a fair lending rogue benefited from a bail out, or a bank with a former NYS Banking Superintendent Derrick Cephas, and Barney Frank, on its board of directors.

 Jump cut to early February 2024 and NYCB's stock price fell by 60%, Valley National down too. We'll have more on this.

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Harris After Guilty Plea on Ashley Biden Diary Cites Urgent Care To Avoid Feb 5 Sentencing


By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack

SDNY Exclusive follow up, Feb 3 -  For taking and transporting Ashley Biden's diary from Florida to New York, guilty pleas on no notice were entered on August 25 by Robert Kurlander and Aimee Harris. Inner City Press was there, and live tweeted, here and below.

Before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave, first Kurlander then Harris were brought out of the holding cell by US Marshals, and pled guilty. Inner City Press' thread is here and below.

On January 29, the day before her sentencing scheduled for January 30, Harris wrote in through counsel to ask to appear by video to request an adjournment, saying she is sick and has no childcare.

On January 30, Inner City Press was in the courtroom. At first, Harris would not unmute; when she did there was shouting, police radio squawk, and a stand-off. Thread

On February 1, Harris' lawyer wrote in to say she needs to passport back in order to travel to New York.

On February 2, Judge Swain docketed: "ORDER as to (22-Cr-457-1) Aimee Harris. The sentencing hearing in the above-captioned case will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., in Courtroom 17C. Ms. Harris must appear in person. Ms. Harris is directed to do whatever is necessary, including obtaining a valid state identification card for travel by plane, or making alternative travel arrangements, to facilitate her in-person appearance at the sentencing. Ms. Harris is reminded that appearance in court as required is one of the conditions of her pretrial release and bond. SO ORDERED."

On February 3, Harris' CJA lawyer wrote in citing a Helix Urgent Care visit that Harris can't travel by bus or train, wants video on February 5. Showdown...

More here and on Substack here

The case is now US v. Harris, 22-cr-457 (Swain)

This case is In re Search Warrant dated November 5, 2021, 21-mc-813 (Torres)

The case is 22-cr-457 (Swain / Cave)

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In Honduras Case Pineda Pleads Guilty While Motion to Unseal JOH Affidavit In Docket


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 2 – After the president of Honduras' brother Tony Hernandez was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to life plus thirty years, on April 21, 2022 the ex-president himself, Juan Orlando Hernandez, was extradited to the US.

[Espanol aqui]

On January 18, Inner City Press live tweeted the final pre-trial conference, thread.

On January 23, after lengthy ex parte sidebars, it was said JOH for the February 12 trial could get a second lawyer, at the US taxpayers' expense, by filing out a sworn affidavit claiming poverty. He did - and at 6 pm on January 23 Inner City Press filed with the Court a motion to unseal JOH's financial affidavit - as it requested, and got, for Tigre Bonilla. Now in docket - letter now on CourtListener here DocumentCloud here

  On January 25, Pineda's lawyers put in a letter reiterating their request to sever the trial of Bonilla, who was also said to have a "file" on JOH. They state: "Mr. Bonilla is prepared to testify at trial -" Full letter on Patreon here.

On January 26, JOH's new lawyer, appointed contingent on JOH's still-sealed financial affidavit, reversed course and asked for a 90 to 120 day delay. Letter on Patreon here.

On February 2 - still with no ruling on the bid to unseal JOH's financial affidavit like Tigre Bonilla's was unsealed - Pineda pleaded guilty: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger: Change of Plea Hearing as to Mauricio Hernandez Pineda held on 2/2/2024. Defendant appears with his attorney Richard Ma. A.U.S.A. Kyle Wirshba/Elinor Tarlow present for the government. Court reporter Sharonda Jones present. Defendant entered a guilty plea to count one of the S4 Superseding Indictment of 21 USC 963, 952(a). Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger recommends that Judge Castle accept the guilty plea. Sentencing scheduled for May 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Defendant continued detained.(Sentencing set for 5/2/2024 at 10:00 AM before Judge P. Kevin Castel) Plea entered by Mauricio Hernandez Pineda (4) Guilty as to Count 1." We'll have more on all this.

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Charged with Freedom of Access to Clinics Act Violation Chavannes and Williams Head to Trial


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE Feb 2  – In late 2022 Bevelyn Beatty Williams and Edmee Chavannes were indicted for conspiracy to violate the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. 

 On February 2, 2024 their final pre-trial conference was held before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Jennifer L. Rochan. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the courtroom. Thread:

All rise! 

Judge: I'm told it'll be a 9 day trial? AUSA: We'll put on 10 to 11 witnesses. Judge: Was a plea offer made? AUSA: No. We sent them letters estimating the applicable sentencing guidelines.

Judge: I have the witness list... I assume witnesses even if victims will not be in tge courtroom when other witnesses testify, even if they have a right to be... AUSA: Many of our witnesses will be coming in from outside of New York

 AUSA: We do not intend to present evidence about the clinic in Brooklyn, only Nashville, Atlanta and Fort Myers, Florida. Judge: If a prospective juror answers yes to the personal belief question, I may them to the sidebar for further questioning

 Judge: The defense wants to prohibit the Government from introducing evidence about the NY mask mandate. But the Government will present evidence about the defendants not wearing masks and not social distancing. AUSA: Witnesses will say their space was invaded

 Judge: The defense wants to exclude evidence that the defendants altered a Black Lives Matter mural in July 2020...

 Judge: The government has a motion in limine is limit evidrnce about church membership. Even though it is in the indictment...THe governments seeks to exclude evidence of defendants' charitable works

Defense: We want to show the other peaceful protests, and show that there were differences at the June 19 and 20 protests that led to what happened [Bevelyn Williams nods at defense table]

Inner City Press will cover the trial.

The case is US v. Williams, et al., 22-cr-684 (Rochon)

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Saturday, February 3, 2024

Harris After Guilty Plea on Ashley Biden Diary Cites Urgent Care To Avoid Feb 5 Sentencing


By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack

SDNY Exclusive follow up, Feb 3 -  For taking and transporting Ashley Biden's diary from Florida to New York, guilty pleas on no notice were entered on August 25 by Robert Kurlander and Aimee Harris. Inner City Press was there, and live tweeted, here and below.

Before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave, first Kurlander then Harris were brought out of the holding cell by US Marshals, and pled guilty. Inner City Press' thread is here and below.

On January 29, the day before her sentencing scheduled for January 30, Harris wrote in through counsel to ask to appear by video to request an adjournment, saying she is sick and has no childcare.

On January 30, Inner City Press was in the courtroom. At first, Harris would not unmute; when she did there was shouting, police radio squawk, and a stand-off. Thread

On February 1, Harris' lawyer wrote in to say she needs to passport back in order to travel to New York.

On February 2, Judge Swain docketed: "ORDER as to (22-Cr-457-1) Aimee Harris. The sentencing hearing in the above-captioned case will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., in Courtroom 17C. Ms. Harris must appear in person. Ms. Harris is directed to do whatever is necessary, including obtaining a valid state identification card for travel by plane, or making alternative travel arrangements, to facilitate her in-person appearance at the sentencing. Ms. Harris is reminded that appearance in court as required is one of the conditions of her pretrial release and bond. SO ORDERED."

On February 3, Harris' CJA lawyer wrote in citing a Helix Urgent Care visit that Harris can't travel by bus or train, wants video on February 5. Showdown...

More here and on Substack here

The case is now US v. Harris, 22-cr-457 (Swain)

This case is In re Search Warrant dated November 5, 2021, 21-mc-813 (Torres)

The case is 22-cr-457 (Swain / Cave)

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In Honduras Case Pineda Pleads Guilty While Motion to Unseal JOH Affidavit In Docket


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 2 – After the president of Honduras' brother Tony Hernandez was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to life plus thirty years, on April 21, 2022 the ex-president himself, Juan Orlando Hernandez, was extradited to the US.

[Espanol aqui]

On January 18, Inner City Press live tweeted the final pre-trial conference, thread.

On January 23, after lengthy ex parte sidebars, it was said JOH for the February 12 trial could get a second lawyer, at the US taxpayers' expense, by filing out a sworn affidavit claiming poverty. He did - and at 6 pm on January 23 Inner City Press filed with the Court a motion to unseal JOH's financial affidavit - as it requested, and got, for Tigre Bonilla. Now in docket - letter now on CourtListener here DocumentCloud here

  On January 25, Pineda's lawyers put in a letter reiterating their request to sever the trial of Bonilla, who was also said to have a "file" on JOH. They state: "Mr. Bonilla is prepared to testify at trial -" Full letter on Patreon here.

On January 26, JOH's new lawyer, appointed contingent on JOH's still-sealed financial affidavit, reversed course and asked for a 90 to 120 day delay. Letter on Patreon here.

On February 2 - still with no ruling on the bid to unseal JOH's financial affidavit like Tigre Bonilla's was unsealed - Pineda pleaded guilty: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger: Change of Plea Hearing as to Mauricio Hernandez Pineda held on 2/2/2024. Defendant appears with his attorney Richard Ma. A.U.S.A. Kyle Wirshba/Elinor Tarlow present for the government. Court reporter Sharonda Jones present. Defendant entered a guilty plea to count one of the S4 Superseding Indictment of 21 USC 963, 952(a). Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger recommends that Judge Castle accept the guilty plea. Sentencing scheduled for May 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Defendant continued detained.(Sentencing set for 5/2/2024 at 10:00 AM before Judge P. Kevin Castel) Plea entered by Mauricio Hernandez Pineda (4) Guilty as to Count 1." We'll have more on all this.

***

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Charged With Hawala Money Laundering Hauter Is Detained Amid Dental Turkey Talk


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 2 – For operating an informal money transmitting system known as a hawala, Mohanad Al-Zubaidi was arrested and detained on money laundering charges on February 1, 2024. Inner City Press was there.

  Al-Zubaidi was brought before  U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.

The prosecutor emphasized that his father is in Iraq and that a co-defendant, who he didn't name, has a plane ticket to Turkey.

  The just unsealed indictment names also Shaker Saleh Mohammed Hauter and Abdulkader Noori Hamza, neither in detention as of February 1 at 6 pm. 

  Judge Lehrburger cited these foreign ties, and that his children are not yet school age, as factor leading him to detain Al-Zubaidi.

On February 2, the man stopped at JFK was presented and detained. Inner City Press was again the only media there so live tweeted, thread

OK - now money laundering defendant who was slated to fly out of JFK to Turkey yesterday - Shaker Saleh Mohammed Hauter -

All rise! Judge: When was he arrested? AUSA: 11 pm last night. Judge: Counsel, are you retained? Counsel: Yes.

AUSA: We're seeking detention. They moved $65 million to Yemen, Syria and the UAE. This law was amended in the Patriot Act

AUSA: We have photos of him with an industrial money counter and bags of cash. He could flee. He was arrested at JFK last night with $10,000 cash. He traveled to Qatar three times

AUSA: The defendant Shaker Saleh Mohammed Hauter is from Yemen, his daughter in law is there.  Defense: He was going to a dentist in Turkey for dental implants. His son owns a halal market in The Bronx and he live at [address said; we're not reporting]

 AUSA: The dental implants may be a front.. The son is involved in moving cash.  Defendant: I went via Qatar.  Judge takes a break Thread will continue I

 Judge is back. All rise! Judge: There is a serious risk of flight. I am going to detain the defendant.

  The case is US v. Al-Zubaidi, et al, 24-cr-51 (Castel / Lehrburger)

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Charged with Freedom of Access to Clinics Act Violation Chavannes and Williams Head to Trial


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE Feb 2  – In late 2022 Bevelyn Beatty Williams and Edmee Chavannes were indicted for conspiracy to violate the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. 

 On February 2, 2024 their final pre-trial conference was held before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Jennifer L. Rochan. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the courtroom. Thread:

All rise! 

Judge: I'm told it'll be a 9 day trial? AUSA: We'll put on 10 to 11 witnesses. Judge: Was a plea offer made? AUSA: No. We sent them letters estimating the applicable sentencing guidelines.

Judge: I have the witness list... I assume witnesses even if victims will not be in tge courtroom when other witnesses testify, even if they have a right to be... AUSA: Many of our witnesses will be coming in from outside of New York

 AUSA: We do not intend to present evidence about the clinic in Brooklyn, only Nashville, Atlanta and Fort Myers, Florida. Judge: If a prospective juror answers yes to the personal belief question, I may them to the sidebar for further questioning

 Judge: The defense wants to prohibit the Government from introducing evidence about the NY mask mandate. But the Government will present evidence about the defendants not wearing masks and not social distancing. AUSA: Witnesses will say their space was invaded

 Judge: The defense wants to exclude evidence that the defendants altered a Black Lives Matter mural in July 2020...

 Judge: The government has a motion in limine is limit evidrnce about church membership. Even though it is in the indictment...THe governments seeks to exclude evidence of defendants' charitable works

Defense: We want to show the other peaceful protests, and show that there were differences at the June 19 and 20 protests that led to what happened [Bevelyn Williams nods at defense table]

Inner City Press will cover the trial.

The case is US v. Williams, et al., 22-cr-684 (Rochon)

***

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