After NYCHA Extortion Take Down Defendants Freed on $50000 Bond Inner City Press Was 1st

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 6 – For days Inner City Press had heard from its sources there would be a "takedown" on February 6, each SDNY Magistrate Judge would handle seven to 10 defendants.

Arrests happen at 6 am. So at 5:55 am Inner City Press tweeted it, first to X subscribers with the spoiler alert: the expectation was that each of the current or former NYCHA employees would be released on bond the same day.  

And then hours later at 9:39 am the prosecutors announced it. Media rushed around reporting it.  Inner City Press had it first, and after discretely waiting, published it first. Then this thread of presentments, here:

Lawyer asks Inner City Press: Why weren't they allowed to self-surrender? Another asks why they couldn't / didn't go over the Complaints with them at 26 Federal Plaza... Since no presentments yet here, heading to another of the 6 courtrooms.

 Now in big courtrrom being used by Chief Magistrate Judge, NYCHA 70 presentment of Vernon Chambers, 24-mj-405. Arrested 6:55 this morning [an hour after Inner City Press broke the news of the NYCHA70 mass arrest.  Judge: You are charged in 2 counts

 AUSA: We agree to release on $50,000 [unsecured] bond. Defense: Can he travel to NJ as well? Judge: Yes. No contact with. NYCHA contractors without the presence of counsel. Adjourned.

The rest of the #NYCHA70 cases here are moving down to the regular Magistrates courtroom 5A. As will Inner City Press. Thread will continue

 Now in Courtroom on 17, Orlando Pardo of #NYCHA70 with a former AUSA as his appointed lawyer, also released today on $50,000 unsecured bond.

 Now in Courtroom on 18, Brett Owens of #NYCHA70 also released today on $50,000 unsecured bond. Another marvels at taking up all these agents'time today.

 Now in Courtroom on 9 Charles Starks, 57,  of #NYCHA70 with a Big Law CJA lawyer argues for no bond, release on own recognisance. He's accused of $7000 in bribes over 3 years. He's already fired.  "This is not Bernie Madoff."
Judge: $50,000 bond; wife can co-sign

A case is US v. Starks, et al., 24-mj-505 (Stein)

 Watch this site - and these feeds: X and  X for subscribers.

And Substack here

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In Honduras Narco Case Bonilla Pleads Guilty 6 Days Before Trial JOH Faces Alone Feb 12

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack

SDNY EXCLUSIVE, Feb 6 – 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 United States.

[Espanol aqui]

On December 19, 2023 as to co-defendant Tigre Bonilla, Judge Castel ruled: "ORDER as to Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares; The trial of this action has been long set for February 5, 2024. The Court does not anticipate moving that trial date or granting a severance."

It was moved to February 6. After Pineda plead guilty, on February 6 on no notice, and with Inner City Press the only media in the courtroom, Tigre Bonilla pled guilty. Thread:

All rise!

Judge Castel: Mr. Bonilla, I understand you wish to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to import cocaine?

Tigre Bonilla: Si, honorable juez.

 Tigre Bonilla: Esto es dificil. Judge Castel: Is your mind clear? Bonilla: Si honorable juez. [Yes] I have agreed to plead guilty.

 Tigre Bonilla: The offer arrived yesterday, I asked God for direction...I am ready.

 Judge: Mr Bonilla please tell me what you did. Tigre Bonilla: I helped with some in the drug trafficking business, quantity five kilos or more, I knew it was bad and had consequences.

 Judge Castel: How do you plead? Tigre Bonilla: Guilty / culpable.

Judge: I accept your plea. Sentencing set for June 25.

  More details on X for subscribers here and Substack here

The case is US v. Diaz Morales, et al., 15-cr-379 (Castel)

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Two Dozen in Upper Manhattan Drug Case Getting Huge Video Little MDC Computer Time

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 6 – Christopher Santos and more than a dozen others have been indicted for a narcotics conspiracy in Upper Manhattan.

   On September 15, 2023 co-defendant Mercedes appeared with only his lawyer before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Gregory H. Woods.Inner City Press was there.

 Mercedes had missed a September 6 mass proceeding at which a schedule had been set, with Speedy Trial Act time excluded through December 12, 2023. 

The initial complain describes drug sales in front of 2304 Amsterdam Avenue, near 174th Street.

 Jump cut to February 6, 2024, when Judge Woods courtroom was full, with some defendants out on bond in the gallery, with lawyers, and others defendants in the jury box. One defense lawyer got a big laugh when he pointed to his client, the foreman in that good lucking jury.

  At the defense's request, the case was put over into June. There is a new NYPD / TARU video, 5 terabytes, that can barely be seen on the computers in the MDC. Expect severance - and, the prosecutors said, plea bargains.

The case is US v. Santos, et al., 22-cr-522 (Woods)

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As Delgado Sues Trump Over West Wing Job Withheld Her Motion for Recusal Is Denied

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 5 – Arlene "A.J." Delgado sued the Trump campaign after she did not receive the West Wing job she said she was promised (but Jason Miller got).  

      On August 16, 2022 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker held an in-person proceeding. Inner City Press went and covered it.  

Neither Delgado nor of course Trump were there. There were just the two lawyers. The Trump lawyer made a point of saying that order(s) of protection were taken out against Delgado in Florida in 2010 and 2011.

Even if it were true, Judge Parker asked, how is it relevant? Would that have barred Delgado from a job in the West Wing? 

 No, Trump's lawyer conceded. It seemed the goal may have mostly been to smear, not uncommon in such litigation.

  Talk turned to Tweets, specifically six Delgado tweets that both sides said had previously been arbitrated.

After Judge Parker set a schedule (fact discovery runs into 2023, in this lawsuit filed in 2019), a quick review of Delgado's current tweets start with a pinned tweet about Jason Miller hiring prostituted (in fairness, pinned in 2019) and one from an hour before the proceeding, that Trump "overestimates his support. Aside from that crackpot who attacked the FBI office w a nailgun, no one is doing anything more for him than tweeting and Reddit posts."

Jump cut to January 30, 2024: Delgado is now pro se and moving to depose Reince Priebus and Eric Trump. Inner City Press live tweeted, thread

On February 5, 2024, Magistrate Judge Parker denied Delgado's motion that she recuse herself for having practiced employment defense law prior to becoming a Magistrate Judge, and other reasons. Order on Patreon here.

  Inner City Press will continue to follow the case.

It is Delgado v. Donald J. Trump For President, Inc. et al., 19-cv-11764 (Torres / Parker) 

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Bronx Man with Jamaican Passport Is Arrested and Released in SDNY for Sweepstakes Fraud

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 5 – Donald Dillion is charged with defrauding people by convincing them they won sweepstakes, only to charge them fees and taxes.

While based in The Bronx, he used a Wyoming corporation named DD Metro.  

On February 5, 2024 Dillion was presented in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag Court.

 The AUSA had agreed that Dillion, stopped in JFK airport with his US and Jamaican passports, could be released on $200,000 unsecured bond, that day. 

 The case is US v. Dillion, 23-mj-7680 (Moses)

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Man Detained For Bomb Threat at SDNY US Attorney's Office Has Case Disappeared

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY MAG COURT EXCLUSIVE, Feb 5 -  In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on November 29, a detention or bond proceeding was held by Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron on a man arrested the previous day for saying he would bomb the US Attorney's Office at One St. Andrew's Plaza.

He made the threat inside the security screening area, dropping a FedEx box on the ground which had handwritten on it, "This is a bomb."

  Inner City Press is on it, the only media in the Mag Court.

 The defendant Taylor Cascio was appointed a lawyer under the Criminal Justice Act, or actually two. But they did not make an argument for release on bond, instead consenting to detention.

  The Complaint says Cascio previously "conveyed a false bomb threat to a security guard at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building on March 10, 2022."

In May 2023 Magistrate Judge Cott excluded time prospectively, and unsealed then resealed a document apparently about competency. From then until this writing in February 2024, nothing in the docket. Where is Taylor Cascio?

The case is US v. Cascio, 22-mj-9601 (Aaron)

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As UN Guterres Spins Terror Role of UNRWA Taps Colonna to Cover up as Ian Phillips Lies

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Feb 5 – For weeks Inner City Press has asked the UN and its media people, including Stephane Dujarric and News and Media chief Ian Phillips, about evidence that UNRWA workers took part in the October 7 attacks. No answers at all - censorship.

Now after SG Antonio Guterres' belated and begrudging acknowledgment, the UN assigned its OIOS to cover up, as it has done before, see here.

Then to complete the cover up, Guterres named Colonna. Inner City Press immediately in writing asked his spokesperson: "state how SG Guterres selected  Catherine Colonna, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, who will work with three research organizations: the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden, the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights - and summarize / provide copies of all communications with these on this topic (UNRWA) before SG Guterres selected them." No answer, and no one they let in asked.

Tellingly, even of Guterres cries poor to 35 member states, UNRWA is still hiring, with applications for post until through Feb 7, posted five days ago. No answers.

Does the UN corrupt everyone that goes to work for it?

Given the inflated salaries it pays its officials, the UN can collect and try to buttress its credibility with for example name-brand journalists. But what freedoms do they give up, and how low do they go?  

In 2023 the UN hired Ian Phillips, once the Associated Press' head of (get this) journalist safety. His LinkedIn profile, after moving to the UN, states that his "role includes advisory and policy work, with particular focus on press freedom."  

So Inner City Press, having been roughed up by UN Security and then banned from entering or getting even its written questions asked, last week wrote to Ian Phillips at the UN - and through his LinkedIn profile:

Hello Mr. Phillips. I am asking you to look into this and ensure that the UN Media and Accreditation Unit fairly process, and rule on, my pending application for (re) accreditation.   Two separate law firms have written the UN pro bono on my behalf, without answer." 

   No answer at all.

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ABA of Large Banks Sue CRA Reg on Day FNB Settles on Fair Lending after CRA Protest

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SOUTH BRONX, NY Feb 5 – On the day a bank that has been permitted several mergers even as it engaged in discrimination settled those charges, on February 5 "The American Bankers Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Independent Community Bankers of America, Texas Bankers Association, Independent Bankers Association of Texas, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce and Longview Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas against the Federal Reserve, FDIC and OCC."

  Beyond venue shopping, the largest banks in the US are responsible for the ABA lawsuit - they are hypocrites, on which we'll have more.

Consider: 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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For IcomTech Crypto Ponzi Ochoa Got 5 Years Now Brend Asks Virtual at Final Pre-Trial Conf

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 5 –  For a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme called IcomTech, which held a promotional event in or near NYC's Times Square, David Carmona on December 21 pled guilty before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Jennifer L. Rochon. Inner City Press was there to cover it - and a related upcoming trial - thread:

Carmona: I was part of a plan to offer to double people's money with Bitcoin. It was called IcomTech. When it couldn't be done, we just kept the money 

Judge: What did you tell people you would do with their money?

Carmona: Bitcoin mining.  AUSA: They did a promotional event in or near Times Square. We have video.

Judge: I accept your guilty plea. 

There are co-defendants and there will be a trial - watch this site.

Another has plead guilty, and now asked for no jail time: Marco Ruiz Ochoa, citing marijuana (edibles).

On January 12, the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for Ruiz Ochoa a sentence near the top of the 57 to 71 month range.

On January 19, Inner City Press attended the sentencing, to five years, thread:

Ochoa of IcomTech has just been sentenced to 5 years in prison. Two US Marshals are here in the back of the courtroom - instant remand?

There are more than a dozen family members of the defendant here. There are tears. He had asked for no jail time. Judge: There must be deterrence... On supervised release, there shall be no nunchucks

 Judge: There is forfeuture on $914,000. AUSA, can you submit forfeiture in 75 days? AUSA: I'll do my darnedest... And we agree to voluntary surrender. Judge: March 19.

Another plea: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Jennifer L. Rochon: Change of Plea Hearing as to Juan Arellano held on 1/16/2024. Plea entered by Juan Arellano (4) Guilty as to Count 1.. Sentencing scheduled for June 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Detention continued.

On February 5 for the February 9 final pre-trial conference, defendant David Brend asked to be present by video, as he's in Florida and indigent, his lawyer says, adding that DOJ does not object.

The case is US v. Carmona, et al., 22-cr-551 (Rochon)

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Harris After Guilty Plea on Ashley Biden Diary Gets Delay of Sentencing to March 27

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack

SDNY Exclusive follow up, Feb 5 -  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. Then a sealed medical note from Helix Urgent Care.

On February 5, Inner City Press went. Thread:

Now in courtroom. Aimee Harris is on video screen, in large glasses. Her appointed Criminal Justice Act lawyer is at defense table, and an FBI agent at prosecutor's table.

Aimee Harris appears to be walking and doing Teams video by phone. She has a pink pen

 All rise! Judge: I have a consent to proceed by video form - you are in Florida? Harris: Yet. Judge: This is not a misdemeanor...

 Harris' lawyer: She has an appointment to get a Florida ID. She can come around March 14... Or after March 21. Judge: Final week of March?

Harris' lawyer: Spring break runs through March 24. Judge: Ms Harris, March 25 to 28, are you available? Harris: No.

 [Harris texts with her lawyer] Lawyer: She can do it on March 27

Judge: At 2:30 pm. I will assess holistically respect for the law, & the PSR omissions. Frankly, the failure to prepare, to obtain a state ID, are matters of concern. Adjourned

More (X subscribers) here and on Substack here

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

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