Friday, November 15, 2024
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Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Monday, November 11, 2024
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Thursday, November 7, 2024
Monday, November 4, 2024
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Saturday, November 2, 2024
Tornado Cash Roman Storm Trial Now April 14 2025 Amid Bid to Link 3500 Advice of Counsel
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 1 – 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:
Cash helped North Korea's hackers Lazarus Group...There will be discovery from GitHub
On December 5, Judge Failla docketed the trial schedule: "SCHEDULING ORDER as to Roman Storm, Roman Semenov. It is hereby ORDERED that the following trial schedule will be in effect: Trial will be set to begin on September 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m." Full scheduling order on Patreon here
On March 29, 2024, Storm through counsel submitted motions to suppress and to compel discovery, including into MLATs with The Netherlands, and FinCEN and OFAC communications. Memo/motion on Patreon here
On July 5, a court holiday, Storm's lawyer filed an opposed request for a delay into 2025 of the trial: "We write on behalf of our client Roman Storm to respectfully request that the Court grant a continuance of the trial date from September 23, 2024 to late January or February 2025." Letter on Patreon here.
The US on July 9 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 12, Judge Failla did delay the trial, but not as far as Storm requested: "trial in this matter is scheduled to begin on 12/2/2024 at 9:00 a.m."
On September 26, Judge Failla denied Storm's motions, from the thread:
SDNY Judge Failla is about to start reading out (long) decision on motions to compel and dismiss. Spoiler alert: she is denying both. Judge: The pre-trial discovery is government by Rule 16...
Brady did not create a Constitutional right to discovery. Mr. Storm's request are too speculative, saying "may," "may" and "may." He does not connect the dots.
Judge Failla continues: I reject the void for vagueness argument... Courts should be cautious when assessing vagueness arguments. Consider US v. Howtar (sp)
Judge Failla: Mr. Storm was arguing that that statutory definition of financial transaction is vague. I reject that. The court finds that the statute gave Mr. Storm adequate notice. He marketed Tornado Cash as a way to conceal, he had notice is was illegal
Judge Failla: So, the motions are denied. I think that is all I need to do today. We have a trial date
On October 10, a hearing Inner City Press covered, from the thread:
oral argument on prosecutors' motion to compel pre-trial disclosuresJudge Katherine Failla: When will the government be producing 3500 material? Assistant US Attorney Nathan Rehn: We have been trying to reach a global agreement on pre-trial disclosures. Judge: Is there a world in which you would not disclose until after testimony?
AUSA: We would hope not- Judge: Mr. Rehn, we're here because you haven't worked that out. It is possible I could propose a schedule for 3500 production? AUSA: There is precedent that the government cannot be ordered to go faster than the statute Judge: I know that
Roman Storm's lawyer: If they delay on the 3500 material, we'll want more time to make advice of counsel disclosure. Judge: I am uncoupling those two issues. Before ruling, I spoke with other SDNY Judges including, about the Eisenberg trial, with Judge Subramanian
Judge: I have considered Judge Kaplan's ruling on Bankman-Fried... Last minute tricks, at least they didn't for Bankman-Fried. We'll do Daubert hearings in November in the same week as the final pre-trial conference. We are adjourned.
On November 1, Inner City Press covered the proceeding and first reported the new trial date: April 14, 2024, here. Then: "proceedings held before Judge Katherine Polk Failla: Telephone Conference as to Roman Storm held on 11/1/2024. Defendant Roman Storm present... Trial in this matter is adjourned to 4/14/2025
The case is US v. Storm, et al., 23-cr-430 (Failla)
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In Corrupt UN of Guterres Fraud and Sexual Harassment Rife Amid His Officials Bans Press
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Nov 2 – How corrupt has the UN become under SG Antonio Guterres? He has banned Inner City Press, but whistleblowing staff continue to send it details of the rot. First in a series:
Dear Matthew Russell Lee, We would like to share this email full of corrupt practices inside the UN. Please so not disclose our email address [Of course not - keep it coming]
Mr. SG We would like to give you an update summarizing the disasters that have been happening during the long tenure of USG Khare and Ms. Van Den Berg in DOS. We believe the below summary is significant to understand the current situations we are going through in most of the Missions: Starting from the DMS and CMS, past and current ones:
Elija Karambizi, D1, left the UN, from day to night, as he was caught abusing the Education Grant.
Milan Trojanovic, D2, left because of his involvement in harassment and shady business involving the UN with his wife’s company; and the continuous harassment and racism towards African Colleagues.
Sandi Arnold, D1, CMS in Kosovo was dismissed without UN benefit for fraud and several harassments, including sexual harassment.
Rick Martin, D2, DOS Special Project was dismissed without UN benefit for harassment including sexual harassment.
Robert Kirkwood, D1, CMS UNISFA, suspended together with the SRSG for fraud with the Contractors, and then opted for early retirement. He is due to to be replaced by Ms. Uchenna Odenigbo, former CMS in UNITAMS, who herself is under investigation for financial fraud in Sudan. Ms Odenigbo is currently CMS in UNSMIL where she is harassing Staff and recruiting others to questionable positions using her influence. Chief SCM Mr. Louay Mostafa is not in the Country being PNG for falsification of documents and under investigation for harassment
Part 1 of X - no answers from Spox Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming
Keep it coming.
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As UNSG Guterres Again Hands OCHA to UK Interim Reign of Terror of Msuya Detailed
UN GATE, Nov 2 – How corrupt is the UN under Guterres? After delay, on October 9 he doled out the UN's humanitarian post once again to the UK, to Tom Fletcher. The last ERC refused to file even basic financial disclosure. Will this one?
Now this, to Inner City Press from OCHA whistleblowers: "Dear Mr Matthew Russell Lee You should look into the ongoing terror in OCHA. The ASG Joyce Msuya currently OIC has been creating terror since she arrived but now as OIC she has unleashed her abusive behavior. She is firing innocent people just because she sees them as not 'loyal' to her. Senior Management have been fired in New York including in the past two months. She mentally abuses staff, with rates of mental health skyrocketing in OCHA in the past two years.
She uses UN resources to campaign for her next job. Look into her five week African tour of southern Africa where staff had to take mental health leave after the ASG left because of her abusive behavior, to non OCHA relevant countries and recent visits to her old university on UN funds.
The ASG is protected by the top and unless someone exposes how bad things are, nothing will change. She uses other women to create and keep up her terror who are equally abusive. Check these women is also terrorizing people on the ASGs behalf. Edem the operations direct is a perfect example of someone implementing her abusive regime. Staff are made to sign documents saying they will not go to the tribunal when they lose their job, they encourage staff in their offices to report lies about them so that these women can use it to get rid of staff and to make false reports to investigators.
I am terrified and will be deleting this account now, since I am fearful of also being fired since she is so protected and can rein unchecked. Every senior manager knows including the former USG who encouraged staff to make complaints but did nothing about the behavior himself."
No answer from Spox Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming.
Inner City Press filled out a poll on June 11 - the most important qualification for any future SG is refusal to censor as Guterres has. Watch this site.
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In Virginia Disparate TowneBank Eyes Richmond Area via Village Bank But Challenge
by Matthew R. Lee, Patreon Substack
FEDERAL COURT, Nov 1 – In Virginia, a bank is trying to move into the Richmond area via merger, with a disparate lending record. Fair Finance Watch with Inner City Press on the FOIA has filed a timely first comment on, the Application by TowneBank to acquire Village Bank & Trust.
But consider ChoiceOne's disparate lending record:
In Viginia in 2023 - in HMDA data not yet taken into account in any CRA exam - Towne Bank based on its marketing made 1282 mortgage loans to whites, and only 192 loans to African Americans. Meanwhile it denied 43 applications from African Americans, and only 64from whites. It should be referred to DOJ.
In North Carolina in 2023 Towne Bank based on its marketing made 1107 loans to whites, and only 80 loans to African Americans. Meanwhile it denied 10 applications from African Americans, and only 92 from whites.
In Maryland in 2023 Towne Bank based on its marketing made 1172 loans to whites, and only 366 loans to African Americans. Meanwhile it denied 30 applications from African Americans, and only 40 from whites.
The new Merger Guidance should be applied - that is a test case.
Why would regulators even consider approving this merger? Watch this site.
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UN South Sudan Mission Sex Scandals Now Have Names Covered up by Pollard and Haysom
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Nov 1 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Today's example in his mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, about which 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 there. A week ago, Inner City Press published this from a UN whistleblower:
"Dear Mr. Matthew Russell Lee:
...The Principal Coordination Officer, Director of SRSG of UNMISS has recently been ousted due to a sexual misconduct case."
Inner City Press has in writing asked some 60 people in Guterres' UN to confirm or deny the names - no answer at all. So we have receive this
"The individual who was sent home due to a sexual scandal is Boitshoko Mokgathe. The woman who accused him is Catherine Shin, a senior Political Affairs Officer. [No denial or comment from UN] Catherine Shin filed a case against Boithshoko Mokgathe, highlighting the severe shortcomings in the mission’s management structure.
The SRSG - Nicholas Haysom, an at time jovial man who did nothing when Inner City Press to whom he has spoken about the UN's failure in Sri Lanka was banned -- being of advanced age, struggles to manage the office effectively."
In anticipation of the arrival from New York of Catherine Pollard [who laughed or cheered as UN Security roughed up Inner City Press throwing it out of the UN while it covered a craven Guterres speech] several officials are taking leave to avoid being questioned.
Now this: USG Catherine Pollard held a town hall meeting with UNMISS staff today. However, questions were only taken from a selected group of management, while the majority of staff were sidelined.
The following questions were raised on the platform but were blocked by management group from being asked to USG Catherine Pollard. Some questions:
Illegal recruitment practices are widespread. Hiring managers often select their girl friends or boy friends , while others engage in favoritism by offering personal services, such as cooking or buying gifts, to gain promotions. Your administration appears powerless—issuing directives from New York that are never enforced. What impact do you hope to achieve with your visit to the mission from leaderships?
tackle the issue of non reporting the witnessed incidents of sexual harassment by Individual Uniformed personnel on the basis of political implications that may exist between the countries they represent.
We will have more on this.
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UK Takes Over UNSC No UNRWA Answers Nor On Indictment Re Corruption by UN
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Nov 1 – The United Kingdom took over the UN Security Council presidency on November 1, 2024 - while Inner City Press is still banned from the UN, despite its June 19 application.
On October 30, Inner City Press wrote to the UK Mission: "This is a timely request that you allow Inner City Press to enter and cover, and/or provide the WebEx pass code(s) to access to UK's UNSC Presidency press briefing by your Ambassador Barbara Woodward on November 1, 2024. I have questions to ask on what you will do this month about Gaza, UNRWA and Sudan, Ukraine, DRC and Rwanda, about the SDNY indictment involving Turkey's Mission to the UN as well as the coups in Gabon and Niger and the conflicts in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Yemen and Libya - and on ongoing cases of sexual abuse and exploitation by UN peacekeepers, and Missions' abuses in NYC, on many of which Inner City Press first reported
Please note that Inner City Press and I participate in the WebEx briefings of, for example, the IMF: March 31, 2022 and since with new IMF spokesperson Sept 28, 2023:
Switzerland did not answer, even its "spokesperson" Mungo Woodifield and the UNlisted Hannah.
Watch this site.
Inner City Press on June 19, 2024 again applied to the UN for access, as it gives 100s, to cover the UNGA week. Inner City Press has a NYC Press Pass and writes about the UN. From Sierra Leone and its UN Mission, nothing.
Watch this site.
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