After Miles Guo Trial Yvette Wang Gets 10 Year Sentence in SDNY

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 6 – After a circus-like civil case involving Guo Wengui in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which Inner City Press closely covered, here, March 15, 2023 saw the unsealing of a twelve-count Indictment of Miles Guo onvarious wire fraud, securities fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering charges.

On May 22, Inner City Press live tweeted jury selection, here.

At the end of May 23, Judge Torres told the remaining jurors that the trial would start Friday. Thread.

More details on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

And it did. Inner City Press live tweeted the opening and first two witnesses, an FBI agent about the Greenwich search, and a Dallas based Lamborghini dealer, thread here.

Guo was convicted.

Letter and endorsement (order) on Patreon here

On November 22 for Yvette Wang the US Attorney's Office asked for a ten year sentence, memo on Patreon here.

And that's what they got on January 6, 2025 (Miles Guo's sentencing is postpone as he seeks new counsel) - "YVETTE WANG, a/k/a “Yanping,” was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with her managerial role in a sprawling and complex scheme WANG and her co-conspirator, Miles Guo, orchestrated."

The case is US v. Guo, et al., 23-cr-118 (Torres)

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On Capital One Discover OCC Doubled Down on FOIA Withholding Now Harlem Astroturfing

by Matthew R. Lee

SOUTH BRONX, Jan 4 – Capital One has applied to buy Discover, in an anticompetitive deal that should be rejected by regulators if they mean what they have been saying. After they applied late March 20,  Inner City Press submitted a second Freedom of Information Act request to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (and to the Federal Reserve).

On May 14 - still without providing FOIA documents - the OCC and Fed set a July 19 virtual public meeting.

On the eve of it, Capital One announced a vague and less than credible plan - they previously violated their ING Direct pledge - including this time $75 billion in largely subprime auto loans. Fair Finance Watch testified for three minutes.

On June 25 the OCC belatedly responded to Inner City Press' FOIA request - by withholding in full 185 pages. OCC FOIA production on DocumentCloud here. Inner City Press appealed.

  On July 24, the very day on which the OCC and Fed said they were closing the written comment period, the OCC upheld in full its FOIA denials, determination letter on Inner City Press' Document Cloud here. Inner City Press has requested an extension of the comment periods - the Fed hasn't even responded.

Meanwhile Capitol One lobbying continues even now in 2024, from New Mexico even to Harlem by a social worker with bankers on the board. How is this Astroturfing organized?

Without approvals, now the banks have set shareholders' votes for February 18, 2025.

 As documented by Fair Finance Watch, Discover Bank in 2022 denied mortgage loans application from African Americans more than twice as frequently as those of whites.  It grew worse in the just-out 2023 data.

  Previously, Inner City Press and NCRC challenged Capital One's acquisition of ING Direct, see here.This time, given the antitrust enforcement claims being made in DC, this proposal should be denied. But will it be? Watch this site. 

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Fighting Giving FLA Condo to Plaintiffs Giuliani Takes Stand on Sanctions & Contempt

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 3– In Ruby Freeman's and Wandrea' Moss' ongoing attempt to collect from Rudy Giuliani, a proceeding was held on September 27 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Lewis J. Liman. Inner City Press was there; thread

On October 8, a motion to intervene by Andrew Giuliani: "Amongst that property are '3 Yankee World Series Rings.' However, the Mayor gifted those World Series rings to his son." Filing on Patreon here.

On October 22 Judge Liman wrote that Giuliani is "ordered under C.P.L.R. 5225 to transfer all personal property specified in the list below at pp. 16-18" - full list on Patreon here

On November 7 Inner City Press live tweeted the proceeding, Thread here.

On November 13 Giuliani's lawyers asked Judge Liman for permission to file undescribed documents under seal, with even the memo of law unavailable. 3 page letter on Patreon here.

On November 14 the plaintiffs' moved to compel discovery from three:  Dr. Maria Ryan, Mr. Ted Goodman, and Mr. Ryan Medrano, motion on Patreon here

On December 26 the plaintiffs reiterated discovery demands, letter on Patreon here

On December 27 the plaintiffs insisted that sanctions are necessary.Filing on Patreon here

And on January 3, after plaintiffs' lawyer Nathan, Giuliani took the witness stand, live tweeted here

More on X for Subscribers here, Substack here

One of these cases is Freeman, et al. v. Giuliani, 1:24-mc-353 (Liman)

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Indian Consulate in NY Sued Fifth Ave Building Denial for Now of Bid to Seal Press Puts Here

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 2 – The Consulate General of India in New York City has sued 834 Fifth Avenue in a property dispute dating back to 1930. Inner City Press found the complaint and exhibits in the public docket of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which it covers closely.   

Beginning in June 2024 Indian diplomat Vishal Jayeshbhai Harsh began emailing about an easement.

A company called Modern Ruins replied that it would not be possible. Then counsel for 834 accused the Consulate of "baseless assertions."  

 A legal notice and then the lawsuit followed.

This while Consulates and UN Missions - like the UN - routinely assert legal immunity; the UN has banned Inner City Press from entering to report, without any appeal or even response to pro bono counsel's inquiry.

On January 2, Inner City Press now following the case came up Judge Paul A. Engelmayer's order denying - for some reason without prejudice - the Consulate's absurd bid to seal the case in full. We'll have more on this, including the complaint.

 The case is Consulate General of India in New York v. 834 5th Avenue Corporation, et al., 1:24-cv-09913 (Engelmayer)

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Algeria Lies on Western Sahara Attaf Said Yes on UNSC Agenda Bendjama No Reply to Press

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Jan 2 – Algeria took over the UN Security Council presidency on January 1, 2025 - while Inner City Press is still banned from the UN, despite its June 19 application.

On December 30, Inner City Press wrote to the Algeria Mission: "This is a timely request that you allow Inner City Press to enter the UN and cover, and/or provide the WebEx  pass code(s) to access Algeria's UNSC Presidency press briefing by Algeria's Ambassador Amar Bendjama on January 2, 2025 at 1 pm. I have questions to ask on what you will do this month about Gaza, UNRWA and Western Sahara / MINURSO," etc

  The Algeria Mission did not answer, even to its address listed in the UN Blue Book.

At the lame presser, Bendjama gave the first question to Agence France Presse, three online questions to his own media (none on Western Sahara) - it was Spain media that asked, and Bendjama says he's not raising the issue this month. But "Ahmed Attaf said Monday that Algeria is devoting its mandate at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to champion just causes, particularly the Palestinian cause and the issue of Western Sahara." Hmm...

 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 Algeria and its UN Mission, nothing.

Watch this site. 

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New Orleans Terror Attack Draws UN Comment Unlike Cetinje Contrast in Luigi Mangione Book

by Matthew Russell Lee, Substack Book

UN GATE / SDNY, Jan 1 – How is terrorism defined, for example by the United Nations? UN staff stand accused of participating in October 7, a matter dismissed and covered up by UNSG Antonio Guterres, still on end of year vacation.

  But on January 1 Guterres third string spokesperson said he "strongly condemns the attack in New Orleans, where a driver struck a crowd gathered to celebrate the New Year, reportedly killing at least 15 people and injuring over 30 others."

  Nothing on 11 shot and killed in Cetinje in Montenegro, nor the Cyber Truck in Vegas, nor this:

Luigi Mangione was presented in Federal court on December 19 on four charges, one of them death penalty eligible, for the killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. Inner City Press was there, covering the case toward a book, Lone Wolf.

On December 23 Mangione was bought shackled into state court for arraignment. Inner City Press live tweeted it, last step toward Lone Wolf Book 1. Thread:

Next state date is February 21. The Lone Wolf was blocked later on September 23; while UN censorship under Guterres continues, thankfully Luigi Mangione Lone Wolf was published on December 31 on another platform, ebook and now audiobook.

We will have more.

More / extra on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

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UN Colombia Mission Hiring Scandals of Wang Sleeping Way Up on Mar as Guterres Covers Up

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Jan 1 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Today's follow up, the first but certainly not last of this new month and year, is yet again on his mission in Colombia, 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. Now this, from a UN whistleblower sent to Inner City Press:

Dear Matthew Russell Lee,

There is another scandal to report, which is the newly appointed CMS/DMS for Colombia, Mr Yang Wang.  In the same email, as well as in articles published  by  Inner City Press,  it has been reported that Chief HR Mar Brusola manipulated the   recruitment process by eliminating  all qualified candidates in order to make the selection of Mr Wang easy.  Due to his limited knowledge, experience and English understanding , Mr Wang has never  passed  any UN exam .  After serving as Military Observer in Liberia in 1994 and Iraq in 1999, he was imposed by his government to UNMIL in 2004 as Administrative Officer.

 He was downsized in 2016 but thanks to his Chinese connections and support, he was saved and moved to UNSOM  where  he  worked for the SRSG, who was not impressed by his work, as he was only good at taking ID pictures for all staff and he still does.  The SRSG in order to get rid of him, abolished his post, never a post was ever abolished in Somalia as they always needed more posts. Nevertheless, he was saved again  without  any roster membership or passing any test  or  interview,  and moved to the mission in Colombia to be the P5 Chief Operational Resource Management, a position for which he did not have any experience. 

 While working in that position for 6 years and not producing anything for UNVMC,  he tried to get into  the roster for his own position but failed  every time . 

 Although   he   has   no  managerial  skills  or professionalism,  despite  committing  fraud in his application by  declaring his fluency in Spanish and passing an exam in a language he doesn't  know, he was selected as CMS D1 for which he has clearly proven he is incapable.  OIOS and OHRM do not want to undergo any investigations despite requests from Colleagues.

The fact that he is not fluent in Spanish and could never answer the written answer in the exam could be easily verified. But this is how the corrupt UN works.  Why  have  member states  lost  faith  in the UN?  It  is  because  DOS USG Khare and SRSGs continue to choose for their own personal benefits and returns, unprofessional and incapable  CMSs and DMSs who do not uphold the UN's  core values . And meanwhile the staff under such unfit and unhealthy management, suffer.

 We count on Inner City Press as the UN system has proven to do nothing against the corrupt officers

We'll have more on all this. Keep the info coming.

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Diddy Detained Book Once Blocked Now Out on Google Books Diddy With Luigi Mangione

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 31 – The day after Sean Combs was denied bail for the third time, Inner City Press' second book about the case, Diddy Detained, was "Blocked" without explanation. 

After several inquiries and a suspension it was said to be offensive. But it is about a court case.

   The book is entirely based on the proceedings, both (three) oral arguments and court filings. So why should it be censored? 

   Inner City Press voluntarily stopped reporting on some graphic cases in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. But Sean Combs' parties and network included high political officials and others.  

 The block then extended to Inner City Press' book about Luigi Mangione, now in the MDC with Combs. Finally on New Years Eve, both went live on Google Play Books.

Diddy Detained here

Luigi Mangione Lone Wolf here & here (audio)

 Here's to a 2025 without censorship, not in the UN and not anywhere else.

Watch this site.

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As Giuliani Fights Giving FLA Condo to Plaintiffs Now 500 Page Deposition Here

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 30 – In Ruby Freeman's and Wandrea' Moss' ongoing attempt to collect from Rudy Giuliani, a proceeding was held on September 27 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Lewis J. Liman. Inner City Press was there; thread

Caruso: Can I have 3 more days?

Judge: No. Judge: Your client owes money. This should move quickly. Adjourned

And on October 8, a motion to intervene by Andrew Giuliani: "Amongst that property are '3 Yankee World Series Rings.' However, the Mayor gifted those World Series rings to his son." Filing on Patreon here.

On October 22 Judge Liman wrote that Giuliani is "ordered under C.P.L.R. 5225 to transfer all personal property specified in the list below at pp. 16-18" - full list on Patreon here

On November 6, Giuliani's lawyer wrote in that "Plaintiffs contend that the apartment was “substantially empty[]” when they arrived last week. ECF 81 at 1. Full letter on Patreon here

On November 7 Inner City Press live tweeted the proceeding, Thread here.

On November 13 Giuliani's lawyers asked Judge Liman for permission to file undescribed documents under seal, with even the memo of law unavailable. 3 page letter on Patreon here.

On November 14 the plaintiffs' moved to compel discovery from three:  Dr. Maria Ryan, Mr. Ted Goodman, and Mr. Ryan Medrano, motion on Patreon here

On December 26 the plaintiffs reiterated discovery demands, letter on Patreon here

On December 27 the plaintiffs insisted that sanctions are necessary. Filing on Patreon here

On December 30, Judge Liman ordered unsealed Giuliani's witness list, now on Patreon here

Late on December 30, Giuliani's 500 page deposition on Florida and the NYY rings, on Patreon here

More on X for Subscribers here, Substack here

One of these cases is Freeman, et al. v. Giuliani, 1:24-mc-353 (Liman)

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Cadence Bank Faced Fair Lending DOJ Charge Inner City Press Told Fed Now Proxy Delay

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

FEDERAL COURT / BRONX, Dec 30 -- How out of control is the merger rubber stamping of the U.S. Federal Reserve and other regulators, even as they are ostensibly working to improve?

  Today it's reported that Cadence Bank is looking to settle with DOJ on lending discrimination. But Inner City Press / Fair Finance Watch protested Cadence to the Federal Reserve in 2018 - and the Fed approved the merger.

Inner City Press / Fair Finance Watch wrote: "timely first comment on, the Applications of Cadence Bancorporation, Houston, Texas; to acquire State Bank Financial Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia, and thereby indirectly acquire State Bank and Trust Company, Macon, Georgia As an initial matter, this is a request that the FRS immediately send by email to Inner City Press all non-exempt portions of the applications / notices for which the Applicants have requested confidential treatment.

Fair Finance Watch has been tracking Cadence Bank: In 2017 in the Dallas, Texas MSA for convention home purchase loans, Cadence made 99 such loans to whites - and NONE, not a single origination, to African Americans. In 2017 in the Houston Texas MSA for convention home purchase loans, Cadence made 236 such loans to whites - and only 15 to African Americans, and only 23 to Latinos. This is not in keeping with the aggregate, which made 37,128 such loans to whites, 3151 to African Americans and 8215 to Latinos.  

In 2017 in the Birmingham, Alabama MSA for convention home purchase loans, Cadence made 66 such loans to whites - and only ONE to African Americans. Even combining in Table 4-1, it was 79 home purchase loans to whites and only THREE to African Americans.   This should also be address in this proceeding, including at the requested evidentiary hearing: “Cadence Bank - Racist manager  2800 Post Oak Blvd Suite 101, Houston, TX 77056, USA Oct 14, 2017 NOT RESOLVED I had my 2 business accounts at the Williams tower location, I tried talking to the manager about small business loans she always avoided me looking at me kind of weird whenever I done withdrawals she always asked me why I'm taking money out after 3 months she sent me a Leter saying she's going to be closing my account because I take money out ones a week for payroll and she didn't like that”

This was covered not only in Inner City Press, here on FOIA abuses the Fed did nothing about, but also, for example, Barron's, here.

  And the Fed rubber stamped the merger.

Jump cut to December 2024 when Cadence had to adjourn its shareholders meeting, to try to "solicit proxies from preferred shareholders in favor of a proposal (Proposal 2) to authorize the Cadence Bank board of directors to implement repurchases of stock in accordance with Regulation H." Watch this site.

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Damon Dash Depo In Film Fight Was Ordered Now His Copyright of Honor Up Sought

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 30 – Damon Dash has been sued in a dispute about a film called "The List" or, "Dear Frank." But he has been avoiding being deposed, or questioned under oath, in person.  

 Inner City Press covered and live tweeted a proceeding on December 3 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger, thread

Jump cut four years and a judgment later: on December 30, 2024 counsel to Webber and Muddy Water Pictures wrote to Judge Lehrburger seeking the order "mandating that Dash deliver the [copyright to 'Honor Up'] documents to the Marshal.

 The case is Webber v. Dash, 1:19-cv-610 (Liman / Lehrburger)

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