After Luigi Mangione Arraigned for Killing UnitedHealth CEO SDNY on Call and Recusal

by Matthew Russell Lee, Substack Book Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 30 – 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.

On February 4, death penalty qualified (learned) counsel was appointed for Mangione in SDNY, endorsed letter on Patreon here

On April 1 DOJ announced it will seek the death penalty against Mangione.

  In the interim, after some push back, Inner City Press published a book Luigi Mangione Lone Wolf here, audiobook here.

On April 15 the US responded to Mangione's anti-death penalty filing with a ripeness argument: "The defendant has identified no authority for the notion that it can prevent the Government from seeking capital punishment before indictment." Full filing on Patreon here

On April 17, Inner City Press vlogged in the morning to expect something - and past 5 pm the SDNY prosecutors docketed an indictment of Mangione, with "Special Findings Regarding the Murder of Brian Thompson" - here.

On April 24 the US filed "NOTICE OF INTENT TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY" - here.

On April 25 Inner City Press live tweeted the arraignment, including Karen Friedman Agnifilo saying the defense will move to have the Federal case go first - and that a telephone call between her and Mangione was inappropriately monitored. Thread.

On April 29 the US Attorney's Office said it was "because the defendant spoke to his counsel on a recorded and monitored jail line (not a line specially designated for attorney calls)- filing on Patreon here

On April 30, though, more: "In fact, the paralegal listened to the entire call, then subsequently informed DANY prosecutors about the identities of the people with whom the defendant spoke. DANY thereafter handled the matter as described in our previous letter. Moreover, DANY notified defense counsel of these facts in an email, dated April 22, 2025, thus, counsel was aware of this information prior to arraignment. The Government also writes to inform the Court that United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, is recused from this matter."

The Federal case is US v. Mangione, 1:25-cr-176 (Garnett)

More / extra on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

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Unions Argue to Enjoin Dismantling of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service So Letters

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 30 – Unions have sued the Administration for "dismantling" the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. On April 30, argument on injunctions was heard before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Arun Subramanian. Inner City Press live tweeted it, from the thread:

Judge: You have essentially conceded the merits. So why shouldn't I grant plaintiffs the relief they are seeking?  AUSA: They have to show irreparable harm, and they can't.

DOJ lawyer: They are relying on the cases about the complete shuttering of the CFPB - that's not the case here. Plaintiffs allege that there are five mediators left.  Judge: Are you disputing that?

DOJ lawyer: Maybe six. Judge: You don't need to say "allege" then  Judge: Are you saying that a reduction from 143 mediation to five is not dismantling? DOJ lawyer: You can characterize it- Judge: But how do YOU characterize that reduction? 

DOJ lawyer: The relief requested here is unwarranted. We cite Trump v NY from 2020. Judge: If they don't have an office to work from, hasn't the agency been dismantled? DOJ lawyer: I dispute that. It's a matter of function   Judge: 5 page letters by Friday. Cite cases in the APA context. Plaintiff's counsel, speak to me.

Plaintiffs' counsel: Without mediators, the union could not be aggressive. That's irreparable harm. We'll submit a revised proposed order tomorrow  Judge: I'll rule after the letters.

The case is American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, et al. v. Goldstein, et al., 1:25-cv-3072 (Subramanian)

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SafeMoon Karony Got Bail so Inner City Press Bid to Unseal Now Final Prep for Jury Selection

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

EDNY COURTHOUSE, April 29 – On November 2, 2023 SafeMoon's trio were indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Inner City Press covered it.

 Prosecutors charged Braden John Karony, Kyle Nagy, and Thomas Smith with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy for their roles in defrauding investors in a decentralized finance digital asset called “SafeMoon”  Earlier today, Karony was arrested in Provo, Utah...

 On November 3, Smith was arraigned, bond document on Patreon here ....

On November 8, EDNY prosecutors wrote "seeking the detention of the defendant Braden John Karony." Full memo on Patreon here.

But Karony was ordered free on bond, by Magistrate Daphne A. Oberg (whose previous freeing of January 6 defendant John Earle Sullivan Inner City Press previously covered here). The EDNY prosecutors have written to the assigned District Judge to appeal / seek a stay, 6-page letter on Patreon here.

On Sunday November 12 Karony's lawyers wrote in that "without more, every U.S. citizen facing criminal charges in the digital asset space would be detained through trial, in effect establishing an unrebuttable crypto presumption." Full letter on Patreon here.

On November 13, Inner City Press live tweeted the bail appeal in which Karony was ordered detained and to be brought to EDNY, thread

On November 22, Karony's lawyers filed - Letter on Patreon here.

On November 27, the prosecutors replied that transport will take the time it takes, and there is no basis for release. Letter on Patreon here.

In February, Karony was given a new free lawyer and a $3 million bond package - but the co-signers are confidential, unlike what Inner City Press unsealed as to SBF in SDNY.

Inner City Press on February 17 filed a letter to unseal the co-signers - on February 22 Judge Komitee to his credit had it docketed. But nothing happened (?)

Jump cut to April 29, 2025 when Magistrate Judge Cho held a conference on the jury selection he will run on May 5 (same time as US v. Sean Combs in SDNY), thread.

Inner City Press will follow the case(s)

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As Wells Fargo Sues JPMorgan Chase for Breach of Contract Discovery Delay Obtained

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 29 – JPMorgan Chase has been sued for allegedly offloading a dud commercial real estate loan, knowing the underlying numbers were inaccurate. On April 29 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Dale E. Ho held a conference. Inner City Press live tweeted it, from the thread:

 Quinn Emanuel for Wells Fargo: We have an NOI claim about the loan agreement. The borrowers warranted that the representations about the properties were accurate - they were not.

Quinn Emanuel for Wells Fargo: What JPM Chase conveyed from Chetrit was inaccurate. The remedy against JPMorgan is repurchase, a contractual remedy. The Shadow Creek claim is about another error, we seek to correct the error in the security document

Quinn Emanuel for Wells Fargo: The DOJ conducted an inquiry, resulting in the plea of Tyler Ross. So we proposed discovery of seven months; JPMorgan wants ten months.

JPMorgan's S&C lawyer: The criminal case notwithstanding, JPMorgan was the victim.  

Judge Ho: I'll extend the time to answer, move or otherwise respond. And I'll extend the expert discovery deadline to March 17, 2026.  Adjourned

The case is Wells Fargo Bank, National Association v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, et al., 1:25-cv-01943 (Ho)

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Ex FBI McGonigal Pled Guilty to Deripaska Aid Linked to CIA Now New Judge on Shestakov

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Worth St Video

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 29 -  In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, an arraignment was held by Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave former FBI agent Charles McGonigal, for helping Russian oligarch Deripaska in violation of US sanctions, and money laundering.

 McGonigal, who'd hired former US Attorney for the Eastern District of NY Seth duCharme, pled not guilty and was given a $500,000 personal recognisance bond bail deal. Thread below. He has also been indicted in the District for the District of Colombia and should appear there on January 25. Inner City Press will cover both cases.

Inner City Press covers the SDNY Mag Court(s). Related Mag Court live-tweeted thread (more on Patreon here) vlog here

January 23 McGonigal thread here

And the August 15, 2023 guilty plea proceeding, thread here:  (and video afterward here)

Plea agreement letter on Patreon here.

Back on March 9, 2023, Inner City Press was there. Thread here

On November 12 Shestakov through counsel asked to depose Evgeny Fokin, before the trial scheduled for February 10, 2025.

On January 6, 2025 it was granted, citing Mashinsky, 2024 WL 4728499, at *9.'

On January 27 there was a conference and the trial date was pushed back again, to June 17, 2025. A request was made - and granted - to place as yet undefined redactions on the transcript. But Inner City Press was there - more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

On January 28 Shestakov's lawyer filed "indicating the Charles McGonigal was working with the CIA after his 2018 retirement from the FBI." Filing on Patreon here.

On February 7 Shestakov's lawyer submitted a proposed letter rogatory to the UAE to depose Fokin, saying the US Attorney's Office takes no position.

On February 13 Shestakov's counsel wrote in that Olga Shriki said she won't invoke her Fifth Amendment rights if called to testify - so motion to compel withdrawn.

On April 29 the case was transferred to Judge Jed S. Rakoff, who set a May 1 conference.

The case is USA v. McGonigal, et al., 1:23-cr-16 (Rakoff)

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Harvey Weinstein Retrial Has Miriam Haley On Her Diary Entries Over Bonjean Objections

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

100 CENTRE STREET, April 29 – The retrial of Harvey Weinstein in New York State court began on April 23; Inner City Press was in the courtroom and live tweeted it, thread here.

On April 24 after a Getty witness, Elizabeth Entin recounted Miriam Haley shaken in 539 Avenue B, advising her to call a lawyer. Weinstein's lawyers objected then bought up health...

On April 29 there was Miriam Haley herself, narrating her 2006 diary notes from P to Lower East Side addresses over objections from Weinstein lawyer Jennifer Bonjean

  More courtroom detail on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

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Mashinsky of Celsius Pled Guilty to 2 Counts With 30 Year Guideline US Asks for 20 Years

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 28 – After Alexander Mashinsky of Celsius was arrested on July 13, US Attorney Damian Williams held a press conference, and Inner City Press asked him to explain his  thinking in agreeing to release on bail for Sam Bankman-Fried but demanding and obtaining  pre-trial detention of Avi Eisenberg.  

 US Attorney Williams responded that every case is different. Inner City Press asked if his office would be seeking the detention of, or agreeing to release, Mashinsky. He declined to say either way, saying you will soon see.

Jump cut to December 3, 2024 when Inner City Press went to cover US v. Mashinsky - Judge John G. Koeltl asked, do you wish to plead guilty to Counts 2 and 5? He said yes. Thread here.

The plea was accepted and sentencing set for April 8, 2025 - with plea agreement, surprisingly, has a guideline of 360 months, plea agreement (and analysis) on Patreon here

Back on November 7, oral arguments (Inner City Press live tweeted here). Later Inner City Press saw him, along carrying two legal briefs, going into Pre-Trial Services on the 5th floor.

On February 5, 2025 Mashinsky's lawyers wrote in asking to push his sentencing back a month from April 8 to May 8, saying the US Attorney's Office does not for now consent - letter on Patreon here

On February 7, Judge Koeltl extended to May 8, and asked if a Fatico (fact finding) hearing is needed: "ENDORSEMENT...The scheduled charges to objections to the Pre-sentence Report and the final Pre-Sentence Report are approved. Sentence adjourned to May 8, 2025 at 10:00am. Sentencing submission date as indicated in the transcript of December 3, 2024 at pages 30-31. The parties should advise the Court promptly if a Fatico hearing is necessary."

On April 10 Judge Koeltl held a proceeding and said he wouldn't know about a Fatico until he sees Mashinsky's sentencing submission. Then as it had an hour earlier in US v. Do Kwon, the DOJ April 7 memo about ending regulation by prosecution came up:

Judge Koeltl: Does the DOJ memo impact this case?

Mashinsky's lawyer: That's the $100 billion question. We are asking DOJ in DC.

AUSA Allison Nichols: The April 7 memo is forward looking. They should direct their arguments to SDNY

Mashinsky's lawyers wrote in asking for a year and a day, to allow for good time credit.

On April 28 the US Attorney's Office wrote in that "A sentence of at least 20 years is necessary."

More on Substack here

  The case is US v. Mashinsky, et al., 23-cr-347 (Koeltl)

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Cooperator Gets 1 Year in Jail in TIAA-CREF Insider Trading Case in Federal Medical Center

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 28 – Alan Williams committed insider trading with foreknowledge of the trades of TIAA-CREF, now owned by Nuveen. He turned cooperator against Lawrence Billimek, who was sentenced to 70 months in prison.  

On April 28, Williams was up for sentencing, armed with a 5K1.1 letter, before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Paul G. Gardephe. Inner City Press was there. Thread:

Judge Gardephe: They were equally culpable. Yes, he was prepared to cooperate. He has Parkinson's Disease. The US has filed a 5K letter. Probation recommends time served. But I cannot do that. I sentence you to one year in prison 

Defense: Not a year and a day? Judge: No. Defense: He is sick. Judge: So, a medical facility and not a camp.

 There's also forfeiture, including from accounts at JPMorgan Chase, and an Oregon property.

The case is USA v. Billimek, et al., 1:22-cr-675 (Gardephe)

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UN Lawyer Elinor Hammarskjöld Silent as US Says UNRWA Is Not Immune & SG Bans Press

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY / UN GATE, April 28 - For the UN's role in Hamas' October 7 attacks, non-US citizen plaintiffs and estates on June 24 filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, Pierre Krahenbuhl, Filippo Grandi, Leni Stenseth, Sandra Mitchel, Margot Ellis and Greta Gunnarsdottir. 

  The UN's new legal counsel, Elinor Hammarskjöld, has had nothing to say about this lawsuit against the UN - but she did give a speech name-checking UNRWA as a UN agency at the ICJ on April 28. Nor has she said anything about her boss Antonio Guterres banning the Press that asks about the suit against UNRWA.

 Inner City Press, which daily cover the SDNY court in-person and the UN from outside the gate, banned from entry by SG Antonio Guterres, asked Guterres' spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming about the lawsuit, without any response per usual.

Nor have they responded to Inner City Press' June 19 application to enter the UN to ask these questions. And Elinor Hammarskjöld has done nothing, despite the resonant name she was apparently hired by Guterres for, as a fig leaf.

On February 18, the (new) SDNY wrote in, "The Government is currently reviewing the views." Letter on Inner City Press' DocumentCloud here

On April 17 DOJ wrote in asking for one more week to finalize. Inner City Press, still banned from the UN by Antonio Guterres, tweeted it.

On April 24 the Administration wrote in that it "has since reevaluated that position, and now concludes UNRWA is not immune from this litigation. Nor are the bulk of other defendants" - 10 page filing on DocumentCloud here.

The UNRWA case is ESTATE OF TAMAR KEDEM SIMAN TOV, BY HEIR-AT-LAW GAD KEDEM v. UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY (UNRWA) et al., 24-cv-04765 (Torres)

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As Virginia Giuffre Declared Dead After Ghislaine Maxwell Case Sealing a Redacted Life

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 25 – With Ghislaine Maxwell in jail, she gave up her some of her objections to the release of John Doe names in Alan Dershowitz' case with Virginia Giuffre.                 

     On April 19, 2022 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Loretta A. Preska held a proceeding to unseal some but not all documents.  Inner City Press, which has published a book on the Maxwell trial here, and another book including the Larry Ray trial "John list" here, live tweeted it, thread here:

 173-6 it will be sealed [or redacted.]

Jump cut to April 25, 2025, with Virginia Giuffre declared dead, reportedly by suicide. A redacted life. Rest in Peace.

Inner City Press continues reporting on the UN (where Ghislaine Maxwell was allowed a press conference and SG  Antonio Guterres  had a rep on her Terramar board  (video here, story here).

   Watch this site.  

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