Friday, January 17, 2025
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Monday, January 13, 2025
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Friday, January 10, 2025
UN Diplomats Get Exempted from Congestion Pricing in NYC UN Refuses Press Questions
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 10 – United Nations diplomats have gotten themselves exempted from NYC's $9 Congestion Price payments, even as for example lower income residents of the NYCHA Al Smith Houses and lower Manhattan small businesses complained without recourse about having to pay them.
In a notice tucked into the Federal Register of January 6, the US State Department ostensibly notified the public of "exemption from charges assessed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York for entry into its designated 'Congestion Relief Zone' for foreign missions and certain international organizations. This benefit extends to members and personnel of and representatives to such foreign missions and international organizations."
Perhaps exemption for other countries' ambassadors is understandable, if those countries similar exempt US diplomats. But why allow already overpaid UN staff - and officials like Antonio Guterres and his bloated UN Security detail - to not pay what other New Yorkers - and for example New Jersey residents - pay?
UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric refuses to answer Inner City Press' written questions, after having it thrown out of the UN; Melissa Fleming has ignored a request for dialogue on press freedom from pro bono law firm Quinn Emanuel.
Will this change going forward? Watch this site.
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Two Former FDNY Officials Indicted for Bribes Cordasco Pled Now Saccavino Will or May 5
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 10 – Amid the scandals swirling around NYC Mayor Eric Adams and his inner circle, on September 16 SDNY US Attorney Damian Williams announced two indictments, limited to the FDNY.
"Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco, two former chiefs of the New York City Fire Department Bureau of Fire Prevention, are charged with bribery, corruption, and false statements offenses… in connection with a scheme to solicit and accept tens of thousands of dollars in bribe payments in exchange for providing preferential treatment to certain individuals and companies with matters pending before the BFP."
At a press conference in 26 Federal Plaza, Williams declined to comment on requests to City Hall; he said one Henry Santiago Jr. is cooperation in this investigation.
Inner City Press covered the presentment, then separate arraignment
On October 2, Judge Liman set a change of plea proceeding for Brian Cordasco on October 8 at 10 am.
Inner City Press went to and live tweeted the guilty plea - while another City Hall arrest was announced. Thread
On December 17 there was to be a conference on Saccavino. But the courtroom door was locked and later the US Attorney's Office put in a letter that it had been adjourned - as defense counsel's request - and proposing it be rescheduled for January 8, 2025.
On January 10, Saccavino was present with a new lawyer. The AUSA said they anticipate a guilty plea, or want a trial. Judge Liman set the latter for May 5.
More / analysis on X for Subscribers here and on Substack here
Inner City Press is on the case(s). Watch this site.
This case is US v. Saccavino, et al., 24-cr-537 (Liman)
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For Eric Adams Straw Donations Erden Akran Plead Guilty Cites Turkish Consulate so Aug 15
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 10 – The five-count indictment of NYC Mayor Eric Adams was unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the first one in and live tweeted it. City of Maybe book
The unsealing thread
On September 17 at noon he was arraigned and pleaded not guilty. Thread.
At 5:58 am on October 1, Adams' lawyers filed a motion for sanctions alleging grand jury leaks - memo of law on Patreon here.
On October 31, Judge Ho denied Adams' and Spiro's bid for an evidentiary hearing on leaks. Order on Patreon here.
On November 1 Judge Ho heard argument, including the AUSA citing Judge Rochan's denial of a Snyder motion to dismiss in US v Starks, one of the NYCHA bribery cases Inner City Press has covered - and reserved decision - on Count V, and set the trial day for April 21, 2025 - thread
On November 11 Adams' lawyer at Quinn Emanuel wrote in asking to move up the trial from April 21 to April 1 - April Fools Day. Letter on Patreon here
On December 23 the prosecutors wrote in that Erden Arkan, "Businessman-5" in the Adams indictment, intends to plead guilty.
On December 24, Spiro wrote in, Patreon here.
On January 6 the US Attorney's Office wrote that they continue "to uncover additional criminal conduct by Adams."
On January 10 Arkan pled guilty, Inner City Press was there and later asked his lawyer if Arkan will testify. There was no answer, but sentencing was put off to August 15, after Adams' trial, with zero to six month guideline.
More/extra (Jan 10) on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Adams, 1:24-cr-556 (Ho)
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In Virginia Disparate TowneBank Wants Village Bank Now Inner City Press Files FOIA Appeal
by Matthew R. Lee, Patreon Substack
FEDERAL COURT, Jan 9 – 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.
TowneBank filed a response on December 4, by Troutman Pepper's Seth A. Winter who claims data documenting HMDA data has nothing to do with a merger - he should know better, since he represented Linkbancorp which was forced to implement a lending plan after Inner City Press documented similar disparities. It is a bad faith response.
And another: Inner City Press on December 12 submitted a FOIA request for Towne Bank's branch closing information, asking for the expedited treatment it routinely gets from other agencies. But the FDIC denied it, being dismissive of the impact of branch closings - and the FDIC took 27 days to deny expedited processing, providing no email address to appeal to.
But on January 9 Inner City Press emailed its FOIA appeal to FDIC General Counsel Harrel M. Pettway, informing him that his agency's "SecureDelivery.us" portal doesn't allow for submission of appeals. Need for reform - and a stay of the application.
Watch this site.
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Military Officials from the Bahamas Detained in SDNY for Drug Trafficking and Weapons
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 8 – Two former officials of the Bahamas were arraigned on drug charges on January 8. Inner City Press was the only media in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates courtroom when it happened.
Both men were detained, and will be seen by the District Judge on January 10.
Back in November DOJ announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 13 defendants with cocaine importation and related weapons offenses in connection with their participation in a massive cocaine importation conspiracy enabled by corrupt Bahamian government officials, including high-ranking members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (“RBPF”). ELVIS NATHANIEL CURTIS, an RBPF Chief Superintendent, and DARRIN ALEXANDER ROKER, a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (“RBDF”), were arrested on Monday in Florida and had their initial appearances yesterday afternoon in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
LORIELMO STEELE-POMARE, a/k/a “Steele” and WILLIAM SIMEON, a/k/a “Harvey Smith,” a/k/a “William Jacques,” a/k/a “Romeo Russell,” a/k/a “Dario Rolle,” were arrested overseas on Monday. LUIS FERNANDO OROZCO-TORO was arrested overseas yesterday. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods. It was Curtis and Roker who were arraigned on January 8, both with retained (paid) counsel.
The case is USA v. Curtis, et al., 24-cr-655 (Woods)
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Japanese Yakuza Member Pleads to Life in Jail for Nuclear and Drug Trafficking in Burma
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 8 – DOJ announced that TAKESHI EBISAWA pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to conspiring to traffic nuclear materials, including uranium and weapons-grade plutonium, from Burma to other countries, as well as to international narcotics trafficking and weapons charges.
Inner City Press was there, the only media present as the plea agreement was read out by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Colleen McMahon.
Ebisawa, speaking through a Japanese interpreter, said he is 60 years old; he agreed not to appeal any sentence below the stipulated guideline - which is life imprisonment. So he cannot appeal any sentence as excessive. Why did he plead guilty?
The case is US v. Ebisawa, 22-cr-256 (McMahon)
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After SBF Got 25 Years Salame Got 90 Months Now Michelle Bond Has June 10 Next $1M Bail
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 8 – On the US v Sam Bankman-Fried trial, hours after the guilty verdict, a book was published: "Crypto Criminal: The Conviction of Sam Bankman-Fried: As live tweeted and investigated from inside the SDNY courthouse by Matthew Russell Lee," audio/book here.
On March 28, 2024, Inner City Press live tweeted his sentencing, to 25 years.
On May 28 Salame was "sentenced to 90 months."
On August 21, Salame filed that "the Government used the plea negotiations to threaten Salame’s domestic partner and the mother of his child, Michelle Bond." Full filing on Patreon here.
On August 22, after Inner City Press published a curtain raiser on Michelle Bond being presented in SDNY Mag court, it happened, from the thread:
AUSA Sweat: We propose release on $1 million bond, 1 financially responsible co-signer
Judge: I accept those conditions, travel restricted to the continental US
On January 8, 2025 Inner City Press attended the US v. Michelle Bond status conference. The AUSA called it a "spin off" of the FTX case; Judge Daniels set a next conference, to set trial date he said, for June 10 at 10 am.
More details on X for Subscribers here, Substack here
This case is US v. Bond, 24-cr-494 (Daniels)
We'll have more on this.
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Do Kwon Trial Set for Jan 26 in 2026 as Motion on Count 9 Previewed Inner City Press to Cover
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 8 – After the collapse of the crypto firm Terraform Labs, Inner City Press covered the SEC's trial against it and Do Kwon - except that Kwon was in Montenegro.
Early on January 2, 2025 Inner City Press learned and vlogged that Kwon would be presented later in the day before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.
District Judge John P. Cronan had signed an order that the superseding indictment should be unsealed and available as of 9 am. But it was not, until nearly noon. Inner City Press immediately put it online here
Just after noon Do Kwon was presented and pled not guilty, was detained, thread
The case was reassigned to Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to whom the US Attorney's Office on January 6 directed a victims' notice motion, on Patreon here
On January 8 Judge Engelmayer held a conference and set a January 26, 2026 trial date, among many other things. Inner City Press pressed and live tweeted, thread
More / extra on X for Subscribers here, Patreon (with US case status summary) here
Watch this site
The case is USA v. Kwon, 1:23-cr-151 (Engelmayer)
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As Alexander Brothers Indicted for Sex Traffic Bail Hearing now Jan 15 Amid Transit to SDNY
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 7 – Amid the news of the arrest of the Alexander brothers in Miami on SDNY sex trafficking charges, in the SDNY Magistrate Court on the morning of December 11 the superseding indictment was "wheeled out" to District Judge Valerie E. Caproni. Inner City Press was there, and tweeted / X-ed it out.
At a press conference probably his last as SDNY US Attorney Damian Williams was asked the underlying first indictment - it is still not public - and about if the brothers will be brought to SDNY. Yes, he said, adding that the mechanics are "not worth getting into."
On December 24 Tal Alexander filed opposing transfer to SDNY - and saying that "the government takes no position on Tal Alexander's motion to stay removal." Notice of motion on Patreon here.
On December 30 Judge Caproni ruled "the Removal Order is STAYED until the earlier of Monday, January 6, 2025, or a removal order being entered against either of Tal Alexander's co-defendants."
On December 31 Tal Alexander's lawyer wrote to Judge Caproni asking for bail, offering $115 million in security, citing US v. Ng Lap Seng that "conditions were adhered to by the security service provider." Really? Massages behind closed doors? 12 page filing on Patreon here
On January 7, Judge Caproni ruled that Tal Alexander can be removed to SDNY and set a hearing: "All parties must appear for a consolidated bail hearing on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 1:30 P.M. to decide the bail appeals of Defendants Alon and Tal Alexander and the initial bail application of Defendant Oren Alexander."
This case is USA v. Alexander, et al., 1:24-cr-676 (Caproni)
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Extradited In From Morocco for Fentanyl 3 With Russian and Chinese Interpreters Are Arraigned
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 7 – Three defendants arrested in Morocco and extradited to the US on fentanyl importation and money laundering charges were presented on December 12 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag Court.
Two of the three had a Russian interpreter (and free CJA lawyers); the third had a Chinese interpreter and a non-CJA, retained lawyer. All three were detained on consent.
On January 7, after the case was indicted and assigned to District Judge George B. Daniels, he held an arraignment and heard of discovery from Morocco and Spain. The next conference was set for May 7 at 10 am.
The case is USA v. Gao, et al., 1:24-cr-707 (Daniels)
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