Friday, February 6, 2026

In Luigi Mangione Cases NY Carro Wants to be 1st on June 8 But Mangione Calls 2bl Jeopardy


by Matthew Russell Lee, Substack Book Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 6 – 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 April 1 DOJ announced it would seek the death penalty against Mangione. But SDNY Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed the death eligible charges, and set an October 13 court date.

  After some push back, Inner City Press published a book Luigi Mangione Lone Wolf here, now Amazon here

More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

  On February 6 NYS Justice Gregory Carro convened a hearing and, after a long whispered sidebar, announced that NY and he should go first, on June 8. Karen Friedman Agnifilo said that was too fast, and said she would raise double jeopardy.

Luigi Mangione while being led out said it's common sense, that's double jeopardy. Watch this site.

February 6 extra on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

On January 14 Judge Garnett set the hearing for January 23 at 11 am: "as to Luigi Nicholas Mangione: The suppression hearing referenced in the Court's January 12 Order (Dkt. No. 90) will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m."

The hearing went 11 to 12:30, about Altoona PD's policies for searches, ending with if an item found in a vehicle, go get a warrant. But not a bag? Judge Garnett called it helpful, "see you in a week."

More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

And on February 3 Judge Garnett docketed it here scheduling order on Patreon here

In the state case late on December 2 Inner City Press emailed, then on December 3 faxed and hand-delivered, a letter asking to be heard and for unsealing, here.

On unsealing bid, more / extra on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

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Egypt Mission to UN Roughed Up Protesters Triggering FSIA Lawsuit in SDNY


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 5 –   Two Egyptian brothers who while protesting at their country's Mission to the UN were roughed up on August 20, 2025 filed a Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act lawsuit against the Arab Republic of Egypt on February 5 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, where Inner City Press found it. 

 The complaint says while they protested outside, they were dragged into the Mission and "likely believing they were beyond the reach of the law, the agents whipped Yasin repeatedly with the chain... Agents forcibly held A.E. during this time.

  Inner City Press, which covered the UN as a resident correspondent and then was similarly roughed up by UN Security and ousted, banned every since, well knows the Egyptian Mission at 304 East 44th Street. It is in a former art school, and hosts diplomatic parties. The UN says little about the abuses of the Egyptian government. Perhaps all this will begin to change.  

The case is El Sammak, et al., v. Arab Republic of Egypt, 1:26-cv-1023 (Unassigned) 

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Amid US Cuba Actions Inner City Press Asks Lewin of UN Irrelevance He Cites Waltz USUN


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 5 – US State Department official Senior Official Jeremy P. Lewin held a press conference on February 5 about US humanitarian support for the Cuban people. Inner City Press RSVP-ed and had its question asked:

Can you speak to how this initiative shows the increase irrelevance of the United Nations, amid its failures on Sudan, Gaza, Venezuela and elsewhere?   

The moderator read the question out - Inner City Press, still banned from even entering the UN where for years it had a resident correspondent's office for such calls, told them it was too loud in the courthouse it is reporting from - and Jeremy Lewin responded. 

  He said the UN does have to show its relevant, noting that when the US is strong, the UN fades in the shadow.   But, Inner City Press would point out, even where the UN tries to make itself central, it is even worse.

The UN brought cholera to Haiti; UN staff participated in October 7, just as years before UNDP staff participated in the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda.   Lewin said Ambassador Mike Waltz is working on all this.  

On February 2, Inner City Press wrote to Ambassador Waltz, via the US Mission's website form and the email for the Mission listed in the UN Blue Book, saying he should ensure Inner City Press' re-enter by at latest March 1, when he assumes presidency of the UN Security Council and holds a press conference of the type Inner City Press participated in, with question to Lewin - and can it not have access to the UN, about which it reports daily?

 Watch this site.

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Rep Virginia Foxx Is Sued By Former Columbia Student for Anti Semitism Inquiry with X Cited

 

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 5 – A man who was expelled from Columbia University after Congressmember Virginia Foxx asked and tweeted about him and anti-Semitism filed a lawsuit against Rep. Foxx on February 5 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, where Inner City Press found it.   

The complaint alleges that Foxx "abused her role and authority as Chairperson and member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce to try to retaliate against and punish James for their First Amendment-protected criticism of Israel" - quoting a tweet that "@Columbia you have failed again."  

 Columbia replied on X, "The individual in question has been barred from Columbia's campus since April 2024 and is not a registered student."

Paragraph 19 is "James is not an antisemite."

 The case is James v. Foxx, 1:26-cv-998 (Unassigned) 

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As Santander Proposes to Acquire Webster Bank with Disparate Record First Brands Complicity


By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

SOUTH BRONX / SDNY, Feb 4 – The proposed acquisition of Webster Financial Corp. by Banco Santander raises troubling issues, Fair Finance Watch has found - including on First Brands.

In 2024 in New York State Webster made fully 324 mortgage loans to white applications with only 171 denials to whites - while it made only 43 loans to African Americans with fully 34 denials to African Americans.

  Santander, meanwhile, is one of the few large banks given a Needs to Improve rating under the Community Reinvestment Act in the last decade.

  On February 4 Inner City Press covered the arraigment of First Brands' Patrick James and Edward James for fraud. But questions arose about the rose of Santander: Santander’s exposure to companies owned by First Brands Group founder Patrick James has reportedly grown to $300 million. The increase was caused by James defaulting on a loan he took out to buy a French car parts group, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Wednesday (Nov. 19), citing unnamed sources. The loan added to the amounts James already owed Santander for receivables financing and for a facility with First Brands units in Mexico and Brazil. We aim to have more on this.

 Focusing for now on Webster, Fair Finance Watch (with Inner City Press on the FOIA) challenged its deal with Sterling in 2021.

  On June 25, 2021 the Fed asked the banks a series of questions, below and full letter on Patreon here

  Inner City Press reported that on November 5, it was sent a copy of the Federal Reserve's additional letter to Webster and its (ex-Fed) outside counsel: "November 5, 2021 Dear Ms. Patricia A. Robinson, This letter refers to the application filed by Webster Financial Corporation, Waterbury, Connecticut (“Webster”), for the prior approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System (the “Board”), to acquire Sterling Bancorp (“Sterling”), and thereby indirectly  acquire Sterling National Bank. Based on staff’s review of the current record, the following additional information is requested.  Please provide your responses to the items listed below. Supporting documentation should be  provided as appropriate.

1. You have indicated that Sterling Bank and Webster Bank do not have any current plans  to consolidate, relocate or close any branches before consummation of, or otherwise  unrelated to, the proposed transaction. Confirm if that is still the case and confirm that  any anticipated branch closures, consolidations, or relocations that may occur following  the merger will be conducted in a manner consistent with Webster Bank’s branch closing  policies and procedures and the branch closing requirements contained in section 42 of  the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. § 1831r-1). If not, discuss why not. Your  response should include a copy of any applicable policies and procedures, to the extent  not already provided.

In accordance with the  Federal Reserve’s ex parte procedures, provide a copy of the public portion of your response  (together with any attachments) directly to the commenter.
 cc: Inner City Press/Fair Finance Watch"

Inner CIty Press noted,

Among the comments on the Community Reinvestment Act submitted to the Federal Reserve is one from Webster Bank, arguing that Health Savings Account "deposits should not be considered when determining whether the requirement would apply or when delineating such assessment areas" and should be excluded from the definition of "retail domestic deposits."Consequently, HSAs should also be excluded from  Community Development Financing Metric.

This is scam.

 Also in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on July 12, 2021 it emerged that Sterling has been sued for allowing the unauthorized wiring to China and Singapore of $12 million in funds from NJ-based contractor Niram. This is an adverse managerial resources factor to be raised to / acted on by the Federal Reserve, including under the new antitrust Executive Order. Watch this site.

MRL on NYS TV


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Republic of Niger Is Sued in SDNY for its $35M Upper East Side Building after Artibral Loss


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 4 – The Republic of Niger is being sued in New York, for an unpaid arbitral award - its $35 million Manhattan property which it rents out is being sought to pay the debt.   

 The lawsuit against Niger is in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which Inner City Press covers closely since being banned from the UN for its coverage by UNSG Antonio Guterres.

   Niger, meanwhile, uses its diplomatic presence in New York to do business. In 1977 it bought an Upper East Side building. "It "serves as the private residence of its current tenant for more than two decades." 

 Now Menzies Middle East and Africa SA, citing an arbitral award it won in 2013, wants the property, and has filed an order to show cause.

  The case is Menzies Middle East and Africa SA v. Republic of Niger, 1:25-mc-332 (Furman)

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Trump Asked to Remove NY Bragg Case to SDNY Now Reargument on Remand


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 4 – Donald Trump filed a first  notice of removal to Federal court of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's indictment of him in state court, on May 4, 2023.

 The notice was reassigned to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Alvin Hellerstein, as Inner City Press reported.

 Jump cut to August 29, 2024, after Trump was found guilty on 34 counts before NYS Justice Juan Merchan. Trump lawyer's filed a second notice of removal, on Patreon here.

On August 30 this: "Re-file and attach either opposing party's written consent or Court's leave.."

On September 3 leave was sought - and at 5 pm, Judge Hellerstein denied removal. Ruling on Patreon here

At 11:30 pm, Trump's lawyers filed notice of appeal to the Second Circuit. Notice of Appeal on Patreon here.

After 9 pm on September 4 Team Trump asked Judge Hellerstein to stay his own order, 6 page filing on Patreon here. Watch this site.

On September 6, Judge Hellerstein denied the request as "academic."

Jump cut to February 4, 2026 when after decision by the Second Circuit, Judge Hellerstein held an argument, Inner City Press live tweeted, ending:

DA Bragg's Wu: If you look at the evidence they are challenging here. This is not a case like the E. Jean Carroll case - they are challenging tweets, and the testimony of Ms. Hicks and Ms. Westerhout. It was about private conduct

Judge Hellerstein: OK, I'm not going to do any evidentiary hearing.  Trump's Wall: Should the scope of immunity of a US President be decided in a state court, or this Federal court, then the 2d Circuit, Supreme Court? It answers itself.

Judge Hellerstein: I'll rule later


More / analysis on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

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In First Brands SDNY Case Patrick Tracked by Phone But Edward Keeps Bracelet if in Ohio


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 4 –   After the collapse of First Brands and banks calling themselves the victims despite having continued to do business with them, DOJ in late January announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging PATRICK JAMES of First Brands Group, LLC, and his brother EDWARD JAMES with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of wire fraud and bank fraud, in connection with various schemes to defraud lenders regarding the liabilities and financial condition of First Brands.  PATRICK JAMES was charged in an additional count of managing a continuing financial crimes enterprise in connection with the charged schemes.  

 On February 4 the duo was in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court on arraignment and bail conditions. Inner City Press live tweeted:

 All rise! [Co-defendant repped by former EDNY US Attorney DuCharme, who points out Edward James is not charged in count onr Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky: How do you plead? Not guilty. Not guilty.

 Judge: Is there an agreement on release pending trial? DuCharme for Edward James: The Ohio condition are too restrictive. The Government told us in December he was uo for arrest. His wife has family overseas, but he didn't flee

AUSA: There is a flight risk, motive and means. There's $10 billions in losses.  Patrick James faces life in prison, ten year minimum. Edward reported $76 million in assets

AUSA: We think he has $110 million - he could sacrifice the $25 million bond. He is looking at accounts in Singapore and Malaysia, where he's from. His letter says he wants hydrotherapy - that is, swimming. He lives in a massive compound

 AUSA: They cite Charlie Javice, but that was a smaller fraud, only $175 million.  Judge: He has a pregnant daughter. Why would he leave? AUSA: He could take them with him

 DuCharme: In December he was flying arround in private jets. He's got reputable private security. His son's grave is near his home.

 They're back Patrick James' lawyer: at least one bank had questions but kept doing business with First Brands

 Patrick James: I don't want to say his assets in court, it's private Judge Tarnofsky: For Patrick James, no GPS bracelet, instead, location monitoring by cell phone, 50 million bond with 2 cosigners. Edward, same, monitor by watch or if not available, bracelet

 Judge: 25 million bond for Edward. Patrick will live on Long Island - please go to EDNY pre-trial services.

More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

The case is USA v. James, et al., 1:26-cr-29 (Torres / Tarnofsky)

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Sean Combs is Sued for Sexual Assault at Ciroc Event His Lawyer Says 1 Year Limit Has Run


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 3 – With Sean Combs in jail in MDC-Brooklyn, on October 20, 2024 at least five more civil cases against him were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Inner City Press is covering the cases. 

 One of them is by a John Doe, owner of a family business renting luxury cars, who says Combs started assaulting him at a Ciroc vodka event in 2022 until "Professional Athlete 1" stopped it.

The case was assigned to Judge Ronnie Abrams - who on October 25 said a renewed motion to proceed as John Doe should be filed 30 days after service.

Jump cut to March 11, 2025 when Judge Abrams docketed: "No later than March 18, 2025, Mr. Buzbee shall file a letter explaining why he failed to notify the Court about this issue earlier and proposing next steps to rectify it."

On March 17 Buzbee submitted an order to withdraw, on Patreon here

On June 24 Judge Abrams docketed this, on "Motion for Leave to Appear Anonymously . filed by John Doe." Order on Patreon here.

Jump cut to February 3, 2026, when Judge Abrams heard oral argument on Combs' motion to dismiss. Combs' lawyer said this sexual assault case is subject to New York's 1 year statute of limitations and must be dismissed. The plaintiff's counsel spoke of amending. Judge Abrams took it under advisement - Inner City Press will stay on the case(s).

 This case is Doe v. Combs, et al., 1:24-cv-7973 (Abrams)

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In UNMIK Corruption Continues with Shelter Project in Mitrovica After Sex Toy Scandal

 In UNMIK Corruption Continues with Shelter Project in Mitrovica After Sex Toy Scandal

By Matthew Russell Lee

UN GATE, Feb 3 – Antonio Guterres continues banning the Press from the UN.  He's put the UN in the Press Freedom Tracker, here. And so on 3 July 2019, this video, and this.

On March 14, 2022, this: "Dear Matthew,  I would like to share with you the latest update in relation to the investigation for sexual abuses and frauds related to UNMIK CMS, Ms. Sandi Arnold. 

As per attached UNDT judgement. Ms. Arnold, has been suspended for three months with ALWP."

Jump cut to September 3, 2025 - despite the (light) penalty, and a recent UNDT case citing "Inner Circle Press," Arnold is still in a UN promotional video still online, recruiting, here.
This was raised to USG Melissa Fleming, who has also not answered Press freedom question from pro bono law firms Quinn Emanuel and Duane Morris - no answers, no explanation.

 And, long after Inner City Press began exposing this particular corner of UN corruption, banned from the UN by corrupt UNSG Guterres, Arnold was subject to the lightest form of discipline. UNDT ruling now put online by Inner City Press on its DocumentCloud here.

And now on February 3, 2026, from whistleblowers: "Dear Matthew Russell Lee,   We continue to report to you from UNMIK in Kosova,  because we cannot accept that misconduct and corruption will remain unnoticed as they have in the past, and we are left wondering what those in charge, like OIOS, have been doing to address these serious concerns.  While the mission (by DSRSG and CMS) paints a picture of "restructuring" and "efficiency," the reality is a scandalous tale of personal vendettas, missing funds, and a DSRSG Shin who seems more interested in being a "good boy" for his former boss than doing his job. 

The current DSRSG is acting less like a high-level diplomat and more like a puppet. It’s no secret in the corridors that he has been the loyal "slave" to former SRSG Ziadeh. Instead of protecting the mission's integrity, he acted like a "mommy’s boy," carrying out personal vendettas on her behalf. We reported about that in your last report to you.​The recent "downsizing" of UNMIK—which saw one-third of the staff cut—wasn't only about the budget; it was als about purging anyone  former SRSG Ziadeh disliked. The DSRSG didn't follow rules; he followed orders to terminate capable professionals while keeping the "entourage" of favorites, many of whom are currently under the shadow of OIOS investigations. Hopefully, OIOS will once do a proper job and held those responsible for misconduct, corruption and abuse of authority

 We are really curious to know why is the DSRSG silent about Ziadeh’s corrupted circle? Rumors are swirling that Ziadeh personally visited OIOS to ensure certain investigations (especially concerning her close acquaintance whose name was mentioned on various occasions to Inner City Press) were buried. The DSRSG knows where the bodies are buried, but his silence is deafening.   ​While staff members were being kicked to the curb under the guise of "cost-saving," the mission's leadership was throwing money down the drain. Let’s look at the maths:

​The "Gin-Tonic" CMS (as already previously reported to Inner City Presss in January 2026)  and the DSRSG continue to lie, claiming everything is by the book. ​While the mission has a perfectly capable Deputy Chief of Staff (CoS), an "Acting" CoS was kept on for three months, costing the UN an extra $75,000. ​The Math Doesn't Add Up - Evidence submitted by staff shows that the costs of indemnity, early separation packages, and the rejection of Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP) actually cost the mission more than if they had simply kept the staff employed.  ​Perhaps the most scandalous detail is the Shelter Project in Mitrovica. More than $150,000 meant for vulnerable populations has simply vanished.

There are  no receipts, and no accountability. The DSRSG is sitting on files regarding a specific staff member who should be facing multiple investigations for misconduct related, yet the files remain "hidden." Why? Because revealing the truth would expose the total rot at the core of the mission. OIOS has been also informed about the scandalous misconduct - any actions so far from their side?  ​The result of this favoritism is a "sick machinery" that can no longer function. The Office of Political Affairs is now described as a catastrophe.​The Head of OPA incapable of fulfilling basic job requirements (we reported on multiple occassions about him). The crucial SG report—a high-level document—has reportedly been dumped on a UNV because there is nobody else left with the skills to do it. ​The DSRSG kicked out the experts and kept the loyalists. Now, the mission is incapable of performing its primary mandate.

Watch this site.


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UN Office, past & future?: S-303, UN, NY 10017 USA