In US v Alexander Brothers Trial No Exhibits More Than a Week So Inner City Press Files

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack Book

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 13 – 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, 2024 the superseding indictment was "wheeled out."

On August 21 Oren Alexander retained two of the defense lawyers in Sean Combs' recent trial, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, amid pre-trial skirmishes.

On November 7 Inner City Press filed opposition to the Alexander brothers' extensive redactions, on PACER here and on DocumentCloud here

On January 12, the courtroom was abruptly sealed after defense counsel referred to sealed memo not visible in the docket on PACER. Inner City Press filed a letter with the Court, on DocumentCloud here.

Jump cut to February 13, 2026 when after 12 days of trial, the US Attorney's Office had stopped providing any of its exhibits to the public and press, for more than a week. Inner City Press opposed it, citing inter alia Judge Rakoff's order after its request in US v. Akhavan of all exhibits within 24 hours. In a current 2026 case, the Office is still resisting providing exhibits even a week after the verdict. So, a filing - watch this site.

More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

 This case is USA v. Alexander, et al., 1:24-cr-676 (Caproni)

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Judge Told US to Give Press Exhibits Public in Sealed Trial after 2 Wks & 2 Letters Some Here

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 14 – For a criminal trial in January 2026 the US Attorney's Office asked U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Jessica G.L. Clarke to seal the courtroom for a main witness. She did, and Inner City Press which was covering or trying to cover the trial was told

Judge Clarke has aordered that the Government would make the daily transcript of the UC’s testimony available to the public through the court reporter’s office and publish redacted versions of the exhibits, including the Buy Videos, to the public.

   Inner City Press immediately - January 29 - asked the Office for the exhibits. Nothing. The exhibits were not shown in the audio-only room. The trial ended, in a guilty verdict. Still no exhibits.

On February 13, after Judge Clarke had ordered the Office to explain by February 20, the AUSA filed a letter blaming Inner City Press, saying darkly that it reports on cooperating witnesses - in open court - and that it might publish the exhibits if provided. Well, yes, as we've done for example in an EDNY case before Judge Komitee

And on reporting on cooperating witnesses in open court, the reference, it seems, is to Inner City Press reporting what a cooperating witness in US v. Kevin Perez / Kay Flock(23-cr-99-LJL) said, such that the witness' sister who read Inner City Press came the next day to testify the from what she'd read, her brother was lying. Apparently the Office didn't like that, but its witness' testimony was in open court.

  Or perhaps the unveiled anti-Press reference is to a recent guilty plea the Office moved from the Magistrates Court in 5A to another courtroom, apparently hoping that a proceeding required to be held in "open" court would in fact be noticed and covered by no one. Open courts are not a game.

  Inner City Press immediately filed opposition into the docket, here.

After another round, finally some exhibits, here

Watch this site.

The case is USA v. Conyers, et al., 1:23-cr-457 (Clarke)

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Bronx Man for Crack ID-ed by UC-1 in Sealed Court Was Guilty Now US Still Seals Exhibits

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 13 – In a four defendant crack conspiracy case centered around the Lambert Houses in The Bronx, Malik Muhammad had a bail hearing on September 14, 2023 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave. Inner City Press was there.

  The Assistant US Attorney, after a trial day that ended at 3 pm, cited beyond the alleged crack to a shooting he said Muhammad had been picked out of a line up for. 

 Judge Cave said she had before her only the crack indictment.

 The AUSA passed up to the bench a six pack photo array and at first asked the defense counsel not see it as it had the witnesses name. The defense said "attorney-eyes only" and saw it. 

 Judge Cave ordered the defendant released on $25,000 bond, subsequently raised to $75,000.

Meanwhile, Conyers headed to trial.

On January 28, 2025 Conyers' counsel wrote it asking to delay the trial...

On January 19, 2026 Judge Clarke agreed to seal the courtroom for an Undercover at trial.

On January 28 it was clarified that there was an audio feed in 23B. Inner City Press went:

...AUSA: Does the fact that you record the defendants discretely contribute to the quality of the video and audio?

Undercover: Yes. It's blurry and people talk over it. AUSA: If it doesn't work during a case buy?

Undercover: It could shut down without me knowing

AUSA: Where did you make these buys?

Undercover Detective "Smith" - the 2016 West Farms Convenience, deli, on Boston Road.

AUSA: Do you see who you bought from? UC Smith: Over there.

 AUSA: Indicating defendant Conyers. Please look at the binder...

We wrote on January 28 that we hoped to have more on the exhibits shown in the courtroom that was sealed to conceal the undercover's identity. These were requested from the US Attorney's Office early on the morning of January 29; by day's end, nothing from the Office. They owe exhibits, including here and in US v. Alexander.

Judge Clarke, on the other hand, docketed that "as of 10 am the courtroom is unsealed" then "the Court will seal the courtroom at 1:30 today, and audio feed is available in 23B." It is appreciated.

In the courtroom, NYPD drug experts testified. In the afternoon, when the defense told "Detective Smith" that they had no more questions he said, "That's it?" Eliciting laughter.

On January 30 - still no exhibits or even answer from a duo at the US Attorney's Office - Director Hernandez was on the stand, telling the AUSA synonyms for crack: rock, hard, stones.

On cross, CJA Bradley asked for similar synonyms for replica guns but met resistance to scare piece, dummy, joint for show. The jury left, the charge conference was held.

The result: ORDER as to Kyrin Conyers: After a jury trial, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on all three counts against Kyrin Conyers. And still no exhibits from the US Attorney's Office; they could simply be uploaded as they are in another current trial.

On February 13, with still no exhibits released, Judge Clarke docketed an order: "ORDER as to Kyrin Conyers: During trial, the Government represented that it would make public the transcript of the UC's testimony and publish redacted versions of the exhibits -- including the buy videos -- referenced during the UC's testimony. The Government shall provide the Court with a status update about its progress in providing these materials no later than February 20, 2026. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke on 02/13/2026)"

The US Attorneys' Office did not wait until February 20 - after 5 pm on February 13, they wrote in insisting saying no exhibits would be provided to be published, and chiding Inner City Press for reporting on proceedings in open court.

  Inner City Press replied the same day, here.

The case is USA v. Conyers, et al., 1:23-cr-457 (Clarke)

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Stock Yards Bank Bid on Field & Main Opposed by Fair Finance Watch to FDIC & Conflicted Fed

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

FEDERAL COURT, Feb 13 –   How automatic do banks now think merger approvals are? Stock Yards Bancorp announced a proposal to buy Field & Main bank and its holding company - but has yet to apply to the Federal Reserve.

 This while Stocks Yards' CEO is on a board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis.

On February 13 Fair Finance Watch filed challenges to the deal with the FDIC - and with the Federal Reserve, opposing any waiver:

Dear Regional Director Bottone  and others at the FDIC:    This is a timely first comment opposing and requesting an extension of the FDIC's public comment period on the Application by Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company to acquire Field & Main Bank. The application is on the FDIC's website where a public comment period running through April 3, 2026 . These comment, and supplements to come, are timely.        Fair Finance Watch, which has commented to the FDIC that its proposal to eliminate public notice of branch applications violates the CRA, noting the FDIC's rationale that it receives few public comments, hereby timely informs the FDIC that is troubled by Stock Yards Bank & Trust's lending record and is requesting public hearings and denial of this application.    In 2024 in Kentucky, from which Stock Yards is ostensibly regulated, Stock Yards made only 60 loans to African Americans while denying  46 applications from African Americans. By contrast in Kentucky in 2024 Stock Yards made 1,424 loans to whites while denying only 515.    This comparison is striking. This application must be denied.    In 2024 in Ohio Stock Yards made only 13 loans to African Americans while denying three applications from African Americans. By contrast in Ohio in 2024 Stock Yards made 53 loans to whites while denying only six.    In 2024 in Indiana Stock Yards made only 27 loans to African Americans while denying seven applications from African Americans. By contrast in Indiana in 2024 Stock Yards made 209 loans to whites while denying only 59.    This comparison is striking. This application must be denied

The same data has been sent to the Federal Reserve, along with this:

Dear Chairman Powell, others:  This is a timely first comment opposing the Proposal of Stock Yards Bancorp Inc. to acquire Field & Main Bancorp, Field & Main Bank and affiliates - no waiver should be given to this holding company buying holding company proposal, esp given Stock Yards' CEO being named by the Reserve Bank to its Louisville branch Board of Directors:  James A. Hillebrand Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stock Yards Bank & Trust Louisville, Kentucky 2028  (here)

      We are writing in at this time, the first day the proposal showed up on the FDIC website without being on the Fed's H2A, to oppose any waiver by the FRB of St Louis, including given its conflict of interest. That Reserve Bank named Stock Yards' CEO to the board of its Louisville branch - the Reserve Bank cannot be viewed as impartially granting approvals or waivers to Stock Yards bank.    Shockingly, in response to Inner City Press' FOIA request, the Fed has said it has not record of reviewing or imposing any safeguards on such conflicts of interesting, including for example SVB having been on the FRB of SF board when it failed.     This must go to the Board.

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Liberian Who Entered US in 2000 Detained by ICE Now Has Habeas Denied so Removal Next

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 13 –A man who left Liberia fleeing the civil war there and entered the US in 2000 was detained by ICE on Varick Street on January 28.

That same day he filed a habeas corpus petition in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, where Inner City Press found it. 

 The petition acknowledges that he was convicted of a misdemeanor in 2010 in New York. He was detained by ICE inside the interview room on January 28.

  The case had still not been assigned out as of 11 pm on January 28.

Later it was assigned to Judge Jennifer L. Rochon, who set a February 13, 3 pm hearing.

Prior to that, the US Attorney's Office filed a rap sheet about sex with a 17 year-old who could not consent, and damage to property - first degree in Minneapolis - in 2007.

On February 13 Inner City Press attended the hearing - the petitioner, still known by initials, cried as Judge Rochon noted his failure to report (including, the AUSA pointed out, as a sex offender) and denied the petition. It seems that removal is imminent.

This case is D.W. v. Almodovar, et al., 1:26-cv-760 (Rochon)

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As US Mike Waltz Talks MUNGA in Munich UN Bans Inner City Press Feb 2 Request Pends

 

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Feb 13 – While the United Nations under Antonio Guterres pontificates about press freedom with banning Inner City Press which asked about and reports on UN waste and corruption, on February 12 US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz spoke at the Munich Security Conference.

  Inner City Press covered it. 

  Waltz bought and gave away a blue baseball cap emblazoned "Make the UN Great Again" - MUNGA. He said spoke of budget cuts.

 But these have largely spared the top echelons of the UN, including Guterres who lives in a mansion on Sutton Place, while banning the Press.  

   Afterward the US Mission to the UN tweeted video from MSC on X, where Inner City Press replied reminding them of its February 2 email to the Mission, also submitted through the Mission's website, still unresponded to:

US Ambassador Waltz:    I am writing to you as an American journalist who has reported on the UN, including UN corruption and waste of taxpayers' funds, since 2006. I am currently banned from entering the UN, by the UN Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU), its boss Melissa Fleming and ultimately SG Antonio Guterres.

   On June 19, 2025 I reapplied to enter the UN, to cover the September 2025 UNGA high level week, as the UN permits hundreds of correspondents from Iran, China, Nicaragua and elsewhere to do. 

  Six months later on January 12, MALU sent me a one-line denial, with no reason. I have written to them asking for the basis for denial; they have not answered.   

Earlier today I was unable to question this month's UK President of the UN Security Council because of the ban. I am writing to you a full month before you assume the UNSC Presidency to ensure that you and USUN ensure that MALU had granted me accreditation and entry by then. 

  It would be entirely unacceptable, as an American journalist who reports daily on the UN including with information from UN whistleblowers exposing waste, to be banned from your month atop the Counsil, including your first-day press conference.

  For your information, in international affairs, I am allowed by the IMF to enter, and to ask questions by WebEx. Why not by the UN? And by USUN? 

  As an American journalist I am formally asking for you help, as US Ambassador to the UN, to resolve this and restore my access to the UN, as a resident correspondent. This should be accomplished by March 1, 2026, when you assume the UNSC Presidency, at the latest. Thank you for your attention to this matter.  

MUNGA?

Watch this site.

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Enova CashNetUSA Bid for Grasshopper Bank Opposed by FFW Now CFPB Reversal Cited

 

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SOUTH BRONX/SDNY, Feb 13 – Amid the FDIC's bid to eliminate public notice of and public comment on branch applications, the Federal Reserve and OCC are entertaining applications by Enova, the parent of high cost lender CashNetUSA, to acquire Grasshopper Bank, already deeply engaged in AI banking.

Fair Finance Watch filed:

  "opposition to the applications of Enova, parent of the high-cost payday lender CashNetUSA, to become a national by seeking to acquire Grasshopper Bank.    To allow a payday lender already fined by the CFPB to become a bank would be a new low.     "Enova used bank account information it had purchased from online lead generators, overwriting the bank account information that borrowers had authorized Enova to use... Enova cancelled loan extensions it had granted to certain consumers and in most instances debited such consumers’ bank accounts for the full loan payment instead of only a smaller loan extension fee" etc

  Now they want (to become) a national bank? Public hearings are necessary.  Combine this with Grasshopper's use of artificial intelligence in banking - a topic not yet scrutinize enough by the regulators, see for example Fifth Third and Brex, with Brex now being acquired by Capital One - and the need for public hearings on this CashNetUSA/Enova - Grasshopper (AI) proposal is all the more clear.

 The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago confirmed receipt and and sent FFW its Additional Information letter - with each and every question withheld. So this FOIA has been filed:

"This is an immediate FOIA request for the AI letter the FRB of Chicago sent to Enova, owner of payday lender CashNetUSA, on its application to acquire Grasshopper Bank.  All of the AI question have been withheld...the entirety of this AI letter should not have been withheld during the comment period.  Here, the Enova AI must released during the comment period, or the comment period extended."

On February 13, still without docuemnts, Enova wrote it bragging that "Enova fulfilled its obligations under the CFPB consent orders referenced in Fair Finance Watch’s letter. Enova paid civil money penalties, provided for customer remediation, and enhanced controls as required by the orders. As a result, the CFPB terminated the consent orders pursuant to its authority under 12 U.S.C. § 5563(b)(3).2- in July 2025

Meanwhile money laundering settler Bunq is applying to the OCC for a bank, along with a higher profile application by WLTC also protested by FFW.

 While Inner City Press simultaneously challenged Bunq and WLTC, by 7 pm on January 14 the OCC had only acknowledged FFW's comment on Bunq - nothing on WLTC - even now on January 26, while the comment period is running, set to expire on February 9 after a January 6 filing.

 This as the OCC says its reviews are apolitical.

Or perhaps it is just incompetence: on January 26, the OCC sent a FOIA response: "Good morning Mr. Lee, Your request 2026-00059-F is a duplicate of your previous request 2026-00045-F, which we have already received and are processing. As a result, we will administratively close the duplicate request and continue processing the original request."

But the requests are entirely different: they are about entirely different digital bank applications. And still the comment periods run...

See, e.g., Sept 10, 2025: https://www.americanbanker.com/opinion/the-fdic-is-undercutting-a-key-element-of-the-cra  

 But now the Federal regulator(s) blithely propose(s) to eliminate public notice and public comment on banks' proposals to expand.  The above-quoted reasoning is that few comments are filed. So, that is now changing.

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Nikhil Gupta Pleads Guilty in Murder for Hire Case With Pimintel Letter May 15 Control Date

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 13 – Back in late 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, a superseding indictment was unsealed alleging murder-for-hire charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta, aka Nick, 52, in connection with his participation in a foiled plot to assassinate a U.S. citizen in NYC - reportedly Sikh Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

Czech authorities arrested and detained Gupta in Prague’s Pankrac prison.

On June 17, 2024, Gupta was presented in the SDNY Magistrates Court. Inner City Press thread

On June 28, with Khalistan protesters out on Worth Street, Gupta was produced by US Marshals before Judge Victor Marrero. Inner City Press was there - thread

On October 17, the US unsealed a second superseding indictment naming a government official, at large, as co-defendant: Indian government employee VIKASH YADAV, a/k/a “Vikas,” YADAV is at large."

On October 18, Inner City Press live tweeted - and later asked Sikhs demonstrating on Worth Street why Modi security official Ajit Doval did not come to the US for the UN General Assembly... Thread

  On October 25, Gupta's lawyer wrote in that he is no longer being paid and asks to withdraw from the case. Letter on Patreon here.

On October 31, in the SDNY Magistrates Court, the change was effectuated - and Inner City Press was the only media there, thread

On February 25, the US Attorney's Office filed this: "The Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic has since advised DOJ that no waiver of the rule of specialty is necessary.. the Government intends to proceed to trial on Count Three." Filing on Patreon here

On October 17, another change of plea hearing for Gupta was set: "ORDER as to (23-Cr-289-1) Nikhil Gupta. The Court will hold a substitution of counsel hearing in this matter on October 21.

Inner City Press went. Thread:

All rise! Judge: Mr Gupta says there has been a breakdown with his appointed counsel [from Milbank] Trial is set for Nov 3. Do you wish to change? Gupta (in English) Yes, Your Honor.

 Judge: You are relieved. [Three from Milbank leave] New counsel: I'll need to adjourn the trial into 2026. Judge: How about December? CJA: I cannot.

AUSA: For the record, we made a plea offer on October 14. It expired on October 15.

On February 13, 2026 with very short notice from the US Attorney's Office, Gupta pled guilty in the SDNY Magistrates Court. Inner City Press ran there and live tweeted:

Chief Magistrate Judge Netburn: The government has provided your counsel with a Pimintel letter, estimating the sentencing guidelines

Judge: How do you plead to the 3 counts? Gupta: Guilty. Judge: Tell me what you did. Gupta: In the Spring in 2023, I agreed with another person to murder a person in the US. I delivered $15,000 in cash by phone to a person in the US.

Judge: At the time you paid, you were in India? Gupta: Yes. AUSA: Ask him where he understood where the victim was, and where the payment was received? Judge: OK. Where? Gupta: In the US - in the Manhattan, according to the Government documents.

Judge: And the person targeted? Gupta: In the US. In Queens, especially. Judge: What evidence does the US have? AUSA: Testimony from a confidential source, an undercover officer who operated at the would-be hitman

AUSA: WhatsApp and text messages, bank records, video of the cash payment made to the undercover agent. Judge: I accept your guilty plea.

Judge: Has Judge Marrero set a sentencing date? AUSA: No. Judge: Control date May 15

More on February 13 courtroom on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

Previously, more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

The case is USA v. Gupta, et al., 1:23-cr-289 (Marrero)

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