Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Monday, August 29, 2022
Saturday, August 27, 2022
After UN Fails On High Seas Guterres Silent Not Even Fake NPT Concern As Bans Press
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
BBC - Honduras - CIA Trial Book - NY Mag
UN GATE, August 27 – The United Nations these days is a venue of failure, censorship and even rape.
For the last two week the UN hosted meetings about the high seas but, as on non-proliferation, it all ended in failure. No high seas treaty, even watered down. So much for the High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Some couldn't even keep the canned quotes straight. But it was noteworthy that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres couldn't even muster a canned quote, much less exert any leadership, on the high seas. His junket to Lisbon was just for show, or a pretext. He only takes credit for others' work, and bans the Press that asks.
Throughout August it has held meetings on the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Inner City Press, banned from entering the UN for exposing UNSG Antonio Guterres' corruption, covered the NPT as it could, noting on August 26 the cutting off of Ukraine here.
On August 26, after an insiders' press conference from which it was also banned, the conference failed, Inner City Press video here, portrait of Costa Rica and Ambassador Maritza Chan here. Pick up in Costa Rica OnceNoticia here (and still not action or response from PR Chan).
Twelve hours later, emerging from slumber or worse, UNSG Antonio Guterres issued a canned statement about how concerned he was. Really? Then where was he? Either lazy or no impact or both - while he bans the Press that asks. "The Secretary-General expresses his disappointment at the inability of the tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to reach consensus on a substantive outcome... The Secretary-General expresses his sincere appreciation to Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen (Argentina), President of the Review Conference, for his vigorous efforts to facilitate agreement on an outcome document. Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General New York, 27 August 2022
Even during the endless speeches Friday night, in a "press" conference that was nothing but Japanese and Russian state media, Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen, President of the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, absurdly claimed that it was NOT a failure.
He said it had been a four week movie, just no photo at the end. Today's UN: defining failure down.
A fish rots from the head. That's today's UN.
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After UN Fails On Non Proliferation Guterres Phones In Concern 12 Hours Late Banning Press
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
BBC - Honduras - CIA Trial Book - NY Mag
UN GATE, August 27 – The United Nations these days is a venue of failure, censorship and even rape.
Throughout August it has held meetings on the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Inner City Press, banned from entering the UN for exposing UNSG Antonio Guterres' corruption, covered the NPT as it could, noting on August 26 the cutting off of Ukraine here.
On August 26, after an insiders' press conference from which it was also banned, the conference failed, Inner City Press video here, portrait of Costa Rica and Ambassador Maritza Chan here.
Twelve hours later, emerging from slumber or worse, UNSG Antonio Guterres issued a canned statement about how concerned he was. Really? Then where was he? Either lazy or no impact or both - while he bans the Press that asks. "The Secretary-General expresses his disappointment at the inability of the tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to reach consensus on a substantive outcome... The Secretary-General expresses his sincere appreciation to Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen (Argentina), President of the Review Conference, for his vigorous efforts to facilitate agreement on an outcome document. Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General New York, 27 August 2022
Even during the endless speeches Friday night, in a "press" conference that was nothing but Japanese and Russian state media, Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen, President of the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, absurdly claimed that it was NOT a failure.
He said it had been a four week movie, just no photo at the end. Today's UN: defining failure down.
A fish rots from the head. That's today's UN.
***
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Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
In Honduras Case US Asks $8000 As Inner City Press Files To Unseal Motions on Ardon Soriano
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
BBC-Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN NY Mag
SDNY COURTHOUSE, August 26 – After the president of Honduras' brother Tony Hernandez was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to life plus thirty years, on April 21, 2022 the ex-president himself, Juan Orlando Hernandez, was extradited to the United States.
[Espanol aqui]
Inner City Press which covered the trials of Tony Hernandez and Giovanny Fuentes Ramirez immediatley published the unsealed JOH indictment, which was returned on January 27, 2022 but left under seal.
On August 26, the US filed a request for forfeiture of Tony Hernandez' assets - but only $8000 in US currency, 111 Lempiras and 90 Mexico peso taken at Miami International Airport. Declaration on Patreon here. They say they have not identified other assets - this while Tigre Bonilla still has a US taxpayer funded lawyer. We'll have more on this.
Now, a related case is moving toward trial, on Salguero Morales and Ronald Enrique Salguero Portillo, with problems about a witness, Ardon Soriano. Inner City Press live tweeted a proceeding on August 17, 2022, here then filed to unseal the secret motions, response due August 22, docketed request here. Some of it:
"Dear Judge Castel: On behalf of Inner City Press and in my personal capacity, this is near immediate request to unseal, in full or at least in part, the motions discussed this afternoon in open court in the above-captioned proceeding, which Inner City Press is covering. Outgoing counsel for Mr. Ronald Enrique Salguero Portillo, it was said, submitted a motion on August 3, 2022 regarding alleged problems with the testimony of a witness, "Ardon Soriano." This was apparently followed up with a second motion submitted today, August 17, 2022. But neither motion is contained in the docket on PACER, nor any request to file under seal. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees to the public a right of access to court proceedings. U.S. CONST. AMEND. I; Globe Newspaper Co. v. Superior Court, 457 U.S. 596, 603 (1982). The public’s right of access is strongest when it comes to criminal proceedings such as these, which are matters of the “high[est] concern and importance to the people.” Richmond Newspapers, Inc. v. Virginia, 448 U.S. 555, 575 (1980) (plurality opinion). This is a Press request that the filings be unsealed consistent with Lugosch v. Pyramid Co. of Onondaga, 435 F.3d 110 (2d Cir. 2006). Parties such as Inner City Press and myself have standing to intervene in criminal proceedings to assert the public’s right of access. United States v. Aref, 533 F.3d 72, 81 (2d Cir. 2008). This is a request that this opposition to sealing be docketed as, for example, took place in US v. Bright, 19-cr-521 (PKC), and in this case, regarding Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares, on May 11, 2022,, after which Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker ruled: "The Financial Affidavit was filed under seal. On May 11, 2022, Matthew Russell Lee (“Lee”), a reporter with Inner City Press, filed a letter intervening on behalf of the public and requesting that the Financial Affidavit be unsealed. I find that the Financial Affidavit should be unsealed."
On May 11, JUAN CARLOS BONILLA VALLADARES, or Tigre Bonilla, formerly of the Honduran National Police, was presented and Inner City Press live tweeted it here
On May 10, Juan Orlando Hernandez was brought into court to be arraigned. Inner City Press live tweeted it, thread here
Back on April 21, a lawyer filed a notice of appearance to represent JOH: Raymond L. Colon of 131 Pugsley Avenue in The Bronx, with 30 other cases over the years in SDNY.
On April 22 by video Colon represented JOH at his presentment. Inner City Press live tweeted here
Previously, Inner City Press asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres why he supported already-disgraced JOH in helping to steal his second election, by sending a four person panel with no read-out.
There has still been no answer from UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric - but Guterres' head of media access Melissa Fleming has banned Inner City Press, ongoing.
On April 21 Inner City Press posted vlogs in English and Spanish, and streamed the DEA press statement from DC, here. We will cover JOH's presentment, arraignment and trial.
The case is US v. Juan Orlando Hernandez, et al., 15-cr-379 (Castel).
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After Guilty Pleas on Ashley Biden Diary Bid in SDNY To Unseal Search Warrant of 5 Nov 2021
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
SDNYLIVE EXCLUSIVE, August 26 - For taking and transporting Ashley Biden's diary from Florida to New York, guilty pleas on no notice were entered on August 25 by Robert Kurlander and Aimee Harris. Inner City Press was there, and live tweeted, here and below.
Before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave, first Kurlander then Harris were brought out of the holding cell by US Marshals, and pled guilty. Inner City Press' thread is here and below.
On August 26 opposition to continued sealing In re Search Warrant dated November 5, 2021 was filed, arguing that after Kurlander's and Harris' guilty pleas and admissions, SDNY Judge Analisa Torres should consider "the additional public revelations made in the charging papers and related press release when determining whether the Government has met its burden to establish that the search warrant material must remain sealed in their entirety."
This case is In re Search Warrant dated November 5, 2021, 21-mc-813 (Torres)
August 25 thread: OK- suited defendant in Magistrates Court : US v Robert Kurlander, arrested at 7am.
Kurlander has a Florida lawyer, Kaplan. Judge: You are charged with stealing personal property and transporting interstate. [Ashley Biden diary]
Kurlander waives indictment. He plead GUILTY.
Kurlander is told, five year maximum. But what is the plea agreement? This ritual is heading there: his allocution, and reference to plea agreement letter. Judge took 2 AUSAs and Kaplan in back, sealed, before the plea. Why?
Judge Cave says there may be "restitution to victims"
There is a plea agreement dated August 18. Still not public. But Judge Cave says "It puts guideline sentence at...No, the plea agreement makes no guideline estimate." [Which is not the norm here in SDNY]
AUSA Kelly: He's pleading to conspiracy [18 USC 371] to transport stolen property in interstate commerce [Section 2314] There are payment records.
Kurlander: These items were stolen in Florida and I paid to have them transported to New York. I am sorry.
Judge Cave: I accept your guilty plea.
AUSA: Bail on $50,000 bond, can travel throughout the continental US. Drug testing (Kaplan seems to ask, Disregard first test).
Judge Cave: He can continue his self-employment. Kurlander: I surrendered my passport already. Control date Dec 8.
But wait there's more: Aimee Harris has just been brought in by 2 US Marshals for presentment (for taking Ashley Biden diary from Florida rental where she left it), after Kurlander plea. This time, a docket (case) number.
Harris charged similarly to Kurlander, a single conspirscy count. She waives indictment. She will plead guilty, her lawyer says.
[After Inenr City Press tweeted about the above, and the detail from Harris' allocution that she said "an organization" paid her $10,000, twice, for the property (diary) via her child custody lawyer, this DOJ press release, here.]
The case is 22-cr-457 (Swain / Cave)
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Accused Money Launderer Rakmankulov Trial Has Iran Funds To DC Dentist despite Sanctions
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
SDNY COURTHOUSE, August 25 – Sherzod Rasulov and three others are charged with operating an unlicensed money transfer business, and money laundering.
On June 8, 2021 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Ronnie Abrams held a proceeding. Inner City Press covered it.
The defendants are out on bond, with permission to travel for such things as Uber employment (as to Sukhrob Sobirov).
Co-defendant Shakhzod Yunusov applied for and got permission to travel to Philadelphia for a CDL license.
On June 8, Yunusov said he'd like 30 days in this case. It was granted, to July 8.
On June 10, A2B Transportation filed a petition to determine its interest in the $80,551.39 seized in its TD Bank account from an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the SBA. It wants the money.
On September 7, 2021, counsel to Sukhrob Sobirov filed for permission for Sobirov to go on vacation to Florida. He filed it under the Magistrates Court docket number, 20-mj-8521.
Jump cut to August 25, 2022: co-defendant Djonibek Rakmankulov is on trial before Judge Abrams. The prosecutor showed the jurors on screen TD Bank account statements including a $45,000 wire to Nodira Transport of Rego Park, ostensibly from Congregation Mosdos Toldos Aharon. But that Congregation never did business with the Nodira Moving company. What did TD Bank know, and when?
On August 26, more TD Bank document, this time payments to a range of Iranian-Americans who said the payments consistent of money from their relative in Iran who could only send it this way due to US sanctions. There was Benyamin Famici and payments EZ Seven Wholesale, then DC-area dentist Reza Tahernia who said the funds were from his brother in Iran, including to buy a gift for his son. Of these, there was no cross-examination. The trial continues.
The overall case is US v. Rasulov et al., 20-cr-653 (Abrams)
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