By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon here Thread
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 13 – Arizona based crypto-currency maven Reginald Fowler, with multiple accounts with the HSBC, appeared ready to plead guilty on January 15 to a single count, "operation of an unlicensed money transmittal business."
After that fell through on financial issues, Fowler was hit with a five count Superseding Indictment, adding as a fifth count the catch-all, Wire Fraud. On March 5, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Andrew L. Carter emphasized this fifth count to Fowler, see below.
On April 21, 2022, Fowler wrote in seeking for the second time to plead guilty, and soon: "As counsel to Defendant Reginald Fowler, I write to inform the Court that after much deliberation, Mr. Fowler is prepared to forego his right to trial, and, instead, to enter an open plea to the charges contained in the instant indictment. We, therefore, respectfully ask the Court to schedule a Rule 11 change of plea hearing, and we seek guidance as to whether Your Honor will conduct the hearing, or refer it to magistrate’s court, and, if the latter, whether the Court would like the government and me to make those arrangements. I respectfully request that the change of plea hearing be scheduled for this coming Monday, April 25th, and that the hearing occur virtually, if at all possible. Mr. Fowler resides in Arizona, and the daily average of “confirmed and probable” Covid-19 cases in New York City has dramatically increased." Full letter on Patreon here.
On April 22, Judge Carter approved and scheduled it: "Change of Plea Hearing set for 4/25/2022 at 02:00 PM before Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr."
On April 25, Inner City Press covered the guilty plea proceeding and live tweeted it here, vlog here:
Reginald Fowler has just said "guilty" to five counts after bristling at possible maximum sentence of 90 years.
Fowler says, I know very little about crypto. I did business with AmericaExpress. I am really sorry, mote thsn you know.
Fowler is fading in and out. Will this second Fowler plea also fall apart? His lawyer: Reggie, try to speak up. Or I could allocute for him. AUSA: That is not our preference.
There's more: the court reporter has an attorney client relationship with Fowler's lawyer. Judge Carter: Can you take the record accurately? A:Yes.
Judge Carter has just accepted Fowler's (2d) guilty plea.
AUSA Swett says forfeiture may be as high as $750 million. Fowler's lawyer: we do not agree with the US theory.
Sentencing was first set for August - then on June 22, this: "ORDER as to Reginald Fowler. Due to a conflict on the Court's calendar, the August 30, 2022 sentencing is being adjourned to September 13, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr. on 6/22/2022)."
On September 13, Fowler's sentencing was pushed back to March 14, 2023.
Back on November 13, 2020 Fowler's lawyers asked to make a secret filing to withdraw. Inner City Press believe these is a public right to all or part of these filings, as recently advocated for and obtained regarding the financial filings of David Correia to Judge Oetken.
On February 25, 2021 the US Attorney's Office has written to Judge Oetken that for Fowler "no attorney has filed a Notice of Appearance or contacted the Government."
But then Fgotowler a lawyer. On April 7, 2021 Judge Carter held a brief proceeding and Inner City Press covered and live tweeted it, here:
Fowler has retained a new lawyer.
Judge Carter: Mr Sapone, are you aware that Mr. Fowler's prior counsel withdrew because they were not paid?
Ed Sapone: I am. Judge Carter: That is to say, I am not likely to allow you withdraw later, since you know. I propose a 2 month adjournment
Assistant US Attorney: The discovery is voluminous, downloading takes time.
On December 21, 2021, Judge Carter held another conference in the case and Inner City Press again covered and live tweeted it here:
Judge Carter: We asked for trial date in February, but the Committee has scheduled us for March 1, at second in line on that date. Defense counsel: I could do it, but would prefer [for reason we are voluntarily redacting] April. I could confer with the government
Judge Carter: So joint status report on Thursday (Dec 23). Speedy Trial Act time is already excluded through February 14. We are adjourned.
On December 23, 2021, the US wrote in that Fowler is still ready for March 1 - with a major portion of the letter redacted.
Now, it's set for May 10, 2022: " ORDER as to Reginald Fowler. Jury Selection and Trial set for May 10, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. (Jury Selection set for 5/10/2022 at 09:30AM before Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr.., Jury Trial set for 5/10/2022 at 09:30 AM before Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr..) (Signed by Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr on 3/29/22)."
Watch this site.
Back on December 22, 2020 in a related civil case, Fowler's lawyers Michael Hefter and Samuel Rackear asked to withdraw. (They also spoke darkly about press coverage and stories about Fowler's cases and requests). SDNY Judge Katherine Polk Failla said she had checked the docket in the criminal case before Judge Carter, but also could not see the redacted part.
Judge Failla deferred ruling pending Hefter's submission of an ex parte letter, which was apparently filed on December 23. It did not go into the docket. But on December 28, the request was partially granted: "ORDER granting [159] Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. The Court is in receipt of the motion to withdraw filed by counsel for Defendant Reginald Fowler on December 11, 2020 (Dkt. #159), and counsel;s supplemental ex parte letter submitted to the Court on December 23, 2020. The Court has carefully reviewed the submissions and has heard from the parties regarding the pending motion to withdraw at a December 22, 2020 conference. Given: (i) counsel's work in this case to date with the contemporaneous knowledge they had when performing that work, and (ii) the timing of the motion to withdraw in the midst of the briefing schedule for Mr. Fowler's motion to dismiss, the Court provisionally grants the motion to withdraw, contingent on counsel's submission of Mr. Fowler's outstanding reply brief in further support of his motion to dismiss. Mr. Fowler's reply brief shall be due on or by January 19, 2021. Attorney Michael C. Hefter & Samuel Rackear terminated." Watch this site.
This civil case is In re Tether and Bitfinex Crypto Asset Litigation, 19-cr-9236 (Failla).
On November 23, Judge Carter set in motion of processing of partial unsealing between Fowler's exiting lawyers and the US Attorney's Office.
Now on December 18 Judge Carter held another proceeding, allowing Fowler's lawyers to withdraw and postponing his trial indefinitely. Inner City Press live tweeted it, here:
AUSA: Mr. Fowler has been on notice. He should be required to retain counsel & keep to trial date.
Judge Carter: Mr. Fowler, I am allowing your counsel to withdraw. You could fill out a financial affidavit for court appointed counsel.
Fowler: I will seek a new one
Fowler: I have used all my asset. I put my properties up for bail. I can't get a bank account. We don't have any income. We can't get to the assets. I want to find a firm that understands that.
Fowler: If I have to, I'll come back and ask the court to help me find an attorney. I don't mind to sound disrespectful, sir. Judge Carter: It's fine. Given the holiday, I'll give you 45 days. Fowler: Yes sir, thank you.
Judge Carter: We are adjourned, to Feb 9. Judge Carter: It is unlikely a new counsel would be ready for trial in April. So I'm inclined to adjourn it, sine die. Mr Fowler: Thank you for your consideration, sir.
Judge Carter: We are adjourned.
Watch this site.
We'll have more on this - for now, here's the November 13 thread:
AUSA Greenwood says Fowler's lawyers should have to say more about why they want to withdraw. But US has said it is ok to make the filing secretly. [Inner City Press disagrees]
AUSA Greenwood: Let them file ex parte, then given the government access to all that is non privileged. [Inner City Press: and what about the public?]
AUSA Greenwood: These lawyers could then be employed as CJA [Criminal Justice Act] Judge Carter: I give permission for ex parte filing on this conflict. I understand there is a public right, but in the first instance it's outweighed here. [But not filed yet]
Judge Carter: Once I receive the documents I'll make a determination. [transitions to new Rule 5(g), but doesn't read script since these lawyers may withdraw] AUSA Greenwood: A potential withdrawal would impact trial date. Adjourned.
Judge Carter proposed October 28 and Fowler's lawyers agreed. But the Assistant US Attorney said the lead counsel on the case has a trial near that time before Judge Denise Cote. She proposed August. Judge Carter said it is hard to get jurors in August "for a trial not as straight forward as a CBS Fall drama." Inner City Press was there; live tweeted thread here.
Finally the parties agreed to start the trial on Monday January 11, 2021. Afterward Inner City Press waited by the elevators and, to see if Fowler was able to talk about Bitfinex, asking for his views of the XFL. He smiled, but on the advice of counsel... In the proceeding reference was made to defrauding the now defunct American Alliance of Football. Inner City Press asked, Will the XFL fare better? No.
On October 15, Judge Carter held another proceeding and Inner City Press live tweeted it here and below.
Now on October 23, Fowler's lawyers have put in more about how they want money unfrozen to fund his defense (that is, themselves). They write: "We are counsel to Mr. Reginald Fowler in the above-referenced action, and we submit this letter jointly with the government to request a bail hearing during the week of October 26, 2020. At the October 15, 2020 status conference, we advised the Court that we had informed the government of our intention to request a modification of the defendant’s current bail conditions to allow him to fund his defense. The Court instructed the parties to file a joint status report on the bail application today. Unfortunately, the parties have been unable to reach an agreement. By way of summary, the defense seeks an adjustment of the May 8, 2019 letter (the “Letter”)(attached), endorsed by the Court, which served as the basis of Mr. Fowler’s release on bond with conditions. Among other elements, the Letter includes, as the fifth bail condition, that “[n]o new lines of credit without [Pretrial Services] approval” shall be issued to the defendant. The Letter also references the five properties that the government required the defendant to post as security for the $5 million personal recognizance bond. The defense requests modification of both of these items." Full letter on Patreon here.
From Oct 15: Fowler's lawyer wants a delay of January 2021 trial date. Cites Portugal, saying the COVID situation there is "worse that in the US."
Judge Carter: I think it makes sense to postpone the trial. We need one of the bigger rooms, my courtroom is not one. Let's make the January 11 trial date now just another telephone conference. "At once point there was almost a resolution..."
Judge Carter: It seemed that forfeiture was the sticking point at the time. Has there been any progress? The Court could deal with forfeiture without a jury trial. Any discussions?
Fowler's counsel: They superseded the indictment. All discussions stopped.
AUSA Seb Swett: It's true, since we superseded, no talks.
Judge Carter: Mr Fowler could plead to the indictment, without a deal with the government, and we deal with forfeiture separately. Any thoughts?
Fowler's lawyer: There was always a looming wire fraud count
AUSA Swett: We would request a new trial date be set, maybe three months out from January 11. Fowler's lawyer: We'd like the discovery for the wire fraud count. I don't see why since there's not threat of violence they are holding back all the 302s
Judge Carter: I'm not going to order US to provide that information, at least at this time. Let's pick an April trial date. Monday, April 12. We'll see what happens.
Fowler's lawyer: We'd like the security for his bond to be released. He's had $258 million frozen
Fowler's lawyer: We'd like a hearing on that next week.
Judge Carter: Let's set a date next week for a filing of a joint status report. Oct 23. And then a hearing if we need one. I exclude time to April 12, 2021. Adjourned.
Watch this site. More on Patreon here.
Previously, at what was billed as a change of plea proceeding, Fowler acknowledged the section of the law to which he was pleading guilty to violating: 18 US Code Section 1960. Yes, he said.
Judge Carter said, We are here for a change of plea, and there was no objection. Judge Carter read from a plea agreement that Fowler had signed. All was going according to plan, until the issue of $371 million in forfeiture came up.
Now on February 14, it would seem the plea is entirely and and pre-TRIAL schedule set: "Re: United States v. Reginald Fowler, S1 19 Cr. 254 (ALC) Dear Judge Carter: The parties respectfully write to request that the Court enter a schedule for pretrial motions in the above-captioned matter. The parties propose that pretrial motions be filed by February 28, 2020, with oppositions due on March 13, 2020, and any replies due on March 20, 2020." Inner City Press will continue on this case, and all things crypto in the SDNY.
This is a case Inner City Press will continue to follow. It is US v. Fowler, 19-cr-00254 (Carter).
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