By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell book
BBC - Honduras - CIA Trial book - NY Mag
LITERARY EDNY, Sept 27 – The second day of the US v. Barrack and Grimes trial it was raining. On Cadman Plaza they were selling umbrellas. But Kurt jogged from Jorolemon Street past the empty free COVID test tents and into the EDNY courthouse.
On the stand was the US' Middle East expert, a man named Chris Davidson. He rattled off the diplomatic positions of the UAE, which the jurors would later be shown that Barrack had advanced, in Fortune Magazine or website, TV interviews and when possible, the speeches of DJT.
The picture painted was of an angry Emirate, mad at Obama for favoring Qatar (and relatedly natural gas) over it and even Big Brother Saudi Arabia. MBZ, with $1.3 trillion at his disposal, would not let it happen again. With DJT, he would buy in on the ground floor. And the doorman, it seemed, had been Tom Barrack. What did it make Grimes? The luggage carrier?
On cross examination, Davidson stumbled. Of course you know what ADQ is, he was asked, the acronym said fast, with ill intentions. Can you say that again? Davidson asked. You know even know ADQ? I through you said something else, Davidson said glumly.
Also on cross Davidson was shown photos of MBZ with other big wigs, by implication as sleazy or sleazier than Barrack. The head of Citigroup - a retail squid with which Kurt had also tangled - the heads of Blackrock, Raytheon.
Kurt found himself wondering, if only to himself since he didn't have his phone to tweet it out, what about Eric Prince of Blackwater, or whatever new new name they were using?
Down in the EDNY Clerk of Court office, Kurt waited in line to again ask about getting permission to bring his phone and laptop in. For the Roger Ng / Jho Low trial about 1MDB, he'd gotten a paper pass on an EDNY yellow and blue ribbon.
From behind the counter, after some inquiry was made, or not made, came the response: They are still checking your paperwork. They will call you.
What was there to check? Kurt nodded and went up to the Arraignment Court, where everyone still had to wear COVID masks. Perhaps this would be his way in, or at least his way through.
A woman defendant got bond for selling meth, her mother and daughter calling in as suretors. It was a family affair, much like the UAE. More (II) on Patreon here
More (I) on Patreon here.
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