by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 6 – For days Inner City Press had heard from its sources there would be a "takedown" on February 6, each SDNY Magistrate Judge would handle seven to 10 defendants.
Arrests happen at 6 am. So at 5:55 am Inner City Press tweeted it, first to X subscribers with the spoiler alert: the expectation was that each of the current or former NYCHA employees would be released on bond the same day.
And then hours later at 9:39 am the prosecutors announced it. Media rushed around reporting it. Inner City Press had it first, and after discretely waiting, published it first. Then this thread of presentments, here:
Lawyer asks Inner City Press: Why weren't they allowed to self-surrender? Another asks why they couldn't / didn't go over the Complaints with them at 26 Federal Plaza... Since no presentments yet here, heading to another of the 6 courtrooms.
Now in big courtrrom being used by Chief Magistrate Judge, NYCHA 70 presentment of Vernon Chambers, 24-mj-405. Arrested 6:55 this morning [an hour after Inner City Press broke the news of the NYCHA70 mass arrest. Judge: You are charged in 2 counts
AUSA: We agree to release on $50,000 [unsecured] bond. Defense: Can he travel to NJ as well? Judge: Yes. No contact with. NYCHA contractors without the presence of counsel. Adjourned.
The rest of the #NYCHA70 cases here are moving down to the regular Magistrates courtroom 5A. As will Inner City Press. Thread will continue
Now in Courtroom on 17, Orlando Pardo of #NYCHA70 with a former AUSA as his appointed lawyer, also released today on $50,000 unsecured bond.
Now in Courtroom on 18, Brett Owens of #NYCHA70 also released today on $50,000 unsecured bond. Another marvels at taking up all these agents'time today.
Now in Courtroom on 9 Charles Starks, 57, of #NYCHA70 with a Big Law CJA lawyer argues for no bond, release on own recognisance. He's accused of $7000 in bribes over 3 years. He's already fired. "This is not Bernie Madoff."
Judge: $50,000 bond; wife can co-sign
A case is US v. Starks, et al., 24-mj-505 (Stein)
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