Saturday, June 29, 2024
Friday, June 28, 2024
In Menendez Trial FBI Account on M&T Bank Account and Gold in Chase Safety Deposit Box
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 28 – Amid reports of investigation against Sen. Robert Menendez for taking gold bars, Inner City Press' sources on September 21 it to expect on Friday, September 22 an appearance in Federal court in Manhattan by Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian. This scoop was true.
Later a superseder was unveiled, including charges of bribes to act for Qatar...
On April 11, 2024 after Nadine Menendez and then the government asked for delay, to July or undefined, Judge Stein severed her case and reaffirmed May 6, Inner City Press thread
On Sunday night April 14 the US wrote in again asking for a delay to July, six page letter on Patreon here.
But Judge Stein told the parties to confer and report by April 16 at 1 pm. Then he set an April 17 conference, which Inner City Press live tweeted and dubbed "Berate-gate," thread
On May 13, jury selection began - but did not finish. Abit later, Menendez got into an car with FOP NJ plates.
On May 14 jury selection continued but was not yet completed, from the ending, thread
Late on May 14, the US Attorney's Office filed opposition to slides the defense wants to use in its opening arguments, including quotes from Colin Powell and MLK, and when Nadine came into possession of gold - full letter on Patreon here
Inner City Press live tweeted jury selection and then opening arguments here, then filmed Bob's exit (he said he thought it went well and that his guy did great).
On May 21, the US Attorney's Office put on Wael Hana's lawyer, then a US State Department official working on Congressional approval (or holds) on arms transfer to Egypt, thread here.
On May 23, with the trial in haitus, docketed was Menendez' lawyers opposition to quashing his subpoena for Jose Uribe's attorney proffer and communications with SDNY prosecutors, filing on Patreon here
On May 29, Inner City Press live tweeted, omitting Morton's steakhouse but including this
On May 30, Menendez's lawyer's (long) cross, including this.
On May 31, starting 1 pm, the agent was cross examined, and then USDA Ted McKinney on direct, thread
After the trial day, Inner City Press filed Menendez' walk to his Jersey-plated car; asked why he called McKinney he said, Wait for the cross [examination].
Nadine Menendez hired a new lawyer, who previously represented Sydney Powell among others. Then this: "ORDER as to Nadine Menendez: At the request of the defendant and with the consent of the government [Doc. No. 434], the status conference is adjourned from June 10 to June 12 at 5 :00 p.m.(Signed by Judge Sidney H. Stein on 6/3/2024)."
On June 4 Judge Stein dockted a partially redacted Order in which he denied Menendez's request that the prosecutors give him impeachment material about a Confidential Human Source they are not going to call as a witness - but Menendez said he will.
On June 5, Inner City Press live tweeted - and afterward asked Menendez a question. Thread.
On June 6, after more cross of Agent Graves, Gurbir Grewal testified, thread
On June 7, after an FBI fingerprint expert, cooperator Jose Uribe, Inner City Press live tweeted, thread
On June 10, Uribe finished his direct examination around 4 pm, then counsel for Hana, not yet Menendez, began cross examination, thread.
On June 11, Uribe was cross examined - though not on the "strip club issue" after which out on Worth Street Menendez decried Uribe's crimes. Thread
On June 12, after the end of Uribe (including drunk driving and the "little bell"), US Attorney of NJ Sellinger took the stand, thread.
On June 13, trial day - and next day - was canceled by Daibes calling in with COVID: thread.
And then, book: GOLD BAR BAR Menendez Trial I, on Amazon here.
On June 18, after Daibes' COVID, things resumed with Sellinger, followed by Matt Soliman.
On June 20, alongside an FBI agent summary witness, a prosecution office witness out of order, thread.
On June 24, Menendez's staffer Sarah Arkin took the stand, from the thread
On June 25, Sarah Arkin finished up, including about upcoming job at State Department. Then, a currency (and money laundering) expert from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. From the thread
On June 26, there testimony about currency, and then a jocular Armenian jeweler, from the thread
On June 27, the Senate Ethics Committee director, then a cell site expert, from the thread
On June 28, the last US witness, on Menendez's M&T account, and gold in Nadine's Chase Bank safety deposit box, thread:
OK - now in US v. Menendez, FBI forensic account about Bob's M&T account is last government witness; defense will allude to Anton.
All rise! [Witness is called, and sworn...] AUSA: Which accounts of Senator did you review? FBI accountant: Senate Credit Union and M&T Bank. Also, Schedule E, Rental Income, from the Senator's tax returns.
AUSA: In this chart, how much is indicated in Menendez cash withdrawals from the Senate credit union? FBI accounting: $55,000 between 2018 and June 2022.
AUSA: If all of that were part of the money seized, how does it compare to the bills issued after 2018? Less AUSA: How many gold bars in this chart match bars in the Daibes portfolio? FBI accountant: 13 bars, worth over $200,000.
Cross examination. Menendez's lawyer Adam Fee: How did you first get involved in this case? FBI accountant: I was asked by the prosecutors. Fee: The summary charts, you did not prepare- FBI accountant: I reviewed them for accuracy
Menendez' lawyer Adam Fee: I'm going to have to re-make this exhibit because I don't have Excel... Does the Senate FCU have a branch in the Hart building? FBI accountant: I have no knowledge of the Senate buildings. Judge: We'll break.
Cross examination of FBI accountant continues. Menendez' lawyer Adam Fee: Are you aware that this Chase Bank in Engelwood NJ safe deposit box was held only by Nadine Arslanian? AUSA: We object to the scope of these questions. Judge: Let's see. FBI accountant: Yes
Menendez's lawyer Fee: The cash deposited in the M&T account was accurately reported on the Schedule E? AUSA: Objection! Judge: Sustained. Fee: I want to understand her knowledge of the charts. Judge: But you keep asking the same questions. Go ahead
Now Wael Hana's lawyer Lustberg: This chart has one section on Mr. Daibes, and one on Mr. Hana, right? FBI accountant: Correct... After a brief re-direct the AUSA: The government rests. Judge: Jurors, on Monday you'll see if the defense puts on a case Jury leaves
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is US v. Menendez, et al., 23-cr-490 (Stein)
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Adult Film Star Austin Wolf Detained for CP As Slew of Medicines Transcribed Filings Sealed
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 28 – Friday morning saw "the arrest of JUSTIN HEATH SMITH, an adult film actor who uses the stage name 'Austin Wolf.' SMITH is charged with sending and receiving hundreds of videos of child pornography via the Telegram application. Those videos depicted children as young as infants, including a video showing a 10-year-old child bound and raped. SMITH will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York."
Inner City Press was there. Smith was ordered detained; then requested that a slew of medicine in MDC-Brooklyn. His lawyer was told that the medicine cannot be taken in. The law clerks diligently jotted down the names of the medicine.
The case is US v. Smith, 24-mj-2422 (Tarnofsky)
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After Ghana Influencer Montrage Pled Guilty For Romance Scam She Gets Year and a Day
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 28 – A Ghana-based influencer was hit with a six-count Indictment charging MONA FAIZ MONTRAGE for her role in a series of romance schemes and for laundering the proceeds of those schemes. MONTRAGE was arrested in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2022, and was extradited from the United Kingdom on May 12, 2023.
MONTRAGE was to be presented before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty -- Inner City Press was there, thread here
On May 24, the executed bond was docketed. The co-signers are Hashimiyu Haruna, Fatahia Chung and Ayisheto Al Hassan...
On October 6, the pre-trial conference was pushed back a month.
On November 8, Montrage's new lawyer wrote in and asked for another 60 days.
On February 21, 2024, guilty plea: "guilty plea today of MONA FAIZ MONTRAGE for her role in laundering the proceeds of a series of romance scams. MONTRAGE pled guilty today to conspiracy to receive stolen money before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. MONTRAGE also agreed to pay forfeiture in the amount of $2,164,758.41 and make restitution in the same amount."
On February 27 the US Attorney's Office filed Montrage's plea agreement, which says she will not appeal any sentence at or below 46 months. Plea agreement on Patreon here.
On March 7, the case now re-assigned to Judge J. Paul Oetken was set down for sentencing before Judge Oetken on June 3: "NOTICE as to Mona Faiz Montrage: Sentencing is adjourned to June 3, 2024 at 2:30 pm in Courtroom 706 of 40 Foley Square. Defendant's sentencing submission is due by May 20, 2024, and the Government's by May 27, 2023."
But on May 15 Montrage's lawyer asked for more time for letters and her immigration lawyer on consequences of her conviction; then "Sentencing is adjourned to June 28, 2024 at 2:00pm. Defendant's sentencing submission is due June 14, 2024. The Government's sentencing submission is due June 21, 2024. SO ORDERED (Signed by Judge J. Paul Oetken on 5/16/24)."
On June 14, Montage's lawyer wrote in that "a probationary sentence would have been appropriate" but since that would lead to immediate detention by US ICE then deportation, "accordingly the Defense submitted that a sentence of three months incarceration is sufficient."
On June 21 the US Attorney's Office wrote in, citing media coverage in Ghana, and asked for 37 months to send a message.
On June 28, Inner City Press attended the entire sentencing, thread:
Judge: The guideline is 37 to 46 months. Assistant US Attorney: The victims were vulnerable senior citizens. Some were promised marriage; they sent and lost money. Middlemen received 10%. AUSA: Defendant participated in this scheme fir six years. 32 victims lost $1.4 million. Meanwhile Ms. Montrage reinvented herself in Ghana.
Judge: She blames an abusive former boyfriend. AUSA: He was arrested and deported. She continued. One victim confronted her... Judge: She will be deported. Defense lawyer: 3 months incarceration would be enough. She didn't know the money going into her account was from romance fraud. Judge: She created multiple bank accounts.
Defense: She's never before disclosed her abuse by her ex boyfriend. Montrage: I want to pay them back. I feel shame as a mother of an 8 year-old daughter. [Sobs] Please have mercy on me.
AUSA: She started opening these accounts at different banks at an earlier time. Many in Ghana are following this case. General deterrence is needed Defense: Victim-1 tracked her from her instagram photos - her video had a voice dubbed over, Victim-1 was catfished
Judge: I sentence Ms Montrage to one year and one day in prison, the extra day to allow "good time."
Defense: We propose she be allowed to fly back to Ghana as soon as she is released, with no ICE detention AUSA: We consent
Adjourned
More details on Substack here
The case is US v. Montrage, 22-cr-617 (Oetken)
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Gupta Reappears in SDNY in Indian Murder for Hire Plot US Cites Video So Sept 13 is Next
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 28 – 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 New York City - 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. While Inner City Press is often the only media there - for only one example, in a gun case on June 14, continued into June 17 - this time the gallery was full, including with Indian journalists. With some new and we hope temporary restrictions, Inner City Press thread:
AUSA: Mr Gupta was extradited in. We will make voluntary consular notification.
Judge: You are charged with murder for hire. Retained defense counsel: He pleads not guilty.
AUSA: We seek detention. Defense: We consent; we'll confer before Judge Marrero next week. My client is a vegetarian.
Magistrate Judge James L. Cott: There are others in the MDC [Metropolitan Detention Center] who are vegetarians, it shouldn't be a problem.
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:
AUSA: The defendant on behalf of an Indian gov't employee sought a hitman... We have video.
AUSA: We ask for 60 days. Defense lawyer: Aug 30? Judge: Sept 13, 1 pm
[Gupta whispers with his lawyer] Defense: Fine. Adjourned.
The courtroom was full. Afterward, the yellow flags were collected out on Worth Street.
The case is US v. Gupta, 23-cr-289 (Marrero)
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SDNY Press Room
UNFPA Kanem Lavished Public Funds on Son OIOS Told of Sexual Exploitation No Answer
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, June 27 – How corrupt is the UN under Antonio Guterres? Well, Inner City Press has repeatedly reported on UNFPA's Natalia Kanem and her misuse of taxpayers' funds for her son - and now, sexual abuse promoted by UNFPA. From sources to Inner City Press, which Guterres's spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse to answer:
Hello Inner City Press, The information below and the evidence attached,about Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, has been brought to the attention of OIOS but as usual they might try to look the other way, as if it doesn’t matter. So, this must be brought to the attention of the public and especially the member states who are apparently paying lip service to the ‘zero tolerance’ slogan. This is clearly a case of corruption, high ethical misconduct and sexual predation. We shall see if the UN high command will again sweep this under the carpet. The hypocrisy is breathtaking. Conflict of Interest by the ED of UNFPA -
How Natalia Kanem Made UNFPA Pay $10,000 for her Son's Vacation We have information for you in relation to Case number OIOS/0519/24. Further to the many stories now circulating about the conflict of interest by Natalia Kanem in her misuse of power and role as Executive Director of UNFPA. We have proof from whistle blowers about her son, Mandela Gregoire. If this is true, it is a very bad misconduct of a high order and should be accordingly treated We get information showing that UNFPA money was used to pay for Mandela's vacation trip in December 2019, for the ‘Year of Return' celebrations in Ghana. It look like normal thing, and no one should normally criticize someone for vacation. But the problem is the vacation was paid by UNFPA money.
We have reliable information saying his travel expenses, hotel, and chauffeur were paid by UNFPA funds, because of his mother's orders. It is not clear why or how this happened, because he is not staff and he did not work for the organization. It is important to investigate if this action follow the organization's rules. We have evidence, like the hotel invoice, showing that the expenses were billed to UNFPA.
More worrying is a young female intern from the UNFPA office in Ghana, who stay with him during his visit, maybe for sexual reasons, because he is the ED's son. Surveillance video from the hotel proves this fact. The power between a young intern and the ED's son is bad for possible sexual exploitation.
Also, information we have shows that Mandela was introduced to the country office by Dr. Kanem herself, which goes against her promise to fight sexual exploitation and harassment. In the case, she aid and abet it When investigating this misconduct, it is not good to only ask people like the Country Representative and Deputy Representative at that time, because they might not tell all truth.
The former Country Representative in Ghana, Mr. Edward Ojuolape, who managed this, is close to Natalia Kanem, having work as her Chief of Staff before, and she call him 'my son’. He might hide important information. The former Deputy Representative, Madam Erika Goldson, another close person because they are both from Caribbean, might also not want to share important details.
Inner City Press has more - watch this site
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In Corrupt UN of Guterres Libya Mission Waste by Odenigbo Called Out to Inner City Press
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, June 27 – How corrupt is the UN under Antonio Guterres? Well, today a snapshot of UNSMIL, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, sent to Inner City Press from whistleblowers:
"The current Chief of Missions Support (Ms Uchenna Odenigbo) is actively involved in premeditated conspiracy to commit HR Recruitment Fraud Not prioritizing downsizing lists Willful intent to bring her own mission personnel into posts when it suits her, bringing non-downsizing members in on posts Bullying, Harassment by proxy - sidelining and passive aggressive abuse
"During a liquidity crisis hires personnel at a cost of $30,000 but won't extend TJOs which wouldn’t cost the mission additional funds to build her own Mafia"
Follow the money. Inner City Press put this question twelve hours ago (as of this writing) to Guterres' head of Department of Global Communications Melissa Fleming, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric and 30 plus others - nothing. Total corruption.
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For 2008 Kidnapping of Journo Najibullah Cited 3rd Geneva Convention But Denied So Hearing
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 27 – Haji Najibullah was arraigned in November 2020 on charges of having kidnapped and held hostage American journalist David Rohde from November 10, 2008 to July 2009 in Afghanistan, demanding the release of Taliban prisoners and money from Rohde's family.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Katherine Polk Failla held the arraignment. Inner City Press covered it.
Najibullah had been captured in Ukraine, and presented before SDNY Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang on October 28, 2020. He was assigned a Federal Defender, Mark Gombiner; he was been informed of his rights of the Due Process Protections Act.
Jump cut nearly a year later on October 15, 2021, when Najibullah and Gombiner appeared again before Judge Failla. Inner City Press again covered it. Judge Failla admonished Gombiner not to give speeches for the media. But he argued about the absurdity of a country bombing another, then calling the fight-back a crime. He also questioned how the US gave only 200 documents under discovery.
Judge Failla said she envisioned a defense motion to compel and a CIPA motion from the US, and urged that the parties confer.
Jump cut all the way to April 10, 2024, when Judge Failla held a conference in advance of an April 18 hearing that, it seems, will be partially sealed. In the interim, Judge Jesse M. Furman has granted in large part Inner City Press' motions to unseal CIPA hearing transcripts. Why not here? Thread:
Federal Defender: We'll have an interpreter in court Judge:
AUSA Robles, if Mr. Najibullah testifies, can he use his own interpreter? AUSA: I don't object to that Judge: An interpreter may also testify. AUSA: We have clearer our day for this Judge: You and me both
Judge: Are you still pursuing the specialty arguments? Federal Defender: Yes. We had moved for evidentiary hearings on that, and also the law of armed conflict. Judge: Who might I be hearing testimony from on the combatant issue? Federal Defender: Expert witnesses
Judge: I don't know if I want a hearing on that. I take note that's what you are offering. Anything else? Federal Defender 2: We also have Miranda waiver issues
Judge: Yes, Agent Wyka [apparently Joint Terrorism TF Officer James Wyka] will address that
Federal Defender 1: Once the litigation around our CIPA 5 motion is resolved, we'll put in a schedule for Rule 15 motion practice. Also, there will be the May 6 CIPA hearing.
Judge: You are of course mindful of other classified cases you have before me
AUSA: Courtroom 24B, that's a classified courtroom, is that right? Judge: No. But there are rooms adjacent to the courtroom we could use. AUSA: I don't expect Wyka implicating classified courtroom. But you've seen the rest. Judge: We could use the jury room
Judge: I'm told that 24B is the Marshals' preferred way to move Mr. Najibullah in and out of the holding cell. We are adjourned.
On April 17, on the eve of the partially sealed hearing, the US Attorney's Office submitted four exhibits - three it asked to seal, and the other (a France 24 video in which Najibullah identified as "Abu Tayeb" speaks of suicide bombing and holy war.
On June 27, a proceeding that Inner City Press live tweeted, here
now SDNY proceeding in US v. Haji Najibullah, Judge Failla will be issuing an oral decision (Najibullah not present due to MDC Brooklyn snafu)
Federal Defenders: We waive Mr. Najibullah's appearance due to BOP's inability to produce him. Judge Failla: We have an interpreter on stand-by. You are willing to go forward? FD: Yes.
Judge: I find that I have jurisdiction, despite the prisoner of war issues
Judge Failla: I reject the defense's arguments under the Third Geneva Convention (GPW), and under the political questions doctrine, and AR 190-8. My jurisdiction is not curtailed.
Judge Failla: I call for a hearing, then. I am reluctant to cede authority on this to the Executive Branch. It would be great if the parties could agree on written materials, without need for a witness. Get back to me. I have a three week civil trial in July
Judge Failla: The trial date in US v. Najibullah may have to move. I'd like a joint letter by July 8. Federal Defender: We could do this in August. And a letter by July 8. [Inner City Press will stay on this case, and press freedom
The case is US v. Najibullah, 14-cr-401 (Failla)
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UN Sell Out of Afghan Women Had Grandi Lax as Female Staffer Killed now Guterres Cover Up
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, June 27 – How corrupt is today's UN system leadership, from Antonio Guterres to his successor at UNHCR, Filippo Grandi? Inner City Press, banned from the UN for its reporting on and questions about Guterres including his incomplete financial disclosures, has written about Grandi before. But this is about Afghanistan, as the UN blesses a men-only conference in Doha:
...Grandi was deputy SRSG to the UN peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. It was just before his move that a female UNHCR staff member was killed on her way to the office in one of the provinces. An investigation was conducted and it was discovered that she had been having an affair with a very highly placed (married) Afghan official in the provincial government. His family was upset with this relationship and, according to the Pashtun honor code, the UNHCR girl had to be killed: shot by gunmen on a passing motorcycle.
From Inner City Press' whistleblowing sources, UN never answers questions:
Worse still, it turns out that Grandi and his then live-in partner Daniel Endres (a Swiss working at UNHCR at the time and also serving as Grandi's Deputy Chief of Mission - no conflict of interest there... especially when writing 'performance evaluations') had been advised by the UN security official in the gravest terms when he discovered the nature of the female colleague's relationship with the married Afghan official to move her out of the province as soon as possible and ideally out of Afghanistan. Grandi again justified his inaction by saying the relationship was a 'private matter' and it was inappropriate to be intervening so 'heavy handedly' in people's romantic lives.
The investigators, according to all available evidence, took a dim view of Grandi's 'management style' in this matter and apparently recommended disciplinary measures against him. Their report stalled on the then-High Commissioner's desk (the late Ruud Lubbers) who, for reasons unknown, decided not to impose any sanctions on Grandi.
The saga has gotten worse - watch this site. abs Pte Ltd. et al., 23-cv-1346 (Rakoff)
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