by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 29 – 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.
On March 15, another guilty plea, by Tara Lucas for taking at least $19,000 in bribes for no-bid contracts worth $77,000.
On July 22 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for a sentence in the bottom half of the 18 to 24 month Guideline. Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain asked for a chart of other sentences - then on July 29, with Inner City Press in the courtroom, imposed four years probation, home detention allow for exit for work or training and other activities, and no prison time.
Meanwhile, at least one NYCHA defendant says he's going to trial citing the Supreme Court's Snyder decision, and another has asked delay.
The case is US v. Lucas, 24-cr-148 (Swain)
Watch this site - and these feeds: X and X for subscribers.
And Substack here
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