Saturday, May 31, 2025
In Sean Combs Trial As Mia Is Crossed About Instagram Posts Praising Diddy Cites Therapist
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 30 – At 4:30 pm on September 16 Inner City Press was told by its SDNY source to expect "the big one" - Sean Combs - the next day in an SDNY courtroom.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On May 30 Mia (pseudonym) finished direct, Brian Steel launched into cross with a slew of social media posts by her praising Combs, asking her, are you lying about sexual abuse? No, she said, and directed Steel to her therapist, thread
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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UNODC Head Is Out in Vienna As UN Volker Turk Eyes Space & Position Censorship Spreads
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, May 30 – How corrupt and decrepit has the UN system become under Antonio Guterres, in this case due to Guterres? Today's example is again from the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, to which Guterres appointed his unqualified Austrian crony Volker Turk more than two years ago.
Now in Vienna, the head of UNODC is out - staff sent Inner City Press this: " Dear Colleagues, It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you today to inform you of my decision to step down as your Director-General/Executive Director. I wanted all colleagues to hear this news from me personally before the announcement is made public. Some of you know that I lost my mother a few weeks ago after a long illness, and it remains my great regret that I was not able to spend adequate time with her in her last months. I am dedicated to this Office, to the mission of UNODC and the United Nations, and it is a difficult decision. But I take it with immense conviction that this is the time to reset priorities and personal goals. At this stage in my life, it is crucial for me to spend quality time with my loved ones, focus on taking care of my father and on creating lasting memories with my grandchildren. I have thus submitted my resignation to the Secretary-General who has graciously accepted it. [Fired] I will remain in my position during the transition period and will update you about the timing and arrangements for our Office."
Really? UNODC is expected to be dissolved in December. OHCHR (Austrian - Volker Turk) and personnel are tipped to move into the empty office in the D and E towers of the Vienna International Centre. But UNODC has 100 offices worldwide.
Turk dreams of an elected position in Austria. But:
From OHCHR staff: Dear Mr Lee, The staff in OHCHR is demanding the resignation of High Commissioner Volker Turk, Guterres crony, deputy high commissioner Nada Al Nashif, corrupt chief of administration Kim Taylor and all the senior management. Yesterday Volker Turk called for a townhall to explain the disastrous financial situation blaming the US and Donald Trump when the reality is that OHCHR already had a 60 million USD deficit in January 2025 due to ample mismanagement by HC, DHC and senior management the previous 2 years. Volker Turk gave no answers and Taylor and the new chief of operations, Maarit Kohonen, aggressively attacked staff who dared to ask what the plans are.
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UNRWA Is Not Immune US Told Judge for UN Aiding Hamas Oct 7 Attack Now UN 3d Bite
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 29 - For the UN's role in Hamas' October 7 attacks, non-US citizen plaintiffs and estates on June 24 filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, Pierre Krahenbuhl, Filippo Grandi, Leni Stenseth, Sandra Mitchel, Margot Ellis and Greta Gunnarsdottir.
The individual plaintiffs are sued for, inter alia, their "constant travel to New York" to raise and get money and "their material support of Hamas' terror infrastructure." Also cited, for jurisdiction and venue, is "over one billion dollars from UNRWA's New York bank account in Manhattan that Defendants then caused to be delivered to Gaza in cash U.S. dollars to benefit Hamas."
Inner City Press, which daily cover the SDNY court in-person and the UN from outside the gate, banned from entry by SG Antonio Guterres, asked Guterres' spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming about the lawsuit, without any response per usual.
Nor have they responded to Inner City Press' June 19 application to enter the UN to ask these questions.
On February 18, the (new) SDNY wrote in, "The Government is currently reviewing the views." Letter on Inner City Press' DocumentCloud here
On April 17 DOJ wrote in asking for one more week to finalize. Inner City Press, still banned from the UN by Antonio Guterres, tweeted it.
On April 24 the Administration wrote in that it "has since reevaluated that position, and now concludes UNRWA is not immune from this litigation. Nor are the bulk of other defendants" - 10 page filing on DocumentCloud here.
On May 1 the UN's law firm wrote in to "to request leave to respond to the U.S. Government’s letter dated April 24, 2025."
On May 2 the UN was given until May 22 to reply.
Late on May 22 the UN's publicly-funded law firm argued that the UN Administration's position is "not entitled to any deference" and should be disregarded.
When the plaintiff's asked for permission to respond, the UN's law firm - no answer from the UN on how they were chosen or how much in taxpayers' fund they are being paid - said they weren't asked and if granted, give them a surreply. UNreal...
The UNRWA case is ESTATE OF TAMAR KEDEM SIMAN TOV, BY HEIR-AT-LAW GAD KEDEM v. UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY (UNRWA) et al., 24-cv-04765 (Torres)
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In Sean Combs Trial Mia Testifies of Rape in Plaza Hotel and Assault on Private Plane
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 29 – At 4:30 pm on September 16 Inner City Press was told by its SDNY source to expect "the big one" - Sean Combs - the next day in an SDNY courtroom.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On May 29 after stylist Deonte Nash's cross was finished, Mia took the stand with a pseudonym but saying she co-founded Revolt Films. She described what she witnessed about physical abuse of Cassie Ventura - then about being drugged and raped in the Plaza Hotel, and assaulted in a private jet. Thread
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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In Sean Combs Trial Stylist Nash on Violence and Freak Off Prep After Mistrial Denied
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 28 – At 4:30 pm on September 16 Inner City Press was told by its SDNY source to expect "the big one" - Sean Combs - the next day in an SDNY courtroom.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On May 28 after an LAPD witness, arson investigator Lance Jimenez began to be questioned about fingerprint cards being destroyed without his authorization - leading to a motion for a mistrial, denied. Then stylist Nash described violence and Cassie's freak-off prep, before Xavier Donaldson began his cross, thread
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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Ex FBI McGonigal Pled Guilty to Deripaska Aid Linked to CIA Now Co-D Trial June 16
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Worth St Video
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 27 - In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, an arraignment was held by Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave former FBI agent Charles McGonigal, for helping Russian oligarch Deripaska in violation of US sanctions, and money laundering.
McGonigal, who'd hired former US Attorney for the Eastern District of NY Seth duCharme, pled not guilty and was given a $500,000 personal recognisance bond bail deal. Thread below. He has also been indicted in the District for the District of Colombia and should appear there on January 25. Inner City Press will cover both cases.
Inner City Press covers the SDNY Mag Court(s). Related Mag Court live-tweeted thread (more on Patreon here) vlog here
January 23 McGonigal thread here
And the August 15, 2023 guilty plea proceeding, thread here: (and video afterward here)
Plea agreement letter on Patreon here.
Back on March 9, 2023, Inner City Press was there. Thread here
On November 12 Shestakov through counsel asked to depose Evgeny Fokin, before the trial scheduled for February 10, 2025.
On January 6, 2025 it was granted, citing Mashinsky, 2024 WL 4728499, at *9.'
On January 27 there was a conference and the trial date was pushed back again, to June 17, 2025. A request was made - and granted - to place as yet undefined redactions on the transcript. But Inner City Press was there - more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
On January 28 Shestakov's lawyer filed "indicating the Charles McGonigal was working with the CIA after his 2018 retirement from the FBI." Filing on Patreon here.
On February 7 Shestakov's lawyer submitted a proposed letter rogatory to the UAE to depose Fokin, saying the US Attorney's Office takes no position.
On February 13 Shestakov's counsel wrote in that Olga Shriki said she won't invoke her Fifth Amendment rights if called to testify - so motion to compel withdrawn.
On April 29 the case was transferred to Judge Jed S. Rakoff, who set a May 1 conference.
On May 7, "LETTER from Counsel for Evgeny Fokin, dated May 6, 2025 re: Good Morning Your Honor. Mr. Fokin has agreed to appear for live video testimony during the trial in the above referenced case. Mr. Fokin's preference is to travel to Dubai, UAE and provide testimony from that location.
On May 9 there was a conference that Inner City Presss live tweeted, here. The US Attorney's Office will be submitting a letter with State Department answers - or there may be a subpoena, and separately either dismissal or trial with out still-outstanding information.
On May 27, Judge Rakoff set Shestakov's trial for June 16: "Shestakov, 23-cr-16, will go to trial on June 16, 2025."
The case is USA v. McGonigal, et al., 1:23-cr-16 (Rakoff)
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In Sean Combs Trial Capricorn Clark On Lie Detectors and Threats Then Disdain for Cassie
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 27 – At 4:30 pm on September 16 Inner City Press was told by its SDNY source to expect "the big one" - Sean Combs - the next day in an SDNY courtroom.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. On Week 1 of trial, book.
On May 27 Capricorn Clark described kidnapping to Kid Cudi's house, and five days of lie detectors. Agnifilo drew her out on her respect for Combs and some disdain for Cassie, thread
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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Friday, May 30, 2025
Amid UN Colombia Mission Scandals Ruiz Is Said by Whistleblowers to Cover Up Sex Abuse
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, May 23 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Today's follow up, the first but certainly not last, is yet once again on his mission in Colombia, about which his spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions. Inner City Press has asked them, and others, about the newest sex abuse case against the UN there. Now this, from UN whistleblowers through Inner City Press:
Federico Ledesma, now chief conduct and discipline at UNVMC in Colombia has always carried a dark cloud over him. Ever since UNMIL he has been great at covering for others and covering his own perverse ways. He has been accused for sexual assault and his victims are now and for ever unable to hold a job in the organization. His abuses only incremented with his girlfriend handling the UNV program in UNIMIL. How many assaults took place? How many were silenced by him and how many by his girlfriend. We have recently received a recording of him berating a national staff who dared to question why he and Carlos Ruiz where so quick to investigate a female who had possibility of promotion and so quick to cover not one ore two but several male officers accused of sexual assault, sexual harassment and harassment in the work place. You can hear him and his officer accept that they decided to ignore the reports made by victims, and are officially hiding behind the fact that people went to them but were not asked to sign any documents."
And what is the UN of Antonio Guterres doing about all this? Nothing - but banning the Press that reports it.
We'll have more on all this. Keep the info coming.
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UN Corruption in DR Congo Exposed by Whisteblowers to Banned Inner City Press
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, May 24 – How corrupt has the UN become under Antonio Guterres? Today's example is from the MONUSCO "peacekeeping" mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, sent to Inner City Press which Guterres and his Melissa Fleming ban from entering the UN to ask, while Spox Stephane Dujarric refuses written questions:
Dear Matthew Russell Lee:
MONUSCO is slowly but surely dying under the eyes of the SRSG, Ms. Bintu Keita who has a track record of killing Missions BINUB and UNAMID. When in Sudan she make deals in Nertit with Abdul Wahid al Nur rebel leader of SLA/SLM. Some of us know her from UNAMID. Aussi, in Kinshasa rumeurs is she cut a $10m deal to talk bad things about M23 and Rwanda. Do SG see a skill in her that others do not see? The DMS not filled fully because she want DMS who speak Franch. What has French got to do with Mission Support. Last DMS speak little French, but he manages until he retired. Main aim of putting French in the job is to stop Amadu who was OIC but speak no French from applying. She is supervising the mercy killing of MONUSCO with her DMS, Ms. Nicoleta who was recently not allowed by M23 border entry into Goma. M23 say she is arrogant, corrupt and people smuggler.
The DMS has done many sins in MONUSCO for the short time she take office:
1) She facilitated her mercenary country men in Goma compound which exposed staff
2) One mercenaire had a girlfriend sleeping in an office in aviation. She smokes every morning before been smuggled across the border.
3) Monusco wireless was given to the mercenaries who posted pictures on social networks and put staff members’ lives in dangerous state .
4) On Saturday 17 May 2025 she flies a MONUSCO plane to Entebbe where she is the only passenger. The past day there was a flight to Entebbe that she could use. Special flight costs US$ 30,00-50,000 and she lie she will travel with no DSA! DSA is cheaper than special flight. 5) She attempts to appoint Bujar, her friend, as CHRO but the man is on assignment from Haiti as SAO. Staff Union refused but she impose him. 6) She make unilateral decisions not in written and want everyone to follow. When confronted she denies 7) With staff from fuel unit she give fuel to businessmen in Goma pretending they are M23, When discovered, businessmen have ran to another country to avoid arrest. C’est trop Mme SRSG. Il faut reagir. Do not look with her eyes only! SG do something. Member states do something. Send OIOS to do their job urgently
But nothing - and no answers to Press questions. UN corruption expands under Guterres who bans the Press and refuses its questions.
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Art of Vietnam in NY Goes Beyond War Trauma To Brain in a Frame and Underwear with Nails
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 23 – It's not everyday you can go to a show of 17 Vietnamese artists, outside of Vietnam. But May 23 on the far west side of Manhattan in the Eli Klein gallery, the show "Ceci N'est Pas Une Guerre" (This is Not a War, playing off Magritte's pipe) opened.
Despite intermittently pouring rain out on West Street, the two room space was standing room only. Some marveled at the piece that looked different from each angle you looked at it. A metal frame hung in mid-air, focusing attendees on a shape hanging behind it that looked, at least to this viewer, like a brain.
Also hanging was what at first glance looked like the two pieces of a bikini, strangely heavy. The work, by Nguyen Phuong Linh, is called Allergy: "six kilograms of nails on underwears." Not a pipe, indeed.
Eli Klein, who greeted people at the door, pitched the show as breaking Vietnamese art out of the "confines of the narrow narratives of war, trauma and survival."
As luck or timing has it, Netflix is now promoting a multi-part series about the Vietnam War, which to its credit interviews more Vietnamese people, from both North and South, than is usually the case. Still the documentary has no art.
This show is not only a good counterbalance: it is great art. Prices are discretely only available via a QR code, and range from $2300 to $25,000. Get it while it gets hot!
(The show runs from May 23 to August 23 at 398 West Street, corner of W. 10th Street)
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In South Sudan UN Rife with Anti-Semitism Whistleblower Say Leader Sick as Wife with SG
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, May 23 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? While its UNMISS Mission steals a radio station and land by the Juba airport, it stands by as Riek Machar remains detained - South Sudan and UNMISS, about which his spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions. Inner City Press has asked them, and others, about the newest sex abuse case against the UN there. This, from a UN whistleblower sent to Inner City Press:
Dear Mr. Matthew Russell Lee:
Serious allegations have surfaced within the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), raising red flags about political impartiality, recruitment irregularities, and alleged links to extremist groups. At the center of the controversy is Ms Marwa Rahhal, a Human Rights and Women Protection Officer currently serving in the mission. According to credible internal sources, Ms Rahhal has reportedly expressed open support for Hezbollah. She is said to have referred to her uncle, Abbas Ibrahim—the former Director General of General Security in Lebanon—as a close ally of the group. Mr Ibrahim has previously been sanctioned by the United States for his alleged ties to Hezbollah, further fuelling concerns about her affiliations. The controversy deepens with claims that Ms Rahhal played a role in recruiting individuals with sympathies towards Hezbollah. One such case involves Mr Hatem Refaat, an ex-police officer from Egypt, who was allegedly brought into the mission under her recommendation. UNMISS staff members who are perceived to hold opposing views or express criticism of Hezbollah are reportedly being marginalised and discriminated against. This, insiders claim, is contributing to a growing climate of fear and ideological division within the mission.
Sources have also pointed out a noticeable rise in anti-Israel sentiment among certain circles in the mission, prompting calls for an internal investigation. Critics argue that without intervention, UNMISS risks being perceived as a platform for extremist sympathisers, undermining its mandate of impartiality and protection. The situation is further compounded by concerns over leadership. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), who is reportedly on extended sick leave, is said to be beyond the retirement age and no longer fit for duty. However, insiders allege that no action is being taken due to the influence of his wife, who is employed in the Office of the UN Secretary-General.
Guterres, they say, should resign or lose immunity - and end censorship. Watch this site.
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