Monday, December 29, 2025
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Friday, December 26, 2025
Imran Ahmed Christmas Eve Order to Show Cause on Sanctions Reportedly Signed in SDNY
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 26 – At 7 pm on Christmas Eve, lawyers for Imran Ahmed filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which Inner City Press closely covers, even on holidays.
The lawsuit seeks to enjoin the US from expelling or sanctioning Imran Ahmed for his work at the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
As of December 26 it has yet to be assigned to a District Judge. But Judge Vernon S. Broderick, the Part 1 Judge for the week, reported signed the Temporary Restraining Order early on Christmas Day and set a hearing for sometime on Monday, December 29.
As of noon on December 26, Judge Broderick's Order was not public in PACER. Apparently, Imran Ahmed's lawyers distributed the order to some media (it is not on the law firm's website). We aim to have more on this.
The case is Ahmed v. Rubio, et al., 1:25-cv-10705 (Unassigned)
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PayPal Hid Small Community Reinvestment Act Plan for Utah Bank Until Fair Finance FOIA
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
FEDERAL COURT, Dec 26 – PayPal wants to open a bank - but tried to keep secret its Community Reinvestment Act plan.
On December 16 Fair Finance Watch commented against PalPal's proposal, to the FDIC (which is moving to cut out the public) and to the Utah Department of Financial Institution.
While the FDIC had not responded, two days later, the Utah agency sent the "public" portion of the application. But the CRA Plan was called "confidential." Inner City Press immediately sought it under FOIA / GRAMA:
On behalf of Fair Finance Watch and in my personal capacity, this is a request under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act, §63-2-101 et seq., for a copy of PayPal Bank's Community Reinvestment Act plan. FFW is a timely commenter on the application, but just learned that the part it most wants to see, the CRA plan, is for some reason being withheld. What is PayPal ashamed of?
On December 26, after the GRAMA request, the Utah agency sent Fair Finance Watch PayPal's draft CRA Plan, and we see why they tried to hide it. It proposes a very small assessment area for business as large as PayPal, and that a program of $85,000 by it should get it an "Outstanding" rating. No.
PayPay's draft CRA plan, with Inner City Press' DocumentCloud not working for it, is for now on Patreon here. We'll have more on this.
Tellingly, still no response from the FDIC.
Before that, this comment (also to the FDIC) -
On behalf of Fair Finance Watch, this is a timely comment in opposition to the application to charter the proposed PayPal Bank Industrial Bank: Consider both the complaints about PayPal, and about the difficulty of complaining about or even to PayPal: "It was extremely difficult to close my Paypal account and Paypal Credit account even after I experienced fraud. Someone was charging the credit card connected to the Paypal account. Even though Paypal notified me of fraudulent activities, I got the run around when I requested to close both accounts. ... Paypal customer service? Customer Service does not exist except to make things even more complicated. So I am screwed, my friend is screwed and Paypal is richer by 750$…nice BTW, I am a 76 yr old disabled veteran living on social security…needed this $$ badly to survive…I guess Paypal needed it more. F%#* Paypal…
And, from the closing-down CFPB: "My PayPal account suffered account take over. Unfortunately the app or website doesnt allow to change tel numbers, information, removed stores cards etc. I submitted a claim onto PayPal, as I noticed an erroneous telephone number, I could not change that and/nor have heard back from PayPal. Since I suffered an account take cover and I reported this to PayPall, this should have been remediated immediately. Hasnt happened yet!" No public response https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/search/detail/8234624 This is not a company that should be given a bank or ILC charter with no public benefit, no real CRA plan. Fair Finance Watch is hereby timely requesting public hearings, and that we be emailed a complete copy of the application.
On the current record, PayPal's proposal could not legitimately be approved.
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UN Volker Turk Collaborated in Press Ban Staff Pan His Mediation Room amid Guterres Layoffs
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Dec 24 – 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 crony Volker Turk more than two years ago.
From OHCHR staff: "Dear Matthew Russell Lee - Help us to expose how bad the situation has become on OHCHR under Guterres’ crony Volker Turk. 350 fired this year and more lined up for 2016. “Small moments of clarity can be enough to transform stress into perspective” writes Volker Turk in X as he gets his meditation room in UN Geneva. Those are his priorities. Meditation as he sinks OHCHR confirm Volker Turk lacks touch with reality. His words are a ridiculous and cruel slap in the face to more than 350 junior (and mainly female P2 and P3 including soc and pregnant ones) fired in 2025. Meditation will be no consolation for them or for their families.
Perspective is useful to review his performance as High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2025: deficit doubled from 45 to 97 million dollars in one year, all cash reserves were spent in expensive units like his “Analític Hub” (the fact that it was established in the most expensive duty station, Geneva, same as with his questioned “Investigations Branch”, is testament of how money has been wasted), most field presences have lost capacity to pay for expenses in Geneva and in Colombia all field offices closed and 70% of the staff fired, globally OHCHR is irrelevant as the High Commissioner models after his master SG Guterres who has made the UN invisible.
Stress is what 350 young colleagues fired face. Perspective is, against the Controller’s instructions, not one single ASG, D2, D1 or P5 have been part of the mass dismissal in OHCHR. Stress is what 120 staff and their families face as they have been threatened “relocate or will be fired”. Perspective is the Cleptocracy headed by Volker Turk and his cronies including Nada al Nashif, Kim Taylor, Maarit Kohonen, Peggy Hicks, Mahamane Cisse Gouro, Michael Camilleri, Matthias Behnke, Francesco Motta, Dimiter Chalev, Abdul Aziz Thioye, Juliette de Rivero, Scott Campbell, Beatrix Balbin, Veronica Birga and those who run OHCHR like a family affair.
Earmarked money is routinely deviated to cover financial holes. Reprisals against whistleblowers are tolerated routinely. Do not forget, Volker Turk’s term ends in September 2026, watch out Master Guterres does not extend him as his farewell present. The UN needs a new High Commissioner for Human Rights before Volker Turk and his gang destroy the Office and deplete all the accounts."
Inner City Press re-applied to re-enter the UN on June 19, 2025 - no answer at all from Melissa Fleming, Tel Mekel, Stephane Dujarric. Today's UN is corrupt.
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sdny
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Sean Combs Files 69 Page Appeal Brief Argues He Was Engaged in 1st Amendment Conduct
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 24 – At 12:26 am on September 29-20, 2025, the US Attorney's Office filed a sentencing memo on Sean Combs, asking for 135 months imprisonment on October 3. Memo on Patreon here.
Just over a year before at 4:30 pm on September 16, 2024 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 a first book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here. Now sentencing book here.
On July 2 the jury came back with not guilty on RICO and sex trafficking, guilty on counts 3 and 5, transportation for prostitution.
On October 3 Inner City Press live tweeted the sentencing, 10 am to 5 pm, here, resulting in a 50 month sentence.
Then it published an ebook here, audiobook here
On October 20, notice of appeal was filed.
Late on December 23, Combs' legal team filed a 69 page appellate brief in the Second Circuit, arguing among other things that "Combs Was Engage In First Amendment Activity" - 69 page brief on Patreon here
more on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
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Senegalese Street Seller Was Detained in MDC by ICE SDNY Now Judge Orders Him Freed
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 23 – A man from Senegal who has been detained since being arrested in November charged with selling counterfeit goods on Canal Street and Broadway was brought on December 19 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Arun Suramanian. Inner City Press was there, and live tweeted, here:
Judge Sumramanian: Given that they were operating under a framework that this court and 100s of others have found to be legally erroneous, shouldn't Mr. Tall be released? Even if you just re-arrest him?
Judge Subramanian: It is important to get the law right. I need to take the weekend
He took until Tuesday evening: "ORDER: The Court orders petitioner's release within 24 hours. ... As petitioner's counsel conceded at the hearing, this order does not preclude the government from revoking petitioners parole, and arresting and detaining him in the future, as long as it follows the legally mandated procedures that would apply. (Signed by Judge Arun Subramanian on 12/23/2025)."
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is Tall v. Joyce, et al., 1:25-cv-9781 (Subramanian)
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Five Weeks After OCC Rubberstamped Erebor Tells Press Doing Best on FOIA Valuation $4B
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, Dec 23– Fair Finance Watch filed a FOIA request with the OCC in September about Erebor's charter applications.
This takes place as the regulators, led by the FDIC, are seeking to eliminate public notice and limit public comment. See, e.g., American Banker, Sept 10, 2025, "The FDIC is taking the 'community' out of CRA enforcement," by Matthew R. Lee, here
Back on October 15 the Comptroller bragged, "
"The OCC granted preliminary conditional approval to Erebor Bank after thorough review of its application. In granting this charter, the OCC applied the same rigorous review and standards applied to all charter applications.
“Erebor is the first de novo bank to receive a preliminary conditional approval since I arrived at the OCC. I am committed to a dynamic and diverse federal banking system, and our decision today is a first but important step in living up to that commitment,” said Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould.
But he's rubberstamping and protecting legacy banks too, and not only "Community Banks."
On December 22 - five weeks after approving the Erebor application, the OCC wrote to Inner City Press, "Thank you for your continued patience regarding your request 2025-00682-F. We are actively working on your request and making every effort to provide a response as soon as possible."
Weeks AFTER the approval? Inner City Press raised the question, and on December 23 got this back: "Hello - We are actively working on your request and making every effort to provide a response as soon as possible. Thank you." No, the focus seems to be rubberstamping approvals.
Meanwhile Erebor post-rubberstamp has raised $350 million at a $4.35 billion valuation led by Lux Capital, and plans to launch as soon as late January. And stil no FOIA response?
Back in September, Inner City Press requested: This is a request under FOIA for the exhibits (mis) labeled "Confidential" in the application for the proposed Erebor Bank. The applicants, who have stated publicly that the proposed bank would lending not only to AI but to weaponry / military, have withheld almost all exhibits and information about their proposal, including even the names of the directors, organizers, executives and principal shareholders. This is a FOIA request, then, for all of the exhibits. This is also a request for all record reflecting communication by or within the OCC with or about Erebor and its unidentified proposed directors, organizers, executives and principal shareholders. As explained on recent FOIA requests, it is not limited to communication with the applicant but includes internal OCC record that are not exempt under FOIA."
Five week after approval, no records. The OCC hits new lows daily. Watch this site.
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In South Sudan UN Haysom a No Show But Blue Washed in UNHQ Puff Piece from S Africa
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Dec 23 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? While its UNMISS Mission stole a radio station and land by the Juba airport, it stood by as Riek Machar was disappeared - 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.
In September Inner City Press published this from an UNMISS whistleblower:
"Dear Matthew Russell Lee,
The Special Envoy to South Sudan, Mr. Haysom of South Africa, while confined to his sickbed and pending medical clearance, appointed his compatriot, Mr. Graham Maitland—also from South Africa—as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Political Affairs in South Sudan replacing departing DSRSG, Mr. Cong. Mr. Maitland previously served as a D-2 in the Eastern Africa Division at UN Headquarters."
This have only gotten worse. This may explain today's attempt to "Blue-wash" the theft of public money by this crony of the vacationing Tony Guterres - an interview, location undisclosed, with Haysom by a former Reuters correspondent based, where else, in South Africa. The "articles" concludes by blaming anger at UNMISS on the UN's supposed focus on human rights.
Actually, today's UN is composed of no-show cronies of Guterres, and fawning Blue-washing scribes.
Guterres, they say, should end censorship. Application was made on June 19, 2025. Watch this site.
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Alexander Brothers Trial Pushed Back to Jan 26 Now Filing on Victim 7 Full Pseudonym Dec 31
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 22 – Amid the news of the arrest of the Alexander brothers in Miami on SDNY sex trafficking charges, in the SDNY Magistrate Court on the morning of December 11 the superseding indictment was "wheeled out" to District Judge Valerie E. Caproni. Inner City Press was there, and X-ed it out.
On December 31 Tal Alexander's lawyer wrote to Judge Caproni, on Patreon here
On August 21 Oren Alexander retained two of the defense lawyers in Sean Combs' recent trial, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, amid pre-trial skirmishes.
On November 7 Inner City Press filed opposition to the Alexander brothers' extensive redactions. Judge Caproni cited and docketed the motion on November 10, denying the Alexanders' request and ordering less redactions by November 14, order and Inner City Press letter on PACER here
and on DocumentCloud here
Inner City Press live tweeted it, albeit not on innercitypress on X (here's why, including Q&A with xAI's Grok). MatthewLeeICP link. The brothers lost most evidentiary fights.
On December 5, Inner City Press back on its main account live tweeted the arguments by the defense against an expert on (young) victims, and the trial was moved back to jury selection starting January 20 or 21, opening statements January 26.
Late on December 11 Marc Agnifilo docketed his Brady letter - now on Patreon here.
On December 18 the US Attorney's Office wrote in that on defendants' 412 Motion, they propose to respond on December 22 with defense reply "December 26 in light of the Christmas holiday."
On December 22 Judge Caproni ordered "on December 19, 2025, Defendants filed a letter notifying the Court that they object to Victim 7 testifying under a full pseudonym, with exhibits appended thereto, see Dkts. 266, 266-1 (under seal), 266-2 (under seal), 266-3 (under seal), 266-4 (under seal), 266-5 (under seal); IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, by Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the Government must submit a response to Defendants' opposition if it still believes that allowing Victim 7 to testify under a full pseudonym is warranted, or otherwise notify the Court if it withdraws the request that Victim 7 be allowed to testify under a full pseudonym. SO ORDERED."
More / extra on X for Subscribers here and on Substack here
This case is USA v. Alexander, et al., 1:24-cr-676 (Caproni)
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In Miles Guo Case $1.3B Judgment Entered as Sentencing Delayed to April 13
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 22 – After a circus-like civil case involving Guo Wengui in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which Inner City Press closely covered, here, March 15, 2023 saw the unsealing of a twelve-count Indictment of Miles Guo onvarious wire fraud, securities fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering charges.
On May 22, Inner City Press live tweeted jury selection, here.
Many were excused from the jury pool.
More detail / some analysis on X for Subscribers here & Substack here
At the end of May 23, Judge Torres told the remaining jurors that the trial would start Friday. Thread.
Guo was convicted. And on September 10 Judge Torres granted a defense letter motion and moved Guo's sentencing.
Letter and endorsement (order) on Patreon here
Jump cut to February 25, 2025 when DOJ wrote in on Wang asking for "remission" - victims to apply for funds, filing on Patreon here.
On March 3 Inner City Press live tweeted the Guo proceeding, here
Judge: I am sealing the courtroom. [Must leave]
Update: All the judge said when door opened again was that defense lawyers' motion to withdraw remains pending
Docketed on March 20, a motion to intervene from Beijing, on Patreon here
On April 8, Guo was appointed three new lawyers. Inner City Press was there and live tweeted, thread
On July 25 Guo's new lawyers asked for an delay in sentencing to Decmeber while noting that the US Attorney's Office opposes any 90 day delay and will file in the future.
On July 30 they did - opposing any further delay, insisting on September 8.
On July 28 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for a judgment of $1.3 billion including Guo's interest in the G entities.
On August 11 Judge Torres signed the order for $1.3 billion, on Patreon here.
On July 31, Judge Torres moved sentencing "to January 20, 2026."
But on December 3, Guo's lawyers wrote in "to request most respectfully that the sentencing of Mr. Guo, presently scheduled for January 20, 2026, be adjourned approximately 3 months. The Government, per Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Finkel, opposes this request and intends to submit written opposition." Letter on Patreon here
On December 22, "the Court orders that By January 9, 2026, the Government shall provide a written submission to the Court, addressing: (1) the differences between petitions for remission of forfeited assets and claims submitted under § 853(n), and whether the Government proposes any method for resolving the various claims, see Apr. 8, 2025, Tr. at 7:198:5, 14:2216:10, ECF No.684; and (2) its position on the Courts appointment of a special master to makerecommendations related to third-party claims in this case under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 53. By January 16, 2026, the Defendant shall file his response, if any. Sentencing Adjournment The sentencing currently scheduled for January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. is ADJOURNED to April 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in Courtroom 15D of the United States Courthouse, 500 Pearl Street, New York, New York 10007. No further adjournments of sentencing shall be ordered absent exceptionally good cause shown."
The case is USA v. Guo, et al., 1:23-cr-118 (Torres)
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Ghislaine Maxwell Filed Pro Se Habeas Petition Now Time to Amend After Partial Epstein Files
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 22 – With Ghislaine Maxwell in prison, she reportedly offered to testify to Congress about Jeffrey Epstein, presumably for a pardon.
Then she said she would invoke the Fifth.
Now after the Epstein files votes on Capitol Hill, from the SDNY Judge who took over the Maxwell file from Judge Nathan, this:
Order on Patreon here.
Just past noon on November 26 the US Attorney's Office filed a four page letter, on Patreon here
On December 3, Maxwell's counsel acknowledged the new Act but wrote "Ms. Maxwell respectfully notes that shortly she will be filing a habeas petition pro se. Releasing the grand jury materials from her case, which contain untested and unproven allegations, would create undue prejudice so severe that it would foreclose the possibility of a fair retrial should Ms. Maxwell’s habeas petition succeed.
On December 17 Ghislaine Maxwell's pro se habeas petition was filed, focused on Jury 50, "Scotty David," Inner City Press covering on X
On December 22, Judge Engelmayer set a schedule: "The Court has directed the Government to complete this process by January 6, 2026, at which point the Clerk of Court will docket Maxwell's filings as redacted. See Dkt. 824 (filed under seal). As to the briefing schedule on Maxwell's motion: By March 31, 2026, the Government shall respond to the motion. By April 30, 2026, Maxwell shall file any reply. This schedule is subject to the following caveat. On December 19, 2025, the Department of Justice ("DOJ") made publicly available various documents relating to Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein, pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Pub. L. No. 119-38, 139 Stat. 656 (2025), while stating that it will continue to review and release such material. See, e.g., Dkt. 823 (DOJ letter describing its review process). It is possible that Maxwell may seek, on the basis of such documents, to amend her Section 2255 motion. In the event that Maxwell intends to do so, by February 17, 2026, she must file, on the docket of this case, either an amended motion or a declaration setting a date, not to exceed March 31, 2026, by which she will do so." Order on Patreon here
Inner City Press, with its Maximum Maxwell book restored here, will cover all filings.
After having asked Maxwell herself question when she did a press conference in the UN. After that, Inner City Press was banned from the UN by SG Antonio Guterres. His spokesman Stephane Dujarric on July 14, 2025 refused to answer written questions, including:
On deadline, explain why Ghislaine Maxwell was granted a press conference in the UN briefing room, and why a UN correspondent who did a fundraiser with Ghislaine Maxwell - convicted of sex trafficking here in SDNY, and known at the time to be manager for Jeffrey Epstein - is allowed in daily and can ask questions, while Inner City Press which asked and asks remains banned, with 6/19/25 application to MALU pending, none of the promised (by Dujarric) answers to written questions like this provided
No answers.
Inner City Press continues reporting on the UN (where Ghislaine Maxwell was allowed a press conference and SG Antonio Guterres had a rep on her Terramar board (video here, story here).
This case is USA v. Maxwell, 1:20-cr-330 (Engelmayer)
And now Maxwell v. USA, 1:25-cv-10468 (Engelmayer)
Watch this site.
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