Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Monday, December 2, 2024
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Monday, November 25, 2024
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Friday, November 22, 2024
Guilty Verdict in NYCHA Bribery 2d Trial of Hector Colon After Juror Did Own Research
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 22 – 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 September 16, NYCHA defendant Charles Starks moved to dismiss, noting that the indictment provided "almost no detail on... the timing" - and citing the Supreme Court's Snyder v. US decision.
On November 12, NYCHA defendant Hector Colon was moving toward trial to start on November 18. Inner City Press went to the final pre-trial conference, where discussion ranged from a Punjabi interpreter to voir dire.
On November 18 Inner City Pres was there, from the thread:
US v Hector Colon. Contractor witness with immunity agreement tells jury he bribed 20 to 25 NYCHA employees.
AUSA: Why did you pay? Witness ( through Punjabi interpreter) They demanded it or they wouldn't sign off on our work, the SOS, so we could get paid.
On November 21, after the jury sent out a note including that "we are having a lot of discord, some are more driven by bias + don't believe some items." The US Attorney's Office wanted to ask if anyone on the jury is refusing to deliberate based on the Court's instructions; the defense does not want to ask, at least not yet.
On November 22 Inner City Press was in the courtroom when Juror 10 was taken into the robing room to be questioned about having done his own research. Unclear, at least to the press and public, what was said. But a guilty verdict was returned: "HECTOR COLON was convicted today of bribery and extortion under color of official right for taking thousands of dollars from contractors in exchange for awarding those contractors no-bid contracts or approving payment on previously awarded contracts at NYCHA developments for approximately three years. The verdict followed a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman."
Inner City Press will stay on these cases.
Watch this site.
This case is USA v. Colon, 1:24-cr-367 (Liman)
Watch this site - and these feeds: X and X for subscribers.
And Substack here
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
Sean Combs Argues 3d Time for Bail This Time With Upper East Side Apartment Ruling Soon
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 22 – 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 the courtroom here.
At 10:30 pm, from SDNY News, this: "USA Damian Williams: Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY. We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time."
At US Attorney Damian Williams' press conference Inner City Press asked if his office would be seeking detention - Yes, he said. Detention memo on Patreon here.
[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here]
More on X for Subscribers here & Substack here
On November 18, Combs' lawyers filed for a hearing, arguing that "prosecutors are in possession of attorney client privileged material, including the defendant’s own written notes" - filing on Patreon here
After 5 pm on November 18, the time specified by Judge Subramanian, the US Attorney's Office replied that no hearing is necessary, "This exhibit is being filed under seal pursuant to the protective order governing discovery in this case" - letter on Patreon here
On November 22, Inner City Press live tweeted the bail arguments, here. Judge Subramanian did not decide, instead asking for letter by Monday at noon and saying he will rule next week.
Extra/analysis on X for Subscribers here & Substack here
The case is USA v. Combs, 1:24-cr-542 (Subramanian)
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
In Daniel Penny Trial ADA Notes Sickle Cell Cover Ups and Taser Links of Study Authors
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
100 CENTRE STREET, Nov 22 – In the Daniel Penny trial on November 21, his medical expert Doctor Chandru was cross examined until he used the word homicide, not distinguishing between the medical and the legal context. Inner City Press was there, from the thread
ADA: There is no literature connecting K2 to the sickle of cells, correct? [A member of the public here in the gallery seems to laugh, or woop - a court officer goes over to shush her]
Penny's medical expert Chandru: No, there is literature, on anti-psychotics
ADA: Dr. Chandru, you've only published two articles, right? Penny's medical expert Chandru: Yes, before being a resident. ADA: Unlike Doctor Harris, who has published more - Penny's lawyer: Objection. ADA: You think you know better
ADA: You're saying you know better than the Chief Medical Examiner, than the NE Journal of Medicine- Penny's lawyer: Objection. Judge Wiley: Sustained. Don't answer that question. ADA: They studied people who were stun-gunner or Tazed Objection! Overruled.
ADA: Isn't it a fact that sickle cell was being used as a way to cover up the death of African Americans in custody? Penny's lawyer: Objection! Judge: We're not going there. ADA: It's relevant to the next line of questions. But let's go to the new article
ADA: This paper was intended to argue against the view that sickle cell was being used to cover up deaths of African Americans in custody? Penny's medical expert Chandru: I don't know their intent. ADA: These authors are mostly from Texas
ADA: 2 of these authors are advisors to a company that makes Tasers, correct? Penny's medical expert Chandru: If you say so.
ADA: Some of the deaths in custody attributed to sickle cell involve Tasers - that's two of them. Another author is a retired police chief
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
UN Representative to ECOSOC Arrested for False Statements About Talks with Russia
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 21 – A woman describing herself as a UN Representative at ECOSOC was arrested on November 21 and presented in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on charges of false statements about contact with the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federal. Inner City live tweeted, thread
now at US v Ms. Nomma Zarubina - an NGO "ambassador to UN ECOSOC," with Russian interpreter present. Inner City Press as only media here will report Judge: You are charged with false statements to US law enforcement about communications with Federal Security Service & official of Russian Federation.
AUSA: We agree to release with 1 co-signer, not communications with foreign officials except Russian consulate
Federal Defender: She also wants travel to New Jersey.
Judge: OK. Preliminary hearing in 30 days
The case is USA v. Zarubina, 24-mj-4038 (Aaron)
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
SDNY Press Room
ICE Official Who Sold Info to Eric Adams Staff Also Downloaded DHS Info Now Free on Bond
by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 21 – The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on November 21 announced "the arrest of HENRY YAU for a scheme to commit identity theft, convert government records, and disclose agency records containing individually identifiable information. YAU will be presented before Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron."
Inner City Press went to the proceeding, and as the only media there live tweeted it, from the thread:
Yau is brought in by US Marshals, in turquoise t-shirt and COVID mask. He has detained counsel. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron: Time of arrest? AUSA: 7 am. Judge: Detention or release?
AUSA: Bail package Defense: I'd like to push this to second call
Note: YAU disclosed confidential information from law enforcement databases about Victim-1 who Lin was seeking to deported from the US due to conflict with members of a bank fraud conspiracy in which Lin was involved
They're back on Yau. AUSA: We propose release on $2 million bond, $1 million [of which] in cash or property Judge: What's the hang up? [A third retained lawyer has gotten involved]
Defense: This bail is excessive. Mr Yau owns some investment properties. 3d call?
AUSA: There was an audit of his DHS downloads, he took passwords - we want to search his residence or we'll freeze it
Defense: We offer $1 million signature, $250,000 secured. AUSA: He traveled around the world chasing fugitives for ICE. He knows how to flee
AUSA: They tried to run his social security number - others have been searching him, other law enforcement seemingly working with him
Judge: I am the one who signs search warrants. If probable cause is shown I will keep him detained pending the search
Judge: I give you 30 minutes.
They're back again on US v Henry Yau No contact with Tommy Lin without counsel present.
Yau is signing something - public? Is he giving back the DHS info?
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
The case is US v. Yau, 24-mj-4055 (Aaron)
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
SDNY Press Room