As Pannum Sues India Is Unable to Serve Ajit Doval in Blair House So Leaves Starbucks

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 26 – For a plot to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Indian national Nikhil Gupta is in the MDC Brooklyn jail; Inner City Press is covering his criminal case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. 

 Now a civil case filed by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, against the Indian government for assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, is also in SDNY. On February 26 Pannum's lawyers filed their affidavit of service on defendant Ajit Doval. Here is the story it tells.  

  Ajit Doval was staying at Blair House in DC on February 12 and 13 during the state visit. But, according to the filing, the Secret Service refused to accept service of legal papers on Doval, and threatened to arrest the process service, who left the papers in a Starbucks 100 feet away. 

  The case is Pannun v. The Government of India, et al., 1:24-cv-7021 (Failla)

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Daniel Sikkema Faces Capital Charge for Murder for Hire of Gallerist Husband in Brazil

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 26 – Daniel Sikkema has been subject to an Interpol warrant for the murder of his estanged husband, art gallery owner Brent Sikkema, in Brazil. On March 20 Daniel Sikkema was brought by US Marshals into the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court, with detention sought for passport fraud. Inner City Press was the only media there and live tweeted, thread

He was released - but on March 27 asked for a delay in putting up the Queens house: we have "identified a substitute property located in Manhattan to secure Mr. Sikkema’s bond, as the home we initially intended to post is unavailable." Letter on Patreon here.

On April 12, Daniel Sikkema was formally indicted. Patreon here

On December 18, a trial date was picked, and Inner City Press was there, the only media in the courtroom. From the thread:

All rise! Judge: I recently denied defendant's motions. Let's set a trial date. AUSA: April 21? Judge: I'm told there's a large jury selection here thay day [US v Eric Adams]. So the 22nd Story later

Addendum: Just after "Adjourned," Judge Ramos genially asked Inner City Press, What's the big trial here on April 21? "Eric Adams."

Well, not anymore. And on February 11, a superseding indictment of Sikkema, including murder for hire charges.

Inner City Press was in the Magistrates Court when he was remanded into detention.

And again on February 26 before Judge Ramos, from the thread:

All rise!

AUSA: The superseding indictment was unsealed and the defendant remanded. We have gotten evidence from Brazil, phone extractions. The April trial is postponed

Defense: This is a capital case, we need learned counsel. Judge: Let's both talk to Mr. Nelson

AUSA: The capital case process is changing under the new Administration

[Will it apply also to US v Luigi Mangeone?]

More details on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

 The case is USA v. Sikkema, 1:24-cr-227 (Ramos)

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In Charlie Javice Trial 10 Million Phantom Customers Floated and Commentary Called Out

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 26 – JPMorgan Chase bought a start-up called Frank, which claimed to have 4 million students signed up to file their FAFSA forms, for $175 million. Then Chase learned Frank had only 300,000 customers.

On April 4, 2023, Frank founder Ms. Charlie Javice was brought before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses and was freed on $2 million bond.

On January 24, 2025 Inner City Press published the first book on the case, Fintech Fraudster? here

In the February 20 openings, both defendants' lawyers hammered JPM Chase, with Javice's Baez naming Jamie Dimon and his hunger for acquisitions. The US Attorney's Office objected; Judge Hellerstein said the case is not about JPM Chase. We'll see. Full thread here.

On February 21 as Houston Cowan took the stand, then paused due to audio problems, Javice filed that "evidence and argument regarding Bank-1 should be excluded." Letter on Patreon here.

On February 26, the second then third witness, with not four but ten million floated, and running commentary from defense table called out.

Continued thread and more on X for Subscriber here and Substack here

  This case is USA v. Javice, et al., 1:23-cr-251 (Hellerstein)

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In Eric Adams Bribery Case He Asks to Dismiss With Prejudice After Judge Appointed Amicus

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 26 – The five-count indictment of NYC Mayor Eric Adams was unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the first one in and live tweeted it. City of Maybe book

The unsealing thread

On September 17 at noon he was arraigned and pleaded not guilty. Thread.

On February 10, 2025 DOJ's Emil Bove - a former SDNY prosecutor - wrote to acting US Attorney Danielle Sassoon ordering her to move to dismiss the case. Sovereign District book here

On February 14 after 6 pm, DOJ's Edward Sullivan filed a nolle prosequi citing Damian Williams' website and asserting Adams' need for security clearance for immigration enforcement.

On February 17 Inner City Press filed an application to unseal: "On February 12, 2025 as Dkt No. 117 on PACER it was stated "SEALED DOCUMENT placed in vault." This is a request to unseal this and all other sealed and/or redacted documents in this case. It is imperative there be access to the entire docket."

On February 21, after argument, SDNY Judge Ho adjourned the trial but did not yet dismiss the indictment, instead appointing Paul Clement as an amicus.

Early on February 26 Adams' lawyer Spiro filed a motion to dismiss with prejudice, citing the leak of Danielle Sassoon's February 12 letter. 20 page memo on Patreon here.

More on X for Subscribers here & Substack here

The Adams case is USA v. Adams, 1:24-cr-556 (Ho)

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Sean Combs and Marriott Were Sued by Buzbee Who Was Denied SDNY Admission Diddy Brief

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 25 – 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 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.

In the run-up to the 2:30 pm hearing Combs' counsel file a bail proposal, with $50 million bond - filing on Patreon here.

[Inner City Press published book / audio book Diddy Do It? on Sept 20 on Amazon here - then a second necessarily on GooglePlay here]

On mid October a slew of cases were filed in SDNY by the Tony Buzbee Firm, including one by a then-Brooklyn college student for sexual assault, including against Marriott for its alleged role. Complaint on Patreon here.

It was was re-assigned to Judge Mary Kay Viskocil (and Magistrate Judge Aaron)

On October 30, Judge Vyskocil denied pseudonymous status and said if it is not refiled with the name by Nov 12 it will be dismissed. 14 page Order on Patreon here.

After 5 pm on November 12, she refiled with name: Candice McCrary. The Brooklyn college campus would appear to be LIU.

Jump cut to February 21, 2025 - Tony Buzbee belatedly applied for pro hac vice admission to SDNY, and had to attach a recent order from the SDNY Grievance Committee denying him admission since "Mr. Buzbee has appeared in this court without seeking admission." Grievance Committee Order on Patreon here.

Late on February 25 Combs' lawyer opposed Buzbee being admitted even pro hac vice, 24 page memo on Patreon here

More on X for Subscribers here & Substack here

This case is McCrary v. Combs, 1:24-cv-8054 (Vyskocil)

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After Miles Guo Trial DOJ on Yvette Wang Asks for Remission

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 25 – 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 to December 9: "GRANTED IN PART. Sentencing is this matter is adjourned to December 9, 2024"

Letter and endorsement (order) on Patreon here

On November 22 for Yvette Wang the US Attorney's Office asked for a ten year sentence, 31 page sentence memo 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.

The case is US v. Guo, et al., 23-cr-118 (Torres)

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As Brad Lander Talks Guns Fed Cases and FBI Sovereign District Raised by Inner City Press

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

NYC CIVIC CENTER, Feb 25 – With NYC Mayor Eric Adams still under indictment, with DOJ's motion to dismiss still pending, Comptroller and candidate Brad Lander held a press conference about public safety on February 25 in front of One Police Plaza.

  Lander's plan says he would "work with DAs to scale out Manhattan DA Bragg's targeted approach of prioritizing prosecutions of gun traffickers."

Inner City Press asked Lander if he thought more or fewer gun cases should be Federalized, and about the FBI. Video here.

  Lander spoke about cooperation across states. Many in-state gun cases are brought into SDNY, and EDNY, under trigger-lock programs, as felon in possession of a firearm charges. Often at the presentments are HSI and sometimes FBI agents, working with the so-called Sovereign District, the title of an Inner City Press book, along with City of Maybe.

  Lander emphasized that he would keep Commissioner Jessica Tisch. He was asked, off-topic, about Andrew Cuomo and spoke about Cuomo's legal team's discovery strategy, on which Inner City Press has reported in SDNY. 

 The legal aspects of the campaigns continue to come into focus, and Inner City Press' coverage is ramping up.

More on X for Subscribers here & Substack here

Watch this site

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Blake Lively Wants To Keep Info from Public Baldoni Argues Disagreeing on Protective Order

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 25 – In the Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni lawsuits, a hearing was held on February 3 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Lewis J. Liman. Inner City Press was there with live coverage, thread

On February 10, Lively's lawyer asked for delay: "Plaintiff Blake Lively respectfully moves for an extension of time to file her amended complaint to March 5, 2025.  Full filing on Patreon here

On February 11 Baldoni's lawyer consented to delay but noted "unnecessary and baseless attacks on non-party Jed Wallace and the litigation pending against Ms. Lively" - filing on Patreon here

On February 25 Baldoni disagreed on the proposed protective order: "Given how actively the Lively Parties have publicized and litigated Ms. Lively’s claims in the media, we are surprised to now learn how vehemently she wants to prevent the public from accessing material and relevant evidence" - filing on Patreon here

Back on February 6, a new book "Hollywood Hearsay," ranging from the CRD complaint in California o Jed Wallace's new case in Texas, comparing SDNY defamation cases, from Sarah Palin through Devin Nunes v Rachel Maddow. Book here, Audiobook here

More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here, Buy Me a Coffee here

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Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com