Tekashi #6ix9ine Charged with Drugs Now Admits MDMA So Sentencing Sept 25

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 23 – Rapper Daniel Hernandez a/k/a Tekashi #6ix9ine, still on probation after sentencing as a cooperator in the Nine Trey gang case, was ordered detained on alleged violations of supervised release on October 29 by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Paul A. Engelmayer. Inner City Press was there, from the thread (when he spoke for himself)

#6ix9ine: I'm not a piece of, uh, I'm not a bad person. I apologize.

On November 5 the US Attorney's Office wrote to "recommend that the following sentence be imposed: (1) a period of thirty days’ incarceration; (2) followed by" - letter on Patreon here.

On November 6 Judge Engelmayer noted that he would ask questions.

And he did, before imposing a 45 days sentence. Thread here

Jump cut to April 11, after Inner City Press published a book on 6ix9ine (and Kay Flock) here - more VOSRs and a hearing: "Daniel Hernandez. The Court schedules a conference for the purpose of arraigning the defendant on multiple supervised release violations specifications on April 21, 2025."

Inner City Press live tweeted, here - the next court day was set at May 22.

On May 5, the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for a delay to July: "Earlier today, the Government learned that it will take at least approximately six weeks from tomorrow’s date (i.e., June 17, 2025) for the Palm Beach County Sherriff’s Department to develop and compare results, if any, of DNA swabs taken from Hernandez’s person and from a firearm recovered in Hernandez’s pool house" - full letter on Patreon here

On May 6 the hearing was pushed back: "The Court adjourns the hearing until July 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. This conference will not be further adjourned. As proposed in the parties' letter, a joint letter is due one week before the hearing, stating whether the hearing will entail a plea by Mr. Hernandez (and if so to what violation(s) and on what terms) or an evidentiary hearing (and if so, outlining the evidence that will be presented)." Endorsed filing on Patreon here

On July 3 the US Attorney's Office wrote in that "Hernandez will admit to VOSR Specifications 3 and 4, which are each Grade C violations, charging him with unlawfully possessing MDMA and cocaine, respectively. Following his admissions, the Government will move to dismiss Specifications 1 and 2, whereupon the Government understands that the defendant—with the Government’s consent—will request an adjournment for sentencing."

On July 23, Inner City Press live tweeted, from the thread:

Judge Engelmayer: Mr. Hernandez, I understand you wish to enter an admission?

6ix9ine / Hernandez: Yes Your Honor.

Judge: How far did you go in school? 6ix9ine: 11th grade. Judge: Are you under medical care? 6ix9ine: I see a mental health professional once a week

Judge: Are you admitting to these specifications? 6ix9ine: Yes Your Honor. Judge: Did you have personal possession? 6ix9ine: Yes, it was in my cabinet.

 Judge: Any objection to putting off sentencing to September 25 at 11 am? No. Judge: Mr. Hernandez, I will consider what you do between now and then. 6ix9ine: Yes Your Honor

more courtroom details on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

The case is still USA v. Jones, et al., 1:18-cr-834 (Engelmayer)

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DOJ Seeks to Meet Maxwell As Schedule Set on Moves to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Transcripts

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 22 – Past 5 pm on July 18 DOJ's Todd Blanche filed in SDNY asking to unseal the grand jury transcripts of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

  Blanche wrote "the privacy interests at stake on the other side of the balance are substantially diminished due to Epstein’s death. Of course, as noted above, the Department of Justice will work with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to redact all victim-identifying information prior to any release. 6. For these reasons, this Court should conclude that the Epstein and Maxwell cases qualify as a matter of public interest, release the associated grand jury transcripts, and lift any preexisting protective orders."

A similar request as to Ghislaine Maxwell as filed, first with Judge Nathan, reassigned to Judge Engelmayer. He and Judge Berman set a schedule, including victims' filings by August 5.

  Meanwhile Todd Blanche reached out to Maxwell's counsel, who wrote in asking to set her transcripts, with the concurrence of Blanche.

    Inner City Press is on the case, noting on July 14 DOJ's opposition to Maxwell's appeal -

"that Epstein’s nonprosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida barred petitioner’s prosecution by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. That contention is incorrect" -

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.

     On April 19, 2022 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Loretta A. Preska held a proceeding to unseal some but not all documents.  Inner City Press, which has published a book on the Maxwell trial here, and another book including the Larry Ray trial "John list" here, live tweeted it, thread here:

 173-6 it will be sealed [or redacted.]

Jump cut to April 25, 2025, with Virginia Giuffre declared dead, reportedly by suicide. A redacted life. Rest in Peace.

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). On June 19, 2025 Inner City Press applied to re-enter the UN to ask these questions, here.

More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

   Watch this site.  

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As Lively Sues Baldoni Insurer Said It Should Not Pay Baldoni Defense Case Deemed Related

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 22 – 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, on Patreon here

On February 28 Baldoni filed to expand the quashing of Lively's subpoena to include Warfarer employees - filing on Patreon here

On July 16, the eve of Lively's deposition, an emergency hearing which Inner City Press live tweeted here.

At 8:30 pm Lively's lawyers wrote in that her deposition is being pushed to July 31.

On July 21 Harco National Insurance Company filed a lawsuit in SDNY seeking "a declaration that the Management Liability Policies issued by Harco to Wayfarerdo not provide coverage for the claims asserted by Blake Lively against the Wayfarer Defendants and others in a lawsuit captioned Lively v. Wayfarer Studios, et al." - Complaint on Patreon here

On July 22 this case was deemed "related" to the cases before Judge Liman, and the case was assigned to him.

This case is Harco National Insurance Company v. Wayfarer Studios LLC et al., 1:25-cv-5949 (Liman)

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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COBA Insisted Jona Rechnitz Owes It $12M Now He Gets Sentencing Delay to Nov 12

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Thread Letter

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 22 – When government cooperator Jona Rechnitz came up for sentencing for defrauding among others the NYC Correction Officers' annuity fund on December 19, 2019 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, Assistant US Attorney Martin Bell urged leniency.  

Bell said that so that Rechnitz can continue to pay restitution, he should remain free in order to keep selling jewelry to the Kardashians.  

  In February 2020 Rechnitz was sued in California for fraud. Inner City Press published the complaint on Scribd here, and for download on Patreon here.

  On July 26, 2023, after appeal the Second Circuit ruled that the case should be reassigned, as "the judge's relationship with [Andrew] Kaplan was sufficiently close... that a reasonable person would have questioned the district court's impartiality."
 
  Thereupon, Rechnitz' counsel wrote it suggesting his case be reassigned to Judge Carter, or Judge Wood or Liman. It was reassigned to Judge Katherine Polk Failla.

On August 30, the US Attorney's Office and COBA said the $12 million should be ordered. Rechnitz through counsel said restitution should only be "$891,00 ($1,206,00 minus $315,000 that Mr. Rechnitz has already paid the victim."

On September 16, COBA's Reply memo chided Rechnitz for claiming ignorance and even impoverishment; "having skin in a rigged game does not imply good faith."

On October 9, Inner City Press live tweeted the oral arguments, here.

And on October 16, from the thread of the decision, this

Judge Failla:  The losses to COBA are devastating. Mr. Rechnitz was a but-for cause of those losses- but the law requires more than that, that he be the proximate cause. I conclude the US has not so proven; Mr. Rechnitz will not be changed with the larger figure

Judge Failla: I want to be clear, I am not finding that the US investigation of Platinum or disclosure of Rechnitz' plea led to the losses.

Judge Failla: Mr. Rechnitz was not told about the fraud at Platinum during the relevant time period, and he had no reason to know about it. Mr. Rechnitz' view were more conservative that those of Mr. [Norman] Seabrook.
Summary: The Court finds that the Government has not proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Defendant is the proximate cause of the approximately $11.7M in remaining losses for which COBA seeks restitution, or that the risk of loss from separate frauds was reasonably foreseeable to Defendant. The Court orders restitution in the amount of $891,000.00.

On January 24, 2025 Rechnitz's lawyer wrote in seeking to push the February 12 sentencing all the way to June, citing COBA's challenge on restitution in the Second Circuit - but COBA opposes sentencing delay. The US Attorney's Office, Rechnitz says, consents to this delay.

And so on January 27 it was granted: "Due to the scheduling conflicts, and moreover, the pending petition for a writ of mandamus, the Court GRANTS Defendant's request for an adjournment of his upcoming sentencing. The Court hereby ADJOURNS Defendant's sentencing, currently scheduled for February 12, 2025, to June 11, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The deadline for the parties to submit supplemental sentencing submissions is correspondingly ADJOURNED to May 28, 2025; any responsive submissions shall be filed on or before June 4, 2025."

But it was delayed again: after sealed documents placed in vault on February 10 and then May 9, on May 19 Judge Failla pushed sentencing back to August 12."

Then on July 22, again: " ORDER as to Jona Rechnitz: The sentencing scheduled for August 12, 2025, is ADJOURNED to November 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The date to submit sentencing submissions is ADJOURNED to October 29, 2025; any responsive submissions shall be filed on or before November 5, 2025.  (Signed by Judge Katherine Polk Failla on 7/22/2025)

The case is USA v. Rechnitz, 1:16-cr-389 (Failla)

Watch this site.

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In Roman Storm Trial Shakeeb Ahmed Cites Tornado and Samourai as Chainalysis Quash Bid

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 22 – Roman Storm is charged using his cryptocurrency mixed Tornado Cash to help launder money for North Korea's hackers in the Lazarus Group.

On September 6, 2023 he was arraigned before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Katherine Polk Failla. Inner City Press was there - thread

The US on July 9, 2025 filed opposition - just as in the Samouri Wallet case a letter from Senator Lummis and Wyden that cites theTornado Cash case, letter now on Patreon, with Samouri story, here.

On July 11 Inner City Press live tweeted a conference in which the US said Witness-1 only began speaking to them on July 3 and is seeking sentence reduction under Rule 35. Judge Failla will let Witness-1 testifying, but expressed doubts on venue. Thread.

On July 14 Inner City Press live tweeted jury selection.

Crypto Tornado book 1 here

On July 22, as Judge Failla set a July 24 hearing on Chainalysis' bid to quash, imprisoned hacker Shakeeb Ahmed testified he used Tornado Cash for Crema hack - and Samourai for Nirvana. Thread. The US listed its forthcoming witnesses

More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

The case is USA v. Storm, et al., 1:23-cr-430 (Failla)

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Crypto Trial of Samourai Wallet Set for Nov 3 Shadow Filings to be Docketed & Hill to Return

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 22 – In another crypto industry prosecution by DOJ, on April 29 crypto-mixed Samourai Wallet's Keonne Rodriguez was presented and released on bond in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Court, where Inner City Press was the only media present.

    Rodriguez, 35, was released on $1 million bond, to be secured by a property at 610 Wood Street, Harmony, PA 16037.

  His co-defendant William Hill was arrested in Portugal and would, DOJ said, be extradited.

On July 9, the US opposed Hill's request to be bailed out to Portugal. The requests has two sealed letters of the type usually made public; it also includes a letter on crypto to AG Merrick Garland from Senators Lummis and Wyden that cites the Roman Storm / Tornado Cash case, letter now on Patreon here.

The Defendants accordingly request a hearing - filing on Patreon here

On May 9 the US Attorney's Office responded that no hearing is needed, quoting from messages on Dread, "a dark web message board," that "Wasabi is broken, Samourai Whirlpool is a much better option."

On May 12 the defendants reiterated that the communications by FinCEN should have been disclosed, and cited the Blanche Memo - as well as the cases of Ahuja and Nejad...

On May 30, the Samourai defendants moved to dismiss the indictment - and elsewhere in the day, Roman Storm of Tornado Cash, cited the Rodriguez case to Judge Failla.

On July 3, a request to present oral argument: "Defendants’ would-be amici seek leave to present oral argument at the July 22 hearing. Together, these prominent organizations—DeFi Education Fund, the Blockchain Association, Coin Center, the Bitcoin Policy Institute, and The Digital Chamber—represent the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem."

On July 9, the case was reassigned to Judge Denise L. Cote: "NOTICE OF CASE REASSIGNMENT as to Keonne Rodriguez, William Lonergan Hill, to Judge Denise L. Cote. Judge Richard M. Berman no longer assigned to the case."

On July 22, amid the US v. Storm / Tornado Cash trial (book), Inner City Press went to Judge Cote's courtroom where she told the Samourai defendants to put their filings on the docket; then "Defense counsel for Mr. Hill shall advise the court by July 23, 2025 when the defendant will be moving to the United States to prepare for Trial. The Government shall file a letter by July 23, 2025 regarding its calculation of the speedy trial clock and any time that may have elapsed. Deadline to supersede is September 12, 2025. Any motions in limine shall be due October 1, 2025. Opposition due October 15. Trial date set for November 3, 2025."

  Like Do Kwon and other crypto cases, Inner City Press will cover the case.

It is now USA v. Rodriguez, et al., 1:24-cr-82 (Cote)

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After SBF Got 25 Years Salame 90 Months At Michelle Bond Hearing on Plea Rule 11 Cited

by Matthew Russell Lee

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 21 – On the US v Sam Bankman-Fried trial, hours after the guilty verdict, a book was published: "Crypto Criminal: The Conviction of Sam Bankman-Fried: As live tweeted and investigated from inside the SDNY courthouse by Matthew Russell Lee," audio/book here.

  On March 28, 2024, Inner City Press live tweeted his sentencing, to 25 years.

On May 28 Salame was "sentenced to 90 months."

On August 21, Salame filed that "the Government used the plea negotiations to threaten Salame’s domestic partner and the mother of his child, Michelle Bond." Full filing on Patreon here.

 On August 22, after Inner City Press published a curtain raiser on Michelle Bond being presented in SDNY Mag court, it happened,  thread

On June 19 Bond's lawyers requesting a hearing about Salame's plea, saying she is a third party beneficiary and that the case provides a rare opportunity to cast Brandeis' sunshine onto the SDNY prosecutors' "tactics in obtaining pleas."

On July 22, amid the US v Storm crypto trial, this:

AUSA Simon: Mr. Breslin seems to say we agreed to not tell the court about an agreement. This is serious and may implicate Rule 11.

Afterward: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge George B. Daniels: Oral Argument as to Michelle Bond held on 7/22/2025. for Government: Stephanie Simon. Attorney(s) present for Defendant(s): Eric R. Breslin; Melissa S. Geller. Also present: Defendant; Court Reporter. Notes: Oral argument re ECF No. 39 held. Next status conference is scheduled for September 25, 2025 at 10:00 a.m

More details on X for Subscribers here, Substack here

This case is US v. Bond, 24-cr-494 (Daniels)

We'll have more on this.

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