Monday, July 6, 2020

As UN Bans Inner City Press 734th Day It E-Asks Spox Dujarric of UN Sexploitation Cover Up by SG China Cameroon UN Rape Covid S Sudan Fleming 4000+ UNanswered


By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon IMFBBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - CJR PFT
UN GATE / SDNY COURT, July 6 –  Inner City Press on 5 July 2018 was banned from entering the UN, two day after it was physically removed from conducting interviews outside meeting about the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' $6.7 billion budget.
  Then Guterres' Department of Global Communication, run by Melissa Fleming, issued a letter banning Inner City Press from the UN - for life. With no due process, no right of appeal.  Guterres has put the UN in the US Press Freedom Tracker, here. Guterres' Spokesman Stephane Dujarric falsely promised on camera that he would be answering banned Inner City Press' questions - but see below.
     On July 6 after Guterres again refused to answer but the IMF did answer, here, and before an amateur UN noon briefing by Stephane "French Whine" Dujarric, previously the face of UN lies on cholera in Haiti, Inner City Press submitted yet more questions (blocked by Dujarric's screener Florencia Soto Nino on +1 917 226 7816 and Dujarric himself on +1 917 622 7652; he directed some favored scribes to Eri Kaneko on +1 917 208 8910, who now blocks Inner City Press on WhatsApp as well) including on the basis on which it continues to be lawlessly banned from entering to ask questions in person. Now also on the basis for withholding publicly funded UN video from the Press. There was no answer from Farhan Haq on +1 917 592 4591, not even a confirmation of receipt, and now UN official like Hua Jiang, Eri Kaneko, now on screen Jennifer Confilio, Adam Smook, Marisela Rivera and others to be named taking public money for a UN briefing blocking email questions about the UN's spread of Covid 19 - May 21 Inner City Press video with commentary here and here, edit hereJune 16 video of Kaneko who had briefing go dark and never returned to explain here and here -- who will be held accountable? June 17 here, June 19 here, June 22 here, June 24 here, June 30 here, July 1 here, July 6 here, Inner City Press asked:
July 6-1: Immediately respond to and explain this leaked audio, exclusively published by Inner City Press, of OIOS' Ben Swanson here
 July 6-1a: On the reported disciplining of two at UNTSO, explain why you have not named them; confirm or deny they are as Inner City Press asked you in June Michael Antoine and Ray Milan; disclose previous complaints regarding Antoine and any actions taken, and confirm that Administrative Leave without Pay allows for payment of education grant and insurance, and is not a disciplinary measure. Also state when further actions are expected. See here  (as of noon July 6 with more than 165,000 views on Twitter, more on other platforms) 
Felatedly, confirm that the "Luminate" mentioned by USG Fleming on June 29 is Pierre Omidyar's foundation, here  
On Cameroon, what are the comments and actions if any of SG Guterres on that dozens of youths have been arrested at Mile 16 Buea on July 6, More than 50 of them, they are currently at the CBC primary school at mile 16?
On censorship and Egypt, what are the comments and actions if any of SG Guterres and separately USG Fleming on that The Egyptian security services are reported to have detained a young woman who has a big following on TikTok in the latest arrest of a female social media influencer. 
On UN bribery what are SG Guterres' comments and actions if any on the US Supreme Court's denial yesterday of UN briber Ng Lap Seng cert petition, thereby rejecting that the McDonnell doctrine applies to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act? What has SG Guterres done on those still in the UN implicated in the Ng Lap Seng / South South News corruption (including in the press corps and UNTV) and Patrick Ho? 
On Ethiopia and censorship, what are the comments and actions if any of SG Guterres and separately USG Fleming on the cut off of the Internet in Ethiopia? And on the murder of Ethiopian singer Hachalu Hundessa, who was shot dead on Monday, a symbol for the Oromo people who spoke up about the political and economic marginalisation that they had suffered under consecutive Ethiopian regimes  Since you didn't answer on June 30 - and no one you let in asked, what now of " At least 50 people have been killed in Ethiopia after the death of a popular singer sparked huge protests in the Oromia region, a local official said...
as well as on the June 22 admission by Sri Lanka former PR Kohona that his country led a campaign to get Inner City Press ousted and banned from the UN after it reported on mass killings in Sri Lanka, as Inner CIty Press was also doing as to Cameroon when your UN banned it now for 721 day. What is the appeals process? On deadline."  
What are the comments and now required actions by SG Guterres and USG Fleming on the June 22 admission by Sri Lanka's former ambassador to the UN Palitha Kohona, accused of war crimes in connection with the White Flag Killings, that he and his government used the UN and its Correspondents Association to get Inner City Press thrown out? See and now, after Inner City Press' first June 22 request, belatedly respond to this including Kohona stating that "at the UN in New York, a blogger had made it his mission to discredit the Government of Sri Lanka... He was also known to exchange information with diplomats at very important missions, some of whom had excellent sources within Sri Lanka. He was also a useful tool to some to embarrass the former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Subsequently, he began undermining Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.  But we mounted a quiet campaign against him... he fell afoul of the President of the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA), Giampaolo Pioli, who commenced proceedings to take him to court. Then he began to spar with a number of respected journalists who were beginning to approach us for information on the man. Eventually, full of hot air and empty confidence, he clashed with the Alison Smale, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, who declared that Lee’s “conduct has consistently breached” the UN’s media guidelines and “does not meet the established professional standards required of all correspondents granted access to United Nations premises.” As a result, his accreditation to cover the UN was withdrawn consistent with the terms of the US – UN Head Quarters Agreement (Agreement Between the United Nations and the United States Regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, Signed June 26, 1947, and Approved by the General Assembly October 31, 1947). The UN proceeded to evict him from the room that he was occupying and eventually from the UN itself" -- now more than 728 days, by Melissa Fleming, no appeal, no responses -- for alleged war criminal(s).  
 On UN corruption (and racism), please immediately and on deadline describe the recruitment process for the P4 Political Affairs Officer in the secretariat Branch of SCad and whistleblowers' complaints to Inner City Press that it is destined in advance for Hirofumi Goto  
In Honduras, President JOH talked up hydroxychloroquin - what does SG Guterres say about that, and about JOH named today in narco-trafficking complaint in SDNY against former Honduran National Police Chief Tigre Bonilla? 
More here.

Fentanyl in Turquoise SUV In Jersey Has Limon Alvarado Back in SDNY Courthouse Sept 9


By Matthew Russell Lee, PatreonBBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - The Source
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 6 – Marcos Limon Alvarado was charged on March 5, 2020 with transporting 2.16 kilos of fentalyl. 
On July 6, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Valerie E. Caproni held an arraignment. Inner City Press covered it. 
  The drugs were to be transfered at a truck stop in New Jersey, from a turquoise Saturn SUV. Limon Alvarado met with "CS-1 who has been providing information since approximately 2013 "in exchange for financial compensation and immigration benefits."  
 Judge Caproni set the next court date for September 9, saying she hopes it will be in her courtroom. If there is no disposition by then, she said, she will set a motion schedule and trial date at that time.

The case is US v. Limon Alvarado, 20-cr-318 (Caproni)

Jay Street $6M Curtain Wall Dispute Triggers SDNY Suit By Whitestone Construction


By Matthew Russell Lee, PatreonBBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - The Source
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 27 – Whitestone Construction had a contract with the New York City University Construction Fund for the curtain wall at 285 Jay Street in Brooklyn.
They subcontracted to Chicago-based Yuanda USA Corporation for nearly $6 million but were unhappy with what arrived, including the WT-3 Clerestory System. They sued.  
On July 6 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Gregory H. Woods held a proceeding. Inner City Press covered it. 
   The proceeding was delayed when Yuanda's lawyer first did not appear, then came on late. He said he had been in a telephone conference with a District Judge in the District of Rhode Island and it went long.  
 Judge Woods gave his standard admonitions about deadlines being real.
The parties estimate a five day trial - but when? Experts on the remediation of clerestory and facade work are expected.

The case is Whitestone Construction Corp. v. Yuanda USA Corporation, 20-cv-1006 (Woods)

After Loans at 79% Interest New Yorker Sues NJ Lender For Usury As Deposition by FedEx Mulled


By Matthew Russell Lee, PatreonBBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - The Source
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 6 – Alleging usurious loans under New York State law, Jayaveerapandian Shunmugavel has sued Selvam Balasubramaniam, calling him a "ruthless loan shark."  
On July 6, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge P. Kevin Castel held a proceeding. Inner City Press covered it. 
   Discovery was discussed, including remote deposition at which Judge Castel proposed that documents sent by FedEx would be kept sealed until the questioning itself.
One of the lawyers laughed, saying he had recently faced an adversary who demanded to see such documents three days before the deposition Q&A. He asked if the SDNY courthouse would be used to conduct depositions.
  That might happen in the New York State courthouses, Judge Castel replied, but not here.
   Many of the issues in the case come down to choice of law: the interest rates cited, 70%, are usury in New York but perhaps not elsewhere.
 So Judge Castel asked for filings on this issue, while encouraging the parties to try to settle. 
 He proposed referring the matter to the mediation program, saying he would so order it and consider reversing that if he heard again from the parties.

The case is Shunmugavel v. Balasubramaniam, 20-cv-957 (Castel)

For Transporting Meth Without Asking What It Way Solano Monroy Faces July 29 Sentencing


By Matthew Russell Lee, PatreonBBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - The Source
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 6 – Luis Aaron Solano-Monroy was arrested in December 2019 and charged with transporting meth from California to New York. He pleaded not guilty.  
On July 6 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge J. Paul Oetken held a change of plea proceeding. Inner City Press covered it.
   The proceeding started nearly an hour late, for various reasons. By the end there was no video for the defendant but he waived it.
    Solano-Monroy said he and his wife didn't know what they were transporting, and didn't want to ask. They were paid $5,000. He wants to be sentenced as soon as possible, his lawyer said.
The pre-sentencing report with be expedited in two weeks, with sentencing set for July 29.

The case is Solano-Monroy, 20-cr-28 (Oetken)

Sunday, June 28, 2020

EXCLUSIVE: More Inner City Press Scoop on UN Prostitution Video As Asked June 25 Trinidad and Puerto Rico


By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive, PatreonGermany - Honduras - UN Q - Tel Aviv Austria
UN GATE, June 28 – The United Nations claims to have a zero tolerance for sexual exploitation by its staff and peacekeepers, but routinely covers up their abuses including the rape of children, withholding basic information which was provided to the Press under Ban Ki-moon but not now under Antonio Guterres. 
   Inner City Press, which Guterres has banned from the UN for 724 days as it asks about these and his abuses, on June 23 received from outraged UN whistleblowers video of sexual exploitation, they said, in a white UN-marked vehicle, here.  Now InstagramFacebook.
  And this, more closely reported than BBC: "The video, released by Inner City Press on Tuesday, shows a woman in a red dress straddling a man in the back seat of a vehicle with U.N. marking as it drives away.    Inner City Press, an outlet that has reported and shined a light on corruption at the world body for years and was banned from reporting on U.N. grounds in New York in 2018, reports that the vehicle was part of a U.N. Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) mission in Tel Aviv, Israel."
  Inner City Press had been informed in detail by UNTSO and Tel Aviv sources of the history of prostitution - which the UN calls sexual exploitation and claims it has zero tolerance for - at work here. HaYarkon Street is well known for prostitution, and now hotels are closed by COVID-19. There is also a history of those in the UN vehicle.
 On June 25 Inner City Press asked more than a dozen UN officials in New York in writing, "June 25-1: As I asked each of you in writing yesterday, "This is a formal request for UNSG Guterres' comment and action on the video Inner City Press has uploaded of UN sexual exploitation in a UN marked vehicle here (as of noon June 26 with more than 10,000 views on Twitter, more on other platforms)   NOW - today - before SG Guterres "press" conference - Inner City Press is informed by UN whistleblower is is UNTSO Plate 205 in Jerusalem, the man in the back from Trinidad, front from Puerto Rico. WHAT HAS GUTERRES DONE?"
  They never answered. On June 28 Inner City Press asked Guterres, Melissa Fleming and UNTSO: "confirm or deny that Michael Antoine, whose past promotions and transfers out of UNTSO including to the UN-OPCW mission in Syria Inner City Press has previously asked the UN spokesmen about without answer, is with UNTSO (and his role in this).   Same question regarding Ray Milan." No answer.
  We now report - Milan is, as Inner City Press asked and reported, from Puerto Rico. And in the back, Michael Antoine has both Trinidadian and US citizenship - and quite a history. Inner City Press previously asked the UN about him and his sponsor / Godfather Fadil Abdullah, since promoted out to UNICEF in Sudan. UN cover ups.
  Whistleblowers exclusively tell Inner City Press this is being covered up: Antoine is "protected."  He is known in all the bars of Jerusalem.  The military observers know him as the jackass. That is his nickname.  Military observers were told not to place complaints about his antics, that nothing would be done.  They would see his UN vehicle out late in the bars in Jerusalem. He would drive with Ray to Haifa Russian bars.  Ray Milan and Antoine would also use prostitutes regularly.   Senior management refuse to address the misdeeds of civilian staff.  Antoine is part of culture of civilian UN staff who are undisciplined and there is no accountability.   Antoine had many Palestinian girlfriends and this would also cause problems for UN. Guterres is to blame for this.
  Inner City Press has been encouraged by UN staff to publish this now to try to ensure that Guterres doesn't once again cover up for a "whoremonger." They say Guterres should resign.
  Inner City Press has written to UNTSO and Guterres and Melissa Fleming about Antoine and... no response.
 Inner City Press formally requested the code to ask questions at the June 26 UN noon briefing, including to a UN Peacekeeping official who spoke there, misleading, about COVID-19 - and Inner City Press will continue to demand re-accreditation.

  On June 26, despite the story now being reported from Austria to Israel to Switzerland, those let in from Al Jazeera and other publications asked nothing. We'll have more on this. Watch this site.

Friday, June 26, 2020

After Inner City Press Scoop UN Sexploitation Video Stonewalling UN Spox Claims Will Act


By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive, PatreonBBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - Jerusalem

UN GATE, June 26 – The United Nations claims to have a zero tolerance for sexual exploitation by its staff and peacekeepers, but routinely covers up their abuses including the rape of children, withholding basic information which was provided to the Press under Ban Ki-moon but not now under Antonio Guterres. 
   Inner City Press, which Guterres has banned from the UN for 724 days as it asks about these and his abuses, on June 23 received from outraged UN whistleblowers video of sexual exploitation, they said, in a white UN-marked vehicle, here.  Now InstagramFacebook.
  The UN has for three days refused to respond in any way, from Guterres through Amina J. Mohammed to Achim Steiner and Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric and dozens of other UN officials and member states, apparently hoping for another UN cover up.

Well, no.
  Inner City Press early on June 25 reported what it knows and has now been taken without credit, as part of this litmus test the UN has failed: the car belongs to UNTSO mission, in Tel Aviv, and the car plate is 205. Photo here. Both are civilian international staff of UNTSO mission headquartered in Jerusalem. "Their names are known."
It asked, now what will corrupt censor Guterres do?
 Belatedly, after trying to cover up for three days, on the evenin gof June 26 from Dujarric's $10 million penthouse apartment on 86th Street on Manhattan Upper East Side, this: "We are deeply disturbed by content of video apparently involving personnel from #UNTSO. An investigation was swiftly launched & is moving very quickly. Appropriate action will be taken. 9:25 PM · Jun 25, 2020 from New York, USA·Twitter for iPhone." Photo here, credit to Inner City Press for example here.
  Inner City Press does not believe this. Dujarric, presumably for Guterres, has been covering up dozens of UN child rapes for at least the past year. Inner City Press has been asking about them; Dujarric and Guterres had Inner City Press roughed up and banned. Dujarric said he would answer written questions, but then he stopped. And now, all if-asked information about UN rapes is withheld. So, no. It is time for accountability, and an end to UN censorship. Watch this site.
Tellingly, in terms of UN censorship (alliance), in a Press-less "press conference" on June 25 those allowed in by Melissa Fleming did not ask about this obvious scandal. Periscope here.
  Inner City Press after inquiries uploaded the video and many hours ago asked Guterres, his head of communications Melissa Fleming, spokesman Stephane Dujarric and some 30 UN system officials about it: "This is a formal request for UNSG Guterres' comment and action on the video Inner City Press has just uploaded of UN sexual exploitation in a UN marked vehicle, here
  as well as on the June 22 admission by Sri Lanka former PR Kohona that his country led a campaign to get Inner City Press ousted and banned from the UN after it reported on mass killings in Sri Lanka, as Inner City Press was also doing as to Cameroon when your UN banned it now for 721 day. What is the appeals process? On deadline."   Now by the next day, no response from these UN officials, except this from UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression: "Your message couldn't be delivered to [David A. Kaye] because it exceeds the size limit." Ironic. Inner City Press has sent out and will send out many more requests for response and action. Watch this site. 
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