In OneCoin Case US Wants Less than 10 Years on Irina Dilkinska Citing Aamer Abdulaziz

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 27 -- For scam crypto currency OneCoin, Sebastian Greenwood who co-founded the company with Ruja Ignatova was sentenced to 20 years in prison by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Edgardo Ramos on September 12, 2023. Inner City Press was there and live tweeted, thread here

On January 25, Mark Scott was sentenced to 10 years in prison - but will be asking for bail pending appeal. Thread here.

On February 26 for Konstantin Ignatov, with a 90 year guideline, the US Attorney's Office asked for time served - with lines redacted.

On March 5, Konstantin Ignatov got just that: time served, with two years supervised release and a forfeiture of some $118,000.

On March 20, counsel for Irina Dilkinska asked for time served for her, too - though she did not cooperate. She was allowed to pled to two counts each with a five year maximum. The first letter, from Vasil Mutafchief, says "I firmly believe in Irina's innocence and the need for a thorough reevaluation of the evidence presented at her trial." But she had no trial: she pled guilty. Letter on Patreon here

On March 27, the US wrote in but not with any number, only for a sentence below the guidelines (which they put at 10 years) but with "a substantial period of imprisonment." The US also writes that "Dilkinska told Ignatov that Aamer Abdulaziz, who was one of the main money launderers for Ruja, stole at least 100 million Euros that were proceeds from the OneCoin Fraud Scheme." Why hasn't he been prosecuted or thought?

Watch this site. More on Substack here

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Harris After Guilty Plea on Ashley Biden Diary Is No Show For Sentencing Re Set for April 9

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack

SDNY Exclusive follow up, March 27 -  For taking and transporting Ashley Biden's diary from Florida to New York, guilty pleas on no notice were entered on August 25 by Robert Kurlander and Aimee Harris. Inner City Press was there, and live tweeted, here and below.

Before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave, first Kurlander then Harris were brought out of the holding cell by US Marshals, and pled guilty. Inner City Press' thread is here and below.

On January 29, the day before her sentencing scheduled for January 30, Harris wrote in through counsel to ask to appear by video to request an adjournment, saying she is sick and has no childcare.

On January 30, Inner City Press was in the courtroom. At first, Harris would not unmute; when she did there was shouting, police radio squawk, and a stand-off. Thread

On February 1, Harris' lawyer wrote in to say she needs to passport back in order to travel to New York. Then a sealed medical note from Helix Urgent Care.

On February 5, Inner City Press went. Thread

On March 25, before the March 27 sentencing, the US Attorney's Office wrote in including that "the Government understands that the defendant did not comply with this Court’s directive" - full letter on Patreon here.

On February 5, the judge said "Ms. Harris, you must be here in person for the March 27, 2024 sentencing date. I do not want to have to consider

More including transcript photo (X subscribers) here and on Substack here

On March 27 at 2:30, thread: OK - now at US v Aimee Harris, who is not here. Video link to Florida being hooked up. Aimee Harris' appointed lawyer tells courtroom deputy, I told her to sign on at 2:25 pm. But she's not on. Six people now at prosecution table

Now Aimee Harris has phoned /Teams'd in. All rise! At prosecution table, 2 FBI agents. Judge: Ms Harris, do you understand you were required to be here today? Harris: Yes, Your Honor.

 Harris' CJA lawyer: I ask that we adjourn one more time, to the week of April 8. I understand the US is asking for a bench warrant. Judge: Under Rule 43, I could sentence her in absentia. AUSA: Her reasons are false.

AUSA: Don't give her another chance. She has refused to drop off her kids at school for the past 2 days, contrary to a court order.

Pre-Trial Services rep: She moves twice a month. Aimee  Harris' lawyer: She is struggling. Judge: All documents are due by Friday at noon, or I'l sign a warrant. Final sentencing date is April 9 at 11 am, here. AUSA: Impose GPS location monitoring. Judge: I might

Judge: See you on April 9.

Then after the judge left the bench, Aimee Harris spoke into an open / hot mic

More on X for Subscribers here & Substack here

The case is US v. Harris, 22-cr-457 (Swain)

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After Mali Demanded UN Peacekeepers Leave SG Antonio Guterres Abandons Local Staff

By Matthew Russell Lee

UN GATE, March 27  – In Mali when protesters were teargassed and at least two killed, there was not a word from the Security Council or even for usually robo-tweeting UNSG Antonio Guterres, who had Inner City Press roughed up and banned since, video here.

  The UN Mission was thrown out of Mali. Inner City Press applied to re-enter UNHQ to ask. No answer.

 Now we publish this:

"Dear Matthew, Just to let you know about our situation in Mali. The sad part is that the same people in the magic circus of the DMS will be safe. For most of us nothing. Everything was corrupted here and this the result thanks to our lovely and transparent hierarchy.

 Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Subject: The death of MINUSMA and consequences To: Antonio Guterres [etc: whole list]

Dear Excellency Secretary General,  We are writing to you as our last resort to get fair treatment from the UN in our Country, Mali.  The Mission, in view of the closure,  has done something only for Internationals and only for those who were close to the DMS, Mr. Anton Antchev and his girlfriend the DSRSG Ms. Daniela Kroslak.  These International Staff  will not have problems finding a job after MINUSMA and even their relatives, already safely employed,  and crooked friends. This is a well unwritten but effective rule in DOS. 

Privileges and nepotism have been a constant trend in MINUSMA and finally went to the head of our Government who kicked out the UN who was supposed to help us and not to increase corruption.  We were not expecting anything good from Mr. Antchev, Godfathers/ mothers  in DOS and his friends, considering that he was the one who publicly offended us on various occasions, requested us not to board the UN A/C and was then PNG from our Country.  If he would have been removed by USG Mr. Khare, instead of looking for his reinstatement,  maybe we would have had more respect for the UN but currently we have none. In the Mission and in the public society. 

As Mr. Khare considers him efficient but for us he is just a deficient, speaking in a kind of undermined English which is understandable perhaps only in his Country or  with his similar felonies. Such an arrogant and ignorant person.  Therefore, we would be glad if Mr. Khare could send him out asap and let us have a fair person to whom we can discuss our future and compensations for the loss of our jobs.

 Unfortunately, we all know Mr. Antchev, being a golden boy of Mr. Khare, will be reassigned somewhere else to continue damages, promoting his wife and girlfriends.  We are tired of being treated as second hand laborers and this is the message we send to all our Brothers and Sisters in Africa.  If you see anything wrong in your Mission, do not accept it. Raise your voice, write, let your community know what is going on.  If not, you will pay the same price as us.  First humiliated, and then left without a job and any form of compensation.

 Thank God at least the UN cancer is over in Mali."

  This as Inner City Press, which reports on Mali and South Sudan for example is excluded by the UN Secretariat from getting promised answers - for example to this question it posed: "what is the UN's response to the massacre" - UN failure.

More here.

Accused of Forgery in Angola While Working For GE Detained Man Will Move to Dismiss

 

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 26 – A former GE executive now detained on wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges appeared on March 26 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge P. Kevin Castel. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the courtroom.  

Wilson Daniel Freita Da Costa was in the green jail jumpsuit of the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

His lawyer said he intends to move to dismiss the indictment in the next week, on grounds of the extraterritorial application of the wire fraud statute to conduct in Angola, and apparently the statute of limitations. 

  The lawyer said the PhotoShop / forgery charged took place long ago. If the motion to dismiss fails, he said, he will ask for release on bail pending trial. 

 The case is US v. Freita Da Costa, 23-cr-610 (Castel)

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As Delgado Sues Trump Over West Wing Job Withheld She Gets Depo of Kellyanne Conway

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 26 – Arlene "A.J." Delgado sued the Trump campaign after she did not receive the West Wing job she said she was promised (but Jason Miller got).  

      On August 16, 2022 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker held an in-person proceeding. Inner City Press went and covered it. 

Jump cut to January 30, 2024: Delgado is now pro se and moving to depose Reince Priebus and Eric Trump. Inner City Press live tweeted, thread

On February 5, 2024, Magistrate Judge Parker denied Delgado's motion that she recuse herself for having practiced employment defense law prior to becoming a Magistrate Judge, and other reasons. Order on Patreon here.

On February 28, after Delgado's submission of a 15 page letter here, there was a discovery conference. Inner City Press live tweeted it here (and, for those who prefer, on Threads here)

On March 6, Arlene Delgado docketed her subpoena to Jared Kushner, including the records he should bring - subpoena on Patreon here

On March 21, Delgado filed a discovery letter with Judge Parker, including that "During the deposition of third-party witness Eric Trump, on March 13, 2024, Mr. Trump (who was represented by Alina Habba, Esq.) stated that, in preparation for this deposition, he had met with his attorney (Ms. Habba) and also with Defendants counsel, the day prior to his deposition. Ms. Habba then claimed that “common interest privilege” applies to shield the communications between her client, Eric Trump, and Defendants’ counsel. Plaintiff requests" - letter on Patreon here.

On March 26 there was another discovery conference, including this:

Delgado is asking to depose Kellyanne Conway. Judge suggests using an affidavit for Conway to authenticate documents.

 Defense lawyer: Ms. Delgado is free to reach out to Ms. Conway, I can't stop her. Judge: Ms. Delgado, have you done that?

Delgado: She got skittish, I don't know who approached her. Those in the Trump orbit say, You have to subpoena me

Delgado: Ms. Conway spoke about me in her book. And she was deposed in a case by a more junior campaign employee...

Judge: You've provided new info & you've said the deposition would be less than an hour- so I'll allow you to subpoena her, to be completed by May 7

 Judge: Ms. Delgado, you moved to compel various things. Can you discuss that today, Mr. Blumetti? Blumetti: I'm submit something in writing tomorrow. Delgado: What about Steve Bannon's emails? Judge: He's defaulted, you can move for that.

 Judge: What is the email? Delgago: It mentions me. Judge: Do you think Mr. Bannon would respond if you subpoena him? Delgado: That would certainly go back May 7.  One of the emails, about my pregnancy, Steve forwarded it to Jason Miller.

Judge: I'm going to permit you to subpoena him by May 7. Maybe he'll agree to a short deposition, or some sort of affidavit about these emails. If nothing else, we are adjourned.

More on X for Subscriber here,  Substack here

  Inner City Press will continue to follow the case.

It is Delgado v. Donald J. Trump For President, Inc. et al., 19-cv-11764 (Torres / Parker) 

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Jury Found Bishop Lamor Whitehead Guilty in Trial with Eric Adams Cited Now Motions Filed

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 25 -  In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on the morning of December 19, 2022 the talk was of flashy pastor Lamor Whitehead, set to be presented in the afternoon.

Inner City Press was present, the only media in the Mag Court in the morning for three procedings. Related Mag Court live-tweeted thread (more on Patreon here) vlog here

Lamor Whitehead was found guilty by the jury on March 11, 2024, see below.

On March 25, Whitehead's counsel filed motions for acquittal, including disputing which Federal Reserve Bank was used for purposes of venue, and/or for a new trial.

On February 26, 2024 the trial started and Inner City Press live tweeted opening arguments, here

On February 27, Pauline Anderson testified and cried. Inner City Press live tweeted, here

On February 28, Rasheed Anderson was on  the stand - then after the jury left, scheduling - including witness who will introduce Eric Adams' communications - was discussed.

On February 29: "ORDER as to Lamor Whitehead. It is hereby ORDERED that the Brandon Belmonte shall testify outside the presence of the jury at 9:00 A.M. on March 5."

Inner City Press went, and saw Belmonte take the 5th to every question, including about Eric Adams.

On March 11 Inner City Press went.Here's from the US rebuttal:

OK - now in US v Lamor Whitehead rebuttal summation, prosecutor says he lied on the stand, that blaming Rasheed was a distraction.

AUSA: Whitehead threatened Brandon Belmonte with violence, to get money. He said, "Eric Adams will do what I want" but only if the property was transferred to him (Whitehead).

Then he lied to the FBI.

AUSA: Whitehead thought you could fool you too - he is guilty as charged.

Then the case went to the jury.

And a guilty verdict: "Jury reached a verdict. Defendant found GUILTY on Counts 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s and 5s. PSR Ordered. Defendants sentencing submission shall be filed by 6/10/2024. The Governments sentencing submission shall be filed by 06/17/2024. The parties shall appear for a sentencing hearing on 07/01/2024 at 11:00 am"

More on Substack here
and on X for Subscribers here

   In EDNY, Inner City Press reported on Whitehead appearing in the Mag Court there for two defendants who robbed him of expensive watched as he preached.

On January 12, 2024, the US Attorney's Office filed a motion in limine including as "examples of trial evidence" quotes from Whitehead to Victim-2 that "I'll deal with the Mayor's Office.. But we gotta have ownership. I gotta be able to say, 'Yo, yo [nickname for the Official], I own this. This is what's goin on."

The case is US v. Whitehead, 22-cr-692 (Schofield)

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FinTech Current Accused of Discrimination Is Sued for Firing Mitura as Cancer Docs Sought

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 23 – The fintech Current has been sued for discrimination by former employee Isabelle Mitura. On March 22, 2024 the parties were before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Valerie E. Caproni. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the courtroom. 

 The complaint alleges that Finco Services / Current "Head of People" Sergiyenko  described Mitura as "an old Asian woman with no kids" to CEO Stuart Sopp, "who expressed frustration at having to interview too many Indians for the Chief Risk Officer position." 

 While Mitura took leave after a breast cancer diagnosis, her job was given to a replacement who "had built relationships within the company while she was on leave" - and she was terminated. 

 Now Current's lawyers want all of her oncology records. Judge Caproni said they can get some, but not all. Fact discovery closes on July 19, with another conference on July 26 at 10 am.

 The case is Mitura v. Finco Services, Inc., et al., 23-cv-2879 (Caproni)

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For Singapore Solution Tax Fraud Dani Walchli Pled Guilty Now Asks No Jail With Redactions

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 21 – Rolf Schnellmann, Daniel Wälchli and Zurich, Switzerland-based Allied Finance Trust AG were indicted in 2020 for conspiracy to defraud the US.

 On September 29, 2023, Schnellmann was brought before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang after being extradited in from Italy.

Inner City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag court. Thread

On October 12, Judge Gregory H. Woods held a conference, and set a next one for February 1: "Discovery has been produced. A status conference is scheduled for February 1, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

But on December 21, Schnellmann appeared again before Judge Woods, this time to plead guilty to a 24 to 30 month Guideline sentence. Sentencing was set far in the future: July 19, 2024.

On March 20, co-defendant Daniel Walchli filed a heavily redacted sentencing submission - including even in the table of contents, "Dani's Acceptance of Responsibility [REDACTED.] With that, he wants no jail time.

The overall case is US v. Bechtiger, 20-cr-497 (Woods)

More on Substack here 

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As Cafes Served Kava Sue NYC and Mayor Adams Bench Trial Looms in SDNY

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 22 – New York City and Mayor Eric Adams have been sued for their crackdown on kava, which plaintiffs describe as a food particularly popular with Pacific Islanders that is often mixed with water to consume.  

NYC views is as a food additive and has suspended and denied licenses.

 On March 22 a City lawyer and plaintiffs, owner of kava cafes, faced over before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Valerie E. Caproni. Inner City Press was there, as Judge Caproni addressed six civil cases in half an hour.  

A bench trial is looming; the City's lawyer tried to hand in some administrative decisions but Judge Caproni rightfully said to do it by letter, into the public docket.   (Judge Caproni asked Inner City Press why it was present for these civil not criminal cases. A whirlwind of justice was and is the answer - and impressive at that).

This case is Kavasutra 6th Street, Inc. et al v. Adams, et al., 23-cv-6359 (Caproni)

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