Thread by @KlasfeldReports

This isn’t the first U.N. corruption case in Manhattan Federal Court featuring a cameo by Trump’s sprawling business empire.

Scene: A meeting inside Chinese energy company’s unit inside Trump World Tower, 2014 courthousenews.com/from-new-york-…

This story posted last night, at the end of testimony of the government's star witness Cheikh Gadio, in the prosecution of Hong Kong businessman Patrick Ho. The trial is ongoing.

The case is largely flying under the radar, with only a handful of reporters covering it.

The first one to report the Trump World Tower detail is @InnerCityPress, who had his U.N. press creds revoked this past summer.

ICYMI: cjr.org/the_profile/re…

To be clear, neither Trump nor his business are accused of wrongdoing in this case. A meeting occurred inside his U.N.-adjacent tower, which is a magnet for foreign cash.

My story breaks it down briefly here.

The defendant Patrick Ho is charged with money laundering, violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and related conspiracy counts.

Heading back to court in a bit, where an FBI witness is testifying about a Uganda scheme involving a former UN General Assembly president.

Back from trial today:

Testimony centered today on the second alleged bribery scheme - Ho's transfer of $500,000 to the "campaign fund" of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

After his reelection.

Ho suggested giving it "in the form of cash."

Uganda's foreign minister Sam Kutesa, the former (69th) U.N. President of the General Assembly (PGA), and his wife directed the payments, according to testimony and evidence.

John Ashe, the 68th PGA, was indicted in a related UN corruption case and died before trial.

The jury heard a wiretapped phone call between Ho and Sheri Yan, the ex-head of the Global Sustainability Fund, who pleaded guilty to bribing Ashe. In the recording, Yan can be heard asking Ho for a "contribution" to Ashe.

More on that and other Trump World Tower wrinkle soon.