OK- now at case against crypto firm Binance, CZ, Syria and Iran by victIms of Oct 7 attack. The UN has been similarly sued here @SDNYLIVE but claims total immunity. Inner City Press will live tweet, thread below
Binance lawyer [from Cahill Gordon] We are accused of non-feasance, failures to prevent money laundering and to file SARS. Such cases are routinely dismissed-
Judge: Not recently.
Judge: Secondary liability for aiding and abetting is hard to dismiss.
Binance lawyer: Crypto is used by 100 million people. It is not inherently dangerous.
OK - now the Bob Menendez bribe-taking sentencing, after bribe-givers Fred Daibes got 8 years and Wael Hana 97 months. US wants 15 years on Gold Bar Bob. Inner City Press wrote the book amazon.com/Gold-Bar-Bob-M… & will live tweet, thread below x.com/innercitypress…
All rise!
Judge Stein: I have the sentencing memo and many letters in support of Senator Menendez. The Probation Department puts the sentencing guideline at 292 to 365 months; they recommend 144 months.
AUSA Paul Monteleoni: We have a correction to the Pre-Sentencing Report, as to the gold bar.
Judge Stein: I will insert that Nadine Menendez worked through a jeweler in New Jersey to sell some of the gold in New York. Other than that, I adopt the findings of fact.
OK - now at US v. Charlie Javice, indicted for selling FAFSA aid platform Frank to JPM Chase for $175 million claiming to have 4 million "hot lead" emails when it was more like 300,000- Inner City Press is working up a project / book, will live tweet, thread below
Judge Hellerstein: Let me start with the conflicts issue first. Those who are coming to be speaking don't need to wear a [COVID] mask.
Defense: I agree that I will not be the one cross examining their investigator. We oppose any other relief & are OK with a Curcio
AUSA: The law bars lawyers from being unsworn witnesses including in jury arguments.
Judge: He says he will stick to the facts.
AUSA: Potential witnesses-
Judge: Mr. Siegel not a witness. Let's just talk about closings.
Jose Baez: He will not open or close.
OK - now Senate hearing on the UN & @EliseStefanik - will ending UNSG @AntonioGuterres' censorship & ban of Press actually take place? Chair @SenatorRisch starts with "decay" of UN. Inner City Press knows & is banned from the UN and will live tweet, thread below
Ranking member of @SenateForeign @SenatorShaheen calls UN imperfect but argues for continued engagement or else China will just take it (more) over. Fine - but shouldn't even pro-UN @SFRCdems ensure UN @MelissaFleming doesn't ban US Press? pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…
@SenateForeign @SenatorShaheen @SFRCdems @MelissaFleming Now @SenatorRicketts asks how to combat China buying the UN. On personal knowledge, Inner City Press says start at the top: UNSG @AntonioGuterres hid his financial links to the SDNY-convicted bribery firm China Energy Fund Committee: innercitypress.com/unsgguterres2u…
OK - now at Rudy Giuliani final pre-trial conference, yesterday Judge Liman barred 2 of his witnesses, he filed appeal, Inner City Press wrote the book (From Prosecutor to Defendant in SDNY: amazon.com/dp/B0DS9MD7RR
and will live tweet, thread below x.com/innercitypress…
All rise!
Judge Liman: We are here for a final pre-trial conference. I order that the Yankee World Series rings continued to be held in intervenor's apartment.
[Rudy Giuliani has not come in person today, but it listed as witness at trial beginning Jan 16]
Giuliani's lawyer Cammarata: We filed an appeal last night to the bar on 2 witnesses-
Judge Liman: I'm prepared to hear a request for reconsidertion.
Cammarata: It seems they know they cannot win-
Judge: Don't repeat yourself. Anything new?
OK - now at Trump sentencing by NY Justice Merchan, after Supreme Court denied stay, 5-4. Inner City Press covered the trial (verdict book here: ) and will live tweet the sentencing, thread belowamazon.com/dp/B0D5QW4RB9
All rise!
Trump is on the video screen from Mar-a-Lago, sitting next to Todd Blanche. Emil Bove is here in the courtroom.
Justice Merchan: Virtual sentencing is permitted here in New York. First, please look at the probation report
[Copies handed to each side]
Justice Merchan: Mr. Blanche, do you have any objections to the report?
Blanche: It is out of date. But given what we expect to be happening today, no objection.
[Trump is leaning in toward the camera, Blanche leaning back, toward the two American flag behind]