Avenatti in Nike case is before SDNY Judge Gardephe, he's asked to dismiss the case citing selective prosecution, etc. His lawyer now whispering with AUSA Richenthal who prosecuted Patrick Ho (and Ng Lap Seng) for UN bribery - @SDNYLIVE thread
@sdnylive@MatthewLeeICP@darrenrovell@DanWetzel@PeteThamel AUSA complains that the government has not received any reciprocal discovery from Avenatti. Courtroom gallery less than half full. Avenatti's stock is going down, it seems - as least as gauged by media interest
@sdnylive@MatthewLeeICP@darrenrovell@DanWetzel@PeteThamel Avenatti wants to know what Judge Gardephe's position is on ex parte subpoenas. Says he doesn't want to reveal his trial strategy here. Predicts "significant motions in limine practice here," and litigation about Fifth Amendment privilege
@sdnylive@MatthewLeeICP@darrenrovell@DanWetzel@PeteThamel Avenatti's lawyer Scott Srebnick says to prove that Coach Franklin had a claim against Nike that Avenatti was legitimately pursuing, he's going to subpoena people. So he wants Avenatti's trial pushed back
@sdnylive@MatthewLeeICP@darrenrovell@DanWetzel@PeteThamel Avenatti's lawyer Srebnick is asking to put things back two months to January. Adds that since AUSA Richenthal has a trial - which one? - starting January 21, maybe Avenatti's trial should be pushed even further back.
@sdnylive@MatthewLeeICP@darrenrovell@DanWetzel@PeteThamel Judge Gardephe asks Avenatti's lawyer to "tee up the subpoena issues sooner rather than later." Says, "As to the assertion of the Fifth Amendment in front of the jury, that would be a first for me, you have an uphill battle" to convince me.
@sdnylive@MatthewLeeICP@darrenrovell@DanWetzel@PeteThamel US Attorney's office calls Avenatti's arguments "speculative." Judge Gardephe is asking for Team Avenatti's letter on this in a week, the government's in two weeks. Srebnick still punching, wants to file ex parte with Gardephe with trial strategy in them.
OK - now at hearing on SDNY's subpoenas for reports on non-use of Qatar-gifted jet as AF1 coming back from Turkey - hearing before Judge Subramanian, who also has Live Nations (& Inner City Press' FOIA case ) - will live tweet, thread below courtlistener.com/docket/7340054…
In the courtroom at defense table is long time SDNY AUSA Michael Maimin, who is prosecutor on cases going back to 1996...
Waiting for Judge Subramanian. Drum roll...
All rise!
Judge Subramanian: Mr. Buckley, is the government willing to withdraw the subpoena given you ask to hold it an abeyance while you investigate?
Buckley: We are not seeking testimony. But we want the records properly preserved
OK - now USA v. Nicolas Maduro court proceeding in SDNY, to settle on trial date (June 2027?) etc - Inner City Press covered it yesterday night and will live tweet, thread below patreon.com/MatthewRussell…
12:01 pm - Maduro still not brought in. A folding chair is added to the defense table; the US Marshals will be seated further behind the defendants than usual. Drum roll
12:04 pm
Maduro is brought in wearing MDC tan uniform and what appear to be sunglasses.
All rise!
Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein: Be seated everyone.
OK - now at USA v. Arrabaca, fire in front of 26 Federal Plaza yesterday, in big courtroom 23B. Arrabaca has 2 Federal Defenders but still no complaint. Inner City Press is covering the case(s) and will live tweet, thread below
4:48 pm
Arrabaca is brought out of the holding cell by three US Marshals. He is short, wearing eyeglasses. Look over at us reporters sitting in the jury box. There are four ADAs.
4:51 pm
All rise!
Judge Robyn Tarnofsky: You have been charged in a Complaint. I have you financial affidavit. Did you sign it?
Arrabaca: Yes Your Honor I signed the affidavit.
Judge: I appoint Ms. Brown of the Federal Defenders to represent you.
OK - now hearing in Coe v. Todd Blanche on a Temporary Restraining Order and provisional class certification of families of transgender youth seeking to block turn over of health info to DOJ/subpoena to NYU Langone. Inner City Press will live tweet, thread below
Judge Failla: This case was reassigned to me 25 and a half hours ago. Before Judge Vargas, I hear the production of documents was extended. How about tomorrow by noon - acceptable?
Nixon Peabody: No objection from NYU.
Judge: How do I say Stangio?
Just so
Judge Failla: Would I have to find bad faith in the Executive Orders, or the transition to grand jury subpoenas?
Chase Strangio of ACLU: No. The Court has jurisdiction, under the Dow Jones factors. Care was here, the information is here.
OK - now at Goldman Sachs v. Leissner et al - including Kimora Lee Simmons Leissner - she has two lawyers at the front table. Inner City Press covered the EDNY Jho Low / Leissner case (book
and will live tweet, thread belowamazon.com/gp/product/B09…
All rise!
Sullivan & Cromwell for Goldman Sachs: This was a grossly inadequate discovery production, about their claimed investment in Celsius through her Bank of America account
Judge: They only gave you material from the public docket?
S&C: Nothing of substance
S&C for Goldman: They supposedly sold $12 million of these shares. But we have no info. We subpoenaed Bank of America but they say counsel to Ms. Lee tells them no, it's private.
[Kimora Lee's two lawyers are whispering]
S&C: We litigated this before Judge Rochon
OK - now in trial for murder in Brazil of gallerist Brent Sikkema, defense closing argument then US rebuttal, deliberations. Inner City Press has covered the case since arrest of Daniel Sikkema and will live tweet, thread below matthewrussellleeicp.substack.com/p/art-world-hi…
Defense: Brent descended into drug use - that is why Danny wanted to get a divorce. Jane Pearl said yesterday, it was drugs and Lucas' wellfare. In Grindr, Danny had produced an ad there- DX 701
AUSA Grosbard: Objection!
Judge Ramos: Overruled.
Defense: Danny put an ad on Grindr saying, No drugs. That was his priority... Lucas continued to connect to Brent, he told Jane he wanted to enforce that obligation. He didnt' want Brent dead. He wanted Brent to get help with his drug problem. They had a fight