This is a deep dive into the lavish life of money launderer Reza Zarrab, known as the “Turkish Gatsby” for his high living, access to top government officials, and his marriage to Ebru Gündeş, a famous Turkish singer and actress.
It’s also the story of his divemaster.
Before Reza Zarrab’s arrest made him a notorious money launderer, he dreamed of being French ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau.
“He was constantly watching videos about Jacques Cousteau’s research,” the former captain of his superyacht 60 Years said in an interview.
Reza Zarrab’s love for the sea put him in contact with divemaster Adam Wood, who was with the now-convicted money launderer on the day of his arrest in Miami International Airport.
Wood has never been accused of any wrongdoing.
Divemaster Adam Wood appeared dazzled by Reza Zarrab’s lifestyle: He documented his travels, boats, dining, watches and wealth on Facebook and Instagram.
He posted this photo at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport on the day of Zarrab’s arrest.
Authorities detained the divemaster at the time of Reza Zarrab’s arrest. He has never been accused of wrongdoing.
SDNY declined comment on his story too.
The divemaster backed out of a previously agreed-upon interview with my colleague, telling him: “I don’t really have time for this.”
He has deleted a CV on his website boasting of having served as “project manager” for Zarrab’s Royal Holding, working “directly for the owner.”
If you're just tuning in now, go back to the first part of the series.
A hearing has begun over the enforcement of a federal judge's order protecting journalists, protesters and clergy from attacks by ICE agents.
Listening live.
Judge Ellis specifying the type of testimony that she wants to hear on Monday:
"I want somebody with knowledge from ICE and somebody with knowledge from Customs and Border Patrol."
The plaintiff's attorney wants Judge Ellis to order someone within the chain of command of Operation Midway Blitz.
Judge Ellis: "I hear you. ... I at my fingertips can't tell you who's in the chain of command, who has the most knowledge and who is the best witness."
Trump tried to end-run a federal judge's ruling blocking the deployment of the Oregon National Guard by sending the *California* National Guard to Portland.
A hearing is about to start for a judge to decide whether to block him again.
At the start of DOJ lawyer Eric Hamilton's arguments, Senior U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer already gives him a hot bench.
Hamilton's arguments: the Posse Comitatus Act is a criminal statute with no civil application.
Breyer peppers him with questions.
Breyer: What is the remedy? ... Let's assume [the President] violates the terms of the Posse Comitatus Act. ... The facts aren't in dispute. They're disputed in this case. ... What then is the remedy?"
Trump’s appeal of a federal judge’s ruling finding his federalization of the National Guard illegal heads to court minutes from now (noon Pacific Time).
Follow along for analysis, and watch live on the court’s YouTube page.