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 federal judge grants sanctions against Rudy Giuliani for discovery violations.
The requested relief was an adverse inference moving the Georgia election workers he defamed closer to getting his $3.5M Palm Beach condo.
Judge Liman is reciting his ruling and its scope now.
Earlier today, Giuliani's lawyer described adverse inferences as the "death penalty" for the case.
Liman granted adverse inferences, not yet specified.
So far, the Trump appointee slammed Giuliani's "blithe disregard" for the court's holding and "preposterous" conduct.
Liman quotes then-10th Circuit Judge Gorsuch's comments against Giuliani:
"Discovery is not supposed to be a shell game, where the hidden ball is moved round and round and only revealed after so many false guesses are made and so much money is squandered."
He was order to appear after the Georgia election workers he defamed say he "secreted away" assets from his N.Y. apartment — and reportedly went to Trump's polling station in a Mercedes convertible ordered to be turned over to them.
The hearing has begun.
Attorney for Giuliani: Ken Caruso.
For Ga. election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman: Aaron Nathan
Nathan:
Giuliani disclosed new bank accounts opened in July 2024.
On Aug. 30, Giuliani and his associates opened up a new entity: Standard USA LLC, over which he has +80% ownership interest.
"Suffice it to say, it's troubling that we learned about it on Monday for the first time."
A Georgia judge has VOIDED several rules passed by the GOP-dominated State Election Board.
The Georgia GOP reportedly plans to appeal, per @Bluestein.
I'll break down the now-stricken rules in a thread below, summarizing the ruling linked here. 🔗 assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2…
1) 183-1-12-.02(c.2):
This rule would have allowed county board members to conduct a "reasonable inquiry" of election results, an undefined power they previously never had and was the purview of the courts.
Jack Smith just filed a superseding indictment against Trump.
Prosecutors say the new indictment "reflects the Government’s efforts to respect and implement the Supreme Court’s holdings and remand instructions in Trump v. United States."
A superseding indictment replaces an existing indictment.
There are no new charges in today's indictment against Trump here, only the same four leveled against him in connection with the 2020 election, tailored to pass the Supreme Court's new test.
Today's news does, however, mean that another grand jury that did not see the evidence earlier put their stamp on the same charges.
On a quick glance, the latest indictment is shorter, and nixes DOJ-related claims that wouldn't have survived the immunity ruling.