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Sep 20, 2020 8 tweets 3 min read Read on X
Part 3:

The day of his arrest for a record-breaking sanctions-busting scheme, Reza Zarrab planned scuba diving trips in Florida.

Zarrab’s divemaster chronicled his high life online: yachts, submersibles, & partying with rapper Ludacris.

Another @CourthouseNews / @OCCRP 🔽
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.

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More from @KlasfeldReports

Nov 7
Rudy Giuliani is in federal court now.

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. Image
Image
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."
Read 15 tweets
Oct 17
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.

Background here. justsecurity.org/100005/electio…
2) 183-1-12-.12:

The so-called "examination rule," granting county board members access to "all election related documentation."

That and the reasonable inquiry rule are both challenged in a still-pending lawsuit before another judge.
Read 8 tweets
Oct 2
Good morning from New York.

Mayor Eric Adams has just entered the courtroom for a hearing in his federal corruption case.
"All rise."

U.S. District Judge Dale Ho is presiding.
Ho sets the agenda for today's hearing, including a trial date.
Read 17 tweets
Sep 5
Good morning from Washington, D.C.

After a long hiatus, Trump’s election subversion case is slated for another status conference.

The scene outside the courthouse this morning.

I’ll cover the proceedings live at 10 a.m. ET. Image
"All rise."

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan takes the bench.

Proceedings are about to begin.
For the gov't: Prosecutor Thomas Windom
For the defense: John Lauro

Judge Chutkan: "It's been almost a year. You look rested, Mr. Lauro."

Lauro cracks that life seemed "meaningless" without seeing the judge.

Chutkan: (laughter) "Enjoy it while it lasts!"
Read 31 tweets
Aug 27
NEWS:

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."

Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
Note for those unfamiliar:

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.
Read 5 tweets
Jul 11
Just in:

Trump's lawyers filed a motion to vacate his 34 felony convictions and dismiss his New York indictment.

In the wake of SCOTUS's immunity ruling, they argue that certain testimony and evidence shouldn't have been introduced at trial, like the categories shown here. Image
DA Bragg's deadline to respond to Trump's arguments is July 24.
A few thoughts on this:

Trump's lawyers are not just challenging his convictions, based on the alleged use of "official-acts evidence."

Since prosecutors brought some of this evidence to the grand jury, they want his indictment thrown out too.
Read 4 tweets

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