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.
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.
BREAKING: Trump admin must process education grants "without delay"
A federal judge preserved his ability to enforce the ruling even if the Senate passes a budget bill restraining his contempt power. @AllRiseNews allrisenews.com/p/linda-mcmaho…
A quick thread on this:
This is the first time I personally have seen a court proactively address the possibility of Congress restraining the enforcement power of the federal judiciary.
(There are a lot of cases out there, and perhaps it's come up elsewhere.)
Here's how it went down:
Assistant NYAG Andrew Amer brought up the restraints on contempt power included in the budget bill toward the end of the hearing.
Prosecutors immediately show her a still frame of the surveillance video from the hotel.
Q: Who introduced you to the term "freak off"?
A: Sean did.
Asked what a "freak off" is, Cassie responds: "It basically entails hiring of an escort (deep exhale) setting up this experience so that I could perform for Sean."