OK - now Covid-19 fraudster, accused, Fanny Plasencia is being arraigned by EDNY Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann. Plasencia is 20 year old and worked for JetBlue, EDNY says. Inner City Press will live tweet it, thread below.
EDNY: "“It’s alleged that the 5 arrested today schemed to defraud the US by falsely obtaining over $1 million in loans from the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program under the COVID Relief Act." Also, Orlando Sanay, Michael Pimentel Veloz, Keimi Nunez & twin Keily
Fanny was going to travel to the Dominican Republic on Monday. (By JetBlue?) Now, that's off, and passport being turned in.
Judge asks Fanny Plasencia, Do you consent to one of us signing the bond in your name?
Fanny Plasencia: No, no one spoke to me about this.
Defense lawyer: We didn't really speak about it. But I recommend it.
Fanny Plasencia: I give my permission.
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OK - now at Treasury Dep't data access preliminary injunction hearing at SDNY after NYS AG Tish James spoke outside, including on Eric Adams (City of Maybe book:
Inner City Press will live tweet, thread below amazon.com/dp/B0DPCKZYSW
All rise!
Judge Jeannette A. Vargas: We are here on the preliminary injunction request. I have accepted three amicus briefs, including by the State of Iowa and 19 other states in support of the defendants. Any evidentiary objections?
No. No.
Judge: Let's begin with standing.
NYS lawyer Andrew Amer: Blocking funding on ideological grounds confers Article III standing. There is also PII, personally identifying information, access by DOGE. It's all part of a single plan.
Judge: Has there been disclosure?
All rise!
Judge Lewis J. Liman: I have consolidated the cases. I'd like to hear from the Lively parties first, then the Wayfarer / Baldoni parties. I'd like to hear the information I'll need to manage this case, discovery information required, and legal issues
Lively's lawyer from Willkie Farr firm: Our plan at Docket 49 is not longer feasible. Counsel for Wayfarer did not tell us they planned to file an amended complaint, including a 168 page compendium [full of text messages]. There is authority to deconsolidate cases
OK- now at case against crypto firm Binance, CZ, Syria and Iran by victIms of Oct 7 attack. The UN has been similarly sued here @SDNYLIVE but claims total immunity. Inner City Press will live tweet, thread below
Binance lawyer [from Cahill Gordon] We are accused of non-feasance, failures to prevent money laundering and to file SARS. Such cases are routinely dismissed-
Judge: Not recently.
Judge: Secondary liability for aiding and abetting is hard to dismiss.
Binance lawyer: Crypto is used by 100 million people. It is not inherently dangerous.
OK - now the Bob Menendez bribe-taking sentencing, after bribe-givers Fred Daibes got 8 years and Wael Hana 97 months. US wants 15 years on Gold Bar Bob. Inner City Press wrote the book amazon.com/Gold-Bar-Bob-M… & will live tweet, thread below x.com/innercitypress…
All rise!
Judge Stein: I have the sentencing memo and many letters in support of Senator Menendez. The Probation Department puts the sentencing guideline at 292 to 365 months; they recommend 144 months.
AUSA Paul Monteleoni: We have a correction to the Pre-Sentencing Report, as to the gold bar.
Judge Stein: I will insert that Nadine Menendez worked through a jeweler in New Jersey to sell some of the gold in New York. Other than that, I adopt the findings of fact.
OK - now at US v. Charlie Javice, indicted for selling FAFSA aid platform Frank to JPM Chase for $175 million claiming to have 4 million "hot lead" emails when it was more like 300,000- Inner City Press is working up a project / book, will live tweet, thread below
Judge Hellerstein: Let me start with the conflicts issue first. Those who are coming to be speaking don't need to wear a [COVID] mask.
Defense: I agree that I will not be the one cross examining their investigator. We oppose any other relief & are OK with a Curcio
AUSA: The law bars lawyers from being unsworn witnesses including in jury arguments.
Judge: He says he will stick to the facts.
AUSA: Potential witnesses-
Judge: Mr. Siegel not a witness. Let's just talk about closings.
Jose Baez: He will not open or close.
OK - now Senate hearing on the UN & @EliseStefanik - will ending UNSG @AntonioGuterres' censorship & ban of Press actually take place? Chair @SenatorRisch starts with "decay" of UN. Inner City Press knows & is banned from the UN and will live tweet, thread below
Ranking member of @SenateForeign @SenatorShaheen calls UN imperfect but argues for continued engagement or else China will just take it (more) over. Fine - but shouldn't even pro-UN @SFRCdems ensure UN @MelissaFleming doesn't ban US Press? pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…
@SenateForeign @SenatorShaheen @SFRCdems @MelissaFleming Now @SenatorRicketts asks how to combat China buying the UN. On personal knowledge, Inner City Press says start at the top: UNSG @AntonioGuterres hid his financial links to the SDNY-convicted bribery firm China Energy Fund Committee: innercitypress.com/unsgguterres2u…