While waiting for US v. Avenatti charging conference, here is UN press briefing from from which Inner City Press is banned, today from briefing by incoming UN Security Council president. Aim to live tweet below the Q&A of those the UN *does* let in 1/x
Even as of 1:12 pm Feb 1, the most recent UNSC "Program of Work" on the UN's website is from January, that of @NorwayUN's @Mona_Juul, a month of failure and coups and censorship. And February? First question goes to UN Censorship Alliance, UNCA 2/x
New: Corporate wire, essentially high-frequency trading platform with news now behind a platform, asks if Lavrov will deign to come to NY this month. No. (But look who's going to the #GenocideGames in Beijing) 4/x
Now: France 24 correspondent is allowed to Zoom (or WebEx) in from home with ponderous question. So Inner City Press could easily have been given access to this presser, as it has at IMF - it's a choice, the UN is a place of censorship for dictators (like Guterres)
Next is another WebExed in question, on Afghanistan. Nebenzia says he didn't understand most of the question, but "I have answers... We urge Taliban to fight terrorism and drug trafficking." Could by 1980 all over again. #OlympicBoycotts
February's UNSC "Program of Work" is still not up on the UN's website - fail - but Inner City Press is tweeting this screen shot of it - ironically, while all Presidencies including US includes "Letters of Ukraine and Russia" as footnote, Russia doesn't.
Now the Program of Work press conference Inner City Press was banned from is over. There were no questions about the countries in Africa off which the UN of Guterres makes most of the money that it wastes - total failure and censorship. Story coming.
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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…
OK - now at Rudy Giuliani final pre-trial conference, yesterday Judge Liman barred 2 of his witnesses, he filed appeal, Inner City Press wrote the book (From Prosecutor to Defendant in SDNY: amazon.com/dp/B0DS9MD7RR
and will live tweet, thread below x.com/innercitypress…
All rise!
Judge Liman: We are here for a final pre-trial conference. I order that the Yankee World Series rings continued to be held in intervenor's apartment.
[Rudy Giuliani has not come in person today, but it listed as witness at trial beginning Jan 16]
Giuliani's lawyer Cammarata: We filed an appeal last night to the bar on 2 witnesses-
Judge Liman: I'm prepared to hear a request for reconsidertion.
Cammarata: It seems they know they cannot win-
Judge: Don't repeat yourself. Anything new?