OK - and the beat goes on: now a request for release from pre-trial detention by Alec Dupuis aka "nycgas" arrested for selling MDMA and alprazolam, "resulting in the death of Peter Krasniqi on Aug 11, 2020." His father has money from a whistleblower complaint 1/x
Judge Rakoff: If Mr. Dupuis were to violate, they'd go after his parents home. So I'm not sure what the paralegal brings to the table. What about his history with drug use?
Defense lawyer: To be frank, I have not had much of an opportunity to discuss it with him
Turns out Dupuis was moving out of his condo on West 56th Street when the authorities came with a search warrant. He turned off his phone and was prepared to fly on Dec 17 to the UK, of which he is a dual citizen. But police found out, & his mother hired a lawyer
The plot thickens, with mentions of magic mushrooms and a trip to Brasilia, return 7 days later from Panama. Judge Rakoff asking many questions.
Assistant US Attorney: "I am not suggesting that Chapter 7 bankruptcy is like committing a crime. Here, the defendant's parents are separated. The father lives in Texas in a $530,000 home with a $400,000 mortgage on it. So, less than the offered bond
AUSA: We have an extradition treaty with the UK. But it has to be for a crime on the books in both countries. Here, he was involved with scienter in the death of another. It is possible we could not get him extradited.
Retained defense counsel (same one who represents Jordan Dillon, another case Inner City Press is covering innercitypress.com/cacd1sdnydillo…) says the parents ran into financial difficulties but are appropriate suretors here.
Judge Rakoff: In other cases I've called the Warden of the MDC and gotten counsel access to their clients there. Now there's every indication that the Omicron variant is significantly losing its force, particularly in the NY area.
Judge Rakoff: I've heard enough to make my ruling.
Defense counsel: Now there's a nationwide BOP lockdown, even to legal calls.
Judge Rakoff: In some respects this is a close call. I have a background as a criminal defense lawyer. The Chapter 7 gives me pause
Judge Rakoff: The extradition issue is serious. The huge penalties we have make foreign courts eager to avoid extradition to our Land of Mass Incarceration.
Defense: Mr. Dupuis can execute a waiver of execution.
Judge Rakoff: I will reduce that as a consideration
Judge Rakoff: But there is a glaring problem. He told disguised drugs. It reflects an attitude to the law and of civilized behavior; he would be a danger. He cares so little that it led to the death of another. I deny the motion (for release). Story soon.
Dupuis puts his hand over his (red) hair, glances back at the gallerty. Now he is gone with the Marshals.
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OK - now at Goldman Sachs v. Leissner et al - including Kimora Lee Simmons Leissner - she has two lawyers at the front table. Inner City Press covered the EDNY Jho Low / Leissner case (book
and will live tweet, thread belowamazon.com/gp/product/B09…
All rise!
Sullivan & Cromwell for Goldman Sachs: This was a grossly inadequate discovery production, about their claimed investment in Celsius through her Bank of America account
Judge: They only gave you material from the public docket?
S&C: Nothing of substance
S&C for Goldman: They supposedly sold $12 million of these shares. But we have no info. We subpoenaed Bank of America but they say counsel to Ms. Lee tells them no, it's private.
[Kimora Lee's two lawyers are whispering]
S&C: We litigated this before Judge Rochon
OK - now in trial for murder in Brazil of gallerist Brent Sikkema, defense closing argument then US rebuttal, deliberations. Inner City Press has covered the case since arrest of Daniel Sikkema and will live tweet, thread below matthewrussellleeicp.substack.com/p/art-world-hi…
Defense: Brent descended into drug use - that is why Danny wanted to get a divorce. Jane Pearl said yesterday, it was drugs and Lucas' wellfare. In Grindr, Danny had produced an ad there- DX 701
AUSA Grosbard: Objection!
Judge Ramos: Overruled.
Defense: Danny put an ad on Grindr saying, No drugs. That was his priority... Lucas continued to connect to Brent, he told Jane he wanted to enforce that obligation. He didnt' want Brent dead. He wanted Brent to get help with his drug problem. They had a fight
OK - now at presser by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch and Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI New York Field Office James Barnacle "to brief the media on recent cases" - Inner City Press will live tweet, thread below
1:03 pm
Commish Tisch: I want to thank Jay Clayton... The extremist who moves to real-world danger, those cases demand more than one office. The World Cup and 250th Anniversary of our country is coming. We partner, as we'll discuss
Commish Tisch: NYPD does the work on the ground, SDNY prosecutes on Federal charges. We have acting on guns from South Carolina. I began my career building out the NYPD's counter-terrorism work. Just last week, the defendant brought in from Iraq...
OK - now in trial for murder in Brazil of gallerist Brent Sikkema, Daniel's divorce lawyer on the stand. Inner City Press has covered the case since arrest of Daniel Sikkema and will live tweet, thread below matthewrussellleeicp.substack.com/p/art-world-hi…
Daniel's lawyer: Did you ask Brent Sikkema for funds for Daniel to buy a car to try to drive Uber?
Daniel's divorce lawyer: Yes. The TLC said it would be all electric cars going forward... Daniel told me that Brent had told him not to work but be available to him
Daniel's criminal lawyer: Did Brent ever make a settlement offer?
Daniel's divorce lawyer: Yes, one million dollars. Daniel was deeply hurt - that amount mirrored what Brent had given to a former boyfriend. We filled for in rem spousal support in November 2023
OK - now in trial for murder in Brazil of gallerist Brent Sikkema, testimony about Daniel's demand in divorce case. Inner City Press has covered the case since arrest of Daniel Sikkema and will live tweet, thread below matthewrussellleeicp.substack.com/p/art-world-hi…
Brent's ex-lawyer: Daniel wrote he wanted the Fire Island house one week per summer with Lucas and alimony or Jane would keep suing.
Daniel's lawyer: You did not represent Brent until a year after Daniel filed for divorce?
Brent's ex-lawyer: Right.
Daniel's lawyer: Did he leave off his form his second home in Rio?
Brent's ex-lawyer: I didn't know when I filled the net worth statement.
Daniel's lawyer: So if he had it, he didn't tell you about it, correct?
Brent's ex-lawyer: Correct
OK - now presentment of MOHAMMAD BAQER SAAD DAWOOD AL-SAADI, subject of 29 page complaint complete with a quote about Mexico [!] and many photos with Soleimani, below. Inner City Press will live tweet, thread below
1:02 pm
Federal Defender Andrew Dalack going in and out of the holding cell. Al-Saadi may have to fill out the CJA financial affidavit to get appointed counsel.
1:15 pm
All rise!
Deputy: This is US v. Al-Saadi.
Defense: Andrew Dalack for Mr. Al-Saadi.
Judge: I am Judge Sarah Netburn [Chief Magistrate Judge]. Date and time of arrest?
AUSA: He arrived in SDNY last night at 11 pm