December 2023 - cypherpunks@lists.ogf.org

Wall Street CEOs Want the Line Between a Federally-Insured Bank and a Wall Street Trading Casino Erased; Regulators Want Higher Capital to Prevent That
by Gunnar Larson 07 Dec '23

07 Dec '23

"By Pam Martens and Russ Martens: December 7, 2023 ~ David Solomon, Chairman and CEO, Goldman Sachs David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, let it slip out at yesterday’s Senate Banking hearing what is really driving the mega banks’ backlash against federal banking regulators’ proposal to raise capital requirements at banks with more than $100 billion in total consolidated assets. (Community banks would not be impacted by the proposed capital increases.) Solomon responded as follows to a question on the proposed new rules, attempting to justify how the trillions of dollars in derivatives his firm is holding inside its federally insured and taxpayer-backstopped commercial bank, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, is helping the country and that raising capital requirements on those trades would raise costs to consumers: “You can look at airlines hedging jet fuel; you wanna look at other derivatives, which obviously gets passed on to consumers; you can look at gas being hedged in utilities, which obviously gets passed on to consumers; and then you can look at other transactions. There’s a provision under the rule called SFT, which allows institutions like ours to borrow securities from pension plans and give them cash. That increases their returns and allows them to use their assets to increase their returns. Capital would increase by eight times for those types of transactions, which would make them unattractive and would therefore diminish the ability of pensions to access that tool to increase their returns.” This one paragraph above goes to the heart of why these mega banks on Wall Street have launched one of the fiercest lobbying campaigns in their history – including attack ads on television – to stop these rules from taking effect. It’s all about derivatives, short sales, and dangerous trading activities taking place – not in the firm’s broker dealer or investment bank but in the federally-insured commercial banks they are allowed to own, which are backstopped by the American taxpayer. Goldman’s Solomon makes it sound like his firm’s only involvement in derivatives is to help its business customers hedge legitimate risks, but Goldman itself is taking huge risks in derivatives for its own trading book and housing those derivatives in its federally-insured bank. As for Goldman paying pensions cash to borrow their securities, those securities are highly likely being used to loan out those securities to Goldman’s hedge fund clients in order for them to engage in shorting the market. For the derivatives condition Goldman Sachs was in at the time of the 2008 financial crash, the chart below from the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission puts to rest the idea that bank examiners or internal risk managers are capable of overseeing the safety and soundness of casino banks. " https://wallstreetonparade.com/2023/12/wall-street-ceos-want-the-line-betwe…

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Eric Adams gets worst approval rating for NYC mayor in 27-year history of Quinnipiac poll
by Gunnar Larson 07 Dec '23

07 Dec '23

https://gothamist.com/news/eric-adams-gets-worst-approval-rating-for-nyc-ma… ? Less than a third of New York City voters approve of Mayor Eric Adams’ job performance, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday — the lowest approval rating for a Big Apple mayor since the poll began in 1996. The poll, which surveyed nearly 1,300 self-identified registered voters in live phone interviews from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, found 58% said they disapprove of Adams’ performance, compared to 28% who said they approve. Previously, the lowest-rated New York City mayor was Michael Bloomberg in 2003, when he received an approval rating of 31%, according to Quinnipiac.

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Re: [OpenRecords] Request FOIL-2023-056-15960 Acknowledged (NYPD Body Camera Footage)
by Gunnar Larson 06 Dec '23

06 Dec '23

Dear Madam or Sir: Thank you for your response on July 16, 2023. I am just confirming that the NYCCoin body camera footage is still on track for November 29, 2023 delivery. Can you confirm as such please? The matter was recorded late March 2023. And xNY.io - Bank.org must close our EOY-23 books. Any further delay of the body camera footage could be a challenge to N.Y. Executive Law, Article 15 Human Rights Law, § 296. Unlawful discriminatory practices: 14. ... whether or not accompanied by the person for whom the dog is being trained. 16. It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice, unless specifically required or permitted by statute, for any person, agency, bureau, corporation or association, including the state and any political subdivision thereof, to make any inquiry about, whether in any form of application or otherwise, or to act upon adversely to the individual involved, any arrest or criminal accusation of such individual not then pending against that individual which was followed by a termination of that criminal action or proceeding in favor of such individual, as defined in subdivision two of section 160.50 of the criminal procedure law, or by an order adjourning the criminal action in contemplation of dismissal, pursuant to section 170.55, 170.56, 210.46, 210.47, or 215.10 of the criminal procedure law, or by a youthful offender adjudication, as defined in subdivision one of section 720.35 of the criminal procedure law, or by a conviction for a violation sealed pursuant to section 160.55 of the criminal procedure law or by a conviction which is sealed pursuant to section 160.59 or 160.58 of the criminal procedure law, in connection with the licensing, housing, employment, including volunteer positions, or providing of credit or insurance to such individual; provided, further, that no person shall be required to divulge information pertaining to any arrest or criminal accusation of such individual not then pending against that individual which was followed by a termination of that criminal action or proceeding in favor of such individual, as defined in subdivision two of section 160.50 of the criminal procedure law, or by an order adjourning the criminal action in contemplation of dismissal, pursuant to section 170.55, 170.56, 210.46, 210.47, or 215.10 of the criminal procedure law, or by a youthful offender adjudication, as defined in subdivision one of section 720.35 of the criminal procedure law, or by a conviction for a violation sealed pursuant to section 160.55 of the criminal procedure law, or by a conviction which is sealed pursuant to section 160.58 or 160.59 of the criminal procedure law. An individual required or requested to provide information in violation of this subdivision may respond as if the arrest, criminal accusation, or disposition of such arrest or criminal accusation did not occur. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the licensing activities of governmental bodies in relation to the regulation of guns, firearms and other deadly weapons or in relation to an application for employment as a police officer or peace officer as those terms are defined in subdivisions thirty-three and thirty-four of section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law; provided further that the provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to an application for employment or membership in any law enforcement agency with respect to any arrest or criminal accusation which was followed by a youthful offender adjudication, as defined in subdivision one of section 720.35 of the criminal procedure law, or by a conviction for a violation sealed pursuant to section 160.55 of the criminal procedure law, or by a conviction which is sealed pursuant to section 160.58 or 160.59 of the criminal procedure law. For purposes of this subdivision, an action which has been adjourned in contemplation of dismissal, pursuant to section 170.55 or 170.56, 210.46, 210.47 or 215.10 of the criminal procedure law, shall not be considered a pending action, unless the order to adjourn in contemplation of dismissal is revoked and the case is restored to the calendar for further prosecution. Thank you, Gunnar Gunnar Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 917-580-8053 n, Jul 16, 2023, 11:03 AM IABCMDCNTR <IABCMDCNTR(a)nypd.org> wrote: > Mr. Larson, > > The FOIL request you requested was acknowledged and a response will be on > or about Wednesday, November 29, 2023. They will follow-up with your > request. If the request is denied, and you would like to file a complaint, > we will assist you. Have a good day. > > > > *COMMAND CENTER, INTERNAL AFFAIRS BUREAU * > > > > > > > > This e-mail message and any attachment(s) is intended only for the person > and/or entity to which it is addressed and may contain CONFIDENTIAL or > PRIVILEGED material. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or > distribution is strictly prohibited and may violate applicable laws > including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you are not the > intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and > delete/destroy all copies of the original message. If you are the intended > recipient but do not wish to receive communications through this medium, > please so advise the sender immediately. Please treat this and all other > communications from the New York City Police Department as LAW ENFORCEMENT > SENSITIVE / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. NO REPORT OR SEGMENT THEREOF MAY BE > RELEASED TO ANY MEDIA SOURCES. > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> > *Sent:* Sunday, July 16, 2023 10:56 AM > *To:* FDSHelpDesk(a)ethics.ny.gov <FDSHelpDesk(a)ethics.ny.gov>; > ethel(a)jcrope.ny.gov <ethel(a)jcrope.ny.gov>; IABCMDCNTR <IABCMDCNTR(a)nypd.org > > > *Cc:* letitia.james(a)ag.ny.gov <letitia.james(a)ag.ny.gov>; > cypherpunks(a)cpunks.org <cypherpunks(a)cpunks.org>; Harris, Adrienne A (DFS) > <Adrienne.Harris(a)dfs.ny.gov> > *Subject:* Fwd: [OpenRecords] Request FOIL-2023-056-15960 Acknowledged > > > > > *CAUTION! EXTERNAL SENDER* > > *STOP WHEN UNSURE.* Never click on links or open attachments if sender > is unknown, and never provide user ID or password. *Suspicious?* Please > report to this email address: reportphishing(a)nypd.org > > Dear New York Ethics Team: > > I am concerned that the FOIL below is subject to obstruction of justice. > > The FOIL request is for access to NYPD body cam footage, for NYCCoin > Touting. > > Ethics Team, I am concerned that the Chief of your office is also the > Chief of the City Mayor's office. > > The body cam footage should have an agreeable time for delivery. I am > concerned that the Mayor is retaliating against NYCoin and the NYPD may be > aware of this. > > The video would or would not delineate any form of unnecessary force. The > NYPD may be aware of this. > > Obviously, xNY is very protective of digital asset innovation. Ethics is a > serious matter and the body cam footage would be helpful concerning > NYCCoin. > > Sincerely yours, > > Gunnar > > Gunnar Larson > xNY.io - Bank.org > 917-580-8053 > > > ---------- Forwarded message --------- > From: <donotreply(a)records.nyc.gov> > Date: Fri, Jul 14, 2023, 12:25 PM > Subject: [OpenRecords] Request FOIL-2023-056-15960 Acknowledged > To: <g(a)xny.io> > > > The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has *acknowledged* your FOIL > request FOIL-2023-056-15960 > <https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-056-15960>. > > You can expect a response on or about Wednesday, November 29, 2023. > Additional Information: > > Your request has been assigned to PAA Quagliano (646-610-5296) > > > Please visit FOIL-2023-056-15960 > <https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-056-15960> to > view additional information and take any necessary action. >

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Re: FOIL request - second attempt
by Gunnar Larson 06 Dec '23

06 Dec '23

We kindly would like to appeal this response. Gunnar Gunnar Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 917-580-8093 On Wed, Dec 6, 2023, 10:22 AM dob.sm.foil <foil(a)budget.ny.gov> wrote: > Please see the attached related to your FOIL request. >

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Fwd: FOIL request - second attempt
by Gunnar Larson 06 Dec '23

06 Dec '23

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: dob.sm.foil <foil(a)budget.ny.gov> Date: Wed, Dec 6, 2023, 10:22 AM Subject: FOIL request - second attempt To: G(a)xny.io <G(a)xny.io> Please see the attached related to your FOIL request.

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Fwd: FCA Bans 2 Pension Advisers Over Poor British Steel Advice
by Gunnar Larson 06 Dec '23

06 Dec '23

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Fwd: Automatic reply: FOIL #2022-090560 Appeal
by Gunnar Larson 06 Dec '23

06 Dec '23

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Tomczak, Christine (DFS) <christine.tomczak(a)dfs.ny.gov> Date: Wed, Dec 6, 2023, 3:48 AM Subject: Automatic reply: FOIL #2022-090560 Appeal To: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> I will be out of office today, Wednesday, December 6, 2023 and will return tomorrow morning. I will check my email intermittantly.

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Meta Platforms, Inc. Board of Directors - USPTO, Digital Assets and Moscow Exchange
by Gunnar Larson 06 Dec '23

06 Dec '23

Dear Meta Board of Directors: Please find the attached memo <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f_fq1GaKNaAUGEyztdm-oMtIuEW2yXj4C5aoN0G…> addressed to your attention. - Today’s correspondence is to kindly submit xNY.io’s overall concern of Meta Platforms, Inc. and Moscow Exchange mark similarities, specifically, both marks seemingly resemble a geometric design consisting of two loops and/orovals touching or intersecting. xNY.io kindly asks Meta’s Board to respond by Friday, March 25, 2022 at 5:00pm EST. Respectfully yours, Gunnar Larson -- *Gunnar Larson - xNY.io <http://www.xNY.io> | Bank.org <http://Bank.org>* MSc <https://www.unic.ac.cy/blockchain/msc-digital-currency/?utm_source=Google&u…> - Digital Currency MBA <https://www.unic.ac.cy/business-administration-entrepreneurship-and-innovat…> - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-646-454-9107 New York, New York 10001

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Re: FOIL #2022-090560 Appeal
by Gunnar Larson 06 Dec '23

06 Dec '23

Ms. Tomczak: Kindly follow-up with you on this matter. Thank you, Gunnar On Fri, Nov 10, 2023, 4:52 PM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > Ms. Tomczak: > > Hope you are well. Can you please update xNY.io - Bank.org on our Apple > Card records request? > > Ms. Tomczak, this matter has been going on over 600 days. It involves a > D&O condition of the past Superintendent. We have a similar problem > concerning another D&O matter that Ms. James and Ms. Harris are aware of. > > Mitigating all risk, we do not want the Apple Card scenario to further > complicate excess D&O matters at xNY.io - Bank.org. As I understand it, the > Eastern District of New York has a deferred agreement with Apple Card that > NY-DFS' character and fitness guidelines require xNY.io - Bank.org to > respect. > > We are not exactly sure on the deferred agreement's expiration date, it > may have been within the last two weeks. If the date has expired, xNY.io - > Bank.org would need NY- DFS to further facilitate a copy of correspondence > with the Eastern District of New York, given the nature of federal and > international law expressed by the deferred agreement (fun fact, I was a > founding producer of the UN's Audio Visual Library of International Law). > > Does NY-DFS have an update on the Apple Card concern? If not, can you > please provide xNY.io - Bank.org confirmation that NY-DFS has communicated > with the Eastern District of New York and that we are not party to the > deferred agreement's scope of influence by EOD, Monday November 13, 2023? > > Have a great weekend and Happy Veterans Day. > > Thank you, > > Gunnar > > Gunnar Larson > xNY.io - Bank.org > 917-580-8053 > > > > > On Mon, Oct 16, 2023, 12:06 PM Tomczak, Christine (DFS) < > christine.tomczak(a)dfs.ny.gov> wrote: > >> Hello Mr. Larson, >> >> >> >> I will check into this. Sorry for the delay. >> >> >> >> Christine >> >> >> >> Christine M. Tomczak >> >> Assistant Counsel >> >> >> >> New York State Department of Financial Services >> >> 1 State Street, New York, New York 10004 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> *From:* Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> >> *Sent:* Monday, October 16, 2023 9:35 AM >> *To:* Tomczak, Christine (DFS) <christine.tomczak(a)dfs.ny.gov> >> *Subject:* Re: FOIL #2022-090560 Appeal >> >> >> >> *ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open >> attachments or click on links from unknown senders or unexpected emails.* >> >> >> >> Dear Ms. Tomczak: >> >> >> >> Hope this email finds you well. >> >> >> >> Concerning the Apple Card records mentioned in your letter dated July 25, >> 2023, today xNY.io - Bank.org kindly seeks an update on this >> important matter. >> >> >> >> Please let us know when the time is convenient for you. >> >> >> >> Sending you the best wishes. >> >> >> >> Thank you very much, >> >> >> >> Gunnar >> >> >> >> Gunnar Larson >> >> xNY.io - Bank.org >> >> 917-580-8053 >> >> >> >> ue, Jul 25, 2023, 2:54 PM Tomczak, Christine (DFS) < >> christine.tomczak(a)dfs.ny.gov> wrote: >> >> Dear Mr. Larson, >> >> >> >> See attached letter. >> >> >> >> Best regards, >> >> >> >> Christine Tomczak >> >> >> >> >> >> Christine M. Tomczak >> >> Assistant Counsel >> >> >> >> New York State Department of Financial Services >> >> 1 State Street, New York, New York 10004 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>

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Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : One Million Black Women and Mission-Driven Banks: NAACP, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and PayPal Collusion
by Gunnar Larson 06 Dec '23

06 Dec '23

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Paasewe, Siaka (DHR) <Siaka.Paasewe(a)dhr.ny.gov> Date: Fri, Sep 9, 2022, 5:08 PM Subject: RE: Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : One Million Black Women and Mission-Driven Banks: NAACP, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and PayPal Collusion To: G(a)xny.io <g(a)xny.io> Cc: Garvin, Sheila Y (DHR) <Sheila.Garvin(a)dhr.ny.gov> Dear Mr. Larson: Pursuant to your request below, please see the attachment. Siaka Paasewe Records Access Officer NYS Division of Human Rights One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor Bronx, NY 10458 718-741-8422 718-741-8256 [Fax] Siaka.Paasewe(a)dhr.ny.gov foil(a)dhr.ny.gov *From:* noreply-openfoil(a)its.ny.gov <its.sm.openfoil(a)its.ny.gov> *Sent:* Sunday, April 3, 2022 7:27 PM *To:* dfs.sm.RecordsAccessOfficer <recordsaccessofficer(a)dfs.ny.gov>; dhr.dl.foil <foil(a)dhr.ny.gov>; freedominfo(a)nysif.com *Subject:* Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : One Million Black Women and Mission-Driven Banks: NAACP, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and PayPal Collusion *New FOIL Request for Department of Financial Services, Division of Human Rights, New York State Insurance Fund * Submitted on: 4/3/2022 7:26:38 PM Request Confirmation Number : LARSON_DFS_20220403192638664 LARSON_DHR_20220403192638664 LARSON_NYSIF_20220403192638664 *INFORMATION SUBMITTED:* *Title* Mr. *First Name* Gunnar *Middle Initial* *Last Name* Larson *E-Mail* g(a)xny.io *Telephone* (646) 454-9107 *Fax* *Affiliation/Organization* xNY.io - Bank.org *Street Address 1* *Street Address 2* *City* *State* NY *Zip Code* 10001 *Country* *USA* *Short Title* One Million Black Women and Mission-Driven Banks: NAACP, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and PayPal Collusion *Description* Dear Madam or Sir: Today's memo requests records related to NY-DFS monitoring of $10,610,000,000 of pledge funds (detailed below) specific to financial inclusion. xNY.io would like to receive any and all records related to NY-DFS' monitoring of Goldman Sachs' potential money laundering and other abuses of Goldman project, One Million Black Women, with $10B in direct capital and $100M in charity investments: https://www.goldmansachs.com/our-commitments/sustainability/one-million-bla… xNY.io would like to receive any and all documents correlating NY-DFS monitoring of (or, confirming no correlation) the One Million Black Women fund related to any association to other Goldman student scholarship funds in Africa ... Furthermore, xNY.io would like to receive any and all documents, related to NY-DFS' regulatory scrutiny of interlocking directorates at the NAACP, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and PayPal with potential collusion in leveraging marketplace spoofing tactics (or, records confirming no spoofing tactics) concerning $810 million in pledge funds associated with the 2020 Mission Driven Banks whitepaper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rOXE7ierZcd8HlvNVy7hAYg7d86q_1dv/view?usp=… Attached and below, kindly find outline of the $850M pledged: Goldman Sachs Industry: Financial Services Pledge Amount: $250 million Use of Funds: Goldman Sachs has committed $250 million for small business lending. Goldman Sachs will not issue these loans directly since it is not an approved small business loan provider in the United States. Instead, it will provide the financing to CDFIs and other mission-driven lenders to make the loans. Wells Fargo Industry: Banking Pledge Amount: $50 million Use of Funds: Wells Fargo has pledged a $50 million investment in African American MDIs. See Press Release PayPal Industry: Financial Services Pledge Amount: $510 million Use of Funds: PayPal has pledged $500 million for a long-term economic opportunity fund to support African American and underrepresented minority businesses and communities. The initiative will include “bolstering the company’s relationships with community banks and credit unions serving underrepresented minority communities, as well as investing directly into African American and minority led startups and minority-focused investment funds.” PayPal deposited $50 million in Optus Bank, an African American MDI in Columbia, South Carolina. PayPal will use another $10 million for grants to African American-owned businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or civil unrest surrounding protests. The very best, Gunnar Larson *FOIL Response Format* Email *If fees apply, please contact me if costs will be greater than* 25000 *Additional Information* I am a representative of, or affiliated with, the news media and this request is made as part of a news gathering effort , I am an individual seeking information for personal use , I am affiliated with an educational or non-commercial scientific institution, and this request is made for a scholarly or scientific purpose , I am affiliated with a private corporation and am seeking information for use in the company’s business for commercial purpose

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