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FBI seizes New York City Mayor Eric Adams' phones, iPad | AP News
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '23

11 Nov '23

https://apnews.com/article/new-york-mayor-eric-adams-fbi-investigation-0349… FBI seized phones, iPad from New York Mayor Eric Adams in escalation of fundraising investigation BY JAKE OFFENHARTZ Updated 6:17 PM EST, November 10, 2023 NEW YORK (AP) — FBI agents quietly seized phones and an iPad from New York City Mayor Eric Adams early this week as part of an investigation into political fundraising during his 2021 campaign, his attorney disclosed Friday. The seizures happened as Adams was leaving a public event in Manhattan, according to a statement from the mayor’s attorney, Boyd Johnson. “On Monday night, the FBI approached the mayor after an event. The Mayor immediately complied with the FBI’s request and provided them with electronic devices,” Johnson said. “The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing and continues to cooperate with the investigation.” ADVERTISEMENT The seizure of the devices, first reported by The New York Times, came four days after federal agents searched the Brooklyn home of Adams’ top campaign fundraiser, Brianna Suggs. That search prompted the mayor to cancel a planned trip to meet with White House officials in Washington and instead return to New York.

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Will The UK Supreme Court Decision In PACCAR Affect Hong Kong Litigation Funding? - Litigation Finance Journal
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '23

11 Nov '23

Check out my recent article: https://litigationfinancejournal.com/will-the-uk-supreme-court-decision-in-… The Hong Kong Department of Justice’s approach to litigation finance and third party funding is coming into greater focus following the UK Supreme Court’s July 26, 2023 ruling on R. (on the Application of PACCAR Inc) v Competition Appeal Tribunal [2023] UKSC 28. Mondaq reports that PACCAR has defined “damaged-base agreements” or “DBAs” in the United Kingdom. DBAs are strictly regulated in the UK, now including litigation funding agreement contract law. Many UK courts have operated under the assumption that funding of litigation agreements does not fall under the purview of DBAs. PACCAR’s Supreme Court decision has sparked a fervent debate around this topic. Mondaq says that Hong Kong DBA relevancy differs from the UKs DBA approach. Specifically, in Hong Kong, champerty and maintenance are illegal factors that can lead to a fine and prison sentence. It’s important to note that Hong Kong does allow waivers to the general prohibition of litigation investment if: 1. Third parties share a common interest in funding the outcome of a case. 2. Accessible justice is a prime consideration. 3. Insolvency proceedings are necessary.

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How the Brooklyn company involved in Mayor Adams’ FBI probe avoided fundraising disclosures - Gothamist
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '23

11 Nov '23

https://gothamist.com/news/how-the-brooklyn-company-involved-in-mayor-adams… A New York construction company threw a fundraising party for Eric Adams in 2021 that managed to avoid disclosure under city campaign laws requiring the company to register with the city’s Campaign Finance Board. KSK, a Brooklyn-based construction company with strong Turkish ties, is believed to be at the center of a federal inquiry into campaign donations for the mayor. The company came under scrutiny after FBI agents raided the home of Adams’ top fundraiser Brianna Suggs and the New York Times obtained a warrant suggesting foreign nationals associated with KSK may have donated through a straw donor scheme. Neither Adams nor Suggs have been accused of any wrongdoing and it remains unclear who the FBI is targeting in the investigation. According to interviews and campaign finance data, KSK and the Turkish American Business Network invited some two dozen people to a fundraising event at KSK’s Williamsburg office in May 2021. Election lawyers interviewed by Gothamist said the company should have registered as a campaign “intermediary” but there’s no record of it having done so. The Adams campaign disputes that the event qualified KSK as an intermediary, saying it compensated the company for the event and therefore was the official sponsor. But no record exists in the Campaign Finance Board's files of any payment to KSK on behalf of the Adams campaign, and the campaign has not provided any receipts to Gothamist. “None of those inquiries were flagged as possible straw donors," said Adams campaign spokesperson Evan Thies in a statement. "The inquiries were about possible unreported intermediaries, of which there were none required to be reported." According to election law, when someone “solicits contributions to a candidate” that person is required to fill out an intermediary statement declaring the donations they helped bundle. It’s unclear whether the party is related to the FBI’s search. KSK did not return multiple requests for comment. The May event yielded nearly $75,000 with matching funds, according to Campaign Finance Board records. “It was at KSK’s offices,” said Tahir Demircioglu, an architect who attended the fundraiser. “It's not a big office, between 30 and 50 people, I would say.” Attendees said people of Turkish descent make up much of the company’s staff. According to Campaign Finance Board records, the Adams campaign lists four intermediaries, none of whom bundled donations in May 2021, the time of the KSK party. “In my opinion, it is a fundraiser,” said Sara Steiner, an election lawyer who specializes in city election law. “There would be an intermediary form filled out by whoever it was who was organizing and inviting people to the fundraiser.” According to campaign finance records, 38 people who listed their occupation or company as affiliated in the construction industry donated money to Adams that night, May 7, 2021. Their donations totaled $34,620, and $5,000 of that was then matched 8-to-1 with tax dollars for a grand total of $74,620. “I would say most of them were Turkish and mostly in construction,” said Metehan Akdag, an engineering consultant who also attended the event. “Mostly people who work with KSK.” He described a meeting that’s fairly typical in city politics. “People brought checks, and I think I donated through a webpage,” Akdag said, who added that there was a suggested donation. “They were saying that it should be around $250.” Akdag said most of the people who attended the event sought work from KSK — subcontractors who get in the company’s good graces have a better chance of getting jobs when they come up. “That's how it is throughout the whole industry,” he said. 'You want to know who's involved' The rules around fundraising transparency are meant to discourage quid pro quo relationships between donors and elected officials. “It's a perfect example of why the intermediary rule is really useful,” Steiner, the election lawyer, said. “Businesses that are dependent on them for contracts, who are in turn dependent on the city, you really do want to know who's involved in this because that's the kind of thing that can lead to corruption.” KSK has at least 33 active construction jobs in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx, Department of Buildings records show. Some of the projects have scores of complaints, inspection requests and permits pending before city agencies. Steiner said the city’s Campaign Finance Board, which is in charge of checking candidate disclosures, typically assigns an auditor to each campaign. The Campaign Finance Board declined to comment on its correspondence with the Adams campaign regarding this party. "The campaign appropriately responded to each and every flag made by the CFB as required," Thies said. The CFB suggested the rules need clarification. “A host of a fundraiser that's organized independently of the campaign must be reported as an intermediary,” Eric Friedman, assistant executive director of the Campaign Finance Board, said in an interview. “This discussion about intermediaries is a perfect example of a law that needs to be reviewed to ensure that it's meeting the challenges of the way that campaigns work today.” Attendees at the fundraiser at KSK’s offices describe the event as minor. “It’s insane, this was a small fundraiser,” Demircioglu said. “This is a witch hunt, in my personal opinion there is nothing to look at.” Suggs, the Adams campaign fundraiser and consultant whose home the FBI raided last week, also donated $20 the night of KSK’s event, according to records. 'He's practically Turkish' Attendees of the May event described many of KSK’s employees as still working at their desks when Adams arrived. He stayed for approximately half an hour, and spent most of his time there on a phone call in a separate office. Adams took photos with several attendees and answered their questions. “He gave a very short speech,” Akdag said. “His joke was that he's practically Turkish because every time he flies somewhere he takes Turkish Airlines and he lays over in Istanbul.” When Adams helped raise a flag in the Financial District late last month to mark the 100th anniversary of day Turkey becoming a republic, he repeated another favorite quip: “New York City is the Istanbul of America." The FBI raided Suggs' home a week later, placing a spotlight on the mayor's long-held fascination with the republic, which dates back to when he was a Brooklyn-based state senator roughly a decade ago — long before he would become borough president and mayor. As Brooklyn borough president, Adams made multiple trips to the country at the border of Asia and Europe — which he’s repeatedly touted over the years. But it’s far from the only foreign country he’s visited or promoted; Adams has frequently traveled abroad as an elected official, and has hosted dozens of flag-raising ceremonies since taking office. “I'm probably the only mayor in the history of this city that has not only visited Turkey — Türkiye — once, but I think I'm on my sixth or seventh visit to Türkiye,” Adams said at the October ceremony, using the country’s preferred pronunciation. On PIX11’s “PIX on Politics” on Sunday, Adams said he doesn’t have a specific fascination with Turkey; it’s a fascination with all countries with significant immigrant communities in New York City. Clarification: This story has been updated to include comment and information provided by the Adams campaign.

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Fwd: FTX DR 5-105 Records Request
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '23

11 Nov '23

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> Date: Fri, Nov 10, 2023, 4:01 PM Subject: Fwd: FTX DR 5-105 Records Request To: <letitia.james(a)ag.ny.gov> Cc: Harris, Adrienne A (DFS) <Adrienne.Harris(a)dfs.ny.gov>, Reader, Shaun < sreader(a)curtis.com>, <ftxquestions(a)kroll.com>, <frc(a)fincen.gov> Madam Attorney General: We were doing the EOY-23 wrap and noticed potential FTX conflicts. Has New York State conducted a similar conflicts check as the assets are now under the BitLicense purview? Similarly, NY-DFS has sent xNY.io - Bank.org communications regarding STX. Are we to assume that FTX and STX regultion in New York are under excess D&O coverage? Yesterday we received a notice that FTX's excess D&O was something we should check with you on. When we spoke with FinCEN on STX association last year, they mentioned to reach out to Treasury's kleptocracy division. STX and NYCCoin are a open D&O policy matter and I am just coverning all bases to make sure FTX has nothing to do with this. I am not sure how Kroll has tabulated conflicts. xNY.io - Bank.org must disclose no kleptocracy associations at NYCCoin, STX or with FTX assets trading now under BitLicense regulation. We are not exactly sure how FTX is making money after the original fraud. I am sure FTX or STX trading would not be involved against the best interest of New Yorkers. Attorney General James, looking at the numbers ... The D&O excess is nearly 10x the estimated 1B figures estimated by FTX's current CEO. This is something xNY.io - Bank.org cannot cover under our D&O, so I hope it is not something NY-DFS is calculating as ongoing FTX fraud. As you know, the STX racket fraud question is ongoing. xNY.io - Bank.org reserves all rights. Happy Veterans Day. Thank you, Gunnar Gunnar Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 917-580-8053 --------- Forwarded message --------- From: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> Date: Fri, Nov 10, 2023, 10:55 AM Subject: FTX DR 5-105 Records Request To: <ftxquestions(a)kroll.com> Cc: Reader, Shaun <sreader(a)curtis.com>, <FRC(a)fincen.gov> Hello there: New York is one of the few states that require lawyers to check for conflicts of interest before accepting any new engagement. In 1996, NY adopted DR 5-105(E), a new paragraph of New York’s main rule governing conflicts of interest. DR 5-105(E) contains three sentences (which I set off here in bullets to make the rule easier to read): • “A law firm shall keep records of prior engagements, which records shall be made at or near the time of such engagements and shall have a policy implementing a system by which proposed engagements are checked against current and previous engagements, so as to render effective assistance to lawyers within the firm in complying with DR 5-105(D).” • “Failure to keep records or to have a policy which complies with this subdivision, whether or not a violation of DR 5-105(D) occurs, shall be a violation by the firm.” • “In cases in which a violation of this subdivision by the firm is a substantial factor in causing a violation of DR 5-105(D) by a lawyer, the firm, as well as the individual lawyer, shall also be responsible for the violation of DR 5 105(D).” The rule thus embodies two separate obligations. Law firms must: 1. Make and keep contemporaneous records of prior engagements at or near the time of such engagements 2. Have a policy implementing a system for checking proposed engagements against current and previous engagements. xNY.io - Bank.org would like to check for conflicts of our interest concerning FTX's asset sale and New York State's regulator who is overseeing Trusts holding FTX assets. Participants, the Trust or the Sponsor may be required to comply with FinCEN regulations, including those that would mandate the Authorized Participant to implement anti-money laundering programs, make certain reports to FinCEN and maintain certain records. Similarly, the activities of an Authorized Participant, the Trust or the Sponsor may require it to be licensed as a money transmitter or as a digital asset business, such as under the New York State Department of Financial Services’ BitLicense regulation. Would you please be able to send us a confirmation of your DR 5-105 records on FTX clearing xNY.io - Bank.org of any associated conflicts to FTX. Thank you, Gunnar Gunnar Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 917-580-8053

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Fwd: FOIL #2022-090560 Appeal
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '23

11 Nov '23

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> Date: Fri, Nov 10, 2023, 4:52 PM Subject: Re: FOIL #2022-090560 Appeal To: Tomczak, Christine (DFS) <christine.tomczak(a)dfs.ny.gov> Cc: Harris, Adrienne A (DFS) <Adrienne.Harris(a)dfs.ny.gov>, < letitia.james(a)ag.ny.gov>, Reader, Shaun <sreader(a)curtis.com>, Dean, Peter C (DFS) <Peter.Dean(a)dfs.ny.gov> 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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THREE (GOP-INSPIRED) STEPS TO REBUILD TRUST IN ELECTIONS NOVEMBER 9, 2023 GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD RAFFENSPERGER AND OTHER REPUBLICAN LEADERS LAY OUT WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THE 2024 ELECTION
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '23

11 Nov '23

THREE (GOP-INSPIRED) STEPS TO REBUILD TRUST IN ELECTIONS NOVEMBER 9, 2023 GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD RAFFENSPERGER AND OTHER REPUBLICAN LEADERS LAY OUT WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THE 2024 ELECTION Four adults sit on a stage and talk under a screen that reads Only 40% of Republicans said they were very or somewhat confident in the accuracy of U.S. elections, according to a new Gallup poll, down from a high of 90% in 2006. A coalition of Republican state election officials is urging states to act now to rebuild at least some trust before the 2024 presidential election. “Our democracy cannot hold if its citizens do not trust that elections accurately reflect the will of the people,” Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who oversaw the state’s tightly contested 2020 election, said in a joint statement with Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, and Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson. https://washingtondc.jhu.edu/news/three-gop-inspired-steps-to-rebuild-trust…

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Anonymity for all - mixmasters for the masses - globalized anarchism now!
by professor rat 10 Nov '23

10 Nov '23

These are cryptoanarchist benchmarks and stand in total opposition to all govt KYC/ AML measures. There is only one question - who is to be master? - that is all ( Humpty Dumpty ) Cypherpunks are all about privacy for the poor and transparency for the powerful. Amirite? The possibility of anonymous speech, and publication is vital for an open society and genuine freedom of speech. " Speech ’ is also defined as computer code.in US law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernstein_v._United_States Apple cited Bernstein v. US in its refusal to hack the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone, saying that they could not be compelled to “speak” (write code) The general sentiment of mankind is that a man who will not fight for himself, when he has the means of doing so, is not worth being fought for by others, and this sentiment is just. For a man who does not value freedom for himself will never value it for others, or put himself to any inconvenience to gain it for others. Such a man, the world says, may lie down until he has sense enough to stand up. It is useless and cruel to put a man on his legs, if the next moment his head is to be brought against a curbstone. Advocates for KYC/ AML sound like they will die in the ditch for any govts right to suppress us code-talkers. Perhaps its time we indulged them. The same rotten creepy criminals want to attack our rights of association and disassociation via mixmasters ( " Everyone a remailer " ) They would drag us all back to the dark ages. Naturally, they have all earned killing. " Government is best which governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all” Thoreau " . . . governance should be decentralized… The real question is how decentralized governance should be applied in every particular case." https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/11/35733564/blockchain-r… Reposts from corpse-media sources would smell as sweet - but not for much longer

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#Alert eIDAS 2.0 (EU wants to force browsers to use potentially insecure government certificates)
by zeynep＠keemail.me 10 Nov '23

10 Nov '23

Hello I hope everyone is ok. I think this issue is important so I think all of you should read this email I wrote. For years, I have been immersed in the world of cryptography and have worked as a researcher in the field of digital privacy. Recently, there have been numerous developments that give cause for concern. As a digital privacy activist, I am committed to raising awareness about the critical need for robust privacy protections in today's interconnected world. The ever-expanding digital landscape necessitates vigilant advocacy to ensure that individuals rights to privacy are upheld and respected. “The EU's planned laws would use emerging technologies to detect new and existing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and child grooming activities, and would give national authorities the power to oblige digital services to scan users’ communications, including encrypted messages.” https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/10/19/planned-eu-laws-on-child-sexu… The proposed legislation mandates the implementation of a compulsory scanning protocol for communication service providers, encompassing social media platforms and instant messaging applications, which facilitate the exchange of textual, auditory, photographic, and video content inclusive of all user data. The eIDAS 2.0 proposal, aimed at establishing a secure framework for trust services within the EU, has raised concerns due to recent undisclosed alterations made during the legislative process. These changes, allowing Member States to access encrypted data, raise alarming implications for mass surveillance. Collaborating with esteemed scientists and NGOs, an open letter has been crafted to address these critical risks and propose concrete solutions to ensure enhanced privacy protections in the eIDAS 2.0 framework. This letter meticulously outlines the substantial risks associated with the eIDAS 2.0 proposal and offers concrete suggestions for mitigating these issues. The letter is here: https://nce.mpi-sp.org/index.php/s/cG88cptFdaDNyRr As an individual deeply invested in digital privacy and security, I find myself increasingly apprehensive about the implications of the eIDAS 2.0 proposal. While the initial intent was to establish a fortified legal framework for trust services within the EU, recent undisclosed alterations have raised significant concerns. One of the most troubling aspects is the provision granting Member States the authority to insert their keys into browsers, enabling the interception of encrypted traffic. This opens the door to potential mass surveillance, infringing upon the fundamental right to privacy. Additionally, the restrictions on security checks for encryption keys, limited by ETSI, pose a potential roadblock to the development of innovative, higher-level protective measures. Furthermore, the proposal's commendable effort to create a digital wallet for mobile identity is marred by a critical oversight. Citizens should have the option to employ anonymous credentials or pseudonyms to shield their online interactions. Unfortunately, the current draft makes the implementation of unlinkability optional, potentially subjecting citizens privacy to the discretion of the Member State with the weakest safeguards. These concerns are not merely speculative, but rooted in the need to protect individual liberties in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape. It is imperative that we prioritize privacy rights and work towards a balanced framework that ensures the security of trust services without compromising personal freedoms. In addition, most artificial intelligence systems are inherently flawed, rendering them susceptible to potential misuse under the law. Governments, under the pretext of combating child exploitation, can scan the data of a majority of users, thereby infringing upon fundamental human rights. This grants governments the power to surveil and exert control over any citizen at their discretion. Perhaps we can discuss what we might accomplish together. Regards Zeynep Aydoğan

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Dems pass new law requiring a 'kill switch' in all new vehicles sold after 2026
by jim bell 10 Nov '23

10 Nov '23

Read "Dems pass new law requiring a ‘kill switch’ in all new vehicles sold after 2026" on SmartNews: https://l.smartnews.com/p-LHKKH/tb2tun

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Assasins move in on Zuckerberg
by pro2rat＠yahoo.com.au 09 Nov '23

09 Nov '23

Imagining the death of CEO bitch, Zuckface just got a lot easier. Like eliminating the head of " Life Invader " in GTA Five. Assassin's Creed Maker Ubisoft Is reportedly Building a Crypto 'Gaming Experience' With Immutable Ubisoft and Immutable are supposedly developing a new blockchain gaming project that plans to offer "digital ownership." So why waste energy griefing other playas when you could be helping cryptoanarchists liquidate billionaires as a class? Viva la revolution!

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