February 2024 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

RNC Funding of Trump's Legal Campaign Undermines GOP State AGs' Attack on Litigation Funding - Litigation Finance Journal
by Gunnar Larson 16 Apr '24

16 Apr '24

I wrote this LitigationFinanceJournal.com article back in 2022, now I am on the other side of it all. 14 states attorneys general, if you are listening, there is something not kosher happening in New York right now. They are saying Gunnar Larson is trying to use Donald Trump arguments against the Attorney General's office and that is simply not true. Gunnar --- https://litigationfinancejournal.com/rnc-funding-of-trumps-legal-campaign-u… Litigation Finance Journal recently reported on a group of 14 state attorneys general that have called for action from the Department of Justice to review potential threats to U.S. national security from foreign adversaries’ engagement of litigation investment. Litigation funders and industry advocates have new ammo in response to the AGs’ claims, given recent news of the RNC funding former President Donald Trump’s various legal entanglements. According to ABC News, RNC leaders earmarked $1.6M in legal funding to support President Donald Trump’s defense over lawsuits brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Meanwhile, the United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform’s research has prompted 14 state attorneys general to ask for the Justice Department to assess national security risks of adversaries ‘undermining’ the United States by engaging litigation funding and third party investment vehicles. The group of 14 state attorneys general are concerned about foreign adversaries ‘weaponizing’ United States legal frameworks via litigation investment, to attack critical national industry and infrastructure, such as energy sectors. The group of 14 seeks the Department of Justice to detail how a network of federal agencies could engage a blueprint for defending United States independence from international litigation investors, hostile groups, agencies or governments such as Russia and China. This latest attack on the industry, prompted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is simply another attempt to undermine the nascent and growing litigation funding sector. It is ironic, given that in the case of Consumer Legal Funding–which the Chamber specifically targets–the funding in question does not go to support legal fees, but rather to finance claimants’ livelihoods while they remain injured and unable to work. While the RNC’s funding of Trump’s legal battles does not constitute foreign investment, it illustrates the acceptance of third party legal funding across political lines, and should be noted by industry advocates looking to respond to the negative publicity put forth by the U.S. Chamber.

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NY-DFS Proposed Guidance on Character and Fitness (Extension Appeal)
by Gunnar Larson 11 Apr '24

11 Apr '24

Subject: NY-DFS Proposed Guidance on Character and Fitness (Extension Appeal) Coinbase is up 40% this month: https://www.google.com/finance/quote/COIN:NASDAQ?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjO3sCmxrCE… Goldman's first Bitcoin backed loan to COIN back in 2022 would of had fantastic returns: Goldman Offers Its First Bitcoin-Backed Loan in Crypto Push https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-28/goldman-offers-its-first… ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> Date: Wed, Jun 28, 2023, 2:14 AM Subject: Re: NY-DFS Proposed Guidance on Character and Fitness (Extension Appeal) To: <kathleen.scott(a)dfs.ny.gov> Cc: <BankingComments(a)dfs.ny.gov>, <cypherpunks(a)cpunks.org> Ms. Scott: Additionally, xNY.io - Bank.org respectfully submits Coinbase's Brian Armstrong on Bloomberg.com: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2023-01-12/the-david-rubenstein-show-… as a matter for public comment for NY-DFS' "Proposed Guidance on Character and Fitness." The Bloomberg interview with Coinbase showed top journalistic integrity, yet, Coinbase failed to mention any NY-DFS investigation or pending action. The interview aired last December, before the 100M Coinbase settlement was announced by NY-DFS concerning Coinbase's BitLicense compliance. NY-DFS' approach to Coinbase and Goldman Sachs (who took Coinbase public) share independent insider trading scenarios that could disrespect the United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section and Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section compliance programs. We have collated 34 highlights that describe a corporate opportunity policy framework to gauge character and fitness of the "first Bitcoin loan" backed by a New York banking institution here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yx88RMoeLyyfbNK0RtPl4r-m8N21_1Sp/view?usp=… . Per point one of NY-DFS' "Suggested Questions to Facilitate Initial and Ongoing Assessment of Designated Persons’ Character and Fitness," can you kindly acknowledge that you have reviewed and understand our appeal seeking extension for public comment to August 5, 2023? We feel extra time for public comment is warranted to ensure that xNY.io - Bank.org did not play a significant role or otherwise contribute in a meaningful way to the conduct that led to regulatory action or proceeding without ample notice. Thank you, Gunnar On Wed, Jun 28, 2023, 12:04 AM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > Ms. Scott: > > NY-DFS recently asked for public comment concerning "Proposed Guidance on > Assessment of the Character and Fitness of Directors, Senior Officers, and > Managers" mentioned here: > https://www.dfs.ny.gov/industry_guidance/industry_letters/il20230509_guidan… > . > > xNY.io - Bank.org asks if the NY-DFS will extend deadline for public > comment to August 5, 2023 from June 30, 2023. > > As requested by NY-DFS, today we provide (in a separate attachment) > evidence of any documented exceptions to compliance with the "Suggested > Questions to Facilitate Initial and Ongoing Assessment of Designated > Persons’ Character and Fitness." > > We have collated 19 references comprising 205 highlights that touch on the > five key areas below: > https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FTRRFFhQHDxf-oR9WOZz0a2gRtC9ZWVO. > > -Harassment and Discrimination Policies > > -Conflict of Interest Policy > > -Insider Trading Policy > > -Records Management Policy > > -Corporate Opportunity Policy > > xNY.io - Bank.org is seeking NY-DFS' extension for public comment to > August 5, 2023 so that the New York Banking community has time to complete > Q2-23 earnings call disclosures. > > As documented in the above 19 references, we feel extra time for public > comment is warranted to ensure that xNY.io - Bank.org did not play a > significant role or otherwise contribute in a meaningful way to the conduct > that led to regulatory action or proceeding without ample notice. > > Per point one of NY-DFS' "Suggested Questions to Facilitate Initial and > Ongoing Assessment of Designated Persons’ Character and Fitness," can you > kindly acknowledge that you have reviewed and understand our appeal seeking > extension for public comment to August 5, 2023? > > We hope to hear from you before June 30, 2023 given obvious factors. > > Sending you the very best regards. > > Thank you, > > Gunnar > > -- > Gunnar Larson > xNY.io | Bank.org > MSc - Digital Currency > MBA - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) > > G(a)xNY.io > +1-917-580-8053 > New York, New York 10001 > >

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CFO.com Discusses Litigation Investment and Corporate Recovery - Litigation Finance Journal
by Gunnar Larson 11 Apr '24

11 Apr '24

I wrote this article on April 20, 2022. xNY.io - Bank.org finds this helpful: "While firms are raising capital, exploring a merger/acquisition or in the process of going public, CFO.com underscores value in engaging ligation finance tools to maximize valuation." ----- https://litigationfinancejournal.com/cfo-com-discusses-litigation-investmen… Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) call for litigation expenses to be accounted for during month/quarter of incurrence. Similarly, GAAP holds future recoveries vacant on the balance sheet until award(s) are recovered, oftentimes years in the future. For companies self funding meritorious litigation, application of GAAP may produce a balance sheet that undervalues the firm’s worth. CFO.com suggests that maneuvering costs off balance sheet via litigation finance products and services is potentially a smart idea. CFO.com reports that with the bespoke nature of litigation investment agreements, chief financial officers are able to arrange scenarios to meet cash flow constraints. Corporate recovery, or affirmative action, can be a useful strategy for companies who develop a portfolio of pursuable claims. According to CFO.com, litigation finance allows firms to effectively boost net income line items on the balance sheet. More importantly, utilization of litigation investment vehicles drive the ability to pursue claims that normally would be avoided due to cost restrictions. While firms are raising capital, exploring a merger/acquisition or in the process of going public, CFO.com underscores value in engaging ligation finance tools to maximize valuation.

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S&C Advises Robinhood in $2.275 Billion Secured Revolving Credit Facility | Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
by Gunnar Larson 01 Apr '24

01 Apr '24

https://www.sullcrom.com/About/News-and-Events/Highlights/2022/April/SC-Adv… S&C Advises Robinhood in $2.275 Billion Secured Revolving Credit Facility April 18, 2022 Robinhood Securities, a clearing broker-dealer entity and a wholly owned subsidiary of Robinhood Markets, entered into an agreement in which a syndicate of banks led by JP Morgan Chase will provide Robinhood with a secured revolving credit facility of up to $2.275 billion.

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Bank.org Concern of BitLicense Marketplace Manipulation
by Gunnar Larson 30 Mar '24

30 Mar '24

July 25, 2021 BY ELECTRONIC MAIL United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 14420 Albemarle Point Place Suite 102 Chantilly, VA 20151-1750 ATTN: SEC TCR SUBMISSIONS Re: Bank.org Concern of BitLicense Marketplace Manipulation Dear Sir or Madam: Virtual currency fraud is a serious problem for such a developed country as the United States, whose bank regulators have drawn attention to the increase of these crimes. Having discovered that an unregulated virtual currency sphere (such as in Africa, or other developing markets) is very popular among virtual currency fraudsters, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NY-DFS) concluded that this kind of regulatory fraud was threatening U.S. national security. Bank.org’s NY-DFS Shelf Charter application journey has prompted us to contact the SEC with concern of common Directors at Facebook and PayPal (incl. Xoom) who have potentially manipulated the New York State Common Retirement Fund and New York State Teachers Retirement Fund through BitLicense marketplace manipulation tactics and computer crimes. Bank.org's key definition of virtual currency computer crimes is a consistent message across markets. These crimes are relatively new, having been in existence for only as long as Bitcoin has—which explains how unprepared society and the world, in general, is towards combating these crimes. We see this as no fault of NY-DFS and the original BitLicense mandate. Facebook and PayPal along with Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo have leveraged BitLicensee connections to profit daily from virtual currency market manipulation structures with cross-border reach. PayPal's “Conditional BitLicense” may now be employed as a marketplace manipulation instrument. Meanwhile, common Directors at Facebook, PayPal (incl. Xoom) and Diem seemingly have collaborated in orchestrating a virtual currency marketplace manipulation exercise. The New York State Common Retirement Fund and New York State Teachers Retirement Fund are significant investors in Facebook, PayPal, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo. >From their California headquarters, Directors at PayPal (incl. Xoom) have potentially leveraged a Conditional BitLicense award in collaboration with common Directors at Facebook to engage in marketplace manipulation techniques. The Diem Association further shares common PayPal and Facebook Directors in a potential chain of virtual currency computer software and market manipulation architectures. Bank.org must take the necessary steps to guard against fraud and to be extra vigilant about manipulation. We seek SEC guidance on the aforementioned concerns as we organize a reputable Board of Directors for NY-DFS approval. Respectfully yours with appreciation, Gunnar Larson - xNY.io | Bank.org MSc - Digital Currency MBA - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-646-454-9107

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Peter Thiel on Leadership
by Gunnar Larson 18 Mar '24

18 Mar '24

Peter Thiel on Leadership: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3viOnJusv0/?igsh=bjAxdGcxdmpmaWt5

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Fwd: [OpenRecords] Request FOIL-2024-040-00099 Submitted to Department of Education (DOE) Request Title: Mayor Adams Announces Lawsuit Against Social Media Companies
by Gunnar Larson 16 Mar '24

16 Mar '24

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: <donotreply(a)records.nyc.gov> Date: Sat, Feb 17, 2024, 9:03 AM Subject: [OpenRecords] Request FOIL-2024-040-00099 Submitted to Department of Education (DOE) To: <g(a)xny.io> Your request FOIL-2024-040-00099 has been successfully submitted to the Department of Education (DOE). The details of your request are shown below. Request Title: Mayor Adams Announces Lawsuit Against Social Media Companies Request Description: Dear Madam or Sir: New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently announced the filing of a lawsuit to hold five social media platforms – TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube – accountable for fueling the nationwide youth mental health crisis: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/home/downloads/pdf/press-releases/2024/2024-02-1… xNY.io - Bank.org kindly seeks records pertaining to the lawsuit and Section 1. Subchapter 1 of chapter 1 of title 3 of the administrative code of the city of New York, section 3-119.5 ( https://intro.nyc/local-laws/2022-35) in relation to reporting on algorithmic tools used by city agencies . § 3-119.5 Annual reporting on algorithmic tools. a. For purposes of this section, the term “algorithmic tool” means any technology or computerized process that is derived from machine learning, artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, or other similar methods of data analysis, that is used to make or assist in making decisions about and implementing policies that materially impact the rights, liberties, benefits, safety or interests of the public, including their access to available city services and resources for which they may be eligible. Such term includes, but is not limited to tools that analyze datasets to generate risk scores, make predictions about behavior, or develop classifications or categories that determine what resources are allocated to particular groups or individuals, and does not materially affect the rights, liberties, benefits, safety or interests of the public. b. Each agency shall report to the mayor’s office of operations, or any other office or agency designated by the mayor, no later than December 31 of every year, every algorithmic tool that the agency has used one or more times during the prior calendar year. c. Each agency shall provide the following information about each algorithmic tool reported pursuant to subdivision b of this section: 1. The name or commercial name, and a brief description of such algorithmic tool; 2. The purpose for which the agency is using such an algorithmic tool; 3. The type of data collected or analyzed by the algorithmic tool and the source of such data; 4. A description of how the information received from such algorithmic tool is used; 5. Whether a vendor or contractor was involved in the development or ongoing use of the algorithmic tool, a description of such involvement, and the name of such vendor or contractor when feasible; and 6. The month and year in which such algorithmic tool began to be used, if known. d. The mayor’s office of operations, or any other office or agency designated by the mayor, shall compile the information received pursuant to subdivisions b and c of this section and report it to the mayor and the speaker of the council, disaggregated by agency. Thank you, Gunnar -- Gunnar Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 917-580-8053 Requester's Contact Information *Name:* Gunnar Larson *Title:* Co-Founder *Organization:* xNY.io - Bank.org *Email:* g(a)xny.io *Phone Number:* Not provided *Fax Number:* Not provided *Street Address (line 1):* 406 West 25th Street *Street Address (line 2):* Not provided *City:* New York *State:* NY *Zip Code:* 10001 You can view the request and take any necessary action at the following webpage: https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2024-040-00099.

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FBI eFOIA Request Received (ExplanationDigital asset RICO concern)
by Gunnar Larson 16 Mar '24

16 Mar '24

Today I am proud to announce Fantastic Space Corporation, PBC (FSC, PBC) out of Delaware. Some quick thoughts... last night something happened related to New York City politics. This also relates to our international legal team and I have no clue who the FBI thinks they are fooling with this crypto RICO. FBI, what happened in Chelsea, New York City last night? Did it have anything to do with the New York Democrats and sextortion? FBI, with what happened last night in Chelsea, how does this relate to Mayor Adams' new Meta lawsuit? Meanwhile, Beaverton's PYUSD is a joke. Below notice, I did not ask for any sex investigation (aka sextortion) records out of respect to women everywhere. Peter, Fred, Jack and Tim are billionaire gay guys and have turned it to their advantage at the FBI. This is tricky, you have the Epstein crowd suing claiming the FBI knew about what Epstein was up to. So, asking if the FBI has Gunnar Larson gay sextortion records is something Fred never had to navigate. While a string of NY-DFS Superintendents seemingly have been fluffing Fred for years now. Good for Fred! Anyway, I fear the FBI knows about the crypto RICO and why our First Republic was closed mysteriously. As a litigation finance journalist, my former job at Litigationfinancejournal.com ironicly was paid by First Republic cashier checks. Some say, the First Republic account was closed because the FBI was concerned I was laundering money out of Cyprus. That is absolutely ridiculous. Meanwhile, we went to the DOJ several times with war crime concerns while under severe entrapment. History is full of these type of stories and we are so proud to be New York innovators helping lead global digital asset products and services. What would Steve Jobs say to Gunnar? Jobs did not give a flying frisbee Tim is gay. Gunnar has more experience than the Prime Minister of France in this type of thing. Donald and Sam were whistleblowers for Gunnar. I will have to eventually leap frog the legacies of both these individuals if we are to achieve our mandate. This FBI eFOIA is more deflationary than inflationary. Gunnar must not intimate the New York Democrats. My AG and both Senators obviously must feel comfortable that this whole thing (the FBI documents requested below) blows the socks off the Steele Dossier. What is super cool is it is totally okay to be honest about everything. Like this crypto RICO and how it is a corporate design technique derrived from BitLicence regulatory arbitrage. Let's not forget the Bloomberg Crypto Summit. Brody... man I miss him. What I am trying to say is womanizing is baked into the cake in banking and Bank.org is probably a major surprise to the New York FBI, given New York’s contemporary history with Cuomo, Trump and Adams. FBI, what happened in Chelsea last night? Did it have anything to do with the New York Democrats and sextortion? FBI, with what happened last night in Chelsea, how does this relate to Mayor Adams' new Meta lawsuit? xNY.io - Bank.org has a near unlimited litigation investment mandate and this will only work by learning from First Republic film star payments or Epstein type payments not being part of our approach to being under FBI investigation. Meanwhile, as I see it the New York FBI should not be in the obviously awkward situation of a merry-go-round of NY-DFS Superintendents who more or less allowed the BitLicense to be abused leading to a RICO wrapped in war crime aggression and sex investigations. New York Human Rights Law and the history of New York State is precious. I have never been more proud to be a New York Republican feminist this President's Day Weekend. As an African American entrepreneur and decorated international Scholar, we must raise over $100B in the near term. These records will be important for our future shareholders in being comfortable. We went to the DOJ nearly two years ago on aggression and were right to do so. In short, this is a very radical approach to New York bank innovation. We will take this to the Supreme Court every single time necessary. xNY.io's whitepaper and Bank.org's business plan will never tolerate womanizing in global bank consolidation. We will probably become one of the world's largest and most valuable financial institutions within the next 20 years. Good for us. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: <efoia(a)subscriptions.fbi.gov> Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2024, 6:34 AM Subject: eFOIA Request Received To: <g(a)xny.io> Organization Representative Information Organization Name Prefix First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix Email Phone Location Domestic Address Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City State Postal Agreement to Pay How you will pay I am requesting a fee waiver for my request and have reviewed the FOIA reference guide. If my fee waiver is denied, I would like to limit my request to the two free hours of searching and 100 duplicated pages. Proof Of Affiliation for Fee Waiver Waiver Explanation Digital asset RICO concern. Documentation Files Non-Individual FOIA Request Request Information Dear Madam or Sir: xNY.io - Bank.org seeks all available FBI records concerning xNY.io (aka xNY), and Bank.org (aka, xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC). Furthermore, xNY.io - Bank.org seeks any and all investigation records concerning First Republic Bank (aka First Repblic), and Gunnar Larson pertaining to litigation finance and litigation investment (aka third party funding). Additionally, we would like to receive all records specific to Gunnar Larson's FBI past and current investigations specific to digital asset innovation. Finally, we seek any and all FBI records concerning canines and long range acoustic devices (LRAD). Warm regards, xNY.io - Bank.org Expedite Expedite Reason War crime (aggression) concern communicated to the DOJ, New York Eastern District. ** Please be advised that efoia(a)subscriptions.fbi.gov is a no-reply email address. Questions regarding your FOIA request may be directed to foipaquestions(a)fbi.gov. If you have received a FOIPA request number, please include this in all correspondence concerning your request. Please note eFOIPA requests are processed in the order that they are received. If you have not received a FOIPA request number, your request is in the process of being opened at which time it will be assigned a FOIPA request number and correspondence will be forthcoming. ** Upon receipt of your FOIPA request number, you may check the status of your FOIPA request on the FBIâ€™s electronic FOIA Library (The Vault) on the FBIâ€™s public website, http://vault.fbi.gov by clicking on the â€˜Check Status of Your FOI/PA Request toolâ€™ link. Status updates are performed on a weekly basis. If you receive a comment that your FOIPA request number was not located in the database, please check back at a later date.

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Fwd: Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris Recusal Records
by Gunnar Larson 12 Mar '24

12 Mar '24

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Paasewe, Siaka (DHR) <Siaka.Paasewe(a)dhr.ny.gov> Date: Fri, Feb 2, 2024, 11:35 AM Subject: RE: Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris Recusal Records To: G(a)xny.io <g(a)xny.io> Cc: dhr.dl.foil <foil(a)dhr.ny.gov> Dear Mr. Larson: Pursuant to your request, please see the attachment. *Siaka Paasewe* Records Access Officer / FOIL Officer *New York State Division of **Human** Rights* One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor (718) 741-8422 | (718) 741-8256 (Fax) Siaka.Paasewe(a)dhr.ny.gov www.dhr.ny.gov February 2, 2024 VIA EMAIL G(a)xny.io Gunnar D. Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 406 West 25th Street, 1RE New York, NY 10001 Dear Mr. Larson: The Division is in receipt of your Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request, received by the Division on February 2, 2024, in which you requested a copy of the following: NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris Recusal Records Dear Madam or Sir: On March 30, 2022 New York Magazine published a profile of NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris titled "Crypto’s Most Powerful Regulator Is Here Adrienne Harris, New York’s financial watchdog, has enormous sway over the industry’s future" (https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/03/adrienne-harris-is- cryptos-most-powerful-regulator.html). The profile of Superintendent Harris quotes "... that she would recuse herself from any dealings with companies she has conflicts with." xNY.io - Bank.org seeks access to any and all records specific to Superintendent Harris' recusal(s) as of February 1, 2024. Please be advised the Division does not have any records in its possession that are responsive to your FOIL request. Any person denied access to a requested record may, within thirty (30) days of the denial, appeal the denial in writing by mail or fax to Caroline J. Downey, General Counsel, N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor, Bronx, New York 10458. *From:* noreply-openfoil(a)its.ny.gov <its.sm.openfoil(a)its.ny.gov> *Sent:* Friday, February 2, 2024 6:43 AM *To:* dhr.dl.foil <foil(a)dhr.ny.gov>; dob.sm.foil <foil(a)budget.ny.gov>; dfs.sm.RecordsAccessOfficer <recordsaccessofficer(a)dfs.ny.gov> *Subject:* Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris Recusal Records *New FOIL Request for Division of Human Rights, Division of the Budget, Department of Financial Services * Submitted on: 2/2/2024 6:43:04 AM Request Confirmation Number : LARSON_DHR_20240202064304145 LARSON_DOB_20240202064304145 LARSON_DFS_20240202064304145 *INFORMATION SUBMITTED:* *Title* Mr. *First Name* Gunnar *Middle Initial* *D* *Last Name* Larson *E-Mail* G(a)xny.io *Telephone* *Fax* *Affiliation/Organization* xNY.io - Bank.org *Street Address 1* 406 West 25th Street *Street Address 2* *City* New York *State* NY *Zip Code* 10001 *Country* *USA* *Short Title* NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris Recusal Records *Description* Dear Madam or Sir: On March 30, 2022 New York Magazine published a profile of NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris titled "Crypto’s Most Powerful Regulator Is Here Adrienne Harris, New York’s financial watchdog, has enormous sway over the industry’s future" ( https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/03/adrienne-harris-is-cryptos-most-pow…) The profile of Superintendent Harris quotes "... that she would recuse herself from any dealings with companies she has conflicts with." xNY.io - Bank.org seeks access to any and all records specific to Superintendent Harris' recusal(s) as of February 1, 2024. Thank you, Gunnar -- Gunnar Larson xNY.io | Bank.org MSc - Digital Currency MBA - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-917-580-8053 New York, New York 10001 *FOIL Response Format* Email *If fees apply, please contact me if costs will be greater than* 10000 *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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N.Y. Republicans Pick a Former Police Detective to Challenge Gillibrand - The New York Times
by Gunnar Larson 10 Mar '24

10 Mar '24

All this and we have two NYPD body camera FOIL requests open. ---- https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/nyregion/gillibrand-sapraicone-gop-elect… N.Y. Republicans Pick a Former Police Detective to Challenge Gillibrand Mike Sapraicone, who runs a security firm and positions himself as a moderate, was elevated as the preferred Republican nominee. Two more conservative candidates vowed primary challenges. Mike Sapraicone, in a dark blazer with a United States flag pin on his lapel, speaks to a television reporter. Mike Sapraicone, who runs a private security firm, won the support of 84 percent of delegates at the New York Republican Party’s convention.Credit...Heather Ainsworth for The New York Times Nicholas Fandos By Nicholas Fandos Feb. 22, 2024 Republicans mounting a long-shot bid to unseat Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York selected Mike Sapraicone, a wealthy private security executive, as their preferred nominee at a party convention on Thursday. Mr. Sapraicone, 67, has fashioned himself as an affable moderate, vowing to outwork Ms. Gillibrand and find solutions to the migrant and affordability crises that the state’s ruling Democrats have struggled to combat. “It’s about time we had a voice in New York we haven’t had,” he said in an interview, accusing Ms. Gillibrand of having not been “seen or heard” since her unsuccessful run for president in 2020. The message easily won over the state’s political establishment, which believes Mr. Sapraicone represents Republicans’ best chance to compete in New York. Eighty-four percent of delegates voted in his favor on Thursday at the convention in Binghamton. But the show of support apparently failed to clear his path. Rather than drop out, two conservative Republican runners-up, Josh Eisen and Cara Castronuova, signaled their intent to petition onto the ballot and allow primary voters to have the final say in June. That would set up a potentially messy fight that could expose the deep ideological fissures dividing the party. It threatens to force Mr. Sapraicone not only to tap his campaign treasury but also to adopt more conservative positions on subjects like abortion and former President Donald J. Trump that could hurt the party in November. “Today the party bosses spoke,” Mr. Eisen said. “The rest of the G.O.P. gets the last word in the June primary.” The stakes may be higher than they appear. Few Republicans actually believe the party can defeat Ms. Gillibrand in a state that has not sent a Republican to the Senate since the 1990s. But party leaders privately say a serious, palatable nominee could help lift Republicans in more winnable races down the ballot, including for key House districts. Image Senator Kirsten Gillibrand looks slightly pensive inside the Capitol, with a handful of people behind her in a blurred background. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is widely expected to win re-election in November, but Republicans hope that a viable candidate can help the party in down-ballot races.Credit...Valerie Plesch for The New York Times Mr. Sapraicone, whose name arose as a potential candidate in the special House election to replace George Santos on Long Island, formally entered the Senate race on Friday. He has a compelling biography and deep personal resources that could lift his campaign. The Republican spent 20 years in the New York Police Department and now runs Squad Security, a private firm that employs 600 active-duty and retired cops, according to its website. But Mr. Sapraicone enters the contest with some baggage. He has repeatedly donated to Democrats over the years. And he was among a group of former police detectives accused in a 2021 lawsuit of having coerced a false confession and suppressed exonerating evidence that kept a man behind bars for decades. Mr. Sapraicone’s likely primary challengers wasted little time going on the attack, portraying him as squishy on conservative priorities. “He has questionable views about guns, questionable views on Second Amendment, he’s unclear about his position on Trump,” Mr. Eisen said before the vote. Mr. Eisen, 52, may be the most formidable threat. The founder of a successful translation business, he also has private funds to pump into his campaign and has the endorsement of former Gov. George E. Pataki. In an interview, Mr. Eisen described himself as a “Second Amendment purist.” He said federal prosecutors who indicted Mr. Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 election outcome had overreached and were attempting to criminalize the techniques of a “scrappy New York real estate guy.” “He was just literally following legal maneuvers that were legitimate,” he said of Mr. Trump. “They might not appeal to everybody’s tastes.” Ms. Castronuova, a conservative reporter for Newsmax, appears to be making her own play for Mr. Trump’s support. She has pushed her ability to generate “viral media attention,” defended Jan. 6 rioters and has the endorsement of Roger J. Stone Jr., a longtime adviser to Mr. Trump. “Just like parents should have a choice about what vaccination is put into their child’s body, the voters should have a choice about the candidate that goes into the general election for Senate!” she wrote in a text message. Given Mr. Sapraicone’s commanding vote totals at the convention, any Republican challenger will have to secure thousands of signatures from voters across the state to make it onto the primary ballot. Party leaders were already working to kneecap Mr. Eisen. They recirculated old news accounts showing he had received sanctions in court for harassing legal opponents and using racial slurs. (Mr. Eisen said he was “not proud of everything I say all the time” but played down the matter as “business disputes.”) They also pointed to a handful of donations he made to far-left Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York. “He’s going nowhere in the G.O.P.,” said Jerry Kassar, the chairman of the Conservative Party, a longtime partner to the Republicans in New York. He said both issues “disqualified him.” Mr. Sapraicone has an even more prolific history of supporting Democrats. Though he has given more to Republicans, Mr. Sapraicone has donated $140,000 to Democratic candidates and causes in New York since 2017, according to state and federal election records. Gavin Wax, the president of the New York Young Republican Club, singled out one donation on Thursday: a $1,000 contribution from Squad Security to the New York attorney general who just defeated Mr. Trump in a civil fraud case. “While President Trump is fighting against a politicized persecution of him by Letitia James the @NewYorkGOP under Ed Cox is rushing to coronate anti-Trump RINO @MikeSapraicone,” Mr. Wax wrote on X. There were signs Mr. Sapraicone was already feeling the pressure. In the interview, he said he was, in fact, a big supporter of Mr. Trump and called the 91 criminal counts brought against the former president “horrendous.” Mr. Sapraicone explained that he was a proponent of background checks for firearm purchases — “I know some people don’t agree with that, but that’s important” — but not of a ban on semiautomatic weapons, like the ones frequently used in mass shootings. And while he said he would oppose a federal abortion ban, he called for more restrictions on the procedure in New York, a state where abortion rights are seen as sacrosanct. “I don’t like what you hear in New York, where we say you can have an abortion right to term, you don’t have to notify your parents if you’re a minor and regular doctors can do abortions,” he said. Ms. Gillibrand, 57, is likely to make many of those issues centerpieces of her campaign for a third full term. She has one of the Senate’s most liberal voting records, and is a staunch supporter of abortion rights and gun safety measures and a virulent critic of Mr. Trump. She also has a daunting $9 million in campaign cash on hand. A spokesman for the senator, Evan Lukaske, said Ms. Gillibrand looked forward to campaigning on her record and “winning re-election this fall.”

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