Ben Kochman
@benkochman.bsky.social
Senior courts reporter for the New York Post.
Ping me on Signal from a non-work device: courttalk.99
https://nypost.com/author/ben-kochman/
Ping me on Signal from a non-work device: courttalk.99
https://nypost.com/author/ben-kochman/
Reposted by Ben Kochman
In a lengthy call in June, Obama congratulated Mamdani, offered him advice about governing and discussed the importance of giving people hope in a dark time.
Others in Obama’s orbit have also shown a keen interest in Mamdani, too.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/o...
Others in Obama’s orbit have also shown a keen interest in Mamdani, too.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/o...
Opinion | Some Democrats Panicked Over Mamdani. Obama Called Him.
www.nytimes.com
August 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
In a lengthy call in June, Obama congratulated Mamdani, offered him advice about governing and discussed the importance of giving people hope in a dark time.
Others in Obama’s orbit have also shown a keen interest in Mamdani, too.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/o...
Others in Obama’s orbit have also shown a keen interest in Mamdani, too.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/o...
Reposted by Ben Kochman
No evidence at all in this story to support its headline
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/n...
Cuomo’s Attack on Mamdani’s Apartment Struck a New York Nerve
www.nytimes.com
August 14, 2025 at 10:18 AM
No evidence at all in this story to support its headline
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/n...
NEW: Detainees at a Manhattan ICE jail could turn toothbrushes into “improvised” weapons, US Attorney Jay Clayton warns.
He did not give an example of a migrant using a toothbrush as a weapon.
Lawyers say they’ll be used to clean teeth.
nypost.com/2025/08/14/u...
He did not give an example of a migrant using a toothbrush as a weapon.
Lawyers say they’ll be used to clean teeth.
nypost.com/2025/08/14/u...
Feds claim jailed migrants at NYC ICE facility could use toothbrushes as ‘weapons’
The Justice Department is bristling at the idea of providing toothbrushes to jailed migrants at a Manhattan ICE lockup — claiming the detainees could use the teeth-cleaning tools as dangerous ̶…
nypost.com
August 15, 2025 at 12:04 AM
NEW: Detainees at a Manhattan ICE jail could turn toothbrushes into “improvised” weapons, US Attorney Jay Clayton warns.
He did not give an example of a migrant using a toothbrush as a weapon.
Lawyers say they’ll be used to clean teeth.
nypost.com/2025/08/14/u...
He did not give an example of a migrant using a toothbrush as a weapon.
Lawyers say they’ll be used to clean teeth.
nypost.com/2025/08/14/u...
Despite Pam Bondi’s announcement that the feds would seek to kill Luigi Mangione, there was no movement on the docket today.
But more than $20k in donations rolled in to his legal defense fund.
“Keep your head high my little bambino!!!!” one donor wrote.
nypost.com/2025/04/01/u...
But more than $20k in donations rolled in to his legal defense fund.
“Keep your head high my little bambino!!!!” one donor wrote.
nypost.com/2025/04/01/u...
Luigi Mangione should face death penalty for ‘cold-blooded assassination’ of UnitedHealthcare CEO, Pam Bondi orders
Law enforcement sources have told The Post that the feds had been lobbied by the insurance industry before bringing their case against Mangione.
nypost.com
April 2, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Despite Pam Bondi’s announcement that the feds would seek to kill Luigi Mangione, there was no movement on the docket today.
But more than $20k in donations rolled in to his legal defense fund.
“Keep your head high my little bambino!!!!” one donor wrote.
nypost.com/2025/04/01/u...
But more than $20k in donations rolled in to his legal defense fund.
“Keep your head high my little bambino!!!!” one donor wrote.
nypost.com/2025/04/01/u...
Columbia protest leader Mahmoud Khalil has been locked up, away from his pregnant wife, for more than two weeks.
Did a judge listen to arguments today on whether to release him on bail?
He did not.
nypost.com/2025/03/28/u...
Did a judge listen to arguments today on whether to release him on bail?
He did not.
nypost.com/2025/03/28/u...
Mahmoud Khalil to remain in Louisiana ICE facility as judge refuses to free him at court hearing attended by wife
Detained Columbia University protest leader Mahmoud Khalil will stay locked up in a Louisiana ICE facility for now — as a New Jersey judge refused to consider freeing him on bail during a…
nypost.com
March 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Columbia protest leader Mahmoud Khalil has been locked up, away from his pregnant wife, for more than two weeks.
Did a judge listen to arguments today on whether to release him on bail?
He did not.
nypost.com/2025/03/28/u...
Did a judge listen to arguments today on whether to release him on bail?
He did not.
nypost.com/2025/03/28/u...
Reposted by Ben Kochman
Letters from Mahmoud Khalil’s Jewish peers are pouring onto the court docket:
“I can state with full confidence that Mahmoud has never expressed support for Hamas.”
“Mahmoud has protected Jewish students at Columbia like myself more than the university ever has.”
“I can state with full confidence that Mahmoud has never expressed support for Hamas.”
“Mahmoud has protected Jewish students at Columbia like myself more than the university ever has.”
March 15, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Letters from Mahmoud Khalil’s Jewish peers are pouring onto the court docket:
“I can state with full confidence that Mahmoud has never expressed support for Hamas.”
“Mahmoud has protected Jewish students at Columbia like myself more than the university ever has.”
“I can state with full confidence that Mahmoud has never expressed support for Hamas.”
“Mahmoud has protected Jewish students at Columbia like myself more than the university ever has.”
Reposted by Ben Kochman
NEW: Congestion pricing has turned some of its staunchest critics into supporters.
“I’ve definitely changed my mind,” one commuter told me, whose daily bus trip has gone from more than an hour down to 25 minutes.
“I’ve definitely changed my mind,” one commuter told me, whose daily bus trip has gone from more than an hour down to 25 minutes.
‘It’s night and day’: Why some NYC commuters say they’re coming around to congestion pricing
New York Governor Kathy Hochul went to the White House on Friday in defense of the tolling pilot program, which is gaining popularity in New York City.
www.courthousenews.com
March 14, 2025 at 9:29 PM
NEW: Congestion pricing has turned some of its staunchest critics into supporters.
“I’ve definitely changed my mind,” one commuter told me, whose daily bus trip has gone from more than an hour down to 25 minutes.
“I’ve definitely changed my mind,” one commuter told me, whose daily bus trip has gone from more than an hour down to 25 minutes.
Reposted by Ben Kochman
Diddy defense PR messaging screenprinted on hoodie: "The media and social media has this case all wrong...There are no celeb sex tapes. No minors. No celeb freak off tapes in this criminal case."
March 14, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Diddy defense PR messaging screenprinted on hoodie: "The media and social media has this case all wrong...There are no celeb sex tapes. No minors. No celeb freak off tapes in this criminal case."
Reposted by Ben Kochman
PUFFED DADDY nypost.com/2025/03/14/u...
March 14, 2025 at 11:15 PM
PUFFED DADDY nypost.com/2025/03/14/u...
Reposted by Ben Kochman
The scene outside of the Manhattan criminal courthouse on Friday for Luigi Mangione's first NYC court appearance since his December 2024 arraignment.
February 22, 2025 at 12:36 AM
The scene outside of the Manhattan criminal courthouse on Friday for Luigi Mangione's first NYC court appearance since his December 2024 arraignment.
NEW: Mayor Eric Adams and Trump's Justice Department have insisted that Adams' corruption case is over and done with.
It's not.
Judge Dale Ho has appointed an independent lawyer to weigh in before he rules on the government's unprecedented request:
nypost.com/2025/02/21/u...
It's not.
Judge Dale Ho has appointed an independent lawyer to weigh in before he rules on the government's unprecedented request:
nypost.com/2025/02/21/u...
February 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
NEW: Mayor Eric Adams and Trump's Justice Department have insisted that Adams' corruption case is over and done with.
It's not.
Judge Dale Ho has appointed an independent lawyer to weigh in before he rules on the government's unprecedented request:
nypost.com/2025/02/21/u...
It's not.
Judge Dale Ho has appointed an independent lawyer to weigh in before he rules on the government's unprecedented request:
nypost.com/2025/02/21/u...
!
Can confirm. Cars scattered like a football tailgate on the stones that cover what was once a city reservoir.
Foley Square Park, outside of the Manhattan federal courthouse, is packed with news crews this morning ahead of Judge Dale Ho's hearing on the Trump Justice Department's efforts to have SDNY's Eric Adams bribery indictment tossed out.
February 19, 2025 at 4:43 PM
!
I second this motion!!
Sovereign District? This afternoon in the Eric Adams docket, letter seeking denial of DOJ motion to dismiss. Inner City Press project near publication, including on filing seeking public access to "SEALED DOCUMENT placed in vault," undocketed like Myrie's letter
February 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I second this motion!!
NEW: The son of a British banker was arrested for violently assaulting Sienna Hubert-Ross, a comic known for Kamala Harris impressions.
Months later, charges were quietly dropped.
“This is a travesty of justice,” Sienna told me.
We take a closer look:
nypost.com/2025/02/16/u...
Months later, charges were quietly dropped.
“This is a travesty of justice,” Sienna told me.
We take a closer look:
nypost.com/2025/02/16/u...
Exclusive | Son of British banking bigwig gets forgiving Manhattan plea deal on charges of beating comedian girlfriend: ‘Slap on the wrist’
The son of a British banking bigwig was allowed to take a forgiving plea deal after he was charged with beating and strangling his up-and-coming comedian girlfriend in Manhattan, The Post has learn…
nypost.com
February 16, 2025 at 8:51 PM
NEW: The son of a British banker was arrested for violently assaulting Sienna Hubert-Ross, a comic known for Kamala Harris impressions.
Months later, charges were quietly dropped.
“This is a travesty of justice,” Sienna told me.
We take a closer look:
nypost.com/2025/02/16/u...
Months later, charges were quietly dropped.
“This is a travesty of justice,” Sienna told me.
We take a closer look:
nypost.com/2025/02/16/u...
Reposted by Ben Kochman
important story about a monstrous character
NEW: Manhattan federal prosecutors have ditched a criminal probe into WWE boss Vince McMahon — months after a judge quietly found that there was “probable cause” that he covered up payoffs to women at his company, his atty says.
We take a closer look:
nypost.com/2025/02/12/u...
We take a closer look:
nypost.com/2025/02/12/u...
Exclusive | Feds drop criminal probe into whether WWE boss Vince McMahon covered up sexual misconduct allegations, his lawyer says
A grand jury had considered whether the 78-year-old billionaire broke the law by hiding allegations of sexual misconduct from two former two female employees, whom he ended up paying $10.5 million …
nypost.com
February 12, 2025 at 3:48 PM
important story about a monstrous character
NEW: Manhattan federal prosecutors have ditched a criminal probe into WWE boss Vince McMahon — months after a judge quietly found that there was “probable cause” that he covered up payoffs to women at his company, his atty says.
We take a closer look:
nypost.com/2025/02/12/u...
We take a closer look:
nypost.com/2025/02/12/u...
Exclusive | Feds drop criminal probe into whether WWE boss Vince McMahon covered up sexual misconduct allegations, his lawyer says
A grand jury had considered whether the 78-year-old billionaire broke the law by hiding allegations of sexual misconduct from two former two female employees, whom he ended up paying $10.5 million …
nypost.com
February 12, 2025 at 2:45 PM
NEW: Manhattan federal prosecutors have ditched a criminal probe into WWE boss Vince McMahon — months after a judge quietly found that there was “probable cause” that he covered up payoffs to women at his company, his atty says.
We take a closer look:
nypost.com/2025/02/12/u...
We take a closer look:
nypost.com/2025/02/12/u...
The Justice Department says it’s shutting down an FBI task force targeting foreign influence because it has more “pressing priorities”.
Russia, Russia, Russia
cyberscoop.com/doj-disbands...
Russia, Russia, Russia
cyberscoop.com/doj-disbands...
DOJ disbands foreign influence task force, limits scope of FARA prosecutions
Both the task force and FARA were used by the bureau to investigate, charge and disrupt foreign and domestic actors accused of working to influence American policy on behalf of other nations.
cyberscoop.com
February 7, 2025 at 4:21 AM
The Justice Department says it’s shutting down an FBI task force targeting foreign influence because it has more “pressing priorities”.
Russia, Russia, Russia
cyberscoop.com/doj-disbands...
Russia, Russia, Russia
cyberscoop.com/doj-disbands...
Reposted by Ben Kochman
"It has become ever more apparent that to our president the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals," Reagan-appointed Judge Coughenour said as he blocked Trump's birthright citixenship order. www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
US judge accuses Trump of ignoring rule of law to curb birthright citizenship
A federal judge in Seattle on Thursday accused Donald Trump of ignoring the rule of law for political and personal gain as he declared an executive order that the Republican president signed seeking to curtail birthright citizenship to be unconstitutional.
www.reuters.com
February 6, 2025 at 9:34 PM
"It has become ever more apparent that to our president the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals," Reagan-appointed Judge Coughenour said as he blocked Trump's birthright citixenship order. www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
Andrew Taake pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer during the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Trump pardoned him.
Now he’s been rearrested on charges of sending sexually explicit texts to a minor.
nypost.com/2025/02/06/u...
Trump pardoned him.
Now he’s been rearrested on charges of sending sexually explicit texts to a minor.
nypost.com/2025/02/06/u...
Jan. 6 defendant pardoned by Trump arrested again on 2016 solicitation of a minor charge: ‘Suspected child predator’
Andrew Taake, 36, was captured by Texas authorities over allegations he sent sexually explicit messages to an undercover cop who was pretending to be a 15-year-old girl.
nypost.com
February 7, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Andrew Taake pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer during the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Trump pardoned him.
Now he’s been rearrested on charges of sending sexually explicit texts to a minor.
nypost.com/2025/02/06/u...
Trump pardoned him.
Now he’s been rearrested on charges of sending sexually explicit texts to a minor.
nypost.com/2025/02/06/u...
Interim SDNY boss Danielle Sassoon blasts Biden for making pardons on his way out of office “without consulting the career prosecutors who handled the cases.”
Sassoon is overseeing the case of Eric Adams — whose camp is angling for a Trump pardon
www.wsj.com/opinion/bide...
Sassoon is overseeing the case of Eric Adams — whose camp is angling for a Trump pardon
www.wsj.com/opinion/bide...
Opinion | Biden’s Commutations Hurt Crime Victims
Despite his claims, the former president ordered many violent offenders released.
www.wsj.com
February 3, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Interim SDNY boss Danielle Sassoon blasts Biden for making pardons on his way out of office “without consulting the career prosecutors who handled the cases.”
Sassoon is overseeing the case of Eric Adams — whose camp is angling for a Trump pardon
www.wsj.com/opinion/bide...
Sassoon is overseeing the case of Eric Adams — whose camp is angling for a Trump pardon
www.wsj.com/opinion/bide...
Trump has lawyered up to fight his felony conviction in his Manhattan hush money case — remember that one?
His new attorneys for his appeal are from a very prominent law firm but you won’t see me calling any lawyers “elite” 😉
nypost.com/2025/01/30/u...
His new attorneys for his appeal are from a very prominent law firm but you won’t see me calling any lawyers “elite” 😉
nypost.com/2025/01/30/u...
Trump to claim ‘misuse of criminal law’ as he appeals ‘hush money’ conviction: lawyer
“The misuse of the criminal law by the Manhattan DA to target President Trump sets a dangerous precedent, and we look forward to the case being dismissed on appeal,” attorney Robert Giu…
nypost.com
January 31, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Trump has lawyered up to fight his felony conviction in his Manhattan hush money case — remember that one?
His new attorneys for his appeal are from a very prominent law firm but you won’t see me calling any lawyers “elite” 😉
nypost.com/2025/01/30/u...
His new attorneys for his appeal are from a very prominent law firm but you won’t see me calling any lawyers “elite” 😉
nypost.com/2025/01/30/u...
In court, Bob Menendez said he was a “chastened” man.
Outside, he called the case a political “witch hunt” — even though he’s Democrat and the case was brought by a Democrat.
I asked him about this.
He slunk away without answering.
Outside, he called the case a political “witch hunt” — even though he’s Democrat and the case was brought by a Democrat.
I asked him about this.
He slunk away without answering.
January 30, 2025 at 3:35 AM
In court, Bob Menendez said he was a “chastened” man.
Outside, he called the case a political “witch hunt” — even though he’s Democrat and the case was brought by a Democrat.
I asked him about this.
He slunk away without answering.
Outside, he called the case a political “witch hunt” — even though he’s Democrat and the case was brought by a Democrat.
I asked him about this.
He slunk away without answering.
When asked repeatedly why he was claiming the case was “political” given that it was brought against him by another Democrat, former Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams, Menendez slunk away and walked to a waiting car without answering.
nypost.com/2025/01/29/u...
nypost.com/2025/01/29/u...
Disgraced ex-NJ Sen. Bob Menendez cries as he begs for leniency — but gets 11 years in prison for gold bar bribery scheme
“Your honor, you have before you a chastened man,” Menendez, 71, said before choking up.
nypost.com
January 30, 2025 at 1:24 AM
When asked repeatedly why he was claiming the case was “political” given that it was brought against him by another Democrat, former Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams, Menendez slunk away and walked to a waiting car without answering.
nypost.com/2025/01/29/u...
nypost.com/2025/01/29/u...
“Mr. Patel’s pattern of peddling misinformation is at sharp odds with Mr. Trump’s proposal to put him in charge of the nation’s premier agency charged with figuring out what is true.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/u...
Kash Patel, Trump’s F.B.I. Pick, Pushed False Claims About Trump Investigations
Kash Patel, Donald J. Trump’s choice to run the bureau, has made a series of spurious assertions about the Russia, Jan. 6 and classified documents inquiries.
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“Mr. Patel’s pattern of peddling misinformation is at sharp odds with Mr. Trump’s proposal to put him in charge of the nation’s premier agency charged with figuring out what is true.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/u...
Disgraced former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez — who’s reportedly seeking a pardon from President Trump after selling out his office for gold bar bribes — lost his bid for a new trial Wednesday.
nypost.com/2025/01/22/u...
nypost.com/2025/01/22/u...
Disgraced ex-NJ Sen. Bob Menendez won’t get a new corruption trial — and holds out hope for Trump pardon
Disgraced former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez won’t get a new trial based on an evidence snafu during jury deliberations, a Manhattan judge ruled.
nypost.com
January 23, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Disgraced former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez — who’s reportedly seeking a pardon from President Trump after selling out his office for gold bar bribes — lost his bid for a new trial Wednesday.
nypost.com/2025/01/22/u...
nypost.com/2025/01/22/u...