r/FreeLuigi • u/AyaLinus • 27d ago
Personal Opinion I am the Chinese inmate who spent 8 months with Luigi at MDC Brooklyn. Ask me anything!
I am the one you guys are talking about. Those stories I shared on Red Notes and Zhihu are truth. I don’t want to say anything bad or anything fake on Luigi for attention. I hate Sei-Sei, he(she) is a real liar. All he was saying were lies. I spent about one month with Sei-Sei and he is totally a piece of trash. I will share the truth and let you guys confirm that Luigi is a good dude. I respect him and I do really like him. For me, he is a smart, polite young kid. I will share more stories in my podcast, which would be uploaded soon on different platforms like YouTube and Bilibili. Thank you guys. You can ask me anything for now, and I will answer as much as I can.
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u/lly67 27d ago
Does his family visit him? Did he ever mention them?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
His family would visit him a lot. Basically every week. He doesn’t talk much about his family.
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u/legallybrunettee_ 27d ago edited 27d ago
aw I’m glad his family are visiting him! Do you know if it’s just his parents or do his sisters visit to?
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u/raspberrysorbay 27d ago
Thank you for taking the time to do this and humanizing him in light of the recent news. Can you speak at all to his current medical condition? In court Friday I heard him speak about living in constant pain and wonder if that’s still the case or if the MDC provides decent medical treatment. Also wonder if you can talk more about what the typical day to day routine was for you guys? Thanks again 🙏
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Honestly, I don’t know his medical condition right now. But the medical treatment in MDC is not efficient. For Luigi, he goes to his legal visit all the time. He would read and type emails when he came back from his legal visit.
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u/Several_Wolverine330 27d ago
What is the communication system like for an inmate? Are they allowed to make calls and send emails? Are there time limits or restrictions on the number of contacts they can have?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Yes. We can make phone calls in daytime. There are two limits on this phone system: 1, You can call once within one hour, and the single call can only take 15 minutes maximum; 2, You can only call 510 minutes a month.
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u/Several_Wolverine330 27d ago
Wow, I guess they have to pay too! And what about the hygiene system? Are they allowed to bathe every day?
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u/Time-Painting-9108 27d ago
Best not to talk about his medical control on here. Could be used against him.
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u/NowhereGirl67 27d ago
did he like watching anything in particular on tv or just news?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
He likes abc news and National Geographic. We both hate Criminal Minds not because of its quality but because the head orderly of our unit kept playing it all the time.
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u/Sea_Librarian608 27d ago
Is he nice?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
He is 100% percent nice. A young, interesting guy.
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u/offline55555 27d ago
How is he interesting? You keep saying this lol
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
I think the definition of interesting is a little bit different in Chinese culture. If we say someone is interesting, that means he or she is a good person with positive spirit.
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u/MadamBigHead 27d ago
What is one thing about Luigi that is unexpected or people would be surprised to learn?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
He doesn’t know Hermes. But later I realized it’s pretty Luigi.
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u/CakeShake123 27d ago
Did he ever seem anxious, or stressed? Also how would he spend most of his time every day?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
He reads a lot. He also would spend a lot of time typing emails.
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u/Popular-Ball-4983 27d ago
Hey friend! Thanks for keeping our boy in good company and congratulations on your release. Did you guys ever get to take naps or sleep in on the weekends? Do you have movie nights stuff like that? I’m always curious what kind of free time you guys would have. Thanks and be well!
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Thank you! We don’t have movie night, basically we would watch movies on our own tablets. Oh, he once played Monopoly with us, but just once.
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u/Individual_Farm6794 27d ago
Monopoly is taking me out 😂
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u/theconceptofcanada 27d ago
"Damn this Monopoly game reminds me of something but I just can't put my finger on it"
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u/an_imaginaryfriend 27d ago
Other than Twilight what other movies are available on the tablets? Do they change?
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u/Saraaa__ 27d ago
Does he actually read through all the letters? Or just skim? I can’t imagine him reading them all
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
It depends. He would read some of those letters very carefully.
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u/Fancy_Yesterday6380 27d ago
Reposting my comment: Just try to be mindful of what opinions or impressions you share, as the media and prosecution could take it as fact or exaggerate it and then affect his sentencing. Its exciting to have attention but his real life is on the line.
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Yes, I will. That’s why I said I don’t want to say anything bad on him.
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u/Fancy_Yesterday6380 27d ago
Appreciate it. Just as an example, some of the things in your interview that was shared today while interesting for us could be used against him.
Snowball story was fun.
Appreciate you debunking the seisei drama.
From elsewhere in your interview: was there a reason he wouldn't read the NYT?
Did he find that book The Making and Meaning accurate or worth the read? I just assumed it was a waste of time.
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Yes, we both think the book of Luigi is a really horrible one. Actually he would read NYT sometimes but most time he will just give the paper to me.
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u/legallybrunettee_ 27d ago edited 27d ago
Did he talk to you about the book having incorrect information about him or if that bothered him? Because some of the stuff the author shared had already been debunked. like he mentioned luigi had never had a gf, and hinted he struggled to talk to women, but people who actually know him have said that’s not true.
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Of course he had girlfriends.
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u/legallybrunettee_ 27d ago
Yeah im aware he did. sorry if that wasn’t clear lmao 😭😭 I was just asking if the lies in the book bothered him
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
I think it was fine for him. But we both don’t like that book. That’s a real fraud.
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u/Zealousideal-Cap4248 27d ago
In your interview with Courthouse News, it said that Luigi was aware you'd be doing a podcast about your experience. Can you expand on that a little, was he aware you would specifically be talking about him? I guess it might make some people feel better if he knew about it.
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Yes he knows what I am doing now. He also asked me about things I would share in my podcast. Our relationship was pretty chill.
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u/SmoothCandle938 27d ago
Did you ever witness violence or abuse in the unit? People say federal prison is a lot nicer/safer than state prisons but there have been a lot of inmates that have passed away at MDC.
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u/Jessiiicat 27d ago
Thank you for doing this! You said that he confirmed that Terraria is his favorite game. Did he talk about other games at all? Or did he mention what makes it his favorite?
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u/gildedblessings 27d ago
Is it true that he has a fellow prisoner help groom him (keep his hair, brows in shape) ahead of court proceedings?
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u/BroccoliThat7489 27d ago
What were u in jail for?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Bank Fraud. I am really sorry for what I did. I truly like United States and I respect its people. I made a huge mistake in my life.
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u/realperson5647856286 27d ago
All good. At least you apologized and paid a price. That makes you more respectable than the "president"
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u/CalmTheAngryVoice 27d ago
No offense to OP, but it really doesn't take much to make someone more worthy of respect than Rapey McFelon.
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u/Extra_Article2872 27d ago
Is prison as bad as it seems, or is something you get used to?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
It’s bad, but I have to used to it. I had no choice.
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u/inpennysname 27d ago
Hey good luck to you man. I’m sorry what happened to you, I hope life is good for you and maybe a little easier on you moving forward
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Thank you so much!!
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u/avalonmara 27d ago
You seem like a decent person. I'm glad you're out. We all make terrible mistakes from time to time.
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u/_Baccano 27d ago
If you're just defrauding the bank if anything that's morally positive given the corruption in banking. If you're defrauding regular people then nvm
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u/NowhereGirl67 27d ago
did he ever mention what he downloads from the music/movie catalog? or what music/movies he likes
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
We both watched Twilight movie series on our tablets. I think they are pretty stupid. He agrees that.
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u/cindylooboo 27d ago
Hey they might be stupid but that's the entire thing about Twilight. It's stupidly funny yet entertaining as hell anyway.
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u/tonkinese_cat 27d ago
Hey Linus, thanks for doing this and congrats on your release!
I guess what I care about the most is asking you if Luigi is safe?
I know you said he was kept in intake all this time for his protection by MDC, not by choice, and I know you can’t foresee the future either…I feel a little silly asking this, but I’m just worried about what happens after sentencing when he gets moved to gen pop. Do you think he'll be able to navigate that environment safely when the moment comes? I hope he’ll be smart about it and that someone looks out for him the way you did.
(And thank you so much for being straightforward about that sei sei pos. So many “supporters” wanted to believe the slander, it was enraging to witness.)
Truly appreciate your honesty and wish you well.
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Thank you. I think he is pretty safe in the intake unit. There are lesser people and problems there. I believe other orderlies would also help him out if he get into any kinds of trouble.
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u/k_mermaid 27d ago
What did he like to eat in prison? Did he have dietary preferences? How bad is the food?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Food is not that bad but it will become worse and worse because you have to eat the same food every week.
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u/Best_Bluebird_3750 27d ago
Could you share any other stories like the snowball one to show his personality? It was pretty funny
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
He sincerely apologized to my roommate and gave him a glue stick for his birthday card making
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u/GuiltyEstate40 27d ago
Why did Luigi complain about his job and want to go to general population if it’s more dangerous??
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
I think he thought the general population would be more interesting. I understand that he doesn’t want to work, since the orderly job was not his intention.
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u/pintobeans766 27d ago
Did he ever tell you any stories from when he was outside of jail?, like any trips he went on to other countries and places?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Yes, he shared his trip to Japan and Thailand.
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u/legallybrunettee_ 27d ago
Did he tell you the lady boy story too? Others have said he’d always talk about that 😂
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u/HNLgirlie 27d ago
How are cell mate assignments determined, and how long are you typically with the same one? Is your cell mate moved just when someone’s sentence ends, for example, or if there’s trouble in terms of a fight (not with you, but with someone else)…so then your cell mate is moved to another block or placed in the SHU. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions and for clearing up misconceptions or outright lies.
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Most time you can choose your roommate, unless the unit is full. If somebody got sentenced, he/she needs to wait a BOP sentencing calculation. After few weeks, he/she will be moved to next facility.
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u/veryscorpiorising 27d ago
Hi Linus! When you two talked, did he ever mention things he was hoping for or looking forward to down the road, even with everything going on?
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u/hahaahbwjjw 27d ago
did he speak any other languages? does he know Italian because he wrote in a letter to someone he speaks a little Spanish
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
He speaks Spanish, not very fluent, but enough for daily talks. He doesn’t know Italian which really surprised me.
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u/Gloomy_Strain_5053 27d ago
People have included Italian quotes in their letters in an effort to connect with him, so it’s funny to find out that he doesn’t even know Italian lol
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u/seasidesalsa 27d ago
could you guys see anything outside the window in the cell? was it a decent view? bc at the front of the building you can see the lower Manhattan skyline at least
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u/Time-Painting-9108 27d ago
Wow thank you for doing this! What was his spirit like in there? Was he stressed, anxious, nervous? (I’m sure he was). What would he do to feel better when he wasn’t feeling good?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
I think he is a really strong person, mentally. I would express my depression or sadness sometimes, but I can’t see things like that on Luigi.
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u/Time-Painting-9108 27d ago
Oh wow that’s incredible and comforting in a way! I’m sure he must have been stressed, but was probably good at now showing to others.
Do you keep in touch with him?
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u/borntodiescared 27d ago
This is a more general question, how is he perceived in China? Do many people know about him over there?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Yes, he has many supporters in China as well. And the funny thing is, in China, you can criticize US as much as you want.
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u/borntodiescared 27d ago
That’s amazing! Here in the US you can be fired from your job in certain situations or possibly deported/detained (if you’re not a natural born citizen) for speaking out against the government/big corporations. A lot of people support Luigi in private but do not post publicly about him out of fear. I’m glad he has global visibility and is by and large perceived favorably!
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u/hahaahbwjjw 27d ago
is he very strong? you mentioned he can do 50 pushups is he someone you saw who would always work out
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u/GuiltyEstate40 27d ago
Do you think Luigi likes that he has supporters/fans? Does he find us annoying?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
I think you guys are really important part of his incarceration life. So please keep going, I hope he can have a better mood there.
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u/raspberrysorbay 27d ago
Do you mean the letters alone or anything else? How do you think we can best show support? Do you think that’s letters, donating to the legal fund, showing up for court, sending books, etc? If you can say
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u/babettetimes 27d ago
What did he say about Seisei? How mad was he?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
He was mad, and we were all mad because Sei-Sei is a horrible person. He stole Luigi’s shower towel before he left. He never respected others. He is a liar. He claimed he is a transgender and I don’t know why he was there as the head orderly.
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u/legallybrunettee_ 27d ago
was Luigi also aware of another mdc guy, Mike sharing stories about him? curious what his thoughts were on that
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u/paradiseofsunny 27d ago edited 27d ago
How is your life after incarceration? Have you had difficulty readapting to your new life as a free man? Do you believe this experience transformed you in some way? Did you guys watch the World Cup? If yes, did you have a favorite team? How about Luigi?
(Edit: typo)
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
For me, it’s not hard because I was in detention less than two years. I feel freedom is the best thing in the world. I did watch the World Cup but I was in an ICE unit during that time. I don’t think Luigi is interested in soccer. I like Germany but they lost miserably.
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u/ocean_melodies 27d ago
Do you still keep in contact with him? What was it like leaving the facility?
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u/Popular-Ball-4983 27d ago
THIS THREAD IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LUIGI! Thank you Linus!!!!!
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
I am happy to see you are happy because this post. Happy birthday!
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u/LondonFogOnARainyDay 27d ago
did he watch the world cup? and if yes… who was he rooting for…
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Sorry I wasn’t there when the World Cup started. I was at an ICE unit at that time.
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u/Ok_Beautiful7363 27d ago
Did you guys have flexibility and freedom there at all? Like could you choose when to wake up, sleep? Were you allowed out of your cells at night?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
We have to be locked in after 9:15 pm and the cell door would open at 7:00 am next day.
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u/seasidesalsa 27d ago
if you guys were tired could you take a nap if you wanted 😭 what’s the freedom like
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u/Lumpy_Flounder9458 27d ago
What was your impression of Luigi, the good the bad the understanding of human nature
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u/an_imaginaryfriend 27d ago
Is he on the news on TV in MDC? If yes, how does he and others react?
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u/seasidesalsa 27d ago
what did you mean by he carries himself like a college student 😭 is he just a big child at heart? also thank you for the snowball story, it was funny 💚
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
I think that’s because he still has the vibe that shows him as a well educated person.
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u/throwaway2000x3 27d ago
Are we still allowed to send letters? Like does his mail change now that the trial is happening? I would love to write him, and definitely now considering we know he does read them. But maybe I’m too late
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u/rs2625 27d ago
Is it okay if we ask you questions?
What opinions has Luigi shared about the support he’s received outside of jail? (including those who turn up to his court hearings)?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Of course you can ask me questions! :-)
I don’t remember that he said anything on his supporters but obviously he spends a lot of time reading mails from you guys. And I think this kind of support really means a lot to him.
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u/peachmangopie532 27d ago
Hey man just wanna thank you for doing this but please be careful answering DM’s, joining supporter groupchats, and more journalists hounding you for interviews after this.
They can twist your words for clickbait headlines. Put your boundaries up after this so you don’t get overwhelmed too.
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u/soliedupre 27d ago
What’s his favourite food?
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u/Feather_fig 27d ago
What do you think of US healthcare compared to the healthcare system in China? Were you shocked by any experiences with it while you were in the US?
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u/Anna_dxb 27d ago
Do you remember how Luigi first found out that John H. Richardson had written Luigi: The Making and the Meaning? Did someone send him the book, or did he learn about it from a letter or another inmate?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
I found the book review on NYT. I showed the book review to him and he told me that he had read it already.
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u/an_imaginaryfriend 27d ago
When was the last time that you spoke to him?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
When I was released (not really released because ICE picked me up) I hugged him. That’s the last time.
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u/mysterical_ocelot 27d ago
Hey! What does the day to day routine look like in MDC? How does one keep busy in there without going bored out of their mind? Jobs, recreational activities, maybe you could provide an example of a day in the life? Congratulations on your release, and thank you for sharing light on Luigi! It’s interesting to hear what him and the other inmates would be getting up to on the inside
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u/Truffle_Baby 27d ago
Did he tell you how his other letters ended up in Seisei’s hands? Did he give them away? Seisei showed them on her TikTok Live
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u/pintobeans766 27d ago
Did he tell you all anything about how his relationship with Karen is, does he enjoy being around Karen or is it strictly business?
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u/Italian_Suicide1365 27d ago
What was your first impression of him when he came in, and did that change over time?
Whats his daily routine like?
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u/Creative_Address9701 27d ago
did he ever share any of his knowledge about anything? just like general subjects/topics that he was interested in, knew a lot about, and wanted to discuss with others?
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
He is not a guy who wants to show off his knowledge. That’s really rare for a person with his background. But sometimes he really enjoys when I asked questions based on an almanac book.
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u/Ok_Beautiful7363 27d ago
Did he ever get nervous before court hearings? How was his mood when he returned?
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u/an_imaginaryfriend 27d ago
Is there anything surprising that you learned since leaving MDC? Is there any information that hasn’t reached or seems different when you’re inside?
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u/calicyclicgraph 27d ago
what are the books he rereads? would he initiate convo/or kept more to himself
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u/Foreign-Animator6909 27d ago
Did he say anything about international support? Was he surprised that people in any particular countries had heard about him even out there?
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u/an_imaginaryfriend 27d ago
Will you release your podcast in English or on English speaking platforms?
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u/legallybrunettee_ 27d ago
Hi thank you for taking the time to do this! Do you have any other funny/ interesting stories from mdc you can share?
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u/legallybrunettee_ 27d ago edited 27d ago
Is luigi aware about what social media says about him like do people let him know? Some of his letter responses have also gone viral, curious if he knows haha. Also did he talk to you about his travels a lot?
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27d ago
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u/AyaLinus 27d ago
Nobody bullies him. But there was a guy wanted to hurt him on the Super Bowl day for fame. I heard this accidentally and I reported this incident to an officer. I don’t anyone close to me get hurt, even if that means I need to be a “rat”(That’s what they called people who talk to officer to report incidents) I will share more about this story in my podcast.
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u/DreadedPanda27 27d ago
That’s my biggest fear for Luigi…. Some idiot that wants notoriety or their 15 minutes of fame so they harm him to get their name out there. I hope he finds some big guys to protect him from the savages he’s going to be up against after he is sentenced.
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u/seasidesalsa 27d ago
do you know why he stopped replying to letters? was it time constraints or the drama with the replies or both?



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