All articles tagged with #sexualassault
A Texas jury convicted Roman Catholic priest Anthony Odiong of one first-degree and two second-degree sexual assault counts, ruling he exploited his clerical role to coerce women under his spiritual direction. The verdict, tied to a Guardian exposé, could lead to life imprisonment on the first-degree charge, with a separate sentencing phase to determine punishment for the other counts.
Harvey Weinstein is back in court for a new trial related to decades-old sexual-assault allegations. In a NYC retrial, he was convicted of forcing oral sex on Miriam Haley in 2006, acquitted on a similar count involving Kaja Sokola, and the rape charge involving Jessica Mann was left undecided. The Haley conviction carries a potential sentence of up to 25 years, though no sentencing date has been set. Weinstein, 73, has health issues and is appealing his Los Angeles conviction; prosecutors and defense continue to duel over the case’s scope and outcomes.
A California civil jury found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 1972, awarding her nearly $60 million in damages in the civil case.
Crystal Mangum, who falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of rape in 2006, has admitted to fabricating the allegations. In a recent interview, Mangum apologized to the men, attributing her actions to a desire for validation. The case, which drew significant media attention and raised issues of race and privilege, was eventually dismissed due to lack of evidence. Mangum is currently serving a prison sentence for a separate second-degree murder conviction. Her admission has sparked concerns about the impact of false reports on genuine sexual assault victims.
The final episode of "Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story" on Peacock delves into the legal troubles and allegations against Joe Francis, the founder of Girls Gone Wild. It covers his jail time, lawsuits, and accusations of abuse and misconduct, including a civil suit involving minors and a slander case with Steve Wynn. The episode also highlights Francis's personal controversies, including domestic violence allegations and his eventual move to Mexico. Despite the controversies, the Girls Gone Wild archive was sold to an internet porn company and remains online.
The second episode of "Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story" on Peacock reveals disturbing practices and legal troubles surrounding the franchise. It highlights incidents of filming underage girls, allegations of sexual misconduct by creator Joe Francis, and legal battles including charges of child prostitution and pornography. The episode also discusses the company's attempts to evade legal consequences and the impact of these controversies on Francis's public image.
FBI agent Eduardo Valdivia has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, including second-degree rape, after allegedly luring victims through a tattoo business he operated under an alias. This comes two years after he was acquitted of attempted murder in a separate incident. Valdivia is accused of assaulting two women at his tattoo studio in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and police believe there may be additional victims. The FBI is cooperating with the investigation, and Valdivia is currently held without bond.
A rise in sexual assaults at hospitals is attributed to inadequate staffing, poor hiring practices, and insufficient training, with some institutions failing to hold staff accountable or report incidents to authorities. Policies at hospitals like HCA Florida Citrus and Veterans Affairs differ significantly in handling such allegations, with some hospitals prioritizing internal processes over immediate law enforcement notification. Cases of sexual misconduct have been reported across various hospitals, highlighting systemic issues in addressing and preventing abuse, with some facilities failing to document or report incidents properly.
Former President Donald Trump has expressed support for his defense nominee, who is facing allegations of sexual assault. The nominee has denied the allegations, stating that the encounter in question was not sexual assault. This situation has sparked controversy and debate over the nomination process and the handling of such allegations.
President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is reconsidering Pete Hegseth's nomination for Defense Secretary following allegations of sexual assault. A complaint has surfaced detailing an incident in 2017 where Hegseth allegedly assaulted a woman in a hotel after a Republican conference. The woman involved reportedly signed a nondisclosure agreement with Hegseth.
Federal officials raided Sean "Diddy" Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a sex trafficking investigation, prompting rapper 50 Cent to taunt Combs on Instagram amid their long-standing feud. The raid comes amid sexual assault allegations and lawsuits against Combs, with 50 Cent also working on a documentary about the allegations. The feud between the two rappers dates back to 2006, and has involved public comments and legal disputes.
French actor Gérard Depardieu faces another sexual assault complaint from a movie decorator, adding to a series of allegations against him. This comes amid calls for the French film industry to address sexual violence and abuse, with actor Judith Godrèche condemning the industry's silence. Depardieu, who denies all accusations, has been accused by more than a dozen women. Despite initial support from French government officials, including President Emmanuel Macron, there is now a call for profound soul-searching within French cinema regarding sexual violence.
Harvey Weinstein's attorneys have asked New York's highest state court to overturn one of his rape convictions and grant him a new trial in another case, arguing that he did not receive a fair trial. The defense focused on challenging the testimony of three witnesses and the statute of limitations. Weinstein, who is currently serving a 23-year sentence in New York and a 16-year sentence in California, claims that the "bad acts" testimony was unnecessary and unfairly prejudiced the jury. The Court of Appeals panel did not indicate when it would issue a decision.
Canadian police have apologized to a woman for a six-year delay in investigating an alleged sexual assault by five professional ice hockey players, including NHL's Carter Hart and others. The case, stemming from a 2018 incident, was initially closed due to "insufficient grounds" but reopened in 2022. The accused have not entered a plea, and police have expressed confidence in the new evidence leading to the charges. This case is part of a broader scandal involving Hockey Canada's handling of sexual misconduct claims, including secret payments and lack of transparency.
Five former WJC players, including current NHL players Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, Dillon Dube, and former Ottawa Senator Alex Formenton, have been charged with sexual assault following an alleged incident in 2018. The charges stem from an investigation into an alleged assault after a Hockey Canada event. The complainant, referred to as E.M., alleges she had consensual sex with one man before other players entered the room without her consent. The case has made its first court appearance and is set to return on April 30. London Police have received varying levels of cooperation from other members of the 2018 World Junior team during the investigation, and Hockey Canada has cooperated fully with the legal process.