Category: Security

  • Biden mocked after National Christmas Tree falls over

    President Joe Biden’s National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. fell over on Tuesday after a strong gust of wind ripped through the area.

    “The National Park Service is currently evaluating the National Christmas Tree, which fell over on Nov. 28 during a strong wind gust this afternoon,” an NPS said in a statement. “As the saying goes, ‘the show must go on,’ and the NPS and our event partners are looking at all possibilities to ensure a successful event this year. We will provide updates when they become available.”

    READ MORE: Biden admin imposes new ‘climate change’ emissions rule

    The National Park Service later added that the tree’s condition was assessed, and a snapped cable was replaced, allowing the tree to be placed upright once again.

    The toppled tree was ruthlessly mocked on Twitter, with many insisting it served as a metaphor for Biden’s administration.

    “If the administration was depicted by a Christmas Tree…. This pretty much sums up the entire Biden Presidency,” Eric Trump, one of former President Donald Trump’s sons, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

    “The White House Christmas tree toppling over. The perfect depiction of Joe Biden and the state of America,” X user Kambree posted.

    Newsmax host Jenn Pellegrino joined in on the mockery, posting, “Guess it will have to use the short stairs up Air Force One.”

    “The White House Christmas tree blew over today… It’s the perfect reminder of how Biden has ruined everything in America this holiday season,” author Tim Young wrote.

    “Biden’s White House Christmas tree got blown over by the wind. So fitting for this administration,” political commentator Benny Johnson posted on X.

    “The White House Christmas tree was blown over today What a perfect symbol of what Joe Biden has done to this country with massive inflation He’s ruining people’s Christmas,” an activist known as “DC_Draino” posted.



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  • Photos of kids doing homework while on a drip spark horror in China

    This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission.

    Health officials in Beijing have put out an official plea for leniency amid an online outcry over photos of schoolchildren studying while receiving intravenous fluids in hospitals, as a wave of respiratory illness sweeps China.

    In a Nov. 27 directive, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission reminded parents and schools that “Children’s health is the top priority in everything!” and announced that students aren’t required to do homework while sick.

    “Schools do not impose strict requirements for students’ homework while they are sick,” it said. “It is not recommended to rush to make up homework during an illness.” 

    The announcement came as photos of schoolchildren doing their homework at desks while connected to medical drips at the hospital sparked shock and debate on Chinese social media about the hothouse environment that is the national education system.

    The photos have been circulating on Twitter and other social media platforms in recent days, often reposted by social media influencers.

    The Jiangsu-based Yangtze Evening News followed up with an expose of a similar situation at the Nantong No. 1 People’s Hospital, which set up a special “study area” for young patients on a drip, so they wouldn’t fall too far behind with their schoolwork while they were sick.

    “Our reporter reached the infusion area on the second floor of Nantong No. 1 People’s Hospital at around 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 27,” the paper reported. “The area was almost full of people on drops, and more were lining up.”

    “An area in the corner labeled ‘Study Area’ had a sign which read ‘Reserved for students who need it most,’” the report said. “There were four long tables and a row of chairs, already filled with young students and their parents.”

    “The children were receiving a drip into their left hand, and holding their pens in their right to do their homework,” it said. 

    It quoted one child as saying that it was better to keep up with his studies, and that the arrangement was “very convenient,” and another as saying that he shouldn’t have to do homework if he is sick.

    A nurse at the hospital told the paper that they would prefer that the children rest more, to ensure a faster recovery, and that the hospital doesn’t encourage them to study while sick.

    Outbreak underway

    The photos have emerged as a wave of respiratory disease sweeps through the nation’s children, prompting reported class closures across the country, amid official warnings of growing cases of influenza, mycoplasma pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19.

    The World Health Organization called on Beijing to share its data on an outbreak in Beijing and Tianjin that made international headlines last week.

    But Chinese health authorities said they haven’t detected any new or unusual bugs and provided the requested data on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children.

    Xpeng Motors chairman He Xiaopeng also posted a photo of children on drips doing their homework, commenting: “I never used to fear getting sick, because there was always nice food and I didn’t have to go to class or do homework – Now I’m grown up, I’m afraid of getting sick because I will have to do overtime when I get back to work – does the world really have to be so turned in on itself?”

    Officials at the Beijing Municipal Education Commission appeared to agree with He.

    “Parents should let their children get adequate treatment and rest,” the directive said. “Even if their health improves, they should not be in a hurry to return to school and resume classes. They should strengthen their health and use rich online teaching resources to study at home.” 

    “They should help their children eat a balanced diet … and promote health.”

    Parental anxiety

    Reports continue to emerge on social media of mass absences in schools around the country.

    A teacher in the northern province of Hebei posted a video to Weibo of three children sitting in their kindergarten classroom, saying that the other 23 children are off sick, garnering more than 100 million views on one repost alone, and topping the list of Weibo hot searches.

    “Can’t we just let the kids off school if things are that bad?” one person commented on the video, while another called for class to be suspended.

    “This photo is worrying,” another commented. “The flu is so serious this time – what’s going on?”

    The Beijing municipal health announcement said cases among children and teachers should be monitored “to ensure that teachers and students do not go to class while sick.”

    It also called for mask-wearing in schools along with frequent hand-washing and ventilation.

    State broadcaster CCTV blamed the hospital studying phenomenon on parental anxiety, calling it “a more infectious disease than the flu” in a report this week.

    “Rather than taking responsibility for their children, some parents are doing this to ease their own anxieties,” it said.

    Some online comments called for children to be allowed to rest when they’re sick, cry if they’re upset, and sometimes to do nothing at all.



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  • Russia issues arrest warrant for Ukrainian Eurovision winner

    This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.

    The Moscow prosecutor’s office said on November 29 that an arrest warrant had been issued for Ukrainian Eurovison Song Contest winner Jamala, who is of Crimean Tatar origin, on a charge of distributing “fake” information about Russia’s armed forces involved in Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

    Earlier this month, the Russian Interior Ministry added the singer, whose real name is Susana Dzhamaladinova, to its wanted list.

    In 2016, Jamala won the Eurovision Song Contest for performing a ballad that described the brutal 1944 Soviet deportation of Crimean Tatars from Crimea to Central Asia.



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  • New US sanctions target illicit financial networks set up to benefit Iranian military

    This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.

    The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions on more than 20 people and firms that the U.S. Treasury Department says have been involved in a “financial facilitation network” for the benefit of the Iranian military.

    The sanctions target people and companies inside Iran as well as in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said in a news release on November 29.

    The sanctions single out the Iranian firm Sepehr Energy and its employees, brokers, and purchasers, saying the business acts as a front company for the Iranian government’s oil sales, which “fund its destabilizing regional activities and support of multiple regional proxy groups.”

    These groups include Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union, and Hizballah.

    OFAC said the people and entities designated for sanctions are involved in the networks, which ultimately benefit Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), the Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS), and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ Qods Force (IRGC-QF).

    MODAFL and the AFGS sell commodities through networks that include “shadow banking” and front companies both inside Iran and abroad, OFAC said.

    “The IRGC-QF and MODAFL continue to engage in illicit finance schemes to generate funds to fan conflict and spread terror throughout the region,” Undersecretary of the Treasury Brian Nelson said.

    Sepehr Energy oversees this activity for the AFGS, OFAC said, adding that its deputy chairman, principal board member, and managing director, Majid A’Zami, who is also an Iranian Oil Ministry official, was also blacklisted.

    Another company designated for sanctions is the Iran-based Pishro Tejarat Sana Company, which OFAC said works with Sepehr Energy to facilitate the sale and shipment of commodities to overseas buyers, generating revenue for MODAFL and the Iranian military.

    Pishro Tejarat works on behalf of Sepehr Energy, in return for a portion of the profits, it said, adding that its chairman of the board of directors, Seyyed Abdoljavad Alavi, was designated for sanctions in the action announced on November 29.

    Neslon said the United States “remains committed to exposing elements of the Iranian military and its complicit partners abroad to disrupt this critical source of funds.”

    The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans.



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  • Navy boot camp to allow cell phones

    The United States Navy’s boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, announced Tuesday that Navy recruits will soon have limited access to cell phones during their intense period of boot camp training.

    In a Tuesday Facebook post, the U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command explained it is updating its “standard operating procedure” regarding the usage of cell phones by recruits during basic military training.

    “Over the next few weeks, Recruits in Divisions 033 and 034 will have limited access to their cell phones during designated periods of training in order to connect with family and friends and manage personal matters,” Navy Recruit Training Command stated.

    The Navy explained that its intent is to eventually “expand this same opportunity” to all divisions of Navy recruits. The post also explained that a “Frequently Asked Questions” page will soon be unveiled to answer any questions for Navy recruits and potential recruits. Concluding its post, the Navy added, “Please be patient as we implement this new initiative.”

    READ MORE: Navy 7,000 sailors short of recruitment goals

    While the Navy publicly released news concerning the new policy, the military branch did not provide specific details concerning how the policy will be implemented or what limitations will be placed on recruits’ cell phone usage during training.

    According to Military.com, Navy recruits have traditionally had very little access to personal phones or contact with the outside world during boot camp training. Instead of using cell phones, most Navy recruits are forced to use pay phones to make calls during the 10-week boot camp training at the Great Lakes facility.

    The Navy’s announcement on Facebook quickly attracted criticism from social media users and former military members. One former Navy member wrote, “I was better off without the constant phone interaction.”

    Another social media user described the Navy’s new policy as “a terrible idea” and argued that the objective of boot camp is “to harden young men and women to defend our country, to break them of old habits and toughen them up for the job ahead.”

    While Navy Recruit Training Command did not explain the reason for the upcoming policy change, the announcement comes amid recruitment shortfalls across multiple branches of the U.S. military. The Navy recently fell short of its Fiscal year 2023 recruitment goal of 37,700, as it only managed to recruit 30,236 active-duty members.

    As a result of the military’s recruitment issues over the past couple of years, the U.S. military has made multiple policy changes to entice young Americans to serve.



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  • Trump gag order reinstated in fraud case

    A New York state appeals court reinstated the gag order against former President Donald Trump on Thursday in the $250 million civil fraud case against Trump and his company.

    According to Fox News, the gag order pertaining to the civil fraud court case was first issued by New York Judge Arthur Engoron in October after Trump criticized one of the judge’s law clerks on social media. New York Attorney General Letitia James brought the case against Trump, accusing the former president of business fraud.

    The trial, which is currently in its second month of proceedings, is centered around allegations by the Democratic state attorney general that Trump and his company falsely inflated assets to obtain various insurance rates and bank loans. Trump has repeatedly denied the accusations and has accused James of leading a “political witch hunt.”

    On Nov. 16, Appeals Court Judge David Friedman issued a stay on Engoron’s gag order, claiming that the gag order could potentially represent a violation of Trump’s First Amendment rights. However, Thursday’s reinstatement of the gag order rejected the former president’s claims that the order violated his Constitutional rights.

    According to NBC News, state court officials claimed that the gag order was needed due to a series of threats that had been directed at the clerk Trump had criticized on social media. Following the stay of the order, Trump continued releasing statements about the clerk.

    READ MORE: DOJ request to jail Trump rejected by DC judge

    While Thursday’s ruling by a four-judge appeals court panel did not include the reasoning behind the judges’ reinstatement of the order, the decision is now expected to uphold the gag order until the panel rules on Trump’s full appeal.

    Engoron notified both parties Thursday regarding the court’s decision. He stated, “I intend to enforce the gag orders rigorously and vigorously and I want to make sure counsel informs their clients of the fact that the stay was vacated.”

    According to NBC News, Chris Kise, Trump’s attorney, informed the judge that they were “aware” of the appeals court’s ruling. Kise explained, “It’s a tragic day for the rule of law, but we are aware.”

    Kise also told NBC News that it is “hard to imagine a more unfair process and hard to believe this is happening in America.” Trump’s attorney added that the ruling means that the former president “may not even comment on why he thinks he cannot get a fair trial.”

    Trump was previously fined a combined total of $15,000 by Engoron for two violations of the gag order prior to the gag order temporarily being stayed.

    NBC News reported that the gag order prevents Trump and his attorneys from mentioning the court’s staff; however, the gag order does not currently prevent Trump from presenting criticisms of Engoron or the attorney general’s office.

    “Judge Engoron and Letitia James should be impeached and removed from office for fraudulently reducing my Asset Values, by many times, in order to hurt and demean me. The bank, a major lender, totally disagrees with their numbers, and the fact that they would sue me on a loan that was PERFECT,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Wednesday. “It is a political Witch Hunt, and a great embarrassment to New York State. REMOVE THEM AND DISMISS THIS RIDICULOUS, NO VICTIM, NO JURY, CASE!”



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  • Kim Jong Un’s daughter has a new lofty title

    This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission.

    The daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has received a new official title – “Morning Star of Korea” – that seemingly casts her as heir apparent to succeed her father, residents in the country told Radio Free Asia.

    After North Korea successfully launched a reconnaissance satellite on Nov. 21, the Organization and Guidance Department of the ruling Korean Workers’ Party organized lectures for government officials to explain the satellite’s strategic significance. 

    But the bigger news was how they referred to Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae, who both attended the launch.

    “At the lecture … they said that the future of the space power era will thrive under the female general, the Morning Star of Korea,” a resident of the capital Pyongyang told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.  

    “This is the first time that the child of the highest dignity was officially called the ‘Morning Star of Korea,’ [a title] which was used to promote the early revolutionary activities of [national founder] Kim Il Sung.”

    The progenitor of the Kim Dynasty is said to have been called the “Morning Star of Korea” during the time he was a guerilla leader who fought against Japanese rule of Korea before and during World War II.

    The term “morning star” may have been used to describe both Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un, at one time or another, but never officially.

    That the party is calling Kim Ju Ae as the “Morning Star of Korea,” in the exact way that Kim Il Sung is heralded, seems to suggest a deliberate effort to cast her in a similar light. 

    Kim Jong Un’s father and grandfather are deeply respected in North Korea even long after their deaths.

    Though they may not be best known as the “Morning Star” anymore, posthumously, the birthdays of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il have been designated as holidays and named after other celestial bodies, the Day of the Sun and the Day of the Shining Star. Officially the two leaders are titled as the  “Eternal President,” the “Eternal General Secretary.”

    Kim Jong Un as the current leader is referred to by many titles, including “Marshall,” “Supreme Leader,” “Beloved Father,” “General,” or commonly, the “Highest Dignity.”

    Evolving title

    Kim Ju Ae, who is believed to be about 10 or 11, burst onto the public scene about a year ago when she attended the launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile. She would make more and more public appearances over the next few months, and state media began referring to her as the “Beloved Child.” 

    This title was later upgraded to “Noble Child,” and her rapid rise to prominence caused experts to speculate that it was all an attempt to convey an image of her father as a family man, or that she was being groomed to be his heir.

    That the party has conferred the Morning Star of Korea title onto Kim Ju Ae and has called her the “female general” appears to point to the latter.

    At the satellite lectures in North Pyongan province, lecturers said that because of the success of the launch, the whole world would look up to the “Morning Star of Korea,” the female general, a resident there said.

    “[The lecturer] emphasized that the ‘Highest Dignity’ and the ‘Morning Star of Korea’ are protecting the future of the Republic,” he said. “The expressions on the faces of some officials seemed displeased at the content of the lecture, which idolized a young child as a rising star of North Korea.”



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  • Henry Kissinger, Former Secretary of State, Dies at 100

    Henry Kissinger, the secretary of state for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford who shaped U.S. foreign policy for decades, has died. He was 100.

    Kissinger died Wednesday at his home in Connecticut, according to a statement from his consulting film.

    As national security advisor and U.S. secretary of state between 1969 and 1977, Kissinger played a central role in the historic opening to China in 1972, the end of the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East, and the U.S. extricating itself from the Vietnam War.

    Born Heinz Alfred Kissinger on May 27, 1923, in Furth, Germany, he and his family fled Nazi Germany and came to the U.S. in 1938. After becoming an American citizen in 1943, he served in the 84th Army Division from 1943 to 1946, during which he was awarded the Bronze Star. Kissinger later served in the Counter Intelligence Corps in occupied Germany, and was in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1959. He earned his doctorate at Harvard University, where he taught international relations for nearly 20 years.

    Kissinger joined Nixon’s administration in January 1969 as national security adviser and, in 1973, was appointed secretary of state (and kept both titles). Kissinger stayed on under President Ford following Nixon’s resignation in August 1974.

    Kissinger controversially received the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for his involvement in negotiating a ceasefire in Vietnam. He shared the award with his North Vietnamese counterpart Le Duc Tho, who declined to accept on the grounds that peace had not yet been established.

    Kissinger is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Nancy Maginnes Kissinger; his children Elizabeth and David, president of Conan O’Brien’s production company Conaco; and five grandchildren.

    © 2023 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC



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  • How Military Defense Attorneys Differ Than Civilian Lawyers

    The role of lawyers varies depending on whether they’re civilian or military defense attorneys. While civilian lawyers cater to citizens in a traditional court setting, a military defense attorney operates within a specialized legal structure. The latter also takes clients actively serving who are facing court-martial charges. 

    Besides the differences mentioned above, there are more details that many should know to understand both roles better. Let’s start by understanding each scope of work of military lawyers. 

    Military Lawyers

    Military lawyers or civilian-military lawyers handle legal matters within the military. One of the differences between military lawyers and others is how they receive compensation. Military lawyers earn from contingency fees. They’re paid a retainer or salary depending on how they offer their services. 

    A military lawyer works similarly to civilian lawyers when comparing their daily duties. However, they would represent clients under military courts and law jurisdiction. These lawyers are exclusive to service personnel and can represent them in criminal and civil cases. 

    Each lawyer can work within any branch of the forces, even if the department has Judge Advocate Generals, commonly known as JAGs. Personnel needing a lawyer may contact the military legal assistance office to obtain legal representation. 

    JAGs’ educational requirements and process are similar to civilian lawyers, and they will practice law in a military court. This includes the US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, Military Court of Inquiry, military reviews, and court-martial. Military Defense Attorneys must also have knowledge of general and military laws. Attorneys can pursue becoming a JAG when entering the military or complete the JAG requirements before entering. 

    Military Law

    Military law is entirely separated from civil codes. What the military considers as criminal or a violation may not be regarded as the same by civilian law. Not to mention, military regulations address issues specifically around enlisted service officers and personnel. 

    The law addresses each case differently and conducts issues during active training and duty. The law also protects personnel’s dependents and spouses, including re-entering civilian society after the conclusion of tour duties. The Uniform Code of Military Justice regulates all military conduct. Any violation can lead to punishment from a commanding officer or a referral towards subsequent trial and court-martial. 

    Military and Civilian Lawyers: Primary Differences

    Although it’s clear that civilian and military lawyers practice in different courts, there are more differences between the two. Those considering hiring a lawyer must know these differences according to their court cases. 

    Jury Procedures

    Six to 12 jurors are present as civil juries, with criminal cases consisting of 12 jurors. Before reaching the final verdict, all jurors must make unanimous decisions. These jurors are selected individuals who fulfill the requirements to serve on a jury. 

    Compared to military juries, only three people would be present as jurors. Like civil juries, the number differs according to each case. Military juries consist of commissioned officers, but the accused can request enlisted members to join as jurors. 

    Unlike civil juries, which must reach a unanimous verdict, only two-thirds of the jurors must vote for conviction. However, there’s an exception to the death penalty cases requiring military jurors 

    to vote unanimously. Due to this significant difference, military court proceedings rarely come to hung juries. This also affects how defense attorneys strategize in courts, as they only need to convince two-thirds of the jurors. 

    Additional Trainings

    Lawyers aiming to present civilian criminal court cases must obtain a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-approved law school. They must then pass the state bar examination before practicing professionally as a bar member and take clients. This isn’t the case for military defense attorneys. 

    Military lawyers will receive extra training before representing clients in court. Through JAG training, attorneys will learn military court rules and how to defend their future clients against military-related charges. 

    It’s uncommon to find civilian criminal defense lawyers who are former JAG lawyers. These attorneys understand both rules, their differences, and how the court will progress in military courts (and civilian criminal courts). This is primarily helpful when a service member commits crimes that simultaneously lead to civilian criminal and court-martial charges. 

    Appeals

    In civilian criminal cases, a defendant is allowed to appeal a court ruling or a verdict to a higher court. However, no specific path exists for appealing every civilian court decision. This is notably different in the military court, as there’s a particular process for how an individual can appeal for all decisions. 

    Each military branch has a specific process for appeals. Civilian or military attorneys can’t speed up the appeals process in the military court or skip any step in the chain of command. 



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  • Celebrities, politicians face sex-abuse lawsuits ahead of NY law expiration

    A flurry of high-profile sexual-abuse lawsuits were filed in New York this week to beat the expiration of a state law that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on civil abuse and harassment claims, no matter how old.

    The list of defendants includes New York Mayor Eric Adams, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and rock legend Axl Rose, all of whom could face jury trials if the claims against them aren’t dismissed or settled.

    The Adult Survivors Act, passed by New York lawmakers in the wake of the “Me Too” movement, took effect Nov. 24, 2022, and expired Thursday.

    “The Adult Survivors Act has enabled thousands of survivors to pursue justice that was previously unavailable to them,” said Susan Crumiller, whose firm has handled several ASA cases. “But the flood of last-minute cases shows how desperately we need a reopened window. Many people are just learning about the Act.”

    The first person sued under the law — former President Donald Trump — was held liable by a Manhattan jury in May for sexually abusing New York author E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s and ordered to pay $5 million in damages, showing how the statute can be successfully used in court even when the claims are decades old.

    Despite that early win, most cases under the law are in the early stages. Here are some of the defendants in lawsuits filed this week:

    Eric Adams, New York City mayor

    A $5 million lawsuit filed Nov. 22 by a woman who alleges she was assaulted by the Democratic politician in 1993, when they were both working for the City of New York.

    A two-page summons gives a bare-bones outline of the complaint, saying it alleges “sexual assault, battery and employment discrimination.”

    “The claims brought here allege intentional and negligent acts and omissions for physical, psychological, and other injuries suffered as a result of conduct that would constitute sexual offenses,” according to the suit.

    Adams denied the allegations.

    “The mayor does not know who this person is. If they ever met, he doesn’t recall it,” according to a spokesperson for Adams. “But he would never do anything to physically harm another person and vigorously denies any such claim.”

    Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor

    A suit filed Nov. 22 by Cuomo’s former executive assistant, Brittany Commisso, accuses the former governor of groping her breast and buttocks. Commisso claims that she suffered “substantial personal injuries and economic loss” as a result of the alleged abuse, as well as gender discrimination and retaliation.

    “The continuous sexual harassment by defendant Cuomo included unwelcome sexual advances, sexualized comments about appearance and personal matters, relations, their dating, their sex life, and her marriage, assignment of humiliating and demeaning tasks, hugs, kisses, sexual touching of the buttocks, and forcible touching of the breast,” according to the suit.

    Commisso, formerly identified only as “executive assistant #1” in a damning report on Cuomo’s conduct by the state attorney general, went public with her allegations more than two years ago in an interview with CBS News and the Albany Times Union. Cuomo has strenuously denied her allegations, as well as similar claims made by other women.

    “Ms. Commisso’s claims are provably false, which is why the Albany District Attorney dismissed the case two years ago after a thorough investigation,” a spokeswoman for Cuomo said in a statement. “Ms. Commisso’s transparent attempt at a cash grab will fail.”

    Sean “Diddy” Combs, music mogul

    A suit filed on Thanksgiving Day alleges Combs drugged and raped a Syracuse University student during a date in 1991. The complaint by Joi Dickerson-Neal claims she suffered “substantial and lifetime injuries” from the assault, which she alleges was videotaped by Combs and shown to other men.

    “The sexual assault and public exposure of it, caused her to suffer overwhelming feelings of humiliation, embarrassment, violation, and constant apprehension about who all viewed it,” according to the complaint.

    Dickerson-Neal claims the alleged assault sent her life into a tailspin, forcing her to seek medical help for depression and impeding her ability to finish college as Combs rose to fame and fortune.

    Another lawsuit against Combs under the Adult Survivors Act was filed the same day by an anonymous plaintiff. The court docket says the complaint was “returned for correction” and isn’t yet available. The new complaints were filed about a week after Combs settled similar claims by a former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura.

    A spokesperson for Combs denied the allegations, describing the Dickerson-Neal suit as “an example of how a well-intentioned law can be turned on its head.”

    The “32-year-old story is made up and not credible,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Mr. Combs never assaulted her, and she implicates companies that did not exist.”

    Similarly, the Jane Doe allegations are “are fabricated claims falsely alleging misconduct from over 30 years ago and filed at the last minute,” the spokesperson said.

    Axl Rose, rock musician

    A suit filed Nov. 22 by California actress and model Sheila Kennedy alleges she was assaulted by Rose in 1989, when the Guns N’ Roses singer “was at the peak of his commercial success.” According to the complaint, Rose “used his fame, status, and power as a celebrity and performer in the music industry to gain access to manipulate, control, and violently sexually assault Kennedy.”

    The lawsuit outlines previous allegations of wrongdoing against Rose and criticizes his record label, Geffen Records, for celebrating Rose’s “bad boy” image despite those claims.

    The suit also notes that the cover for Guns N’ Roses album “Appetite for Destruction” features “a cartoon drawing of a battered young woman with underwear pulled down around her legs.”

    Alan Gutman, Rose’s lawyer, released a statement Wednesday, saying the incident “never happened,” and described the claims as “fictional.”

    Terry Richardson, fashion photographer

    A suit filed by South African model Caron Bernstein alleges Richardson forced her into oral sex at his studio in 2003 while they were working on a fragrance advertising campaign. He allegedly assaulted her in the presence of several male agents, employees and models. According to the complaint, Richardson photographed himself assaulting Bernstein and then published the photos without her consent in his 2006 book “Kibosh,” as well as at art shows and online.

    A separate suit by Spanish model Minerva Portillo accuses Richardson of two sexual assaults in 2004. Portillo, who was booked by Trump Model Management for a photo shoot in Richardson’s New York studio, alleges she was assaulted in a similar manner to Bernstein on multiple days.

    According to the complaint, Richardson displayed photos of the assault at a New York art exhibit titled “Terry Richardson: Terryworld,” and later published the photos in “Kibosh.” Portillo claims Richardson forced her to sign a release that falsely stated the photographs did “not depict actual sexually explicit conduct.”

    Richardson’s agent and studio didn’t immediately respond to Bloomberg’s request for comment.

    ___

    © 2023 Bloomberg L.P

    Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.



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