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As the trial regarding allegations of racketeering, trafficking and sexual assault comes to an end, the media and music mogul faces several civil lawsuits stemming from almost three decades of alleged abuse. Sean "Diddy" Combs faced five charges that could've had him behind bars for life, but the music mogul managed to get off easy with a partial verdict. Sean “Diddy” Combs faced five charges in a ten-week trial regarding racketeering and sex trafficking, only to be found guilty of two charges regarding the transportation to engage in prostitution. These charges relate to two of his former girlfriends, Cassie Ventura and another who testified as “Jane.” The music mogul was not found guilty of the racketeering conspiracy and two sex trafficking counts. These three counts each carried a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, according to ABC News . Combs' reaction to his partial verdict (Photo Courtesy: Meghann Cunnif's "Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cunnif") As news of the verdict began to roll in, Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, called for the Harlem-born music executive to be released on July 2, though the prosecution strongly argued against the notion. They argued Combs is a flight risk as well as a danger to his victims, especially those who testified during the trial. A letter from Ventura’s lawyers expressed these very concerns, noting the danger Combs poses to both the victims and the community. Judge Arun Subramanina, who has been overseeing the trial, denied bail for Combs. The denial will force Combs to stay in jail until sentencing, which is scheduled for October 3, at 10 in the morning. ABC News reports that prosecutors argued for Combs to be sentenced to 51 to 63 months in jail, which totals to around four to five years. Combs’ attorneys argued for a sentence of 21 to 27 months, around two years instead.  The music mogul has already served nine months while awaiting trial, which will subtract from his sentence. “Sean Combs, going to trial where he was facing life, and being able to walk out with something under 10 years, well under 10 years possibly, that is a victory,” ABC News’ legal contributor Brian Buckmire said.  Combs’ conviction on the lesser charges presents a paradoxical predicament, one noted  by CNN’s Senior Legal Analyst Elli Honig .  “...here we have Sean Combs, who has just been convicted of two federal felonies … And for all practical purposes, he has won. He has defeated the Southern District of New York,” Honig said. Ventura’s lawyer, Dough Wigdor, told reporters outside of the courtroom  that they wanted Combs convicted of racketeering. Though, they’re pleased that the rapper-turned-executive will be “held responsible for something, which is something that hasn’t happened in his lifetime.” Wigdor, and his team, are hopeful that Combs will receive a “substantial sentence” for his crimes.  Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, also spoke with the press outside of the courtroom. He was later joined by his co-council, Teny  Geragos. “...one thing stands between all of us and a prison, and that is a jury of 12 citizens, and we had a wonderful jury. They listened to every word, and they got the situation right, or certainly right enough,” Agnifilo said. Geragos followed up with a statement of his own, noting how the media got it all wrong, regarding the allegations against Combs, for the past two years. He calls for everyone, especially the media, to analyze the criminal complaints and indictments. “I ask that for every time you guys see a civil lawsuit, criminal complaints or criminal indictments, you actually take a look and analyze these and see whether or not these are actually going to stand up in a court of law, because today they did not.” He goes on to state that Combs did not sexually assault or traffick anyone, citing the jury’s verdict. The Prosecution’s Case Fell Through, Leaving the Jury Hung Up on Semantics The prosecution accused the music mogul of leading a criminal enterprise, allegedly using threats, violence and bribery to force Ventura and “Jane” to engage in sex acts with male escorts. Combs’ lawyers argued that the sex acts were consensual, noting that the accusers were trying to get money from the music mogul. The partial acquittal showcases the prosecution’s inability to prove racketeering conspiracy as well as sex trafficking. According to CNN, the jury appeared to be unconvinced of the existence of an enterprise, or that he and others committed the crimes that would support a conviction. With Combs, prosecutors argued that he and members of his inner circle engaged in various crimes - including arson, kidnapping and forced labor. For a conviction, the jury had to believe that Combs and at least one other person committed two of these crimes within a ten-year window. Interestingly enough, as CNN points out, Combs was charged by himself. The jury didn’t hear any direct testimony from anyone who would’ve been part of the alleged enterprise. There proved to be difficulty amongst the jury as they were deadlocked on the racketeering conspiracy charge. The verdict form alleged eight predicate acts supporting the charge: kidnapping, arson, bribery, witness tampering, forced labor, sex trafficking, drug distribution and transportation for purposes of prostitution. The jury had to find at least two of these acts to be proven, and they could be the same thing. According to Legal Affairs and Trial with Meghann Cuniff , jurors had sent a note to the judge, asking: “If a recipient wants, requests, or asks for controlled substances, and an individual hands over controlled substances to the requester, has the individual who hands over the controlled substances distributed?” Regarding the two sex trafficking charges, both Ventura and “Jane” suggested financial or professional control. Ventura signed to Combs’ record label at 19-years-old, prosecutors arguing the music juggernaut controlled her career.  “Jane” testified that she entered a “love contract” with Combs, in which he agreed to pay her $10,000 rent. Though, he would allegedly threaten to cut her off financially if she refused to participate in “hotel nights” - also known as “Freak Offs.” These “Freak Offs” were essentially sex marathons that could sometimes go on for days in swanky and luxurious hotels. In her 2024 bombshell lawsuit against Combs, Ventura said he directed her to pour oil on herself and as well as to where to touch the prostitutes while he filmed and masturbated. According to the indictment, the “Freak Offs” were “elaborate and produced sex performances,” involving drug use and coerced sex. Participants were often left so exhausted that they were given fluids to recover.  Combs Still Faces Several Civil Lawsuits Following His Semi-Acquittal on Criminal Charges As the criminal case is coming to a close, Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits from various people, including former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard. The Louisiana-born singer filed a lawsuit against Combs in September 2024 , alleging he sexually assaulted her as well as deprived her of food and sleep. Plus, according to her lawsuit, Combs refused to adequately pay her. Dawn Richards testifies against her former boss during the 10-week trial, explaining various allegations (Photo Courtesy: Elizabeth Williams via AP) Richard’s affiliation with Combs came when she auditioned and ultimately became a part of season three of MTV’s Making The Band . During the audition process, Combs would allegedly call female contestants derogatory names, including “fat” and “b-ch.” Throughout the production of the show, and the following years, Richards and her Danity Kane bandmates were allegedly forced to rehearse for two days without food or rest. According to Richard’s suit, she lost weight and got rashes from wearing a microphone pack during filming. She was later diagnosed with anemia and arthralgia, the latter being joint stiffness caused by overuse, sprains and infections.  Combs’ attorney Erica Wolff responded to the lawsuit, noting the music mogul’s “shocked and disappointed” reaction. “Mr. Combs is shocked and disappointed by this lawsuit. In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard has now manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a pay day - conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour,” Wolff said in the statement.  Richard also alleged that Combs would come into her dressing room unannounced, and he would sometimes touch her inappropriately while working with a stylist to demonstrate where her clothing should fall. Combs regularly asked her to strip to her underwear, and often conducted his meetings in his underwear.  Not only did Richard speak on her personal experience, she noted how she witnessed Combs abuse Ventura on various occasions. She allegedly saw Combs and his associates take illegal drugs and engage in sexual acts with underage girls. In one instance, Richard and Diddy-Dirty Money member Kalenna Harper visited Combs’ Los Angeles home and he berated Ventura for not cooking his eggs correctly. He allegedly threw a pan at Ventura and dragged her upstairs, according to Richard’s lawsuit.  The following day, he brought flowers to the duo and claimed the incident was a “lover’s argument” during which no one was hurt. He threatened consequences if either went public with the incident.  Other alleged incidents include Combs pulling Ventura out of a van by her neck and pinning her to the ground, punching her in the face in the bathroom of a party, and punching her stomach in front of several high-profile celebrities - including Interscope Records founder Jimmy Iovine. Despite the incident, a $50 million distribution deal between Iovine and Combs for Combs’ music still went through. “...the Bad Boy-Interscope took place and remained in effect, providing Mr. Combs with immense financial rewards and repercussions,” the complaint read.  As Richard detailed the physical abuse and sexual assault, she also details the financial ruin of the current situation. Richard alleged in her complaint that she is owed money for royalties and license fees - money she has yet to receive. The royalties and license fees stem from other Bad Boy Records artists recording songs written by Richard.  Richard alleged that she’s owed around $1.2 million from the success of Diddy-Dirty Money, stemming from unpaid wages and royalties. She also made more than $350,000 in tour performances and at least $1.5 million for promoting Ciroc, a vodka brand Combs partnered with in the mid-2000s.  She would make her appearance in the sex trafficking trial against Combs as a witness. Richard spoke of the egg-and-pan-throwing incident, noting that Combs told her and Harper they would “go missing” if they spoke about the incident. As Richard understood that statement, she and Harper would die if they publicized the abuse. The singer isn’t the only one to accuse Combs of sexual assault and abuse as the music mogul has a laundry list of accusers with various allegations.  According to USA Today, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr., a producer on Combs’ “The Love Album,” claimed  that the “It’s All About the Benjamins” rapper groped and sexually assaulted him. He alleges that Combs facilitated others to sexual assault while also not paying him for his work. Kat Pasion, according to USA Today, claimed in the documentary series The Fall of Diddy  that Combs subjected her to nonconsensual sex during their on and off relationship in the late 2010s. The Canadian actress has not filed a lawsuit as of the publishing of this article.  USA Today’s article not only details the public accusers, but those who have remained anonymous.  A woman who was 16-years-old in 1993 when she allegedly auditioned to be Combs’ backup dancer. According to a February 2025 lawsuit, a man named “Kay” took her to a Long Island, New York home where Combs allegedly drugged and assaulted her.  She woke up hours later bloodied and in pain. She didn’t report the incident due to fear, though her parents found out and she allegedly received medical attention. A woman faced a similar fate in 1995 when she was beaten and raped during a promotional party in New York for Biggie Small’s “One More Chance” music video.  Her lawsuit was dismissed  as she refused to reveal her identity. U.S. District Court Judge Lewis J. Limna ruled that she could not proceed anonymously, and that she would have to re-file her complaint under her real name.  “As of today, March 31, 2025, (Jane Doe) has not filed a complaint in her own name, nor has she sought an extension to do so,” Liman wrote in his decision.  Her fear of public scrutiny remains the reason for not fully coming forward, according to her legal team. “There is a lot of fear amongst  these plaintiffs. I thus can’t blame her,” Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement to USA Today. “These are tough cases and they are many times re-traumatizing for those who pursue them. Each case stands on its own merit. This woman chose not to proceed and subject herself to the media circus and the perceived danger she felt. We have to respect that.” Combs’ legal team at the time released a statement denouncing any anonymous complaint against the Revolt co-founder. “For months, we have seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by attorneys more focused on media headlines than legal merit. The other claims, like the one dismissed today, also will not hold up in a cort of law,” Combs’ attorneys said in a statement. What Has Happened Since the Verdict? What Happens Now? At the end of July, prosecutors responded to Combs’ legal team’s newest attempt for bail. Prosecutors noted that the defense hasn’t presented a reason for the court to reconsider its decision. Prosecution cited various rulings and previous court cases, noting the strict standard for reconsidering bail: United States v. Velisarious  finding that since “the Court already denied the defendant’s request at the sentencing proceeding for bail pending appeal, the defendant’s instant [bail] motion may be properly viewed as a motion to reconsider.” United States v. Reese  denying motion to reconsider detention ruling pending appeal where defendant failed to meet standard for motion for reconsideration “To warrant reconsideration, the moving part bears the heavy burden of showing ‘an intervening change of controlling law, the availability of new evidence, or the need to correct a clear error or prevent a manifest injustice,’” the prosecution wrote in their filing, citing Virgin Atlantic Airways, Ltd v. National Mediation Bd. The prosecution notes that the defense’s new motion did not raise new issues that the Court overlooked.  As Combs continues to sit in jail following the denial of bail, President Donald Trump joins the circus-like fray.  The sitting president is considering a partial pardon for the Revolt founder, according to an administration source who spoke with Deadline . Several of Combs’ associates have been pitching for the pardon to Trump since the partial verdict.  Combs’ defense team, led by Marc Agnifilo and Teny Gerago, had “no comment” on the matter when Deadline reached out. When reaching out to the White House itself, an administration official said there won’t be discussion of any potential clemency request.

Jessica Moore, professionally known as Jess Hilarious, has been engulfed in a media storm as she aired her grievances regarding her return from maternity leave. Jess Hilarious introduced Loren LoRosa to the world of "The Breakfast Club" prior to her maternity leave. The comedian returned from maternity leave confused due to LoRosa's extended guest role. (Photo Courtesy: Getty Images, The Breakfast Club on YouTube) The comedian made it clear during an Instagram Live session that she felt unsupported by her team, notably Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy. She also noted how she felt blindsided by certain changes, specifically guest host Loren LoRosa. Many social media users and fellow media personalities added fuel to the fire when they compared LoRosa and Moore’s differing hosting styles. Corey Holcomb, a fellow comedian, suggested that The Breakfast Club  found someone “talented” to replace Moore during her maternity leave. “She got that job because I think she had a social media presence, I can’t imagine why else,” Holcomb said. “I always said she wasn’t talented. She got the job and got knocked up shortly afterwards. And the worst thing in the world happened, they brought in somebody talented.” Rather than focus specifically on Holcomb, or any social media user with similar sentiments, Moore used her Instagram Live session to focus on her co-hosts.  “We supposed to be a team, but not one person comes to my defense at all, ever,” Moore said. “I feel played with, so I’m gonna play with gas. I’ve been quiet a lot.”  Addressing the rumors of her alleged firing, she clarifies that she’s still part of the radio program. She initially resented LoRosa’s presence on the show, though over time, her issue wasn’t with LoRosa. Rather, her issue lies with how things were handled behind the scenes. Moore mentions Angela Yee’s departure from The Breakfast Club , noting that she understands why the former host left.  “There’s a reason that lady wanted to leave that show… I don’t know how she did that s-t for 13 years,” Moore said. Moore would later get the chance to address both her co-hosts, Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy, as well as LoRosa.  “How I pick [LoRosa] to fill in for me, and when I come back she ain’t never leave,” Moore began. “Nobody had a problem with Jess With The Mess , until she started reading right.” Prior to her maternity leave, Moore’s relationship with LoRosa began heading in the right direction — resulting in LoRosa heading Moore’s Jess With The Mess  segment. Moore felt uncertain about her role within the program as she returned from maternity leave, and LoRosa continued as a guest role.  Regarding the alleged high school antics behind the scenes, Moore felt Charlamagne tried to portray a false narrative and attempted to get her to dislike LoRosa. Also, she felt the show made her the villain for worrying about her future. In their discussion with Moore about the situation, Charlamagne and DJ Envy advised her to stay out of the comments as well as be confident in her abilities. The duo also praised LoRosa for bringing a journalistic approach to the show. Following her candid conversation with Charlamagne and Envy, she sat down with LoRosa to further clear the air. During the conversation, LoRosa made it clear that some of Moore’s sentiments surprised her. “I can understand some of where you was coming from, but bro, some of that Live was crazy,” LoRosa said. “The part about the ‘hush’ and ‘be quiet.’ I be feeling in real-time that ‘be quiet,’ that was crazy. That ‘shut up.’” She also mentioned a private meeting with Moore and the show’s executive producer, and she agreed that they were fighting for air time. LoRosa allegedly asked what she could do better to avoid on-air clash, though Moore doesn’t recall her expressing that. Regarding why she has told LoRosa to “hush” during the show, Moore said she feels she shouldn’t have to fight for her time if the role was initially hers.  “You over-talk,” Moore claimed. “Like I said, I’m not about to be up here fighting for no mic. If I already got the job, what am I doing?” LoRosa makes it clear that even her own mother doesn’t tell her to shut up, adding that she prefers to handle conflicts privately.  Moore first joined The Breakfast Club  in 2024 after Angela Yee’s 2022 exit. She became popular for her “Jess With Mess” videos on Instagram, which helped her gain more than five million followers. She would later star in MTV’s Wild ‘N Out  and the Fox comedy Rel  as Tiffany.

The Chicago-based non-profit cinema house approaches its fiftieth birthday, and plans to celebrate big. FACETS Film Forum Board Co-Chairs Rich Moskal and Tamara Bohórquez will the spearhead FACETS ahead of its fiftieth anniversary and for the near future (Photo Courtesy: FACETS) Known for its screenings of independent and international films, FACETS will bring in its fiftieth year of existence with a new name and fundraising events. FACETS' marquee highlights the nonprofit's fiftieth anniversary, saying "Celebrating 50 Years." The local media arts organization will change its name from FACETS Multi-Media to FACETS Film Forum. The move aims to renew its commitment to meaningful conversations through film, according to a recent press release. Paired with the new name FACETS has new programming and events slated for the milestone. Chicago on Screen , launching March 14, will highlight Chicago’s contributions to film. The series will include films such as The Fugitive and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer  and will feature behind-the-scenes conversations with the filmmakers. FACETS’ new Board Co-Chair Rich Moskal, former director of the Chicago Film Office, will head the program. Speaking of Moskal, he brings his decades of expertise to serve alongside fellow Board Co-Chair Tamara Bohórquez. Bohórquez, a creative strategist and FACETS advocate, will serve as a bridge to founder Milos Stehlik’s vision, according to FACETS’ press release.  “With Rich’s industry expertise and Tamara’s dedication to our mission, we are poised to make a greater impact on Chicago’s cultural landscape,” FACETS Film Form executive director Karen Cardarelli said. 5 Films, 5 Decades, 5 Critics , another program launching this April, will highlight five films connected to FACETS’ history. Film Program Director Charles Coleman will curate the program, showcasing filmmakers and hosting discussions with local critics. As FACETS will host a slate of special events, they aim to reinvest into its programming and growth through a $1 million fundraising campaign. Bohórquez declared in the press release that 25 percent, or $250K, has been raised and FACETS is committed to reaching the $1 million within the next two years. The nonprofit will host two fundraisers this year, Beyond the Red Carpet and 50th Anniversary Celebration . The former took place on Feb. 22 as a pre-Academy Awards event with film critic Lee Shoquist and Sing Sing director Greg Kwedar. The latter will take place later this year, though details on honorees, location and sponsorships are yet to be announced. Tune in to the Latest of 49th Block News [February 20, 2025] FACETS began in a church on the northside of Chicago with founder Milos Stehlik running a borrowed 16mmm projector from the choir loft. Patrons would sit in the hardwood pews below to enjoy whatever film Stehlik put on.  One such film was then-banned Italian-Algerian anti-war film, The Battle of Algiers (1966). The film served as a hallmark screening during the early years, helping solidify FACETS as one of Chicago’s early art house cinemas that routinely screen international films.  For the past five decades, FACETS has become synonymous with bold cinematic exploration while inspiring brave conversations. In 2023, FACETS spearheaded the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals to support Chicago’s independent film festival sector.

The "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" costar died soon after the new year. Mike Rinder, a former member of Scientology and an outspoken critic of the organization, died on Sunday. His wife, Christie Collbran, shared the news on Instagram alongside a family photo with their sons, Shane and Jack. The cause of death remains unclear as Collbran’s post didn’t mention it. Rinder was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in June 2023 and later noted that his treatments were working in an October 2023 post. “Rest in peace, my sweet, beautiful husband. I speak for so many when I say the sadness and pain we feel mirror the depth of our unwavering love for you,” Collbran’s post read. “Your courage, bravery, and integrity are unmatched and will forever inspire us.” Colbran also shared Rinder’s last words per his request, which were included in a blog post titled, “Farewell.”  “I have been lucky — living two lives in one lifetime. The second one the most wonderful years anyone could wish for with all of you and my new family,” Rinder’s post read. “My only regret is not having achieved what I said I wanted to — ending the abuses of Scientology, especially disconnection, and seeing Jack into adulthood.” Rinder would end his farewell message by saying: “Let the flowers grow and look to the future … With that said, I rest in peace … The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.” The Australian-born author was raised in Scientology and grew up to serve in various executive roles, namely as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors. He left the Church of Scientology in 2007 and became a well-known whistleblower.  He was featured in HBO’s “Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief” and co-hosted “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” for three seasons. The A&E documentary series followed Rinder and Leah Remini, who also left the organization, as they dissected the abuse and harassment within the Church of Scientology. The duo later launched their podcast, Scientology: Fair Game , which ran until 2022 and Rinder released a memoir the next year, titled A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology . Remini would release an emotional tribute to Rinder following the news of his death. “On Sunday, we lost a giant, and I lost a man who was more than a friend — he was a family," Lemini's post read. " It ’s impossible to imagine the last 13 years of my life without Mike Rinder. He was my anchor, my trusted partner, and my closest confidant. The thought of moving forward without him feels unbearable.” Rinder was 69-years-old.

The split marks the end of an era for the “Summer House,” “Southern Charm” duo. Paige DeSorbo and Craig Conover began casually dating in the summer of 2021 after filming that year’s “Winter House.” [Photo Courtesy: Monica Schipper, Getty Images] Paige DeSorbo, a fixture on Bravo’s “Summer House,” confirmed her split from “Southern Charm” star Craig Conover during an episode of Giggly Squad  — a podcast she shares with former castmate Hannah Berner. The reason for the break up, according to DeSorbo, stemmed from the duo being in two different places in life. There were also questions from fans and friends alike regarding a potential move to Charleston (where Conover lived), getting married and having children. “It’s really just two people growing and changing and things they want in their lives changing,” DeSorbo said during the Dec. 30 episode of Giggly Squad . She later explains the internal struggles of entering her 30s, which were coupled with outsiders’ opinions on certain milestones. “I feel like I’ve been very vocal on the [podcast] about how I hated turning 30… I really had a problem with it,” DeSorbo said. “I think one of the things I get most insecure about is I am 32… the rhetoric online directed at me is, ‘You’re 32. Shouldn’t you pack it in and get married? Like, you’re not a kid anymore.’” DeSorbo has a positive outlook on her life, noting that she’s never felt more herself than in the past year of her life. The Bravo star loved throwing herself into work despite the stresses that came with it. Speaking directly to those who told her to “pack it in,” she explains how one can change the course of their life at the ripe age of 32, and not settle down for marriage and kids because one feels they have to.  A source close to the situation told US Weekly that Conover was ready for the next steps with plans to propose in the near future. Despite the long distance relationship, Conover expressed confidence in the couple’s future during his October interview with US Weekly. “We’re going to get married one day,” he told the publication. “But she’s a really career-driven persona and she’s doing great. And I’ve got the business that’s kinda of flying right now, so we’re making the best of ourselves before coming together as a team officially.” Conover hasn’t commented publicly about the breakup.

The Bravolebrity finds himself behind bars for domestic violence with his current girlfriend as the alleged victim. James Kennedy was introduced to the general public during his stint on Bravo's "Vanderpump Rules," and he has managed to transition to the world of DJing. All of that is in question due to his recent arrest for domestic violence. (Photo Couresy: Presley Ann, Getty Images/James Kennedy @itsjameskennedy on Instagram/TMZ). James Kennedy, DJ and star of Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules,” was arrested on Tuesday night in Burbank, California. He was booked on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge and later posted bail, according to the Burbank Police Department. Police had responded to a call at a home about an argument between Kennedy and a woman, allegedly his girlfriend Ally Lewber. The daily arrest log notes that a “female stated her boyfriend lifted her up and threw her to the ground.” The Burbank Police Department's daily arrest log notes the incident, Kennedy lifting up his girlfriend and throwing her to the ground. The DJ was able to post the $20,000 bail, and get released from jail (Photo Courtesy: Burbank Police Department). The process of formal charges are pending review by the Burbank City Attorney’s Office, though the police log lists an arrest charge of domestic battery.  “We are in the process of conducting our own investigation into the allegations levied by the Burbank Police Department against [Kennedy],” Scott Leemon and Leonard Levine, attorneys for the 32-old DJ, told NBC News. “We understand that there were no injuries and we are hoping that, after careful review, the city’s attorneys will decide not to file formal charges.” Following his arrest, Kennedy’s former girlfriends — both Kristen Douote and Rachel Leviss — speak out about their experiences with Kennedy. Doute, who dated Kennedy during the earlier seasons of “Vanderpump Rules” from 2013 to 2015, posted the TMZ story of the arrest to her Instagram Story. She captioned it with one word: “Finally.” Attorneys for Leviss, Kennedy’s ex-fiance, said he has a history of violent behavior. “We are aware of James Kennedy’s recent arrest for domestic violence. The news is, unfortunately, not surprising,” Mark Geragos and Bryan Freedman said in a statement to US Weekly. “[Leviss’] lawsuit describes in significant detail, Mr. Kennedy’s long history of erratic, violent behavior and substance abuse.”  Leviss is suing “Vanderpump Rules” co-stars Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix for allegedly producing and distributing revenge porn against her. During the tenth season of the Bravo hit show, the explosive “Scandoval” rocked the headlines and shocked fans. Even though fans were shocked by Sandoval’s infidelity, social media users aren’t too surprised by Kennedy’s arrest for domestic violence. Many point out his toxic behavior captured on-camera throughout the earlier season of “Vanderpump Rules,” notably his substance abuse issues and toxic relationships. As a result of the arrest, Kennedy was removed from LIV Nightclub’s calendar and his appearance at Komodo in Dallas, Texas appears to be cancelled as well. It’s unclear whether the same can be said about Kennedy’s relationship with Lewber, as no breakup news has been confirmed from either party. Lewber was spotted outside her home hours after Kennedy's arrest. She stepped outside her home for a brief moment while speaking on the phone, seemingly engrossed in a conversation before stepping back inside.

The “Like A Girl” singer wins an important ruling in an ongoing legal battle against former stylist. Lizzo faces a harassment lawsuit from three former dancers still, though the lawsuit filed by a fashion designer dropped Lizzo's name from the filing (Photo Courtesy: Lizzo @lizzobeeating on Instagram) Lizzo, real name Melissa Jefferson, has a victory in a legal battle against a former stylist who alleges racial and sexual harassment at the hands of the musician. A Los Angeles federal judge ruled that wardrobe assistant Asha Daniels could not sue Lizzo as an individual due to identifying the singer’s touring and payroll companies as her employers. Big Grrl Big Touring Inc, one of Lizzo’s companies, remains a defendant in the case. The judge granted a partial motion to dismiss various claims made by Daniels due to jurisdictional restrictions. Daniels, a fashion designer, claimed that Jefferson oversaw an “unsafe, sexually charged workplace culture.” She accused the Michigan-born singer’s wardrobe manager of making “racist and fatphobic” comments and mocking Black women in the group. Lizzo finds herself in legal trouble despite her name being dropped from the suit from Daniels. Her former backup dancers want their case go to jury trial (Photo Courtesy: Gus Stewart, Redferns via Getty Images) Jefferson’s camp notes that the case is a publicity stunt, and describes Daniels as a disgruntled former employee with “meritless and salacious” claims. These claims echo those of three former dancers who filed a similar harassment lawsuit last year. “These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,” Jefferson said at the time. The musician and Big Grrrl Big Touring requested that the court dismiss the dancers’ allegations while the dancers are requesting a jury trial.

The “Hotline Bling” rapper files a couple of petitions against a recording label and a couple of music streaming platforms. Drake and Kendrick Lamar have had a strenuous relationship for over a decade, dissing one another in songs, cyphers, and interviews (Photo Courtesy: Drake @champagnepapi on Instagram/Kendrick Lamar @kendricklamar on Instagram) Drake, full name Aubrey Graham, accuses Universal Music Group and Spotify of conspiring to boost Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” using bots and payola, according to court documents filed last month. Filed in the New York Supreme Court, the laundry list of allegations including Spotify launching a campaign to make sure the song went viral, UMG engaging in payola by paying off independent radio promoters, and UMG removing copyright restrictions on YouTube and Twitch to encourage influencers to spread the song. The petition also accuses UMG and Spotify of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, the NY Deceptive Business and NY False Advertising.  “UMG’s schemes … were motivated,  at least in part, by the desire of executives at Interscope to maximize their own profits,” the rapper’s legal team said. “Executives at Interscope have been incentivized to maximize the financial success of Interscope through the promotion of ‘Not Like Us’ and its revitalizing impact on the artist’s prior recording catalog.” As Graham’s petition made headlines, UMG would release a statement of their own: “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue … We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.” Graham also filed a petition against UMG and iHeartRadio based on similar allegations, with a trial set for later this month (Dec. 19). The petitions serve as an opportunity to gather information for a potential lawsuit, with the one against UMG and Spotify happening on Jan. 16 of next year. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” took over social media and headlines with accusations of pedophilia and ripping off hip-hop culture. Not only did the Compton-born rapper throw out heavy accusations, the antics added fuel to the fire — one being that he lifted copyright restrictions for a short while so that the public can use it without penalty. The feud between the two rappers began with Lamar’s feature on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.” During his feature, Lamar accused both Drake and J. Cole of sneak dissing during their own collaboration in 2023, “First Person Shooter.” The subliminal diss in question was when J. Cole rapped: “Love when they argue the hardest MC/Is it K-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me?/We the big three like we started a league?” Lamar would directly hit back, rapping: “Think I won’t drop the location? I still got PTSD/Motherf—k the Big 3, n—a, it’s just big me.” He would later direct his energy to Drake, taking jabs at the Canadian rapper while using double entendres relating to Drake’s latest album — For All The Dogs . While J. Cole stood silently on the sidelines, and gave no response, it took three weeks for Drake to conjure a response to Lamar’s vicious verse. The response came in the sense of a leaked song, though people questioned its authenticity. Drake would later send the official track to DJ Akademiks to premiere on his livestream. As GQ phrased it, the Canadian rapper rapped over a seven-minute, “dark and brooding beat” as he shot back against all of the people who came for him during the three-week period since “Like That.”  Lamar’s verse on the song as well as Future and Metro Boomin’s collaborative album, We Don’t Trust You , sparked an industry-wide civil war. Various rappers made their mark in the beef , including Rick Ross, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd and Kanye West.  These rappers would align themselves with Lamar, specifically West, who previewed his verse on an unofficial remix to “Like That.” “[Future] called me and I went to the studio and laid that. We went through the creative process of adding the chords and called the Hooligans out in London to get on the joint,” West explained in an interview with Justin LaBoy.  Lamar and Drake’s relationship has been rocky for more than a decade, especially when Lamar was first coming up. Drake would include Lamar as the list of features on his sophomore album, Take Care . The Canadian rapper would later invite Lamar as an opening act on his 2012 Club Paradise Tour. Later that year, the duo appeared on A$AP Rocky’s “F—kin’ Problems” and collaborated on Lamar’s “Poetic Justice.” This would end the era of collaboration between the two as the Compton-born rapper would take aim at Drake the following year. The swipe would lead to a decade worth of tension and disses, though they never amounted to this level of media attention.

The latest turn in the whirlwind case comes after a recent ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court. “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett will forgo a five-month prison sentence as the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his conviction relating to an alleged hate crime hoax. The case first hit the headlines, and never left for months on end, when Smollet first reported that he was a victim of a hate crime. Two strangers allegedly attacked him outside of his downtown Chicago home while hurling homophobic and racist slurs at the actor. Months later, the media attention intensified when Smollett was convicted with staging the incident as evidence showed the actor partying and supposedly knowing the alleged attackers. The state’s attorney’s office would later drop the case in a controversial deal — Smollet would give up his $10,000 bond in exchange for performing 15 hours of community service. Interestingly, the case was re-investigated by a special prosecutor and included testimony from the alleged attackers — two brothers named Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo. They testified that Smollett asked them to carry out the attack, going into great detail on how to carry out the attack. The “Empire” actor would give them $100 to get supplies, including ski masks and a red hat, which was to indicate the attackers’ support of then-president Donald Trump. During the alleged attack, the supposed attackers yelled out: “This is MAGA country.” Smollett spent six days of a five-month sentence, ultimately being released on appeal. His lawyers argued that charging the actor a second time was a violation of his rights. The courts would later agree, ruling to overturn his conviction via Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford’s 5-0 opinion.  Following the news, the Osundairo brothers — the alleged attackers — did an interview with “Fox & Friends” on Fox News, noting how he never copped to what he did. “We were taken aback initially, not because of the Supreme Court’s decision, but because Jussie never admitted guilt,” Abel Osundairo said. “Jussie should have admitted guilt, and that’s where we stand.” Ola chimed in by stating how the real injustice was the “sweetheart deal” given to Smollett by Kim Foxx, the Cook County State’s Attorney. Abel claims that if it were a regular person instead of someone of Smollett’s caliber, they wouldn’t have been offered the deal. Abel went to explain the brothers’ relationship with the actor now, and whether the actor paid them for their participation in the incident. “We have not spoken to him since. Yes, he did pay us at first,” Ola said. “He still owes us $500, but I don’t think we’re going to see that.” The brothers would discuss that no one, especially those in their personal circle, believes Smollett’s calls of innocence — “not even Pinnochio” as Abel put it. Abel also said that Smollet made it seem like faking similar incidents was common in Hollywood, using Kim Kardashian’s Paris robbery in 2016 as an example. As the brothers took to Fox News to discuss their reaction to the news, Nenye Uche, Smollett’s lawyer who led his defense at trial, celebrated the ruling  as he spoke during a press conference on Thursday. Uche noted that Smollett was grateful for the decision and was ready to move onto the next chapter of his life.

The Houston Hottie seems to be living in the courtroom as she’s involved in three separate court cases at the moment. Megan Thee Stallion continues to wade through a world of legal battles as she not only sues a media personality while facing a lawsuit from a former photographer, but the case surrounding the 2020 shooting continues to unravel. The Houston Hottie, real name Megan Pete, recently sued Milagro Gramz, real name Milagro Cooper, for operating a smear campaign during the California v Daystar Peterson trial. According to the suit, Cooper allegedly insulted and harassed the rapper during the length of the trial as well as spread lies and a deepfake pornographer of Pete. A trial date for the suit against Cooper has been set for September 8, 2025, according to court documents. The court of the Southern District of Florida also laid out a schedule for pre-trial actions, including Dec. 30 as the day for all motions for pleading amendments or additional parties to be finalized.  Cooper’s Florida-based attorney filed a motion asking for more time to go over the material. The motion notes that with Cooper’s response due on Nov. 21 and only getting the Florida-based counsel on Nov. 19, the media personality requests to have until Dec. 21 to appropriately respond. Per Meghann Cuniff’s reports, the court approved the motion and updated the trial schedule. A status conference will now be held on Dec. 2, which will highlight whether jurisdictional discovery is necessary. Jurisdictional discovery  serves as the process where both parties present evidence to determine if the court has jurisdiction over the case. As Pete’s suit against Cooper highlights an aspect of the trial surrounding the 2020 shooting, the original case brought against Tory Lanez — real name Daystar Peterson — had an interesting update. Peterson filed various petitions to overturn his conviction and decade-long sentence. His newest petition alleged the prosecution failed to preserve evidence that could have been useful to the defense, according to a court document obtained by journalist Meghann Cuniff. “[Peterson] asserts that the prosecution misplaced and failed to preserve the firearm as well as the shell casings and bullet fragments, which precludes him from testing those items and DNA material,” the court document read. The Los Angeles County Superior Court officially denied Peterson’s petition, noting that he failed to provide evidence to support his allegations. To further prove that the firearm never went missing, the court included three declarations from three figures — two of which came from the Los Angeles Police Department. Martin Preciado, a senior property officer for LAPD, signed a declaration that verified the Evidence and Property Management Division’s possession of the firearm, its magazine along with the bullet casings and fragments. A criminalist by the name of Randy Zapeda, who works for LAPD’s Forensic Science Division, conducted a DNA analysis of the firearm. Zapeda would later testify at the trial regarding the results. “The items involved in my analysis were the swab of the handgun, swab of the magazine, and the reference buccal sample from Daystar Peterson,” Zapeda wrote in his declaration.  Another nail in Peterson’s coffin comes in a footnote of the court’s official response to his petitions. The fifth footnote, on page 12, asserts that trial evidence proved Peterson’s guilt and no new evidence established his innocence. As Peterson’s attempts to prove his innocence failed, Pete’s former photographer seems to be hitting a snag in his case against the Houston Hottie.  Ronald L. Zambrano, a west coast based lawyer representing Emilio Garcia — the former photographer in question, missed a pre-trial conference in Manhattan federal court.  Zambrano filed a declaration in an attempt to avoid court sanctions, claiming he thought he could attend the hearing via phone call. He said he didn’t know about the Nov. 6 conference, and he had to learn about it from defense counsel. Upon looking at the public records system, he saw the hearing scheduled for Nov. 6 and he assumed he didn’t have to attend in person. His assumption was due to the widespread participation in remote court proceedings throughout the state of California.  “In retrospect, I should not have assumed that I could have participated in this conference remotely by either telephone or video conference because the word ‘in-person’ was not included in the Court’s order,” Zambrano wrote in the declaration. The California-based lawyer represents Garcia who accuses the Houston Hottie and her management company, Roc Nation, of owing him lost wages. His loss of wages allegedly stems from misclassifying him as a contract employee instead of a full-time employee. Garcia accuses Pete of hostile work environment harassment, noting the time the “Cobra” rapper had sex with another woman in front of him while in a car. Pete would allegedly disparage him for complaining about the incident. Pete’s legal team didn’t hold back when they responded to Garcia’s lawsuit: “[Garcia] is a con artist who is manipulating the judicial system to act as his publicist and bullhorn in a desperate attempt to boost his failed singing career while trying to tear down the successful career of Ms. Pete,” they said in their Mar 29 filing. They denied the alleged incident in the car, noting that Garcia added the allegation for the sake of garnering headlines. Pete’s legal team filed a declaration that alleged that Zambrano has not prosecuted the case diligently, and they asked for the judge to sanction him for $6,000 to cover attorney fees for both Pete and Roc Nation. As the case moved from California to New York, Pete and Roc Nation were able to find legal counsel licensed in New York. The same can’t be said for Zambrano as he and his associates are only licensed in California, and as of Nov. 12, they weren’t able to find local counsel. Zambrano’s troubles appeared to pile up as he had previously told the court that he wasn’t receiving file notices. According to Pete’s legal team, the court directed him to contact the help desk for the electronic filing system. An Oct. 30 filing notes that discussions for a settlement have yet to happen.

The actor files a lawsuit of his own, aimed at the crew of the troubled film "Rust." Alec Baldwin filed a cross-complaint to clear his name in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin said the blame lies with the three crew members and the assistant director who provided ammunition to the set. Baldwin named all the defendants from the 2021 lawsuit that was filed against him by the scriptwriter, Mamie Mitchell. Baldwin claims that he relied on all four to do their job and that Hutchins died as a result of their negligence. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office recently concluded their investigation and local prosecutors are debating on if they should file charges on Baldwin. The cross-complaint contains a lengthy exoneration of Baldwin, complete with text messages and photos from the Sheriff’s investigation. The document faults armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed for failing to do her job properly, which led to a live round being loaded into the gun. The other three named in the complaint are David Halls, the assistant director, Sarah Zachary, the propmaster, and Seth Kenny, the supplier. All four previously denied culpability. Halls was identified in court documents as the one who handed Baldwin the prop firearm. Baldwin accuses the assistant director of failing to check the gun and faults him for falsely clearing the gun of live rounds before handing the gun to Baldwin. Baldwin's complaint faults Gutierrez Reed and it claims that the armorer failed to do her job as well. Read the full complaint below:

Nikita Dragun's arrest and viral plea to stay out of the men's unit of jail has led the influencer to check into a mental facility. Nikita Dragun, beauty influencer and popular YouTuber, was arrested last week for walking around a luxury hotel naked. Dragun was staying at the Goodtime Hotel when police were called for a resident being disorderly and "causing a disturbance." Hotel staff reported that Dragun had been walking around the pool area without her clothes and she had been bothering the other guests. She allegedly refused to quit the behavior despite confrontation from hotel security. By the time police arrived, Dragun had went into her hotel room. When police walked up to her room, music can be heard from the room. Police, accompanied by staff and security, knocked several times on the influencer's door. Once Dragun answered the door, police asked her to turn down the music and she slammed the door in their face. The hotel staff continued to knock and Dragun opened the door agains, asking "Do you want more?" She began swinging while holding an open bottle of water. She soaked a hotel employee and officer with water and she ultimately arrested. Dragun was sent to Miami-Dade County's Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center for felony battery of a police officer, misdemeanor battery, and misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Her bond was $5,000. During her brief time in jail, the now-viral video of her court hearing shows Dragun asking the judge if she can be moved out of the men's unit of the Guilford Knight Correctional Center. via Forty-Ninth Block Media Officials at the correctional center dispute the claims that Dragun was put into the men's unit. Miami-Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation spokesperson Juan Diasgranados wanted to "push back" on the claims reported by many news outlets. "Dragun never made it beyond the booking process prior to release; therefore, she was never place in a men's unit," said Diagranados. "All inmates undergoing our intake process remain in an open seating (open booking) area, in the presence of correctional staff. Additionally, inmate Dragun was place in a holding cell by herself due to her high profile status before being released, and she was escorted by an [LGBTQ+] officer during her time at the corrections facility." Diasgranados said the agency has "procedures in place for the appropriate intake, housing and medical needs of transgender inmates." Dragun's release was just as messy as TikTok star Icy Watt attempted to help with the process. Wyatt posted several TikTok videos about the situation, the first one inquiring whether she should help Dragun. Wyatt likens Nikita's arrest to his own a few months ago. According to Glamour Buff, Wyatt was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer and another person with a gun. He claims that he did not assault the officer and he was complying with the officer, even after he was allegedly hit to the ground. During the series of videos, he claims to have Facetimed Dragun and she appeared messed up. After the Facetime call, Wyatt and his friend went down to free Dragun from prison. In one video , Wyatt said that he paid her bond, which had been reduced to $350. In his latest video regarding the situation, he details how he was sent home by Dragun's manager as they sent a car for her. Wyatt questions that as he originally stitched a video that featured fans picking up the beauty influencer. In one last piece of the puzzle, TMZ reports that Dragun is receiving professional mental help in a facility. Dragun's rep Jack Ketsoyan told TMZ: "We want to thank everyone for the overwhelming love and support for Nikita this time. She is in a safe environment addressing her mental health. We ask for continued respect for her privacy and the sensitivity of this matter as she seeks treatment and healing." Dragun has been open about mental health struggles in the past. In May, she shared in a YouTube video that she had been diagnosed as bipolar.