
Lawyer says lawsuit is over between ex-NFL star Shannon Sharpe and woman who accused him of rape
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'All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice,' Tony Buzbee said on X, meaning the lawsuit can't be refiled.
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No details were released. The lawsuit had sought $50 million.
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Sharpe called the allegations 'false and disruptive' when the lawsuit was filed in April in Clark County, Nevada. He stepped away from work at ESPN at the time but had pledged to return by the start of the NFL preseason.
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A phone message seeking comment from Sharpe's attorney, David Chesnoff, wasn't immediately returned Friday.
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The woman first met Sharpe at a gym in Los Angeles in 2023 when she was 20 and a nearly two-year relationship followed, according to the lawsuit. Sharpe, 57, was accused of raping the woman in October 2024 and in January.
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'Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship,' Buzbee said. 'After protracted and respectful negotiations, I'm pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution.'
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Sharpe was a four-time All-Pro tight end who played on two Super Bowl-winning teams with Denver and one with Baltimore over 14 seasons from 1990 to 2003. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
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Sharpe retired as the NFL's all-time leader among tight ends in receptions (815), yards receiving (10,060) and touchdowns (62). Those records have been broken.
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6 minutes ago
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Amid Epstein furor, Ghislaine Maxwell seeks relief from U.S. Supreme Court
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Maxwell's lawyers have told the Supreme Court that her conviction was invalid because a non-prosecution and plea agreement that federal prosecutors had made with Epstein in Florida in 2007 also shielded his associates and should have barred her criminal prosecution in New York. Her lawyers have a Monday deadline for filing their final written brief in their appeal to the court. Some legal experts see merit in Maxwell's claim, noting that it touches on an unsettled matter of U.S. law that has divided some of the nation's regional federal appeals courts, known as circuit courts. Mitchell Epner, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice, said there is a chance that the Supreme Court takes up the case, and noted the disagreement among appeals courts. Such a split among circuit courts can be a factor when the nation's top judicial body considers whether or not to hear a case. 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Whether the court would want to take on such a case that represents a political landmine is an open question. The justices hear relatively few cases - about 70 out of more than 4,000 appeals filed at the court each year - and have broad discretion to choose which ones will be on their docket. At least four of the justices must agree in order for the court to take up a case. Jeffrey Epstein This July 25, 2013, file image provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shows financier Jeffrey Epstein. (Florida Department of Law Enforcement via AP, File) Epstein's deal Maxwell's appeal focuses on a deal Epstein struck in 2007 to avoid federal prosecution in part by pleading guilty to state criminal offences in Florida of soliciting prostitution and soliciting minors to engage in prostitution. Epstein then served 13 months in a minimum-security state facility. In 2019, during Trump's first term as president, the U.S. Justice Department charged Epstein in Manhattan with sex trafficking of minors. Epstein pleaded not guilty, but committed suicide before the trial at age 66. Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and convicted the following year after being accused by federal prosecutors of recruiting and grooming girls to have sexual encounters with Epstein between 1994 and 2004. Maxwell failed to convince a trial judge and the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to throw out her conviction based on the 2007 non-prosecution agreement, which stated that 'the United States also agrees that it will not institute any criminal charges against any potential co-conspirators of Epstein.' In the appeal to the Supreme Court, Maxwell's lawyer David Markus said that in its reference to co-conspirators, the Epstein agreement had no geographic limit on where the non-prosecution agreement could be enforced. 'If the government can promise one thing and deliver another - and courts let it happen - that erodes the integrity of the justice system,' Markus told Reuters. 'This isn't just about Ghislaine Maxwell. It's about whether the government is held to its word,' Markus said. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers has urged the Supreme Court to hear Maxwell's appeal given the prevalence of plea agreements in the U.S. criminal justice system and to ensure that the government keeps its promises. The group represents thousands of private lawyers, public defenders, law professors and judges nationwide. It said in a filing to the justices that the lack of a geographic limitation means 'no part of the Department of Justice may institute criminal charges against any co-conspirator in any district.' 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CTV News
36 minutes ago
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Venus Williams' bid for her first winning streak since 2019 ends in a loss to Magdalena Frech in DC
Venus Williams reacts during a match against Magdalena Frech, of Poland, at the Citi Open tennis tournament Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) WASHINGTON — When Venus Williams' bid for her first winning streak since 2019 ended with one last forehand that landed long, the spectators at the D.C. Open's main stadium Thursday night gave her a standing ovation. She responded with a smile and the sort of pirouette and wave she usually reserves for celebrating wins. Williams hadn't competed anywhere in more than a year, and so even if this tournament was over for her after a 6-2, 6-2 loss to 24th-ranked Magdalena Frech in the second round, just being back out there was big for the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion — and her many fans. 'Oh, I had so much fun. Definitely not the result I wanted, but still a learning experience. The part about sport (and) life is that you never stop learning,' the 45-year-old Williams said. 'I got to play a lot of matches here and that definitely was a plus. The fans in D.C. are just epic. I couldn't have been happier with my first week back.' Her victory in the first round Tuesday against 35th-ranked Peyton Stearns made Williams the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova was 47 in 2004. That was Williams' first win in singles since 2023, and she joked afterward that she was motivated to succeed because she wanted to be able to renew her access to the WTA's health insurance plan after being inactive for so long. This hard-court tournament was the first event for Williams since March 2024; she missed time because of surgery for uterine fibroids. 'Health care is so important — and access to health care and being able to see the right and the best doctors for whatever you're going through,' Williams said. 'Obviously it's a fun and funny moment, but it's an issue that people are dealing with, so it is serious.' She won a doubles match in Washington, too, and playing a total of four matches — two each in singles and doubles — across four days finally caught up to her. 'I feel like I ran out of gas today, unfortunately,' Williams said. 'I tried to find the energy, and I didn't find it.' The last time Williams won at least two matches in a row was in August 2019, at the Cincinnati Open, where she put together three consecutive victories before losing to Madison Keys in the quarterfinals. Williams began well against Frech, going up 2-1. But from there, Frech claimed seven straight games to own the first set and lead 2-0 in the second. Frech is a 27-year-old from Poland whose best Grand Slam showing was a run to the fourth round at the 2024 Australian Open before losing to Coco Gauff. 'I can't even imagine how she pushes herself,' Frech said about Williams. 'It's really amazing.' The show under the lights on this evening was all about Williams, whose greeting was much louder when she walked out on court toting a green exercise band. Every time Williams unfurled one of her booming groundstrokes — and make no mistake, she still can hit the ball hard — the crowd in the main stadium let out a roar. The problem for Williams: She frequently was unable to properly calibrate those shots, including when she sailed a forehand way out after rushing forward to get to a short ball off Frech's racket. That gave Frech a 3-2 lead. Williams would drop her head or slump her shoulders after some misses, and she had 14 unforced errors in the opening set, more than twice as many as Frech. Fans often responded with an 'Awwww' right away, before trying to give Williams a boost by yelling support. There were clap-accompanied chants of 'Venus!' when she broke to get within 4-2 in that set. But Williams didn't get another game. 'There's so many learnings from here. I know exactly what I need to work on, where I can improve,' said Williams, who also accepted a wild-card invitation to play in the Cincinnati Open next month. 'The good news is I'm always in control of the point. The important part is to put the ball in.' In other action Thursday, top-seeded Jessica Pegula lost to 2021 U.S. Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, and Emma Raducanu dominated her first career matchup against Naomi Osaka, winning the showdown between past U.S. Open champions 6-4, 6-2. Seeded men advancing included No. 1 Taylor Fritz, No. 4 Ben Shelton, No. 6 Frances Tiafoe, No. 7 Alex de Minaur, No. 8 Daniil Medvedev, No. 12 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and No. 14 Brandon Nakashima. ___ AP tennis: Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press


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36 minutes ago
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New Jersey Little Leaguer plays after judge lifts his suspension for ‘unsportsmanlike' bat flip
DEPTFORD, N.J. — Marco Rocco fidgeted with his helmet and dug in at the plate to chants of 'Marco! Marco!' from his Little League teammates as he settled in for a night of baseball, after his family got mixed up in a court case where a judge — not an umpire or coach — made the call that allowed him to take the field. The 12-year-old played Thursday night for his New Jersey team hours after he faced a suspension from his first state tournament game after he was ejected for flipping his bat as he celebrated a home run. Marco, who's from Haddonfield, New Jersey, tossed his bat in the air on July 16 after his sixth-inning, two-run homer in the final of the sectional tournament. Marco was ejected and suspended for a game over what his family was told were actions deemed 'unsportsmanlike' and 'horseplay.' The family sought an emergency temporary restraining order that would allow him to play in the New Jersey state tournament that started Thursday. He got one. Judge Robert Malestein ruled hours before the game that Marco could play. Joe Rocco, Marco's father, said the experience was 'stressful' but added he was 'just happy my son got to play baseball.' Marco played for Haddonfield against Elmora Little League in the first game of a four-team, double-elimination tournament at the Deptford Township Little League complex. Elmora won 10-0 in a game that was shortened to four innings by the mercy rule. Marco went 0 for 2 with two strikeouts. Marco was on the bench when the game started — his father said it was to ease Marco into the game — but was inserted at third base after Haddonfield's starting pitcher allowed six runs in two-thirds of an inning and was pulled. Little League stood behind its umpires but said it would respect the judge's decision. 'While we continue to follow any orders governed by the court of law, Little League is extremely disappointed that time, energy, and attention were diverted away from our volunteers and communities who are creating positive experiences for all players and families throughout the International Tournament,' Little League International wrote in a statement. 'Trusted by parents and communities around the world, Little League holds the integrity of the game, respect for game officials, and sportsmanship of teams as core tenants of our program. We expect all players, coaches, volunteers, and staff to uphold these values at all times.' The sides made their arguments before a judge in Gloucester County Chancery Division on Thursday afternoon, just hours before the game. The winner of the state tournament advances to the regionals, where it has a chance to move on to the Little League World Series. 'Little League maintains that tournament rules serve as the guide for any determination regarding conduct, of which falls distinctly under the discretion of the umpire,' the baseball organization said. 'As all youth sports officiating continues to face challenges and abuse by parents and fans, and as we face a nationwide shortage of umpires and volunteers, it is more important than ever that we are supportive of Little League umpires, including the judgements and decisions they make at the local league level.' Deptford Little League president Don Bozzuffi made national headlines in 2023 when he threatened to turn unruly spectators into umpires. What makes the ejection and suspension noteworthy is that Little League Baseball posts videos of bat-flip celebrations on social media that do not result in punishment. In fact, Marco has tossed his bat in celebration in prior tournament games without warnings or punishment, according to the court complaint. 'We tried to settle with them. They refused to do it,' Rocco said. 'So I had no other option.' Brian Berkley, the Rocco family attorney, noted Little League has promoted bat-flipping highlights on its website and other social media platforms. 'Let's be clear, there is no express rule in the Little League rule book against flipping a bat in celebration,' Berkley argued. 'When it suits Little League's interest, it not only condones bat flipping, but it actually promotes bat flipping.' Malestein agreed there was a double standard when it came to punishing or promoting bat flipping. 'By punishing this youngster on this occasion and not him on the two prior occasions, or by punishing this youngster and not others, who are on the website and on the social media website, of the X website of Little League baseball, it appears they engaging in an application of their rules which would appear to be arbitrary and capricious,' Malestein said. 'Which is, would be, an abuse of discretion.' Ken Goldin, the owner of Goldin Auctions and star of the reality show 'King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch,' has a son on the Haddonfield team. He said the team was 'surprised' the flip merited an ejection. 'I've seen a lot of Marco bat flips,' Goldin said. 'It was a little high but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. It went straight up and it landed straight down, right where he was. I didn't think it was ridiculous. It certainly was a high flip. It's the championship game, the last inning, it put the game away.' But could this outcome lead to more parents taking blown calls and unhappy outcomes to court? 'I would think so,' Rocco said. 'When I talked about bring a suit against Little League, everyone said, 'You can't do that, you'll never win. Umpires can do whatever they want.' The court decided different today.' ___ Dan Gelston, The Associated Press