Latest news with #DomPerignon
Sunday World
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Drug dealers who sprayed Dom Perignon from a Rolls-Royce have been jailed for 130 years
The notorious gang have finally been apprehended 12 gangsters who sprayed Dom Perignon from white Rolls-Royce in rap video are jailed for total of 130 years A total of twelve drug dealers who sprayed Dom Perignon from a white Rolls-Royce in a drill rap video to boast about their weapons and wealth have been jailed for 130 years. The Nottingham-based gang used the lyrics and images in their music videos to recruit children into their 'industrial' heroin and crack cocaine ring, a court heard this week. The video in the hired Rolls-Royce shows 20 balaclava-clad young men posing at locations around the St Ann's area of the city. Godpraise Bouwen, 22, who has previous convictions for robbery and knife offences, can be seen rapping about 'junkies asking for testers' and defending his turf. Nottingham Crown Court heard that the gangsters flooded towns across the East Midlands and Aberdeen with Class A drugs. They used children to move and sell their stash to reduce their risk of getting caught - and protected their turf with knives and a loaded pistol. The group were sentenced to a total of 130 years for their role in the drugs gang.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Harvey Weinstein allegedly sexual assaulted same woman: Report
Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Harvey Weinstein have been accused of sexual assault by the same woman. Crystal McKinney , who filed a lawsuit against Combs in May 2024 alleging he drugged and sexually assaulted her, has now been named in an amended complaint filed on May 30, 2025, against disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, 73. The original complaint was first filed in February 2025. The complaint, which is unrelated to Diddy's lawsuit, alleged that Weinstein raped McKinney and a friend in a Manhattan hotel room in 2003, reported People. What is said in the complaint? According to the complaint, Crystal McKinney says she received a call from an unnamed modeling agency executive who told her he had arranged a business meeting with Harvey Weinstein at a popular lounge in New York's West Village that evening. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubre cómo la IA puede ayudarte a invertir como un pro en CFD COinv Más información Undo McKinney brought along her friend and roommate, also a model, hoping Weinstein might consider her for an acting role as well, People reported. The complaint states that once they arrived at the lounge, they waited before being escorted to Weinstein's table. Live Events McKinney then claimed that Weinstein "repeatedly told them that he wanted to get to know both of them better, so he could see their 'real selves' " and suggested that they move the meeting to "discuss potential acting roles" to his place since the lounge was "too loud and crowded," as per the outlet. However, once they got back to the hotel room, McKinney alleges in the complaint that the film producer "plied" them with alcohol, ordering several bottles of "Boulevardier and Dom Perignon" and" vodka cocktails," reported People. McKinney claimed that she was "disgusted but too frightened to voice her opposition" and had been heavily "intoxicated" at the time. In the filing, she claimed that Weinstein's assistant then called the hotel room, and McKinney informed her of what took place. However, instead of "addressing" her complaints, the assistant allegedly told her to "leave the hotel room immediately," reported People. McKinney said she experienced "depression, anxiety, anger, self-blame, suicidal ideation, body image issues and demoralisation." Weinstein was convicted in New York State for rape and sexual assault in 2020 and subsequently sentenced to 23 years in prison. However, his convictions were overturned in April 2024 after the New York Court of Appeals ruled he didn't receive a fair trial because women uninvolved in the charges were allowed to testify, as per the outlet. In January, Weinstein begged a New York judge to move up his retrial date, claiming that he was in poor health and didn't know "how much longer" he could "hold on." He is serving jail time on Rikers Island due to his 2022 convictions for sex crimes charges in California. As for Combs, he is on trial for sex trafficking and racketeering charges, for which he has pleaded not guilty, reported People. (with agency inputs)
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Harvey Weinstein allegedly sexual assaulted same woman: Report
Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Harvey Weinstein accused of sexual assault by same woman Synopsis Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Harvey Weinstein have been accused of sexual assault by the same woman. Crystal McKinney, who filed a lawsuit against Combs in May 2024, accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting her, has now been named in an amended May 30 complaint, which was initially filed in February 2025, against disgraced film producer Weinstein, 73. Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Harvey Weinstein have been accused of sexual assault by the same woman. Crystal McKinney, who filed a lawsuit against Combs in May 2024 alleging he drugged and sexually assaulted her, has now been named in an amended complaint filed on May 30, 2025, against disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, 73. The original complaint was first filed in February 2025. ADVERTISEMENT The complaint, which is unrelated to Diddy's lawsuit, alleged that Weinstein raped McKinney and a friend in a Manhattan hotel room in 2003, reported People. What is said in the complaint? According to the complaint, Crystal McKinney says she received a call from an unnamed modeling agency executive who told her he had arranged a business meeting with Harvey Weinstein at a popular lounge in New York's West Village that evening. McKinney brought along her friend and roommate, also a model, hoping Weinstein might consider her for an acting role as well, People reported. The complaint states that once they arrived at the lounge, they waited before being escorted to Weinstein's then claimed that Weinstein "repeatedly told them that he wanted to get to know both of them better, so he could see their 'real selves' " and suggested that they move the meeting to "discuss potential acting roles" to his place since the lounge was "too loud and crowded," as per the outlet. ADVERTISEMENT However, once they got back to the hotel room, McKinney alleges in the complaint that the film producer "plied" them with alcohol, ordering several bottles of "Boulevardier and Dom Perignon" and" vodka cocktails," reported People. McKinney claimed that she was "disgusted but too frightened to voice her opposition" and had been heavily "intoxicated" at the time. ADVERTISEMENT In the filing, she claimed that Weinstein's assistant then called the hotel room, and McKinney informed her of what took place. However, instead of "addressing" her complaints, the assistant allegedly told her to "leave the hotel room immediately," reported People. McKinney said she experienced "depression, anxiety, anger, self-blame, suicidal ideation, body image issues and demoralisation." ADVERTISEMENT Weinstein was convicted in New York State for rape and sexual assault in 2020 and subsequently sentenced to 23 years in prison. However, his convictions were overturned in April 2024 after the New York Court of Appeals ruled he didn't receive a fair trial because women uninvolved in the charges were allowed to testify, as per the outlet. In January, Weinstein begged a New York judge to move up his retrial date, claiming that he was in poor health and didn't know "how much longer" he could "hold on." He is serving jail time on Rikers Island due to his 2022 convictions for sex crimes charges in California. ADVERTISEMENT As for Combs, he is on trial for sex trafficking and racketeering charges, for which he has pleaded not guilty, reported People. (with agency inputs) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Woman who filed lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy' Combs added to sexual assault complaint against Harvey Weinstein
Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Harvey Weinstein have been accused of sexual assault by the same woman. Crystal McKinney, who filed a lawsuit against Diddy in May 2024, accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting her, has now been named in an amended 30 May complaint, which was initially filed in February 2025, against disgraced film producer Weinstein, 73. (Also Read: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' evidence files reveal a photo of a bikini-clad mega icon, and it's not the Kardashians) The complaint, which is unrelated to Diddy's lawsuit, alleged that Weinstein raped McKinney and a friend in a Manhattan hotel room in 2003, reported People. According to the complaint, McKinney claims she received a call from an unnamed modelling company executive telling her that he had set up a business meeting between her and Weinstein at a popular West Village lounge in the evening. McKinney said she brought along a fellow modelling friend and roommate to see if he would "consider her as well for an acting role," reported the publication. According to the complaint, they arrived at the lounge and waited for the film mogul to arrive before being ushered to his table. McKinney then claimed that Weinstein "repeatedly told them that he wanted to get to know both of them better, so he could see their 'real selves' " and suggested that they move the meeting to "discuss potential acting roles" to his place since the lounge was "too loud and crowded," as per the outlet. However, once they got back to the hotel room, McKinney alleges in the complaint that the film producer "plied" them with alcohol, ordering several bottles of "Boulevardier and Dom Perignon" and" vodka cocktails," reported the publication. McKinney claimed that she was "disgusted but too frightened to voice her opposition" and had been heavily "intoxicated" at the time. In the filing, she claimed that Weinstein's assistant then called the hotel room, and McKinney informed her of what took place. However, instead of "addressing" her complaints, the assistant allegedly told her to "leave the hotel room immediately," reported the publication. McKinney said she experienced "depression, anxiety, anger, self-blame, suicidal ideation, body image issues and demoralisation." Weinstein was convicted in New York State for rape and sexual assault in 2020 and subsequently sentenced to 23 years in prison. However, his convictions were overturned in April 2024 after the New York Court of Appeals ruled he didn't receive a fair trial because women uninvolved in the charges were allowed to testify, as per the outlet. In January, Weinstein begged a New York judge to move up his retrial date, claiming that he was in poor health and didn't know "how much longer" he could "hold on." He is serving jail time on Rikers Island due to his 2022 convictions for sex crimes charges in California. As for Diddy, he is on trial for sex trafficking and racketeering charges, for which he has pleaded not guilty, reported the publication.
CNA
16-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Inside Moet Hennessy's crisis: Dubious deals, soaring prices and hubris
Moet Hennessy, the wine and spirits empire owned by France's LVMH, went from generating €1 billion (US$1.12 billion; S$1.45 billion) in cash in 2019 to burning through €1.5 billion last year, according to documents seen by the Financial Times, as aggressive price increases and an ill-fated acquisition spree hit the luxury group's drinks business. The group behind Dom Perignon champagne and Hennessy cognac has been hard hit by a global downturn in sales of alcoholic drinks. But people familiar with Moet Hennessy's operations say strategic decisions made under the leadership of former chief executive Philippe Schaus, who left the group at the start of 2025, exacerbated its problems. These included a determination to maintain profitability by increasing prices, a hit-and-miss series of deals, and a lossmaking push into direct-to-consumer sales, according to several sources with knowledge of the business and documents reviewed by the Financial Times. Moet Hennessy has been a cash cow for LVMH for years. But in a presentation in February last year, reviewed by the Financial Times, senior managers at the wine and spirits group were issued with stark warnings — 'Need to save cash!' — as budgets came under strain. When a surge in sales during the pandemic-era luxury boom began to go into reverse, management did not respond quickly enough to the ensuing downturn, said one source close to the company. 'It got to a point where it looked like Moet Hennessy could do no wrong,' the person said. 'That's what got them.' The consequences of Moet Hennessy's struggles became clear this month, when the division's newly appointed executives told staff that about 1,200 jobs would be cut as part of a cost-cutting drive, and warned that sales would not bounce back soon. In April, LVMH reported that its wine and spirits sales fell by 9 per cent on an organic basis in the first quarter, compared with a 3 per cent decline across the business as a whole. Moet Hennessy's profits from recurring operations dropped by 36 per cent to €1.35 billion last year. But the spirits business had already been comfortably LVMH's worst-performing division, in terms of sales growth, in the past two years. Leadership changes have followed poor performance. In February, Jean-Jacques Guiony, LVMH's former chief financial officer, was appointed chief executive of Moet Hennessy, replacing Schaus. Alexandre Arnault, son of controlling shareholder Bernard Arnault and a former senior executive at jeweller Tiffany, was installed as Guiony's deputy. Armed with a mandate to turn around performance, the new executives are reviewing the division's portfolio, as well as underperforming ventures, such as its direct to consumer retail business. Its private sales business is also being brought directly under Alexandre Arnault's purview. LVMH and Moet Hennessy declined to comment. Among the issues Guiony addressed in a presentation to staff this month was the extent of recent price rises. He acknowledged that prices had been pushed 'quite high' and that was 'difficult to swallow' for some. Sources told the Financial Times that retailers had begun to balk at the increases Moet Hennessy pushed on to them, after double digit percentage price rises in both 2021 and 2022. Prices across the portfolio had risen by well over a third on average since 2019, the people said, adding that maintaining profit margins had become a mantra internally — even as some managers raised concerns it was unsustainable. In a presentation last year, seen by the Financial Times, Moet Hennessy's then global head of distribution, Jean-Marc Lacave, said it was 'critical' to maintain operating profit margins, telling staff he 'would prefer to do less business and be above 30 per cent.' However, Moet Hennessy reported profit margins of 23 per cent last year. Despite charging far higher prices, sales fell close to 2019 levels, implying substantial volume declines. Lacave left the group at the start of the year. The spirits group's struggles came as it was digesting a series of acquisitions made under former boss Schaus. They were designed to reduce Moet Hennessy's dependence on cognac and champagne, which made up more than 80 per cent of sales at the time. Schaus has held a variety of senior roles at LVMH and became one of Bernard Arnault's close advisers in more than two decades with the group. In 2012, he joined the executive committee and was appointed Moet Hennessy's chair and chief executive five years later. A near €2 billion acquisition spree included the 2021 purchase of a 50 per cent stake in Jay-Z's champagne brand Armand de Brignac — a deal that was, coincidentally, sourced by Alexandre Arnault, who is close with the American rapper — as well as the purchase of Provencal rose brand Minuty in 2023 and Napa Valley winemaker Joseph Phelps in 2022. Schaus — who declined to comment for this story — also signed off on launches of new products, including Volcan tequila and Eminente, a Cuban rum brand. LVMH typically manages most of its dealmaking through a central team that reports to the chief financial officer. But Schaus and his team were given wide discretion to make decisions on deals, particularly smaller transactions, according to two people with knowledge of the set-up. However, that was disputed by another person familiar with the matter, who said any significant acquisition went through LVMH's normal channels. Several deals have so far failed to deliver returns. One source with knowledge of their performance said that, with the exception of the Minuty acquisition and a handful of other deals for other rose wine estates, the initiatives had 'added complexity, lowered margin and drained cash'. Guiony told staff this month that he was reviewing Moet Hennessy's portfolio, particularly brands 'added over the past few years'. Last week, after visiting the White House with his father, Alexandre Arnault was in Napa Valley visiting the Californian wineries. Most of the acquired brands could be kept, Guiony said to staff this month, though their growth plans will be scaled back and costs cut substantially. 'These businesses have been driven by an ambition that is very difficult to accommodate today . . . and we have been planning to develop in many geographies at the same time, which is in my view a mistake,' he said. Under Schaus, Moet Hennessy also accelerated a push into direct to consumer retailing, opening Hennessy stores in China and a Veuve Clicquot outlet at Parisian department store Printemps, as well as selling cases of Dom Perignon and Veuve Clicquot online. The initiative, which is now losing millions of euros per year, according to the people and documents seen by the Financial Times, has also been placed under review. Tannico, an e-commerce joint venture with Campari, launched in 2021, has also been a flop, the people said. Campari did not respond to a request for comment. 'We don't know why these decisions were made [and] we're not going to question them now, but we are going to look at what we should do in the future regarding these activities,' Alexandre Arnault said in this month's staff presentation. Even as Moet Hennessy's sales tumbled last year, LVMH executives pressured the division's managers to find ways to make up a projected €90 million shortfall in operating profit, relative to its 2024 targets. 'We aren't in a position to revise down our target,' Schaus wrote in emails seen by the Financial Times, as he urged teams to cut costs. 'I know each and every one will have many good reasons to argue for lower numbers, but today we need to all rise to the challenge'. One source said it was 'very rare' that a business within LVMH submitted a forecast lower than the year before, adding that it was 'growth, growth at all costs.' 'It was clear [Moet Hennessy] was going to deteriorate further,' the person said. 'But Bernard Arnault didn't want to hear that.'
