Latest news with #Eppinger
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
YSL defendant Christian Eppinger sentenced to decades in prison
The Brief Christian Eppinger, the last defendant in the high-profile YSL RICO case, entered a non-negotiated guilty plea Monday, receiving a 75-year sentence with 40 years to serve in prison, ending the first major YSL trial. Eppinger faced serious charges, including the 2022 shooting of an Atlanta police officer and gang-related crimes, and previously rejected a plea offer that would have sentenced him to life in prison. The YSL trial, Georgia's longest-running criminal trial, ignited debate over the use of rap lyrics as evidence and the application of the state's RICO law, concluding with a mix of acquittals, plea deals, and convictions. FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The last defendant in the massive YSL RICO case, Christian Eppinger, appeared in a Fulton County courtroom on Monday morning to enter a non-negotiated plea. Until his appearance, it was unknown if he would enter a plea or if jury selection would begin today. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker, who took over the YSL trial from the original judge, sentenced Eppinger, who was facing multiple charges, to 75 years with 45 years to serve in prison, followed by probation. Some sentences will run concurrently, but others are required by law to be served consecutively. What we know Over the past two weeks, two of the final three defendants in the sprawling case accepted plea agreements, leaving Eppinger, 25, as the last man standing out of the original 28 defendants charged under Georgia's racketeering statute. His case has drawn significant attention, not only for its ties to the YSL investigation but also because of the serious violent charges he faces. Eppinger is accused of shooting Atlanta Police Officer David Rodgers six times in 2022 as Rodgers, a veteran member of the department's gang unit, attempted to serve an arrest warrant. One of the bullets struck Rodgers in the back of the head. Eppinger also faces accusations of stabbing another inmate while in custody at the Fulton County Jail in 2023. Earlier this year, Eppinger rejected a plea deal that would have sentenced him to life in prison. If convicted at trial, he faces the possibility of two life sentences plus an additional 100 years. MOST RECENT STORIES YSL trial to end without any murder convictions after defendant takes plea deal YSL defendant Damekion Garlington sentenced after murder charge dropped Atlanta rapper Yak Gotti heads home from Fulton County Jail Judge rules Young Thug's social media post doesn't violate probation Young Thug could lose his probation deal | Here's what we know Criminal Charges Eppinger faced long list of charges, including: Violation of Georgia's RICO Act Armed robbery First-degree hijacking of a motor vehicle Two counts of attempted murder Multiple counts of possession of a firearm by a first offender probationer Participation in criminal street gang activity Conspiracy to commit a crime What Happened Monday During sentencing, Judge Whitaker pointed to strong evidence against Eppinger, including his own statements and video footage. The judge highlighted that Eppinger instructed a robbery victim to remove earrings during the crime and noted the seriousness of his actions, particularly the attempted murder of a police officer. In that incident, Eppinger was caught on video firing six shots at close range at an officer and later laughing about it. The court emphasized Eppinger's long history of criminal behavior and his violation of probation terms, noting that he was not supposed to possess a firearm when the shooting occurred. His actions, described as showing a lack of remorse and a continued criminal lifestyle, influenced the sentence. The plea deal means Eppinger will avoid trial, wrapping up one of the most high-profile cases linked to the larger YSL indictment. Additionally, his new sentence will run concurrently (at the same time) with the prison time he is already serving from previous convictions, meaning that he is not expected to serve additional time in prison because of these charges. The backstory The YSL trial has gone down as the longest-running criminal trial in Georgia's history. Jury selection alone took 10 months. The trial lasted nearly two years and featured testimony from around 200 witnesses. It was plagued by disruptions, including witness intimidation, arrests of both jurors and attorneys, the replacement of the original judge, and even a stabbing incident involving a defendant in custody. On Oct. 31, 2024, Young Thug pleaded guilty to gang and drug charges. He was sentenced to time served, 15 years of probation, and ordered to stay out of metro Atlanta for a decade (some of those conditions have since been modified). In December, Yak Gotti and Shannon Stillwell faced a jury verdict. Gotti was acquitted of all charges. Stillwell was convicted only of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He received a 10-year sentence, but with credit for time served. He is serving the remainder on probation. RELATED: YSL RICO Trial: Verdicts reached for Deamonte Kendrick (Yak Gotti), Shannon Stillwell Big picture view The YSL case sparked widespread debate over Georgia's use of the RICO law and the role of rap lyrics and social media in criminal investigations. Prosecutors presented music videos and lyrics as evidence of gang affiliation, while defense attorneys pushed back, arguing that artistic expression was being unfairly criminalized. Though prosecutors secured several convictions and plea deals, the mixed outcomes left questions about the strength of their broader narrative—that YSL was more than just a music label.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stewart Named a Winner of the 2025 USA Today Top Workplaces Award
HOUSTON, March 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE:STC) announced today that it has been once again named a winner of the USA Today Top Workplaces Award. Issued by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces, the Top Workplaces program has a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees and recognizing the top organizations across 60 markets for regional Top Workplaces awards. "At Stewart we are striving to be a destination for top talent in the title insurance and real estate industry," said Stewart CEO Fred Eppinger. "Over the years we have strengthened our Employee Value Proposition through a number of improvements to our employee benefits and programs as a direct result of employee feedback. Our employees are the driving-force behind our continued success for more than 130 years and I celebrate this notable recognition with them." Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. Over 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage. Results are calculated by comparing the survey's research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks. "Additionally, we recently received a number of regional recognitions, as well as three Culture Excellence awards for Employee Appreciation, Employee Well-Being and Professional Development," continued Eppinger. "Our ongoing commitment to our employees is to put their health and wellness at the center of our culture as we continue to listen and focus on meaningful professional growth and development." "Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees," said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they're allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends." Stewart is committed to ensuring a better home for all through company culture, customer service excellence, and community and sustainability initiatives. Learn how Stewart is building a company for the next generation and beyond by visiting and find career opportunities at About Stewart Stewart (NYSE-STC) is a global real estate services company, offering products and services through our direct operations, network of Stewart Trusted Providers™ and family of companies. From residential and commercial title insurance and closing and settlement services to specialized offerings for the mortgage and real estate industries, we offer the comprehensive service, deep expertise and solutions our customers need for any real estate transaction. At Stewart, we are dedicated to becoming the premier title services company and we are committed to doing so by partnering with our customers to create mutual success. Learn more at About Energage Making the world a better place to work together.™ Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 19 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit or View source version on Contacts John Chattaway, Stewart Media Relations(713) 625-8180; mediarelations@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stewart Named a Winner of the 2025 USA Today Top Workplaces Award
HOUSTON, March 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE:STC) announced today that it has been once again named a winner of the USA Today Top Workplaces Award. Issued by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces, the Top Workplaces program has a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees and recognizing the top organizations across 60 markets for regional Top Workplaces awards. "At Stewart we are striving to be a destination for top talent in the title insurance and real estate industry," said Stewart CEO Fred Eppinger. "Over the years we have strengthened our Employee Value Proposition through a number of improvements to our employee benefits and programs as a direct result of employee feedback. Our employees are the driving-force behind our continued success for more than 130 years and I celebrate this notable recognition with them." Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. Over 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage. Results are calculated by comparing the survey's research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks. "Additionally, we recently received a number of regional recognitions, as well as three Culture Excellence awards for Employee Appreciation, Employee Well-Being and Professional Development," continued Eppinger. "Our ongoing commitment to our employees is to put their health and wellness at the center of our culture as we continue to listen and focus on meaningful professional growth and development." "Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees," said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they're allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends." Stewart is committed to ensuring a better home for all through company culture, customer service excellence, and community and sustainability initiatives. Learn how Stewart is building a company for the next generation and beyond by visiting and find career opportunities at About Stewart Stewart (NYSE-STC) is a global real estate services company, offering products and services through our direct operations, network of Stewart Trusted Providers™ and family of companies. From residential and commercial title insurance and closing and settlement services to specialized offerings for the mortgage and real estate industries, we offer the comprehensive service, deep expertise and solutions our customers need for any real estate transaction. At Stewart, we are dedicated to becoming the premier title services company and we are committed to doing so by partnering with our customers to create mutual success. Learn more at About Energage Making the world a better place to work together.™ Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 19 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit or View source version on Contacts John Chattaway, Stewart Media Relations(713) 625-8180; mediarelations@
Boston Globe
13-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Boston Globe
‘I wanted the room to be a vibe': A Maine cabin combines luxe and earthy
The 1,700-square-foot home feels as cozy when Fratianne's extended family and friends visit as it does when it's just his wife and young daughter. 'He didn't want people to be sequestered,' Eppinger says, 'so it has just two bedrooms, instead of four, and two pullout sofas.' Eppinger strikes a balance with the aesthetic too, employing earthy materials and nature-inspired patterns with bold color and glam surprises. 'It needed to feel like a cabin that belonged here, but not so authentic that his family wouldn't want to stay,' she says. Knotty-pine paneling envelopes the open living space and a high wall of windows showcases the view. Turn around and the focal point is the stairway to the loft. 'The rail has a Scandinavian sensibility reminiscent of elements you see around town,' Eppinger says. Bookshelves are nestled under the stairway as well as under the eaves of the loft. Comfy escapes include a window seat nook with a wooded view and a curtain that transforms the space into a kid's fort. 'The family loves books and the town has multiple bookstores, so we made it a library loft,' Eppinger says. 'It's both connected to the living space below and a respite.' The kitchen fills one end of the living space, anchored by a backsplash of quarried stone that suggests the cabin was built around an old stone wall. Cabinetry painted olive green and leathered black granite countertops echo the natural landscape. Eppinger turned the range hood into a focal point by wrapping it with a black and white wallpaper mural. 'It feels like a vintage hunting scene,' she says. Advertisement Although Fratianne wanted an Italian range, Eppinger sold him on a French one: a sleek black La Cornue. 'The black blends in and the brass knobs sparkle,' she says. It's just the sort of luxurious touch Fratianne imagined. When it came to the fridge, Eppinger went retro, selecting a black Smeg. 'It's shiny, fun, and far enough away from the range that the look works,' she says. Vintage wood dining chairs — a serendipitous online find — mimic the silhouette of the staircase railing. ('I wasn't even looking for chairs when Etsy suggested them as something I might like,' the designer recalls. 'Yes, I sure do like those chairs!') In the living room, eclectic seating surrounds the woodstove and live-edge wood coffee table: A swooped sofa with a plum-colored linen slipcover, which Eppinger adores in combination with the olive cabinetry; a traditional leather wingback chair from Brimfield Antique Flea Markets; and a spindle side chair with shearling cushions that epitomize mountain vogue. 'The furniture looks like I collected it over the years,' Fratianne says. However, the space that most speaks to the homeowner is the moody lower-level lounge, where he drinks Amaro and listens to music. Here, a copper-colored velvet sofa, shaggy rug, and dark green wallpaper with swooshing skiers play off the family's vintage audio equipment. 'I wanted the room to be a vibe,' Eppinger says. The primary bedroom is done in similarly dusky tones with dark green and white wallpaper, a platform bed upholstered in claret-colored corduroy, and shiny black shadow-box nightstands with brass knobs, which visually echo the range in the kitchen. 'The bedroom is a bit moody and a bit earthy,' Eppinger says. Advertisement The guest bath with its claw-foot slipper tub is the home's most unexpected delight and a prime example of rustic-meets-luxury. 'The fancy claw foot repeats the shiny black and brass of the range, while the vanity is a dresser I found for $20 on Facebook Marketplace,' Eppinger says. Fratianne appreciates every one of Eppinger's juxtapositions. 'Kayleigh immediately understood these moments I wanted to achieve,' he says. 'The surprises don't look out of place or obnoxious, just awesome.' Resources Architectural Designer: Epp Interiors, Contractor: Austin Home Builders, Photographs A cabin in Maine gets a makeover. Erin Little The living room leather pendant lights are by Lostine, and Eppinger's father made the coffee table. Erin Little Designer Kayleigh Eppinger thought the whimsical balusters would be cut to save the budget, but the contractors created them easily. Erin Little Mind the Gap wallpaper inspired by an Austrian ski resort wraps the lower level lounge. Erin Little Eppinger went high/low in the bath with a luxurious tub and an upcycled vanity. Erin Little In the primary bedroom, garden-themed Mind the Gap wallpaper is paired with trim painted Benjamin Moore's Night Owl. Erin Little Marni Elyse Katz is a contributing editor to the Globe Magazine. Follow her on Instagram
