Latest news with #Gerace
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Beverly Hills Skin Whisperer: Jennifer Gerace's Emmy-Ready Revolution
The Beverly Hills Skin Whisperer: Jennifer Gerace's Emmy-Ready Revolution originally appeared on L.A. Mag. If you want to understand Jennifer Gerace, start with what she's not: just another Beverly Hills esthetician with a fancy title. When celebrities call her the "Beverly Hills Skincare Muse"—a nickname that stuck after a client's wife used it—they're acknowledging something the beauty industry's most discerning clients have discovered: Gerace isn't following trends but creating a town where looking camera-ready isn't just vanity but also career currency, Emmy season is skin season. And nobody navigates the high-stakes world of pre-awards skincare like Gerace.L.A. is a city that worships innovation almost as much as it fears aging, and Gerace has mastered both. After years working behind the scenes—14 years as a makeup artist for CNN in D.C., consulting for plastic surgeons, working for Hydra Facial—she noticed a critical gap in the market. "People were just doing whatever the guy next door was doing," she says with characteristic bluntness. "I was able to see everything they were doing wrong."Gerace pioneered bringing exosomes—derived from human tissue and able to "trick your skin into behaving like you're 22"—into her treatments. It's this scientific rigor, coupled with results that speak for themselves, that has celebrities booking months in advance. But it's her work with plasma technology that truly puts her in a category of her own. "Plasma has been around for decades, but it's really just starting to come to the US within the last five years," she explains. Unlike light-based treatments that can trigger hyperpigmentation, her ionic plasma delivers what she calls a "manufactured lightning strike" that vaporizes tissue and kills bacteria without risking technology is so coveted that one Saudi family flew her to Dubai to install all her equipment in their home and train their in-house staff. "They've been scarred by lasers," Gerace explains. "They wanted something they couldn't find anywhere else."For all her technical expertise, it's perhaps Gerace's adaptability that makes her truly indispensable to her clients. She works appointment-only, all hours—sometimes starting at 7 a.m. for clients catching early flights. One client flies in from Boston three times a year for head-to-toe plasma treatments that take three those panicking with just weeks before a big event, Gerace has solutions: "If I have 30 days, I'm going to probably micro-needle twice... If I have a little more than a month, I'm probably going to do plasma, because it's just a better treatment." Her latest innovation? Electromagnetic stimulation, which finds nerve branches and creates intense muscle contractions. "You could never do that on your own," she says of the technique that temporarily reconstructs facial contours without filler. "It's like doing little reps in the face."Gerace doesn't need a storefront on Rodeo Drive or a reality show to build her clientele. She operates entirely by word of mouth, treating entire "friend circles and operations of family members... granddaughters, grandkids, mother, sister, grandmother."In an industry where celebrity endorsements are currency, clients like Bella Thorne and Noah Cyrus speak volumes. Gerace's no-nonsense approach strips away the flowery language of beauty marketing to deliver the real thing: results that stand up to Hollywood's harshest spotlights. For Emmy nominees (and the rest of us), that might be the most valuable red carpet accessory of all. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Prosecutors want strip club owner held in contempt for giving interviews
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Federal prosecutors want to hold Peter Gerace, the convicted owner of Pharaoh's Gentlemen's Club, in criminal contempt for giving telephone interviews over the weekend to reporters from jail, which they allege is in violation of a court order. On Saturday, both News 4 and The Buffalo News interviewed Gerace, and published news stories. The government's motion only mentions the Buffalo News story published two days before News 4's report. During the interview with News 4, Gerace criticized how prosecutors handled his case, explained why he chose not to testify in his trial, and discussed his relationship with former DEA agent Joseph Bongiovanni, who was found guilty of seven charges in October, including conspiracy to defraud the United States by shielding Gerace and associates from drug investigations, and obstruction of justice. On Dec. 27, a jury found Gerace guilty of eight of nine charges, including sex and drug trafficking, maintaining Pharaoh's as a drug-involved business, bribing Bongiovanni, and witness tampering. Three days later, Gerace's associate contacted News 4 about interviewing Gerace at the Chautauqua County jail, which prompted the government to push for a gag order to halt his attempts to secure in-person jailhouse interviews. Federal prosecutors argued Gerace could spill sensitive information about his case to reporters in violation of a protective order, planned to discuss concerns he has with the prosecution team, and could potentially use the media to 'threaten or harass victims, witnesses, or others involved in the case.' The affidavit by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Cooper does not specifically mention Gerace speaking with reporters by telephone. In fact, one case he cited was specific to reporters visiting correctional facilities to interview prisoners face-to-face. Cooper's affidavit states prosecutors had no details, 'regarding what type of media, how many individuals would be present, what types of equipment would be brought into the facility, etc.' The government said Gerace must follow the policy of the U.S. Marshals Service, which requires reporters to get five approvals to interview inmates, including from the office that prosecuted him. The policy states that reporters must also get permission from the judge, the prisoner and his/her attorneys, and jail management. On Jan. 8, U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo granted a temporary gag order to 'deny media access to conduct an in-person interview,' with Gerace. On Feb. 18, Mark Foti and Eric Soehnlein, who represent Gerace, responded to the government's motion, stating that while they acknowledge that restricting access to 'face-to-face interviews with media outlets does not violate the First Amendment, so long as there are alternative channels of communication open to inmates and the restriction operates in a neutral fashion without regard to the content of the expression.' In addition, their response includes this footnote: 'The policy appears to restrict media access to in-person or face to face interviews. It is unclear to what extent telephonic interviews or written communication fall within the policy.' But they, too, agreed Gerace is bound by the policy of the U.S. Marshals Service. On Feb. 21, the U.S. Attorneys Office threatened to have an FBI agent present 'to ensure that, if Mr. Gerace does violate the protective order, the government can see the 'contempt or other sanctions' Mr. Gerace concedes are available.' Last week, Vilardo ordered Gerace and Chautauqua County jail management to abide by the policy of the U.S. Marshals Service. But unlike his temporary order, Vilardo's final order does not rule out specific forms of communications with media, such as telephone or letters. News 4 did not request the interview with Gerace; he made an unscheduled call to a member of News 4 Investigates. As a result, on Monday prior to News 4 publishing its report, federal prosecutors filed a motion stating Gerace 'flagrantly violated the Court's order when he gave' the interview to a Buffalo News reporter. 'Mr. Gerace's contempt toward this Court's order is but the latest iteration of his longstanding aversion to complying with the rule of law. This Court should order Mr. Gerace to show cause for why he should not be held in contempt and schedule a hearing— requiring Mr. Gerace's presence—at the earliest opportunity,' states the motion by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Chalbeck, who was part of the team that prosecuted Gerace. Gerace called News 4 Investigates Tuesday afternoon, unaware that prosecutors filed the contempt motion. He said he was under the impression that the policy was in play only for in-person interviews in the jail. Gerace said he now regrets not testifying at his trial. 'Why is the government so bent on trying to keep me quiet?' Gerace said. 'Why are they so afraid of the truth.' 'I don't know how they can stop me from talking to the media,' Gerace said. If Gerace is indeed found to be in contempt, the judge could impose fines and additional jail time. Gerace's attorneys declined to comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pharaoh's owner's attorneys argue he has right to jailhouse interviews
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Attorneys for the convicted owner of Pharaoh's Gentlemen's Club, Peter Gerace, said the government's effort to block him from doing jailhouse interviews would be an 'unwarranted restraint' on his First Amendment rights. On Feb. 3, federal prosecutors requested a gag order on Gerace after learning he requested interviews with reporters at the Chautauqua County Jail, where he remains in custody. Their government's concerns focused on three issues: Gerace could violate a protective order that safeguards sensitive information, he allegedly planned to discuss matters about the presiding judge and prosecutors, and he could use the media to 'threaten or harass victims and witnesses' or use coded messages for nefarious purposes. Prosecutors said a jailhouse interview with Gerace would pose an 'unacceptable risk to the sordid history of witness retaliation and obstruction committed by, and at the behest of, Gerace.' But Gerace's lawyers mostly disagreed. Eric Soehnlein and Mark Foti, Gerace's attorneys, said he has a First Amendment right to speak with the media as long as he follows United States Marshal Service (USMS) policies, and avoids violating a protective order that safeguards sensitive information. The USMS policy requires either Gerace or the reporter to get permission from various people, including the presiding judge, the federal prosecutors, his attorneys, and the Chautauqua County jail. 'To the extent the government identifies legitimate concerns regarding Gerace's potential statements to the media, the proposed gag order does nothing to legitimately address those concerns,' Gerace's attorneys said in their response filed Tuesday. On Dec. 27, 2024, a jury convicted Gerace on eight of nine charges, including sex and drug trafficking, maintaining Pharaoh's as a drug-involved business, and two counts of witness tampering. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Specifically, the jury found the evidence indicated Gerace exploited drug-addicted exotic dancers to traffic them to friends and affluent customers, allowed rampant drug dealing at the club, and ignored heavy drug use among employees and patrons. The jury also found Gerace guilty of bribing former DEA agent Joseph Bongiovanni, a childhood friend, in exchange for inside information that shielded Gerace and associates from law enforcement investigations for at least a decade. On Oct. 10, a separate jury convicted Bongiovanni on seven of 11 charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and distribute drugs, and four counts of obstruction of justice. He faces up to 20 years in prison. But the jury did not convict Bongiovanni of accepting bribes. Gerace's attorneys said it is unclear what the media wants to discuss with Gerace, but prosecutors made assumptions about what they believe he might talk about. 'The government may not like the content of the speech, but the speech itself is permissible. It cannot be lawfully restrained,' his attorneys said. News 4 Investigates had a brief phone conversation with Gerace prior to the request for the gag order. He said he wanted to discuss testimony from witnesses, alleged ethical transgressions by prosecutors, government funds provided to some witnesses for rent and other expenses, and potential sentencing deals some hoped for by testifying. For example, Gerace's former cellmate, Kevin Hughes, had a 'cooperation agreement' with the government. On Dec. 10, Hughes testified he agreed to share details of conversations he had with Gerace in the hope of getting a reduced sentence. Hughes also testified Gerace talked about sex parties at his Clarence home, referenced a dancer who overdosed, and told him, 'You'd be surprised what they'd do for a little bit of product.' The trial included lengthy debate over whether Hughes and another inmate should be allowed to testify. Gerace's attorneys implied the inmates intentionally sought information from Gerace at the behest of federal prosecutors. Ultimately, the judge allowed both inmates to testify. Hughes pleaded guilty in May 2022 to narcotics conspiracy by assisting a drug-trafficking operation. State troopers searched his car and seized more than 19 pounds of methamphetamine, 7 pounds of fentanyl, 5 pounds of cocaine, and cannabis products. He faced between 20 years and life in prison. Almost a month after Gerace's conviction, U.S. District Court Judge John Sinatra sentenced Hughes to time served (17 months) and two years of supervised probation. Gerace's attorneys said the government cannot restrain him from making comments about witnesses who testified against him, because 'the government chose to elicit witness testimony in open court, and the witnesses chose to testify in open court — whether it be for pecuniary gain or for benefits in their own cases.' Prosecutors have until Friday night to respond. Thereafter, U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo could schedule oral arguments or render a decision. Dan Telvock is an award-winning investigative producer and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2018. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
U.S. attorneys submit reasons to stop jailhouse interviews with convicted strip club owner
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Federal prosecutors provided their reasons for a limited gag order for the convicted owner of Pharaoh's Gentlemen's Club to prevent him from doing jailhouse media interviews. In December, a jury convicted club owner Peter Gerace on eight of nine counts, including sex and drug trafficking, witness tampering and maintaining a drug-involved business at Pharaoh's. He is locked up at the Chautauqua County jail and faces up to life in prison at his August sentencing. Judge temporarily blocks media interviews with convicted Pharaoh's owner Prosecutors said a gag order is typically a 'tool of last resort,' but is necessary in this case to protect witnesses, confidential information and prevent him from railing against prosecutors and the court. Gerace is under a protective order that prohibits sharing sensitive information, such as witness identities and their statements, but prosecutors said there is no reason to trust he will comply if he engages in an interview. 'Gerace could also exploit an interview to disseminate messages, coded or otherwise, to others,' prosecutors said in court documents. 'Either risk could place innocent third parties in danger. And once that occurs, the damage will have been done: the government will have no practical recourse if the defendant engages in an interview with the media to disclose the substance of protected materials, or if he manipulates the media to use it as a proxy to broadly transmit veiled threats, or to convey coded messages, for his nefarious purposes.' In addition, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Tripi, Nicholas Cooper and Casey Chalbeck argued that inmates under the control of the U.S. Marshals Service do not have a guaranteed First Amendment right. Both before and after his two-month trial, Gerace sent letters to News 4 Investigates accusing some witnesses of perjury and prosecutors of misconduct. The U.S. Attorneys Office had no comment. Shortly after Gerace's Dec. 27 conviction, a third party contacted News 4 about Gerace's request for a jailhouse interview. Gerace did not testify at his own trial and his defense team did not call any witnesses to 4 Investigates was planning for that interview before the U.S. Attorneys Office requested a temporary halt to give prosecutors and Gerace's defense team time to file their arguments. During a Jan. 21 status conference, Gerace's attorneys, Eric Soehnlein and Mark Foti, said they did not 'entirely understand the media inquiry or what it came from.' Soehnlein said there is a 'mutual understanding' with the government that Gerace must abide by the protective order, and he would need some direction on what information he cannot disclose or discuss. While the judge gave an early indication of what he thought about gagging a defendant, he agreed the concerns about the protective order need to be addressed. 'Let me say this: I don't want to gag Mr. Gerace if he wants to speak to the media,' said U.S District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo. 'I understand that you may feel differently about it, but the decision of what to do is his. And it's not my job to prevent people from speaking to the media when they want to speak to the media.' The government's motion states that U.S. Marshals Service has rules governing media access to federal detainees that require permission from various authorities, including the U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. Marshals Service, defense attorneys and the court. Gerace told News 4 Investigates he was trying to secure permission, but he thought it would be a conflict of interest for the U.S. Attorneys Office to have a say in the matter. Prosecutors noted in their gag order request that Gerace 'intentionally avoided seeking permission from the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Court.' 'The government is very concerned that the defendant will seek to use the media to threaten or harass victims, witnesses, or others involved in this case,' prosecutors said in court documents. Judge extends halt on media interviews for convicted strip club owner Peter Gerace Jr. Prosecutors said if Gerace believes his trial was unfair and has concerns about the government's case and witnesses, he can file them with the court and allow them to litigate the merits of his claims. 'Gerace's apparent disregard for the same set of rules applicable to every other federal inmate marks just another chapter in his now long (and well-documented) history of throwing the law to the wind to achieve his personal ends,' prosecutors said. Gerace's attorneys have until Feb. 18 to respond to the government's gag order request. Dan Telvock is an award-winning investigative producer and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2018. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
