Latest news with #NationalSexualAssaultOnlineHotline
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Boardwalk Empire' Star Michael Pitt Arrested For Alleged Sexual Abuse, Assault
'Boardwalk Empire' star Michael Pitt was arrested in New York City last week on charges of sexual abuse and physical assault, according to court documents. Pitt was arraigned last Friday in Brooklyn and faces criminal charges including two counts each of first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree assault and attempted second-degree assault, as well as one count each of a first-degree criminal sexual act, a third-degree criminal sexual act and second-degree strangulation. The actor is accused of attacking his then-girlfriend in four separate incidents in 2020 and 2021, the New York Post reported Tuesday, citing court documents alleging that he sexually assaulted her, strangled her and hit her with a cement block and a piece of wood on different occasions. Pitt pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released after posting $15,000 bail. Actor Michael Pitt was previously arrested in July 2022 on assault and larceny charges for allegedly hitting a man and taking his phone. PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images 'Unfortunately, we live in a world where somebody like Mr. Pitt — an accomplished professional who would never so much as contemplate these crimes — can be arrested on the uncorroborated word of an unhinged individual,' Pitt's lawyer Jason Goldman told Variety. 'In reality, this baseless claim is suspiciously raised some four or five years after the alleged incident, at a time when the two parties were in a completely consensual and voluntary relationship,' the attorney continued. 'This case will be dismissed.' Representatives for Pitt did not immediately respond to HuffPost's request for comment. The actor was previously arrested in July 2022 on assault and larceny charges for allegedly hitting a man and taking his phone. Pitt was placed on an involuntary psychological hold a few months later after reportedly throwing items at people from a rooftop in Bushwick. The incident was treated as a mental health problem and resulted in no criminal charges. Pitt's next court appearance is currently scheduled for June 17. Need help? Visit RAINN's National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's website. Related...
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Don Lemon Says Woman At CNN Tweaked His Nipples, Alleges Other Sexual Harassment
Don Lemon said he was sexually harassed while at CNN, describing an instance when a woman tweaked his nipples. (Watch the video of the interview below.) Lemon, who was fired by the network in 2023 amid accusations of misogyny after suggesting that Nikki Haley was past her prime, told Bill Maher on the 'Club Random' podcast that he had been victimized. Lemon said he faced misconduct by men and women in the workplace, though not at a Harvey Weinstein level. First on his mind was an incident in CNN's Atlanta cafeteria. 'This woman/young lady tweaked my nipples and said, 'Oh, it's cold in here,'' Lemon recalled in an episode posted Sunday. 'And I said, 'OK, you realize if I did that, they'd be walking me out the door right now. But I didn't care to go to HR. I didn't say anything because ... it's a double standard.' Lemon then delved into an encounter where he hinted a female colleague who knew he's gay made unwanted advances after some drinking at a party. The longtime news personality, who now has a podcast, said having been molested as a child made him understand who has the power. 'As a man, I have the power to say 'I don't wanna do this. ... I don't need to go to HR and ruin your career. I just tell you, I'm not interested in this. You were drunk, we had a couple of drinks ... let's let it go.'' Lemon said he didn't blow the whistle for fear of losing his job but regretted that because the woman was 'mean' to him afterward. A drunken man recently grabbed his penis at a restaurant, he said, but that did not appear to be related to work. HuffPost has reached out to CNN for comment. Fast-forward to 14:28 for Lemon's recollection of harassment: Need help? Visit RAINN's National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's website. Don Lemon Claps Back After Kanye West Called Him Out In Instagram Post Don Lemon Has Blunt Message For Dems Over Obama's 'Cringey' Exchange With Trump Don Lemon Says 'Women Love' Famously-Fired 'Today' Host Matt Lauer
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Nancy Mace Sued For Defamation After Speech Alleging Sexual Assault
One of the four men Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) publicly accused of sexual assault in an hour-long speech last month has filed a defamation lawsuit against her Friday that could challenge the limits of free speech protections on the floor of Congress. The congresswoman took to the House floor Feb. 10 to detail brutal crimes she says were committed against her and other women. 'I rise today to call out the cowards who think they can prey on women and get away with it,' Mace said at the time. 'Today, I'm going scorched earth. So let the bridges I burn this evening light our way forward.' Members of Congress are afforded broad immunity from criminal or civil prosecution in order to encourage free speech and debate. But one of the men Mace named, Brian Musgrave, says the congresswoman's speech was made not in furtherance of any legislation but 'to advance a personal vendetta.' He now demands a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages. Musgrave's complaint began by acknowledging the extent of domestic abuse in the U.S. and stated his 'strong support' for the prosecution of domestic abusers. It went on: '[I]t is with unbridled disgust that Brian Musgrave through this lawsuit is forced to utter the words: 'I am not a rapist.' 'I am not a predator.' 'I am not a sex trafficker.'' Musgrave said in a court filing that he has been friends with Mace's ex-fiance, Patrick Bryant, since high school and owns a beachside condominium with him. Musgrave and Bryant intended to rent out their condo to supplement their income while also reserving it for their families to use on occasion. Mace alleged that Bryant had been an abusive partner in her floor speech last month and said that Musgrave and two other friends took part in the abuse. She accused them of drugging, raping and filming her and other women without their consent. All four men denied her allegations to NBC News. Musgrave's complaint said that Bryant had placed a security camera in the kitchen when he lived at the condo full-time after divorcing his ex-wife, but Musgrave never had access to the footage. Mace has not publicly shared any of the evidence of the assaults that she says the men perpetrated and filmed. The complaint notes that Musgrave 'has no idea what transpired in the intimate relationships between Congresswoman Mace and any of her romantic partners,' including his longtime friend. 'Musgrave can only recall a handful of occasions when he was in the presence of Congresswoman Mace,' the complaint says. The document estimates that Mace's relationship with Bryant began to 'sour' in November 2023, by which point the couple had purchased real estate together. 'On February 10, 2025, Congresswoman Mace was not arguing for the consideration or passage of any proposed legislation,' it goes on. 'Instead, she appeared on the floor to advance a personal vendetta against her ex-fiancé.' Need help? Visit RAINN's National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's website. Nancy Mace Makes Shocking Allegations Against Her Ex-Fiancé Rep. Jasmine Crockett Received 'Completely Inappropriate' Call After Heated Exchange With Rep. Nancy Mace Nancy Mace Erupts At Democrat In Committee Clash, Asks To 'Take It Outside'
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Winston Nguyen, 'Jeopardy' Champ And Teacher, Pleads Guilty To 'Predatory' Crimes Against Kids
A former 'Jeopardy!' champion admitted in a Brooklyn, New York, court Monday to posing as a child online to lure students ― including from the private school where he taught ― into sending sexually explicit images of themselves, amNY reported. Winston Nguyen, 38, pleaded guilty to use of a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Brooklyn district attorney. He will likely receive a seven-year prison sentence. He will be temporarily kept at Rikers Island before his sentencing next month, according to The New York Times. Last July, prosecutors outlined charges that Nguyen catfished underage participants on Snapchat ― some as young as 13 ― into transmitting nude photos and videos of sexual acts between 2022 and 2024. He targeted potential victims from Saint Ann's School, where he taught math, and students from other schools in the area, the DA's office noted. 'Today's plea holds this defendant responsible for his disturbing and predatory conduct while sparing young and vulnerable victims from ever having to testify about their traumatic experiences,' Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement. 'This kind of exploitation of children, made even more distressing by the fact that the defendant was a trusted school figure, will never be tolerated in Brooklyn, and we will continue to expose and root it out.' Nguyen, who previously served time for stealing $300,000 from an elderly couple he cared for, told the Times before his guilty plea, 'I very much take responsibility for my actions. I made bad decisions.' Nguyen won $10,067 on a 2014 episode of 'Jeopardy' and lost his next game. Need help? Visit RAINN's National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's website. 'Jeopardy' Player Thanks Celine Dion, Goes Overboard After He Flubs Dion Clue 'Jeopardy!' Contestant Has The Best Response After Upsetting Taylor Swift Fans Ken Jennings Apologizes To Contestant For Sexist Clue On 'Jeopardy'
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Woman Drops Lawsuit Accusing Jay-Z And Diddy Of Raping Her When She Was 13
An anonymous woman who accused Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Jay-Z of sexually assaulting her at a Manhattan house party she was 13 years old dropped her lawsuit on Friday. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, notified the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York that she is voluntarily dismissing her lawsuit against Combs and Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, according to the filing obtained by HuffPost. The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the woman cannot file it again. Doe was one of more than a hundred people represented by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee who have accused Combs of sexual misconduct. Combs has denied all wrongdoing in connection to multiple ongoing lawsuits as well as a federal sex trafficking case. Doe's lawsuit was the only one to also name Carter, who repeatedly denied the allegations and accused Buzbee of attempting to 'blackmail' him. According to the lawsuit's amended complaint, the woman claims she was given a laced drink at an afterparty in New York City following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. After she became inebriated, Carter and Combs took turns raping her while an unnamed female celebrity watched. She was 13 at the time, and Carter and Combs would've been in their early 30s. Buzbee and the law firm listed as Doe's representation did not immediately respond to HuffPost's questions on the dropped suit on Friday. Meanwhile, Carter called the lawsuit 'without merit' and described the dismissal a victory in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. 'The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims,' Carter wrote. 'I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.' The rapper went on to criticize Buzbee, saying 'the system has failed.' 'This 1-800 lawyer gets to file a suit hiding behind Jane Doe, and when they quickly realize that the money grab is going to fail, they get to walk away with no repercussion,' Carter wrote. 'The court must protect victims, OF COURSE, while with the same ethical responsibility, the courts must protect the innocent from being accused without a shred of evidence.' Combs' attorney did not immediately respond to HuffPost on Friday. Need help? Visit RAINN's National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's website. Sean 'Diddy' Combs Taken From Jail To Hospital For Late-Night MRI Prosecutors Add New Details, Victims To Sean 'Diddy' Combs Case Diddy Files $100M Lawsuit Against NBCUniversal And Peacock Over Documentary
