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USA Today
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Exotic dancer says strip clubs turned away Black dancers. Supreme Court won't get involved.
Exotic dancer says strip clubs turned away Black dancers. Supreme Court won't get involved. Show Caption Hide Caption Religious charter school case lands at Supreme Court SCOTUS hears religious charter school case WASHINGTON − The Supreme Court on June 2 declined to take up a Black adult entertainer's attempt to sue several Houston-area strip clubs for alleged racial discrimination. Chanel Nicholson has accused the clubs of limiting the number of Black dancers on stage at one time. The lower courts dismissed her class action lawsuit saying she waited too long to bring her challenge. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said that decision was "patently erroneous" and the Supreme Court should have intervened. But only one other justice, Sonia Sotomayor, agreed. More: Two men fought for jobs in a river-town mill. 50 years later, the nation is still divided. There's a four-year statute of limitations for claims brought under the federal law guaranteeing racial equality in contractual relationships and a federal district judge said that clock started in 2014 when Nicholson first began working at the clubs. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals backed that decision. Nicholson argues the clock reset every time she was turned away from the stage. In November of 2017, for example, she said she was barred from performing at one club after being told there were 'too many Black girls' working already. She filed her initial suit in 2021 after she said she was again discriminated against. Attorneys for the strip clubs say the statute of limitations applies unless the charge is a hostile work environment, which was not Nicholson's initial claim. Nicholson initially represented herself when filing her appeal but now has attorneys who say the lower courts are divided over whether the statute of limitations can also be waived when someone alleges a pattern of discrimination. Those are among the most important civil rights claims, her attorneys argue. And there should be no artificial cut off, they told the court, when the discriminatory act 'is ongoing and the reason for it is still visible in the mirror.'
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Exotic dancer says strip clubs turned away Black dancers. Supreme Court won't get involved.
WASHINGTON − The Supreme Court on June 2 declined to take up a Black adult entertainer's attempt to sue several Houston-area strip clubs for alleged racial discrimination. Chanel Nicholson has accused the clubs of limiting the number of Black dancers on stage at one time. The lower courts dismissed her class action lawsuit saying she waited too long to bring her challenge. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said that decision was "patently erroneous" and the Supreme Court should have intervened. But only one other justice, Sonia Sotomayor, agreed. More: Two men fought for jobs in a river-town mill. 50 years later, the nation is still divided. There's a four-year statute of limitations for claims brought under the federal law guaranteeing racial equality in contractual relationships and a federal district judge said that clock started in 2014 when Nicholson first began working at the clubs. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals backed that decision. Nicholson argues the clock reset every time she was turned away from the stage. In November of 2017, for example, she said she was barred from performing at one club after being told there were 'too many Black girls' working already. She filed her initial suit in 2021 after she said she was again discriminated against. Attorneys for the strip clubs say the statute of limitations applies unless the charge is a hostile work environment, which was not Nicholson's initial claim. Nicholson initially represented herself when filing her appeal but now has attorneys who say the lower courts are divided over whether the statute of limitations can also be waived when someone alleges a pattern of discrimination. Those are among the most important civil rights claims, her attorneys argue. And there should be no artificial cut off, they told the court, when the discriminatory act 'is ongoing and the reason for it is still visible in the mirror.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court rejects exotic dancer's racial discrimination case
Edmonton Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Zion Williamson accused of sexual violence against woman in lawsuit
Article content Williamson's New Orleans-based attorney, Michael Balascio, called the claims in the lawsuit 'categorically false and reckless,' and accused the plaintiff of extortion, which he said has been reported to law enforcement. 'We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them,' Balascio said in a written statement provided to The Associated Press. 'This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.'
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Zion Williamson accused of sexual violence against woman in lawsuit
Published May 30, 2025 • 2 minute read New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Matt Kelley / AP Zion Williamson is being sued by a woman describing herself as a former dating partner and who alleges the New Orleans Pelicans star committed repeated sexual violence against her. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The civil lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday night, identifies the plaintiff as 'Jane Doe.' She claims she began dating Williamson in 2018, when he played at Duke, and alleges that he engaged in abusive behaviour toward her in California, Louisiana and Texas from 2020 until their relationship ended in 2023. Williamson's New Orleans-based attorney, Michael Balascio, called the claims in the lawsuit 'categorically false and reckless,' and accused the plaintiff of extortion, which he said has been reported to law enforcement. 'We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them,' Balascio said in a written statement provided to The Associated Press. 'This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The lawsuit alleges that the first instance of sexual violence occurred in a home Williamson had rented in Beverly Hills, California. The lawsuit also alleges that Williamson temporarily took the plaintiff's mobile phone from her after the first two instances of forced intercourse and also took her laptop after the second. The complaint includes accusations of strangulation, death threats to the plaintiff and her family, and physical abuse, including being kicked, slammed with a car door, and suffocated until she lost consciousness. 'We're going to be very cautious about litigating this in the press,' said the plaintiff's attorney, Sam Taylor II, who is with the Lanier Law Firm in Los Angeles. 'This is a very serious case as reflected in the allegations in the complaint, which are pretty detailed,' Taylor continued, adding that his client 'genuinely looks forward to her day in court when she can tell a jury of her peers what happened to her and seek justice.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages — including punitive damages — for emotional distress. Balascio said Williamson and the plaintiff 'never dated, but did maintain a consensual, casual relationship that began more than six years ago,' when Williamson was 18. 'At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns,' Balascio said, adding that 'only after the friendship ended did she begin demanding millions of dollars.' Williamson also intends to file counterclaims and 'seek significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit,' Balascio said. A Pelicans spokesman said the club was aware of the matter but deferred comment to Williamson's lawyer. Williamson was the first player picked in the 2019 draft. In six years as a pro, he has averaged 24.7 points per game. But has played in only 214 of 472 regular season games — and no playoff games — during that span because of a series of injuries, one of which caused him to miss the entire 2021-22 season. Toronto & GTA World Toronto & GTA World Columnists
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Zion Williamson sued by a woman alleging the Pelicans star committed sexual violence against her
Zion Williamson is being sued by a woman describing herself as a former dating partner and who alleges the New Orleans Pelicans star committed repeated sexual violence against her. The civil lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday night, identifies the plaintiff as 'Jane Doe.' She claims she began dating Williamson in 2018, when he played at Duke, and alleges that he engaged in abusive behavior toward her in California, Louisiana and Texas from 2020 until their relationship ended in 2023. Williamson's New Orleans-based attorney, Michael Balascio, called the claims in the lawsuit 'categorically false and reckless,' and accused the plaintiff of extortion, which he said has been reported to law enforcement. 'We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them,' Balascio said in a written statement provided to The Associated Press. 'This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.' The lawsuit alleges that the first instance of sexual violence occurred in a home Williamson had rented in Beverly Hills, California. The lawsuit also alleges that Williamson temporarily took the plaintiff's mobile phone from her after the first two instances of forced intercourse and also took her laptop after the second. The complaint includes accusations of strangulation, death threats to the plaintiff and her family, and physical abuse, including being kicked, slammed with a car door, and suffocated until she lost consciousness. 'We're going to be very cautious about litigating this in the press,' said the plaintiff's attorney, Sam Taylor II, who is with the Lanier Law Firm in Los Angeles. 'This is a very serious case as reflected in the allegations in the complaint, which are pretty detailed,' Taylor continued, adding that his client 'genuinely looks forward to her day in court when she can tell a jury of her peers what happened to her and seek justice.' The lawsuit seeks monetary damages - including punitive damages - for emotional distress. Balascio said Williamson and the plaintiff 'never dated, but did maintain a consensual, casual relationship that began more than six years ago,' when Williamson was 18. 'At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns,' Balascio said, adding that 'only after the friendship ended did she begin demanding millions of dollars.' Williamson also intends to file counterclaims and 'seek significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit,' Balascio said. A Pelicans spokesman said the club was aware of the matter but deferred comment to Williamson's lawyer. Williamson was the first player picked in the 2019 draft. In six years as a pro, he has averaged 24.7 points per game. But has played in only 214 of 472 regular season games - and no playoff games - during that span because of a series of injuries, one of which caused him to miss the entire 2021-22 season.
