Latest news with #SouthernDistrictCourt
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blake Lively Files to Sanction Justin Baldoni Team Over ‘Willfully Improper' Claim of Taylor Swift Extortion
Blake Lively has filed a motion requesting her 'It Ends With Us' co-star and director Justin Baldoni and his team be hit with sanctions after their claims that Lively extorted Taylor Swift in exchange for her public support. In Lively's legal team's the 30-page motion, which was filed Monday in New York's Southern District Court, they state Baldoni's claims have 'no reasonable basis in law and clearly were brought for an improper purpose' and that the claims were filed as an 'obvious' vehicle 'to seed harassing media narratives against Ms. Lively.' 'These public attacks, combined with the Rule 11 Plaintiffs filing numerous claims against Ms. Lively without any basis in law or fact, is willfully improper and warrants sanctions,' the legal document read. In a second motion Monday, the actress' legal team filed to acquire records of the 'It Ends With Us' investigation into its filmmakers' purported sexual harassment. Lively's team submitted the letter motion to 'compel' Wayfarer Studios and the 'It Ends With Us' movie to 'to produce materials' in response to Lively's 'Fourth Set of Requests for Production,' which seeks documents and witness recordings Wayfarer allegedly 'purported 'neutral' workplace investigation into Lively's sexual harassment and retaliation claims.' 'This so-called 'Investigation' is a disingenuous charade. Wayfarer failed (although it was legally required) to investigate Ms. Lively's concerns when she first raised them in May 2023,' the four-page letter submitted to Judge Lewis J. Liman read. 'Had it done so, Ms. Lively would have participated in such an investigation, and it would have substantiated the sexual harassment she suffered while on the set of the film 'It Ends With Us' (the 'Film'), which included (among other things) Mr. Baldoni's unsolicited discussions about his addiction to pornography and sex life, and his improvised intimacy scenes without Ms. Lively's consent.' 'If her complaints were promptly investigated, as the law requires, she may also have been spared the retaliatory smear campaign by Wayfarer and its Co-Defendants,' the letter went on. 'Instead, Wayfarer waited years, until late January 2025, to initiate this Investigation. By that time, Wayfarer had already forcefully publicly denied Ms. Lively's allegations and sued her and several others for $400 million for making the very same allegations that are now the subject of this 'neutral' investigation (for a workplace that no longer exists, the Film set). What's more, by January, its counsel had repeatedly called Ms. Lively a liar in widely-circulated media interviews.' By the end of the letter, Lively's team referred to the requested investigation items as 'highly relevant' and 'necessary' for Lively's team and court to 'ensure that witness engagement has been proper, and have been put at issues by Wayfarer.' Lively's latest hit back at Baldoni comes after Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman has claimed in a new letter that Blake Lively's lawyer threatened to release Taylor Swift's 'private text messages of a personal nature' unless the singer agreed to delete supposedly incriminating texts. Swift's attorney Mike Gottlieb quickly responded, 'This is categorically false. We unequivocally deny all of these so-called allegations, which are cowardly sourced to supposed anonymous sources, and completely untethered from reality.' On Thursday, Lively's attorneys filed a motion to have the letter stricken from the record, which was granted. A spokesperson at the time said in a statement, 'It took the court less than 24 hours to see through Mr. Freedman's irrelevant, improper and inflammatory accusations, strike them, remove them from the court and warn Mr. Freedman that further misconduct may be met with sanctions.' Judge Liman wrote in his ruling, 'The Letter is improper and must be stricken. It is irrelevant to any issue before this Court and does not request any action from this Court … The sole purpose of the Letter is to 'promote public scandal' by advancing inflammatory accusations, on information and belief, against Lively and her counsel.' The post Blake Lively Files to Sanction Justin Baldoni Team Over 'Willfully Improper' Claim of Taylor Swift Extortion appeared first on TheWrap.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mobile convicted felon sentenced for possessing firearm
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — A Mobile man who is a convicted felon has been sentenced for possessing a firearm. Bear bites man in Gulf Breeze According to a news release from the United States Department of Justice, Clifton Deeds, 43, was sentenced to 51 months in prison on two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Court documents show Deeds has been convicted several times in the Mobile County Circuit Court for charges such as burglary, receiving stolen property and fraudulent use of a credit card. Alabama's Southern District Court has also convicted Deeds of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. On Jan. 17, 2024, Mobile police officers were 'investigating a rash of vehicle burglaries' and noticed Deeds in the vehicle described as being involved. They asked permission and searched the vehicle and ultimately located a Taurus handgun under the center console, according to the USDOJ. Another incident occurred on July 11, 2024, when Mobile police officers were patrolling Moffett road and saw Deeds asleep while parked at a gas pump with his foot hanging out of the car. Police asked Deeds to step out of the vehicle for a welfare check and saw a revolver next to him in the front seat. Following Deeds' sentence, he will be on supervised release for three years. The investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Mobile Police Department. Panic at Santa Rosa County baseball field leads to arrest Assistant U.S. Attorney Tandice H. Blackwood prosecuted the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Conor McGregor accuser given extra 180 days to serve summons over alleged US sex assault
The summons was originally issued by Florida's Southern District Court on January 15 and was valid for service within 120 days of that date. Florida based lawyer James R. Dunn, who represents McGregor's accused, forwarded the summons to the Central Office of the High Court after it was issued. An agreement under the Hague convention allows for civil summons issued by a US court to be served by agents instructed by Ireland's Court Service. It's understood an Irish court official subsequently confirmed receipt of the summons and has instructed agents in this country to serve the document on McGregor. However, the summons has yet to be served on McGregor. According to case filings, Mr Dunn applied to the Southern District Court earlier this week for an extension of 60 days. Approving the application on Wednesday, the court ruled: 'The time of service for the amended complaint and summons … is extended 180 days from the date this order is entered. 'This order is of no moment or effect on the 12-month timeline for service by the Irish Garda Síochána of the defendant on Irish soil. The Sunday World revealed last week that Irish court officials had instructed agents in this country to locate McGregor and serve a summons on him, alleging sexual battery, issued by a US court. The summons, once served, will require McGregor to finally respond to a claim he attempted to orally and anally sexually assault a woman in a rest room in the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on June 9 -10, 2023. ADVERTISEMENT The US case alleges McGregor sexually assaulted a woman, identified as Jane Doe in legal documents, on June 9, 2023, as the Miami Heat played the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The document continues that McGregor 'intentionally engaged in unlawful sexual contact.. without her consent or permission'. It states she is seeking in excess of the jurisdictional threshold of the court of $75,000. It also says the identity of the complainant, referred to in the complaint as 'Jane Doe,' 'is known to McGregor; however, she wishes to maintain her anonymity … to avoid embarrassment and shame from the conduct discussed in this complaint'. The legal complaint describes her as being '49 years old, and employed as a Senior Wall Street Vice President at a high-profile financial institution'. The allegations against McGregor were investigated by police at the time and the Miami-Dade State Attorney declined to press charges against McGregor, who said the allegations were false. Police spoke to witnesses who said Jane Doe didn't show 'signs of distress' and seemed 'fine,' with the head of security stating that she went back to her seat and continued socialising with McGregor. McGregor's attorney, Barbara Llanes, previously dismissed the complaint, saying: 'After a thorough investigation at the time, the State's Attorney concluded there was no case to pursue. 'Almost two years and at least three lawyers later the plaintiff has a new false story. We are confident that this case too will be dismissed.'
Sunday World
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Sunday World
Conor McGregor accuser given extra 180 days to serve summons over alleged sex assault
The summons has yet to be served on McGregor. The summons was originally issued by Florida's Southern District Court on January 15th and was valid for service within 120 days of that date. Florida based lawyer James R. Dunn, who represents McGregor's accused, forwarded the summons to the Central Office of the High Court after it was issued. An agreement under the Hague convention allows for civil summons issued by a US court to be served by agents instructed by Ireland's Court Service. It's understood an Irish court official subsequently confirmed receipt of the summons and has instructed agents in this country to serve the document on McGregor. However, the summons has yet to be served on McGregor. According to case filings, Mr. Dunn applied to the Southern District Court earlier this week for an extension of 60 days. Approving the application on Wednesday, the court ruled: 'The time of service for the amended complaint and summons … is extended 180 days from the date this order is entered. McGregor at the Miami Heat basketball game where the incident allegedly took place 'This order is of no moment or effect on the 12-month timeline for service by the Irish Garda Siochana of the defendant on Irish soil. The Sunday World revealed last week that Irish court officials had instructed agents in this country to locate disgraced MMA star Conor McGregor and serve a summons on him, alleging sexual battery, issued by a US court. The summons, once served, will require McGregor to finally respond to a claim he attempted to orally and anally sexually assault a woman in a rest room in the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on June 9th -10th, 2023. Read more The US case alleges McGregor sexually assaulted a woman, identified as Jane Doe in legal documents, on June 9th, 2023, as the Miami Heat played the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The document continues that McGregor 'intentionally engaged in unlawful sexual contact, including attempting to forcefully place his unprotected penis into the mouth and anus of Jane Doe without her consent or permission.' It states she is seeking in excess of the jurisdictional threshold of the court of $75,000. It also says the identity of the complainant, referred to in the complaint as 'Jane Doe,' 'is known to McGregor; however, she wishes to maintain her anonymity … to avoid embarrassment and shame from the conduct discussed in this complaint. The legal complaint describes her as being '49 years old, and employed as a Senior Wall Street Vice President at a high-profile financial institution'. The allegations against McGregor were investigated by police at the time and the Miami-Dade State Attorney declined to press charges against McGregor, who said the allegations were false. Police spoke to witnesses who said Jane Doe didn't show 'signs of distress' and seemed 'fine,' with the head of security stating that she went back to her seat and continued socialising with McGregor. McGregor's attorney, Barbara Llanes, previously dismissed the complaint, saying: 'After a thorough investigation at the time, the State's Attorney concluded there was no case to pursue. 'Almost two years and at least three lawyers later the plaintiff has a new false story. We are confident that this case too will be dismissed.'
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
US court issues summons on Conor McGregor over Miami restroom sexual assault allegations
The summons, once served, will require McGregor to respond to a claim he attempted to sexually assault a woman in a restroom in the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on June 9 and 10, 2023. The summons was issued by Florida's Southern District Court on January 15 and is valid for service within 100 days of that date. In the event the summons is not served within the 100-day deadline, an extension must be sought by the woman's lawyers. It's understood Florida-based lawyer James R. Dunn, who represents McGregor's accuser, forwarded the summons to the Central Office of the High Court earlier this year. An agreement under The Hague Convention allows for a civil summons issued by a US court to be served by agents in this country once instructed by Ireland's Court Service. It's understood an Irish court official has since confirmed receipt of the summons and has instructed agents in this country to carry out service on McGregor. Contacted this week, Mr Dunn said he could not comment on the legal proceedings at this time. Once service of the summons is carried out, McGregor will have 21 days to respond to the allegations of sexual battery made against him in Florida. The US lawsuit follows on from the recent civil rape case taken against McGregor by Nikita Hand, which he lost. The US case alleges McGregor sexually assaulted a woman, identified as Jane Doe, on June 9, 2023, as the Miami Heat played the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The complaint alleges that at the end of the game, McGregor engaged in amicable conversation with Jane Doe while Kaseya Center staff and security provided the fighter with access to one or more bottles of Proper 12 Irish Whiskey and Tequila. The complaint states, it was allegedly at this stage: 'Jane Doe's acquaintance stated 'we are leaving,' and, Conor Anthony McGregor's private security or a friend of Conor Anthony McGregor stated, 'Conor told me to come get you,' and grabbed Jane Doe's wrist and led Jane Doe and the acquaintance toward the exit of the Courtside club. 'Before leaving the Courtside Club, Conor Anthony McGregor's friend or security stopped at the entrance to the men's bathroom. 'Jane Doe requested of the friend to let go of her wrist and he said, 'No, Conor will kill me if I lose you'. 'Conor Anthony McGregor then exited the men's bathroom and grabbed Jane Doe's hand or wrist and led her into the men's restroom with her acquaintance to follow.' The complaint continues: 'At that point Conor Anthony McGregor led Jane Doe to the stall, but Kaseya Center Staff and Security would not let Jane Doe's acquaintance into the stall. 'The loud DJ music in the Courtside club and in the bathroom, area made communicating difficult. The complaint also alleges that while Jane Doe was using the toilet, McGregor 'appeared to Jane Doe to be under the influence of intoxicants and out of control' and that he attempted to force her into oral sex. 'Thereafter, Jane Doe pulled her pants up and stood up and attempted to exit the stall,' the complaint states. The filed legal papers then claim the UFC fighter 'slammed Jane Doe against the wall face first and put Jane Doe in an arm lock' before allegedly attempting to 'forcefully' have anal sex with her. 'Jane Doe returned to the Courtside club as she was waiting on her acquaintance to leave the venue.' The document continues that McGregor 'intentionally engaged in unlawful sexual contact' and it states she is seeking in excess of the jurisdictional threshold of the court of $75,000. It also says the identity of the complainant, referred to in the complaint as 'Jane Doe,' 'is known to McGregor; however, she wishes to maintain her anonymity … to avoid embarrassment and shame from the conduct discussed in this complaint'. The legal complaint describes her as being '49 years old, and employed as a Senior Wall Street vice president at a high-profile financial institution'. The allegations against McGregor were investigated by police at the time and the Miami-Dade State Attorney declined to press charges against McGregor, who said the allegations were false. Police said they spoke to witnesses who said Jane Doe didn't show 'signs of distress' and seemed 'fine,' with the head of security stating that she went back to her seat and continued socialising with McGregor. McGregor's attorney, Barbara Llanes, previously dismissed the complaint, saying: 'After a thorough investigation at the time, the State's Attorney concluded there was no case to pursue. 'Almost two years and at least three lawyers later the plaintiff has a new false story. We are confident that this case too will be dismissed.'
