Latest news with #legalteam
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
James Argent 'hires new legal team' after he was handed suspended jail sentence for pushing his ex Nicoline Arthursson down steps in Spain
James Argent has reportedly hired a new team of lawyers after his court verdict for pushing his ex Nicoline Arthursson down steps in Spain was revealed. The ex- TOWIE star, 37, received a suspended jail sentence earlier this month after he was arrested for pushing Nicoline down some steps at their Spanish home. The former Miss Sweden, 32, suffered several injuries to her neck, arms, hand and leg in the assault, and a two-year restraining order is in place now meaning he's banned from contacting her. After accepting the suspended sentence, it has been claimed that James has moved on from the lawyers who represented him and hired a new legal team. According to The Sun, the lawyers have not been named and it marks his third legal team since the May 5 assault in Spain. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. A legal source told the publication: 'The individual who was convicted has appointed a new barrister and solicitor.' James has been ordered to attend a rehabilitation course aimed at addressing gender violence, and his new lawyers may work with him on the terms of this course. MailOnline has contacted James' representatives for comment. Court papers obtained by The Sun showed James - who raked in £5,000-a-week last year - was only required to pay Nicoline a shockingly low £250 in damages. James has reportedly insisted he's 'feeling good' as he took to the stage at Olivia's La Cala restaurant in Costa del Sol, Spain - close to where he attacked his ex Nicoline. According to The Mirror, James arrived looking glum-faced but was soon working the room with punters prior to his set where he was overheard telling them he was 'feeling good and looking forward to getting on stage'. The TV personality also shared a video on his social media, looking in very high spirits while dancing and singing with the crowd. He was welcomed on stage by the owner of the venue, former TOWIE star Elliot Wright, who spoke of their 'many trials and tribulations', the publication claimed. James' ex-girlfriend Nicoline was left with cuts and bruises to her neck, arms, hand and leg after the fall, according to a court filing. Prosecutors were reportedly pushing to charge James with wounding, which carries a jail sentence of up to nine months. However, the ex-reality star eventually agreed to the lesser offence of mistreatment as part of a plea deal. James was handed a six-month suspended sentence and a restraining order that prevents him from contacting Nicoline for a two-year period. The attack took place at the couple's beachfront home in the early hours of May 5, reportedly after a dispute about James' friendship with ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright. James was reportedly seen flinging clothes belonging to Nicoline from the balcony of their home before aggressively escorting her to the front door. She was then allegedly pushed down some steps in front of the couple's house before falling on the concrete patio. Nicole received treatment from medics at a nearby hospital, while James was arrested shortly after midnight. The suspended sentence means James could still face a jail sentence if he reoffends - and he also has to attend a 10-week-long domestic violence course. The pioneering programme, known as Regener@r, will require him to listen to the testimony of domestic violence survivors and is designed to help men create a new, less toxic form of masculinity. Fans questioned whether James's behaviour was sparked by a return to his wild drug and alcohol abusing days, which saw the reality favourite spend several stints in rehab. James, who over the years has struggled with weight issues and cocaine addiction, has previously suffered two near-fatal drug overdoses as he battled against his demons. The Essex star has been alcohol and drug free since 2022, prioritising rehabilitation, clean living and maintaining a healthy weight after having gastric band surgery. And speaking exclusively to MailOnline, James confirmed he is still sober and the police incident was not triggered by a relapse. James said: 'I haven't relapsed. I am still three years and four months clean and sober. I am devastated by what's happened.'
Fox News
13 hours ago
- Business
- Fox News
Diddy's 'dream team' defense could cost him $15M: expert
Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team for his sex-trafficking and racketeering trial in New York is stacked with a high-profile group of lawyers. Marc Agnifilo, who represented NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere, and Brian Steel, who recently represented rapper Young Thug, are among the team of lawyers listed on Diddy's court docket. The others include Teny Geragos, Anna Estevao, Jason Driscoll, Xavier R. Donaldson and Alexandra Shapiro. Since the musician has a hefty legal team, experts have estimated the price tag for his eight-week trial and months of pretrial motions and preparations will cost him a pretty penny. Civil rights and criminal defense attorney Adante Pointer told Fox News Digital that he believes Combs' legal tab will top $10 million. "When you consider the severity of the potential punishment Diddy is facing if convicted, including life in prison, and the sprawling indictment which alleges RICO charges along with the number of witnesses and locations of the conduct being prosecuted, it's easy to see the legal tab topping $10 million," Pointer said. "I'd suspect Diddy will end up paying at least $15 million for the entire package. This is literally a 'money is no object' defense." The lawyer claimed that Combs' legal tab began "well before" his indictment was made public. "You don't become a billionaire by being clueless and not preparing for a legal battle that will put your life, legacy and wealth on the line. His bill started growing the moment he began conversations with lawyers, their legal staff, private investigators, potential witnesses and all the pretrial preparation that goes into such a complicated case long before it ever went before a jury," Pointer said. Pointer said the group of eight lawyers are likely on Combs' "beck-and-call" with one goal: allowing Combs to walk out of the courtroom a free man. "And that costs a lot of money," Pointer said. Criminal defense attorney John Day compared Combs' case with Alec Baldwin's lawyer Alex Spiro's rate. "By comparison, Alec Baldwin's lawyer, Alex Spiro, was reportedly charging similar clients over $2,000 per hour or roughly about $80,000 a week. And Diddy is no regular client with his life and career on the line. "This kind of intensive work by lawyers on such a complicated case keeps them from taking on other high-paying clients, and I'm sure they're also paying for publicists since this is playing out in the court of public opinion, as well, and everyone is watching," Day said. He told Fox News Digital that he estimates Combs' trial will cost him $15 million "for the entire package." "This is literally a 'money is no object' defense," Day said. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Fox News Digital that Combs will drop eight figures when his trial is all said and done. "Top-tier criminal defense attorneys like Marc Agnifilo and Brian Steel may charge retainers of $1 million or more in complex federal cases like this. In addition to those two, Combs has a small army of lawyers working on the trial," Rahmani said. He estimated Combs' net worth at about $1 billion before his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, accused the rapper of rape in 2018 and domestic abuse. "Combs' life is literally on the line, so money is no object, and he has assembled his version of a 'dream team.'" "The trial is estimated to last up to two months, and the daily cost for all the lawyers, paralegals, assistants, experts and jury consultants may exceed $100,000 for each day of trial. That's not even counting the many months of pretrial work and preparation and the inevitable appeal to the Second Circuit, Supreme Court and lobbying President Trump for a pardon if Combs is convicted," Rahmani said. Combs' sex-trafficking trial began on May 12 with opening statements and is expected to last two months. The rapper is being charged with multiple counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transporting for prostitution in September.
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
James Argent ditches lawyers who kept him out of jail after he assaulted his girlfriend in Spain
EX-TOWIE star James Argent has ditched the lawyers who kept him out of jail after he assaulted his girlfriend. The former reality TV star is now on to his third legal team since the May 5 assault in Spain. 3 3 Argent, 37, struck a deal with public prosecutors and accepted a six-month suspended prison sentence for the attack on former Miss Sweden Nicoline Artursson, 32, at a rented home. She suffered injuries to her neck, arms, hand and leg. He was hauled to Fuengirola's Court of Violence Against Women and admitted the crime of mistreatment. A well-placed legal source said: 'The individual who was convicted has appointed a new barrister and solicitor.' The new lawyers have not been named but may be involved in negotiating terms of a rehabilitation course he has to attend. The ex-Towie star James Argent was ordered to pay his ex-girlfriend just £250 in compensation for attacking her. Argent, 37, was handed a six month suspended prison sentence after hurting Nicoline Artursson at their Spanish home. He frogmarched her to the door of their picturesque beachfront property and pushed her down a set of steps. Cops wanted to charge Argent with wounding but settled for the lesser offence of 'mistreatment' after he agreed to a plea deal. But court papers obtained by The Sun show Argent - who raked in £5,000-a-week last year - was only required to pay Nicoline a paltry £250 in damages. EXCL James Argent arrested for attacking beauty queen who then fell down stairs in Spain & given 6 month suspended sentence 3
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Who is Larry Hoover and why has Trump commuted his federal sentence?
United States President Donald Trump commuted the federal drugs-and-extortion sentence of former Chicago gang leader, Larry Hoover, on Wednesday. Hoover has been serving multiple life sentences following both state and federal convictions over the past five decades. For his federal conviction, Hoover is currently being held at the ADX Florence prison, a federal prison formally known as the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility, in Florence, Colorado. Commuting a sentence means reducing its length or severity, or ending it entirely. The US president has the power to commute federal sentences, but not state sentences. Here is what we know. Hoover, 74, is the cofounder of Gangster Disciples, one of Chicago's most powerful gangs. In a two-page order issued on Wednesday, the Trump administration commuted his federal sentence, considering it served 'with no further fines, restitution, probation or other conditions' and ordering his immediate release, according to a copy of the document from Hoover's legal team seen by The Chicago Tribune. Hoover's lawyers said the order was a vindication of their attempts to have their client's sentence reduced. Lawyers Jennifer Bonjean and Justin Moore said in a statement: 'The Courts have demonstrated a complete unwillingness to consider Mr Hoover's considerable growth and complete rehabilitation. Despite the Court's unwillingness to do the right thing, Mr Hoover has been able to keep his voice alive through the incredible work of many advocates and supporters. Thankfully, Mr Hoover's pleas were heard by President Trump who took action to deliver justice for Mr Hoover.' Lobbying for Hoover's pardon has mounted since Trump appointed Alice Johnson as his 'pardon tsar' in February this year. Johnson was a non-violent drug offender and was sentenced to life in prison in a drug conspiracy case, but was pardoned by Trump in 2020. Hoover has been convicted on both state charges and federal charges. A federal crime is a violation of the US Constitution, possibly spanning multiple states, while a state crime is one that breaks a state law. He was convicted in 1973 on state charges in Illinois for the murder of 19-year-old drug dealer William 'Pooky' Young and sentenced to 200 years in prison. Online state prison records show that Hoover was an inmate at Dixon Correctional Center in western Illinois from 1974. He was accused of continuing to direct the Gangster Disciples from behind bars. In 1997, Hoover was convicted on federal charges of extortion, federal drug conspiracy and continuing to engage in a criminal enterprise. Hoover has spent nearly three decades in solitary confinement at ADX Florence, a maximum security prison in Colorado, according to his lawyers. According to court documents, Hoover was one of the leaders of the gang between 1970 and 1995. The documents state that under Hoover, the Gangster Disciples sold 'great quantities of cocaine, heroin, and other drugs in Chicago'. As of 1995, the gang was believed to have 30,000 members in Chicago and had spread to at least 35 other states, according to an article published by the US Department of Justice that year. However, little is publicly known about the activities of the Gangster Disciples in recent years. ADX Florence in Colorado is a super-max prison, or an administrative maximum (ADX) prison, a control unit prison with the highest level of security. The prison opened in 1994. Prisoners are held in solitary confinement in 12-by-7ft (3.6-by-2 metre) cells with thick concrete walls, and cannot see each other. Inmates sleep on a thin mattress atop a concrete slab. The cells also have a sink, toilet and automated shower. Prisoners may have access to televisions, books or arts-and-crafts materials. Human interaction is very limited in ADX prisons. No, Hoover is still serving his 200-year state sentence following the 1973 Illinois murder conviction. It is not known if or when Hoover might be moved to another prison – such as the Dixon Correctional Center, a medium-security prison in Illinois that opened in 1983 – now that his federal conviction has been commuted, to serve out his state convictions. In the past, Illinois Department of Corrections officials have suggested that Hoover complete his state sentence in federal prison, citing security concerns. The online records at Dixon Correctional Center say that Hoover will not be eligible for parole until October 2062, when he will be 111 years old. It is not clear whether his parole date can be advanced. Presidential clemency is reserved for federal crimes, and not state crimes, according to the US Congress website, so Trump cannot intervene. The power to commute state crimes rests in the hands of the governor of the state. The governor of Illinois is Democrat JB Pritzker, who has so far not spoken about Hoover, nor of any plans to grant him clemency. Performer Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has long advocated for the pardon of Hoover. In 2018, during Trump's first term, Ye requested Trump pardon Hoover. On Ye's 2021 album, Donda, a track called 'Jesus Lord' features a vocal snippet from Hoover's son, Larry Hoover Jr, thanking Ye for bringing up his father's case in the Oval Office. 'Free my father, Mr Larry Hoover Sr,' the junior Hoover is heard saying. Rapper Drake also advocated for Hoover's freedom. In 2021, Ye and Drake set personal tensions aside and collaborated on a 'Free Hoover' concert in Los Angeles. 'WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER,' Ye posted on X after the commutation order. WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER — ye (@kanyewest) May 28, 2025The exact reasoning for Hoover's commutation is unclear. However, it comes amid a spree of commutations and pardons granted by Trump. On Wednesday, Trump issued a pardon for former Republican Congressman Michael Grimm, who was convicted of tax fraud in 2015 and sentenced to several months in prison. On Tuesday, the president pardoned reality television couple Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted of tax evasion and defrauding banks of at least $30m in 2022. Todd Chrisley received a 12-year prison sentence, while his wife was sentenced to seven years.
CNA
3 days ago
- General
- CNA
Former surgeon found guilty in French child sex abuse case
A former surgeon has been found guilty in France in one of the country's worst child sex abuse cases. Joel Le Scouarnec was given a 20-year-jail term, which his legal team said he would not appeal. Ross Cullen reports from Paris.
