<p>A senior engineer in the Public Works Department of Arunachal Pradesh allegedly shot himself dead hours after a suicide note left behind by a 19-year-old boy alleged sexual abuse and accused the engineer and an IAS officer. The turn of incidents has sent shockwaves across the state. The first death, on October 23, was of a 19-year-old man who detailed months of sexual abuse, intimidation, and mental torture in his suicide note. “The reason for my death is Talo Potom (IAS). If he hadn’t recruited me to this post, I wouldn’t have committed suicide. Because of him, I did everything I did, and now there’s no way left to live,” the note read.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It also detailed alleged intimate relations, manipulation, broken promises involving money, and subsequent threats. He also wrote that he had contracted HIV and accused one of the officers of abandoning and blackmailing him afterward.</p><p>Hours after the suicide note surfaced, the Public Works Department engineer allegedly shot himself dead.&nbsp;</p><p>The body of the deceased was discovered around 11 am by a neighbour who noticed the door ajar and raised an alarm after receiving no response from inside, said police.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/woman-doctor-at-govt-hospital-in-bengal-attacked-threatened-with-rape-home-guard-among-three-arrested-1761138694655"><strong>Woman doctor at govt hospital in Bengal attacked, threatened with rape; Home Guard among three arrested</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Nirjuli Police Station registered a case of unnatural death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.</p><p>The case took a turn when the deceased’s father filed a First Information Report (FIR) at Nirjuli Police Station, accusing former Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom, currently posted as Secretary of PWD in Delhi, and Likwang Lowang, an executive engineer, of abetment to suicide, sexual exploitation, and mental harassment.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-us-controlled-pak-s-nuclear-arsenal-didn-t-eliminate-aq-khan-on-saudi-pressure-former-cia-agent-1761325963520"><strong>‘US controlled Pak’s nuclear arsenal, didn’t eliminate AQ Khan due to Saudi pressure’: Former CIA agent</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The note revealed alleged intimate relations, instances of manipulation, unfulfilled promises of financial help, and threats. It included a specific statement, “If I die, it will be because of him. Please give me justice.”</p><p>“A suicide note recovered from the deceased categorically names Shri Talo Potom, IAS, who is presently posted at Delhi as Special Secretary, PWD and Shri Likwang Lowang, Executive Engineer (RWD), presently posted at Chiyang Tajo, as the persons responsible for driving him to the brink of despair and ultimately to death,” the FIR read.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-all-is-not-well-with-the-un-jaishankar-slams-pakistan-over-protecting-terror-outfit-trf-in-unsc-1761318154530"><strong>‘All is not well with the UN’: Jaishankar slams Pakistan over protecting terror outfit TRF in UNSC</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He was relentlessly pressured to engage in corrupt practices and to extend illegal favours in matters relating to departmental works and funds by Shri Talo Potom, who later appointed him as MTS on contractual basis and to act on his behest for execution of his illegal works, the FIR mentions. “Thereafter, it has also been alleged that the alleged accused person has sexually exploited him...”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The family submitted a letter to authorities requesting that “call records, electronic communications, and other relevant evidence” be examined to ensure that justice is not defeated.</p>

The case took a turn when the deceased’s father filed a police complaint accusing former Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom, currently posted as Secretary of PWD in Delhi, and Likwang Lowang, an executive engineer, of abetment to suicide, sexual exploitation, and mental harassment.

A senior engineer in the Public Works Department of Arunachal Pradesh allegedly shot himself dead hours after a suicide note left behind by a 19-year-old boy alleged sexual abuse and accused the engineer and an IAS officer. The turn of incidents has sent shockwaves across the state. The first death, on October 23, was of a 19-year-old man who detailed months of sexual abuse, intimidation, and mental torture in his suicide note. “The reason for my death is Talo Potom (IAS). If he hadn’t recruited me to this post, I wouldn’t have committed suicide. Because of him, I did everything I did, and now there’s no way left to live,” the note read. It also detailed alleged intimate relations, manipulation, broken promises involving money, and subsequent threats. He also wrote that he had contracted HIV and accused one of the officers of abandoning and blackmailing him afterward. Hours after the suicide note surfaced, the Public Works Department engineer allegedly shot himself dead. The body of the deceased was discovered around 11 am by a neighbour who noticed the door ajar and raised an alarm after receiving no response from inside, said police. Also Read: Woman doctor at govt hospital in Bengal attacked, threatened with rape; Home Guard among three arrested The Nirjuli Police Station registered a case of unnatural death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The case took a turn when the deceased’s father filed a First Information Report (FIR) at Nirjuli Police Station, accusing former Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom, currently posted as Secretary of PWD in Delhi, and Likwang Lowang, an executive engineer, of abetment to suicide, sexual exploitation, and mental harassment. Also Read: ‘US controlled Pak’s nuclear arsenal, didn’t eliminate AQ Khan due to Saudi pressure’: Former CIA agent The note revealed alleged intimate relations, instances of manipulation, unfulfilled promises of financial help, and threats. It included a specific statement, “If I die, it will be because of him. Please give me justice.” “A suicide note recovered from the deceased categorically names Shri Talo Potom, IAS, who is presently posted at Delhi as Special Secretary, PWD and Shri Likwang Lowang, Executive Engineer (RWD), presently posted at Chiyang Tajo, as the persons responsible for driving him to the brink of despair and ultimately to death,” the FIR read. Also Read: ‘All is not well with the UN’: Jaishankar slams Pakistan over protecting terror outfit TRF in UNSC He was relentlessly pressured to engage in corrupt practices and to extend illegal favours in matters relating to departmental works and funds by Shri Talo Potom, who later appointed him as MTS on contractual basis and to act on his behest for execution of his illegal works, the FIR mentions. “Thereafter, it has also been alleged that the alleged accused person has sexually exploited him...” The family submitted a letter to authorities requesting that “call records, electronic communications, and other relevant evidence” be examined to ensure that justice is not defeated.

<p>The case took a turn when the deceased’s father filed a police complaint accusing former Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom, currently posted as Secretary of PWD in Delhi, and Likwang Lowang, an executive engineer, of abetment to suicide, sexual exploitation, and mental harassment.</p>

Engineer shoots self after 19-year-old’s sex abuse charge in suicide note; IAS officer also named in FIR

<p>The verdict in the 2019 Pollachi sexual abuse case in Tamil Nadu was delivered on Tuesday, with the Mahila Special Court in Coimbatore convicting all nine accused and sentencing them to life imprisonment. The court also granted the compensation sought for the victims by the prosecution, acknowledging the trauma they had undergone.&nbsp;<br>The infamous 2019 case involved a gang of men who lured women into false friendships before sexually abusing them and then resorting to blackmail.</p>
<p>Justice R Nandhini Devi, presiding over the Mahila Court, held the nine accused&mdash;Thirunavukarasu, Sabareesan, Vasantha Kumar, Satish, Manivannan, Haranpaul, Babu, Arulanantham, and Arun Kumar&mdash;guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read |<span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-compares-agility-of-indias-modern-weapons-to-maharana-prataps-legendary-horse-chetak-9064665" rel="noopener" target="_blank">PM Modi compares agility of India&rsquo;s modern weapons to Maharana Pratap&rsquo;s legendary horse Chetak</a></strong></p>
<p>The sentences awarded by the court varied in severity based on the charges proved against each accused.<br>Thirunavukarasu and Manivannan received the harshest punishments, with five life sentences each. Sabarirajan was awarded four life terms, Satish three, and Haran Paul also three. Vasanta Kumar received two life sentences, while Babu, Arulanantham, and Arun Kumar were each given one life term.</p>
<p>Multiple life sentences may run consecutively or concurrently, depending on the court&rsquo;s direction. The sentences effectively ensure prolonged incarceration, with the court clearly signalling that the convicts are unfit to re-enter society.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read |<span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/world-saw-the-true-face-of-pak-when-its-army-officials-attended-funerals-of-terrorists-pm-modi-9064451" rel="noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;World saw the true face of Pak when its army officials attended funerals of terrorists&rsquo;: PM Modi</a></strong></p>
<p>Over 200 documents and 400 items of electronic evidence, including forensic-validated videos of the assaults, were presented during the trial.&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;The survivors&rsquo; testimonies, supported by digital proof, were pivotal. No witnesses turned hostile, and the Witness Protection Act ensured their identities and safety,&rdquo; said the public prosecutor.</p>
<p>The case first came to light when a survivor filed a theft complaint, and the probe uncovered a far more sinister pattern of organised sexual abuse and exploitation, involving at least eight women, including a college student. The survivors were sexually assaulted, filmed, and blackmailed for sexual favours and money between 2016 and 2018.<br>The convicts filmed their acts of sexual assault and used the footage to coerce victims into continued exploitation by threatening to leak their videos to their families and communities if they refused to comply.<br>The case was initially probed by the Pollachi Police but was transferred to the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) and later to the CBI.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read |<span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/operation-sindoor-we-demolished-global-universities-of-terrorism-at-bahawalpur-muridke-pm-modi-9061746" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Operation Sindoor | &lsquo;We demolished global universities of terrorism at Bahawalpur, Muridke&rsquo;: PM Modi</a></strong></p>
<p>Outrage erupted after videos of the assaults surfaced online, sparking mass protests and political backlash against the then-ruling AIADMK.&nbsp;<br>Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reacted to the verdict on social media platform X, declaring that justice had finally been served. In a sharp attack on the AIADMK, he said, &ldquo;Justice has been served for the atrocities committed by criminals, including the evil AIADMK office bearer.&rdquo;</p>

India News: The convicts filmed their acts of sexual assault and used the footage to coerce victims into continued exploitation by threatening to leak their videos to their families and communities if they refused to comply.

The verdict in the 2019 Pollachi sexual abuse case in Tamil Nadu was delivered on Tuesday, with the Mahila Special Court in Coimbatore convicting all nine accused and sentencing them to life imprisonment. The court also granted the compensation sought for the victims by the prosecution, acknowledging the trauma they had undergone. The infamous 2019 case involved a gang of men who lured women into false friendships before sexually abusing them and then resorting to blackmail. Justice R Nandhini Devi, presiding over the Mahila Court, held the nine accused—Thirunavukarasu, Sabareesan, Vasantha Kumar, Satish, Manivannan, Haranpaul, Babu, Arulanantham, and Arun Kumar—guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code. Also Read | PM Modi compares agility of India’s modern weapons to Maharana Pratap’s legendary horse Chetak The sentences awarded by the court varied in severity based on the charges proved against each accused. Thirunavukarasu and Manivannan received the harshest punishments, with five life sentences each. Sabarirajan was awarded four life terms, Satish three, and Haran Paul also three. Vasanta Kumar received two life sentences, while Babu, Arulanantham, and Arun Kumar were each given one life term. Multiple life sentences may run consecutively or concurrently, depending on the court’s direction. The sentences effectively ensure prolonged incarceration, with the court clearly signalling that the convicts are unfit to re-enter society. Also Read | ‘World saw the true face of Pak when its army officials attended funerals of terrorists’: PM Modi Over 200 documents and 400 items of electronic evidence, including forensic-validated videos of the assaults, were presented during the trial. “The survivors’ testimonies, supported by digital proof, were pivotal. No witnesses turned hostile, and the Witness Protection Act ensured their identities and safety,” said the public prosecutor. The case first came to light when a survivor filed a theft complaint, and the probe uncovered a far more sinister pattern of organised sexual abuse and exploitation, involving at least eight women, including a college student. The survivors were sexually assaulted, filmed, and blackmailed for sexual favours and money between 2016 and 2018. The convicts filmed their acts of sexual assault and used the footage to coerce victims into continued exploitation by threatening to leak their videos to their families and communities if they refused to comply. The case was initially probed by the Pollachi Police but was transferred to the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) and later to the CBI. Also Read | Operation Sindoor | ‘We demolished global universities of terrorism at Bahawalpur, Muridke’: PM Modi Outrage erupted after videos of the assaults surfaced online, sparking mass protests and political backlash against the then-ruling AIADMK. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reacted to the verdict on social media platform X, declaring that justice had finally been served. In a sharp attack on the AIADMK, he said, “Justice has been served for the atrocities committed by criminals, including the evil AIADMK office bearer.”

Pollachi sexual abuse case: All nine accused held guilty, sentenced to life

<p><em><strong>(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.)</strong></em><br />
<br />
A federal judge, on Wednesday (July 19), rejected former United States President Donald Trump’s request for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-president-trump-asks-for-new-trial-in-e-jean-carroll-sexual-abuse-case-602320">new trial</a> on damages, months after he was found guilty of sexually abusing and defaming the writer E. Jean Carroll. At the time, the court had awarded Carroll $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>US Judge rejects Trump’s arguments</strong></h2>

<p>US District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan, New York dismissed Trump’s arguments to reduce the nearly $3 million in damages to Carroll after she successfully proved her defamation claim against him and an additional pay of around $2 million in damages for her civil battery claim.</p>

<p>The 59-page decision comes as the former US president is also in the midst of appealing the verdict. Trump argued that the damages awarded to Carroll should be reduced to less than $1 million.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the judge dismissed his request and said that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-jury-finds-trump-sexually-abused-writer-e-jean-carroll-rejects-claim-of-rape-in-civil-case-590769">May 9 verdict</a> was neither a “seriously erroneous result” nor a “miscarriage of justice.”&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>‘Grossly excessive’</strong></h2>

<p>Trump, in his appeal, called the $2 million award for sexual abuse “grossly excessive” because such abuse could have included groping Carroll’s breasts through clothing, “which is a far cry from rape,” according to Reuters.</p>

<p>However, the judge clarified that the state of New York defines rape much narrowly than one might think and it was wrong of the former US president to argue that his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-woman-accuses-trump-of-sexual-assault-at-trial-e-jean-carrolls-friend-testifies-588352">behaviour</a> should be excused.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The proof convincingly established, and the jury implicitly found, that Mr. Trump deliberately and forcibly penetrated Ms. Carroll’s vagina with his fingers, causing immediate pain and long lasting emotional and psychological harm,” the US judge wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added, “Mr. Trump’s argument therefore ignores the bulk of the evidence at trial, misinterprets the jury’s verdict, and (ignored) evidence of what actually occurred between Ms. Carroll and Mr. Trump.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Judge Kaplan also rejected Trump’s argument that the $2.7 million award for the defamation claim was “based upon pure speculation,” about how Carroll’s reputation was harmed.</p>

<h2><strong>About the case</strong></h2>

<p>The former magazine advice columnist who first publicly aired her allegations against Trump in 2019, accused the former president of raping her at a luxury department store in Midtown Manhattan back in the 1990s.</p>

<p>Carroll said after raping her, Trump defamed her when she spoke the truth. The writer had sued Trump for battery and defamation in a civil trial. She denied making up her claims to drive publicity for her memoir, “What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the former US president&nbsp;in his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-e-jean-carrolls-rape-claim-ridiculous-disgusting-story-in-video-testimony-at-trial-588675">deposition video</a> denying&nbsp;Carroll’s claims called it “the most ridiculous, disgusting story.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>To make matters worse for Trump, earlier this month, the Department of Justice (DoJ) also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-loses-his-legal-shield-as-doj-reverses-its-position-in-carroll-defamation-lawsuit-614509">said</a> it would not argue that Trump’s derogatory statements regarding Carroll in 2019 were made in official capacity as the president.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.) A federal judge, on Wednesday (July 19), rejected former United States President Donald Trump’s request for a new trial on damages, months after he was found guilty of sexually abusing and defaming the writer E.

(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.) A federal judge, on Wednesday (July 19), rejected former United States President Donald Trump’s request for a new trial on damages, months after he was found guilty of sexually abusing and defaming the writer E. Jean Carroll. At the time, the court had awarded Carroll $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages. US Judge rejects Trump’s arguments US District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan, New York dismissed Trump’s arguments to reduce the nearly $3 million in damages to Carroll after she successfully proved her defamation claim against him and an additional pay of around $2 million in damages for her civil battery claim. The 59-page decision comes as the former US president is also in the midst of appealing the verdict. Trump argued that the damages awarded to Carroll should be reduced to less than $1 million. However, the judge dismissed his request and said that the May 9 verdict was neither a “seriously erroneous result” nor a “miscarriage of justice.” ‘Grossly excessive’ Trump, in his appeal, called the $2 million award for sexual abuse “grossly excessive” because such abuse could have included groping Carroll’s breasts through clothing, “which is a far cry from rape,” according to Reuters. However, the judge clarified that the state of New York defines rape much narrowly than one might think and it was wrong of the former US president to argue that his behaviour should be excused. “The proof convincingly established, and the jury implicitly found, that Mr. Trump deliberately and forcibly penetrated Ms. Carroll’s vagina with his fingers, causing immediate pain and long lasting emotional and psychological harm,” the US judge wrote. He added, “Mr. Trump’s argument therefore ignores the bulk of the evidence at trial, misinterprets the jury’s verdict, and (ignored) evidence of what actually occurred between Ms. Carroll and Mr. Trump.” Judge Kaplan also rejected Trump’s argument that the $2.7 million award for the defamation claim was “based upon pure speculation,” about how Carroll’s reputation was harmed. About the case The former magazine advice columnist who first publicly aired her allegations against Trump in 2019, accused the former president of raping her at a luxury department store in Midtown Manhattan back in the 1990s. Carroll said after raping her, Trump defamed her when she spoke the truth. The writer had sued Trump for battery and defamation in a civil trial. She denied making up her claims to drive publicity for her memoir, “What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal.” Meanwhile, the former US president in his deposition video denying Carroll’s claims called it “the most ridiculous, disgusting story.” To make matters worse for Trump, earlier this month, the Department of Justice (DoJ) also said it would not argue that Trump’s derogatory statements regarding Carroll in 2019 were made in official capacity as the president. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former US president Trump loses bid for new trial in E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse case

<p>Nearly a month after Former United States President Donald Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse and defamation of magazine writer E. Jean Carroll by a US court, his lawyers on Thursday (June 8) asked for a new trial in the civil case. This also comes after the nine-member jury in Manhattan federal court awarded about $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages to Carroll.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What have Trump’s lawyers said?</strong></h2>

<p>According to Reuters, the request was filed at the Manhattan federal court where Trump’s lawyers called the jury’s $2 million award for the sexual abuse portion of the verdict “excessive” as the six-men and the three-women jury had found that Carroll was not raped.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, the conduct Carroll alleged did not cause any diagnosed mental injury, the court filing by the former US president’s lawyers said. Trump should also pay around $2 million in damages for her civil battery claim, the jury had found last month.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-jury-finds-trump-sexually-abused-writer-e-jean-carroll-rejects-claim-of-rape-in-civil-case-590769">US jury holds Trump guilty of sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll, orders him to pay $5mn damages</a></strong></p>

<p>The former president was asked to pay nearly $2.7 million in damages to Carroll, the jury found, after she successfully proved her defamation claim against him. The jury has awarded a total of about $5 million to the writer, in what was being viewed as a significant defeat for the former president.</p>

<p>However, Trump’s lawyers&nbsp;said that the $2.7 million awarded to Carroll for the defamation claim was “based upon pure speculation.” This also comes as the former president has denied these allegations and has appealed the verdict.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>‘Double recovery’: Trump’s lawyers on&nbsp;second lawsuit</strong></h2>

<p>The former president’s lawyers have also said that Carroll is seeking “double recovery” with the second lawsuit and argued jury’s awards were out of proportion to similar cases asking US District Judge Lewis Kaplan to at least reduce the amount if he chooses to reject their bid for a new trial.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/e-jean-carroll-might-sue-trump-over-cnn-town-hall-remarks-591474">E. Jean Carroll might sue Trump over CNN town hall remarks</a></strong></p>

<p>This comes as Carroll had filed a separate lawsuit in 2019 accusing Trump of defamation and it was not until last year that a second lawsuit for both defamation and battery was filed after New York passed a law which granted sexual assault victims more time to sue even if the statute of limitations had passed.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Carroll, late last month had sought to amend the 2019 lawsuit with a claim for $10 million in additional damages over Trump’s comments during a CNN town hall where he was yet again, insulting and demeaning Carroll and her experience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the CNN event, the former president called the account of a sexual assault a “fake” and “made-up story,” while referring to it as “hanky-panky”. The several disparaging comments elicited applause and laughter from the audience which consisted of Republicans and independent voters.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What was the former US president accused of?</strong></h2>

<p>The former magazine advice columnist who first publicly aired her allegations against Trump in 2019, accused the former president of raping her at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York, back in the 1990s.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-defends-grab-em-by-the-py-remark-during-civil-rape-trial-589043">Donald Trump defends ‘Grab ‘em by the p***y’ remark during civil rape trial</a></strong><br />
<br />
Carroll said after raping her, Trump defamed her when she spoke the truth. Carroll had sued Trump for battery and defamation in a civil trial. Carroll denied making up her claims to drive publicity for her memoir, “What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal,” during the cross-examination, last month.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Nearly a month after Former United States President Donald Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse and defamation of magazine writer E. Jean Carroll by a US court, his lawyers on Thursday (June 8) asked for a new trial in the civil case.

Nearly a month after Former United States President Donald Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse and defamation of magazine writer E. Jean Carroll by a US court, his lawyers on Thursday (June 8) asked for a new trial in the civil case. This also comes after the nine-member jury in Manhattan federal court awarded about $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages to Carroll. What have Trump’s lawyers said? According to Reuters, the request was filed at the Manhattan federal court where Trump’s lawyers called the jury’s $2 million award for the sexual abuse portion of the verdict “excessive” as the six-men and the three-women jury had found that Carroll was not raped. Additionally, the conduct Carroll alleged did not cause any diagnosed mental injury, the court filing by the former US president’s lawyers said. Trump should also pay around $2 million in damages for her civil battery claim, the jury had found last month. ALSO READ | US jury holds Trump guilty of sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll, orders him to pay $5mn damages The former president was asked to pay nearly $2.7 million in damages to Carroll, the jury found, after she successfully proved her defamation claim against him. The jury has awarded a total of about $5 million to the writer, in what was being viewed as a significant defeat for the former president. However, Trump’s lawyers said that the $2.7 million awarded to Carroll for the defamation claim was “based upon pure speculation.” This also comes as the former president has denied these allegations and has appealed the verdict. ‘Double recovery’: Trump’s lawyers on second lawsuit The former president’s lawyers have also said that Carroll is seeking “double recovery” with the second lawsuit and argued jury’s awards were out of proportion to similar cases asking US District Judge Lewis Kaplan to at least reduce the amount if he chooses to reject their bid for a new trial. ALSO READ | E. Jean Carroll might sue Trump over CNN town hall remarks This comes as Carroll had filed a separate lawsuit in 2019 accusing Trump of defamation and it was not until last year that a second lawsuit for both defamation and battery was filed after New York passed a law which granted sexual assault victims more time to sue even if the statute of limitations had passed. Meanwhile, Carroll, late last month had sought to amend the 2019 lawsuit with a claim for $10 million in additional damages over Trump’s comments during a CNN town hall where he was yet again, insulting and demeaning Carroll and her experience. During the CNN event, the former president called the account of a sexual assault a “fake” and “made-up story,” while referring to it as “hanky-panky”. The several disparaging comments elicited applause and laughter from the audience which consisted of Republicans and independent voters. What was the former US president accused of? The former magazine advice columnist who first publicly aired her allegations against Trump in 2019, accused the former president of raping her at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York, back in the 1990s. ALSO READ | Donald Trump defends ‘Grab ‘em by the p***y’ remark during civil rape trial Carroll said after raping her, Trump defamed her when she spoke the truth. Carroll had sued Trump for battery and defamation in a civil trial. Carroll denied making up her claims to drive publicity for her memoir, “What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal,” during the cross-examination, last month. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former US president Trump asks for new trial in E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse case

<p>As part of major overhaul of sex crime legislation, a panel of Japan's Justice Ministry proposed raising the age of consent from 13 to 16. Currently, the Asian country has the lowest age of consent among the developed countries as also among the G7 group.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;move aims to criminalise the grooming of minors and will also expand the definition of rape.</p>

<p>The move&nbsp;comes after a series of rape acquittals in 2019 that sparked an outcry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ministry will also increase the statute of limitation for reporting rape from 10 to 15 years, BBC reported.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-child-sex-abuse-lawsuits-could-trigger-bankruptcy-for-us-church-560940"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Staggering legal costs of over 400 child sex abuse lawsuits threaten bankruptcy for US church</strong></a></p>

<p>The current law states that victims of rape need to prove that "violence and intimidation" were used during the rape and that it was impossible to resist, to secure a conviction.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The panel has not changed this wording but has added other factors including intoxication, drugging, being caught off guard and psychological control into the definition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ministry's official Yusuke Asanuma said that the move isn't made to make it easier or more challenging for the rape victims but that it should make verdicts 'more consistent.'</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-prevent-rape-and-abuse-philippines-raises-age-of-sexual-consent-to-16-459948"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;To prevent rape and abuse, Philippines raises age of sexual consent to 16</strong></a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In countries like Germany and Italy, the age of consent is 14, in Greece and France it is 15 and in the UK and many states of the US, it is 16.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2019, a case in Japan saw a man go free after being accused of having intercourse&nbsp;with his teenage daughter, even though the court agreed that it was done against the wish of his daughter. He was later sent to prison after prosecutors appealed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government could pass this law as early as summer. Despite the&nbsp;potential to change the age of consent, the country will have an exception for intercourse between people who are at least 13 and who have an age gap of less than five years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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As part of major overhaul of sex crime legislation, a panel of Japan's Justice Ministry proposed raising the age of consent from 13 to 16. Currently, the Asian country has the lowest age of consent among the developed countries as also among the G7 group.

As part of major overhaul of sex crime legislation, a panel of Japan's Justice Ministry proposed raising the age of consent from 13 to 16. Currently, the Asian country has the lowest age of consent among the developed countries as also among the G7 group. The move aims to criminalise the grooming of minors and will also expand the definition of rape. The move comes after a series of rape acquittals in 2019 that sparked an outcry. The ministry will also increase the statute of limitation for reporting rape from 10 to 15 years, BBC reported. Also read | Staggering legal costs of over 400 child sex abuse lawsuits threaten bankruptcy for US church The current law states that victims of rape need to prove that "violence and intimidation" were used during the rape and that it was impossible to resist, to secure a conviction. The panel has not changed this wording but has added other factors including intoxication, drugging, being caught off guard and psychological control into the definition. The ministry's official Yusuke Asanuma said that the move isn't made to make it easier or more challenging for the rape victims but that it should make verdicts 'more consistent.' Also read | To prevent rape and abuse, Philippines raises age of sexual consent to 16 In countries like Germany and Italy, the age of consent is 14, in Greece and France it is 15 and in the UK and many states of the US, it is 16. In 2019, a case in Japan saw a man go free after being accused of having intercourse with his teenage daughter, even though the court agreed that it was done against the wish of his daughter. He was later sent to prison after prosecutors appealed. The government could pass this law as early as summer. Despite the potential to change the age of consent, the country will have an exception for intercourse between people who are at least 13 and who have an age gap of less than five years. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Japan to raise age of consent from 13 to 16 after furore over sex crime acquittals

<p>It comes as no surprise that women's conditions in Pakistan are deteriorating.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A new report has shown that Pakistan's Karachi has reported over 200 sexual abuse cases in 2022 with at least six reported in the last three and half months, The News International reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state also saw a disturbing rise in cases of minor girls killed after rape in 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-taliban-kills-six-security-personnel-in-multiple-attacks-in-balochistan-546507"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Pakistani Taliban kill six security personnel in multiple attacks in Balochistan</strong></a></p>

<p>A few days back, on Dec 13, a six-year-old Afghan girl was allegedly raped and killed after she went outside her house. Her body was recovered later from a deserted house near the Gulshan-e-Myanmar Afghan checkpoint.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Dec 08, a teenage girl was raped and murdered by a man in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood. Similarly, on Dec 6, a 12-year-old girl was killed after she was raped&nbsp;in a house located in the Jacob Lines area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Karachi police official data showed that eight out of 216 abuse cases showed that victims were aged five years. Among the remaining 40 were between six and 10, 38 were between 15 and 18 and 95 were over the age of 18.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-central-bank-slams-shehbaz-govts-focus-on-growth-over-financial-stabilty-says-such-economies-face-crisis-546321"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Pak central bank slams Shehbaz govt’s focus on growth over financial stability, warns of economic crisis ahead</strong></a></p>

<p>War Against Rape (WAR) which focuses on investigating these cases stated that such cases until July showed that 42 cases were investigated, and 28 survivors were children amongst 18 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In terms of nature, 64 per cent of the cases were of rape, 18 per cent of gang rape, 12 per cent of incest and six per cent of sexual assault.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Stating possible reasons for such occurrences, many have believed that police negligence or delay is found to be one of the causes for the culprits succeeding in such brutal acts, many have allegedly killed victims' family members to hide their identities or to avoid their arrests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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It comes as no surprise that women's conditions in Pakistan are deteriorating. A new report has shown that Pakistan's Karachi has reported over 200 sexual abuse cases in 2022 with at least six reported in the last three and half months, The News International reported.

It comes as no surprise that women's conditions in Pakistan are deteriorating. A new report has shown that Pakistan's Karachi has reported over 200 sexual abuse cases in 2022 with at least six reported in the last three and half months, The News International reported. The state also saw a disturbing rise in cases of minor girls killed after rape in 2022. Also read | Pakistani Taliban kill six security personnel in multiple attacks in Balochistan A few days back, on Dec 13, a six-year-old Afghan girl was allegedly raped and killed after she went outside her house. Her body was recovered later from a deserted house near the Gulshan-e-Myanmar Afghan checkpoint. On Dec 08, a teenage girl was raped and murdered by a man in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood. Similarly, on Dec 6, a 12-year-old girl was killed after she was raped in a house located in the Jacob Lines area. Karachi police official data showed that eight out of 216 abuse cases showed that victims were aged five years. Among the remaining 40 were between six and 10, 38 were between 15 and 18 and 95 were over the age of 18. Also read | Pak central bank slams Shehbaz govt’s focus on growth over financial stability, warns of economic crisis ahead War Against Rape (WAR) which focuses on investigating these cases stated that such cases until July showed that 42 cases were investigated, and 28 survivors were children amongst 18 years. In terms of nature, 64 per cent of the cases were of rape, 18 per cent of gang rape, 12 per cent of incest and six per cent of sexual assault. Stating possible reasons for such occurrences, many have believed that police negligence or delay is found to be one of the causes for the culprits succeeding in such brutal acts, many have allegedly killed victims' family members to hide their identities or to avoid their arrests. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan's Karachi registers over 200 cases of sexual abuse this year: Report 

<p>Leon Black, the billionaire co-founder of private equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc, was sued on Monday by a woman who said he raped her two decades ago in the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan mansion.</p>

<p>Cheri Pierson said she had been a cash-strapped single mother who had already given Epstein five massages for $300 each, when the financier arranged in the spring of 2002 for her to massage Black for $300.</p>

<p>She said Black, who was eight inches taller and weighed more than twice as much, without her consent physically overwhelmed her and caused "excruciating pain" in their encounter on the third floor of Epstein's home.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jeffrey-epstein-victims-sue-deutsche-bank-jpmorgan-alleging-cover-up-537388">Jeffrey Epstein victims sue Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan alleging cover-up</a></strong></p>

<p>Susan Estrich, a lawyer for Black, called Pierson's lawsuit "categorically false and part of a scheme to extort money from Mr. Black by threatening to destroy his reputation....We intend to defeat these baseless claims."</p>

<p>Pierson's lawsuit in a New York state court in Manhattan seeks unspecified damages from Black for sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and from Epstein's estate for negligence.</p>

<p>Her law firm Wigdor LLP also represents Guzel Ganieva, a former Russian model who in June 2021 sued Black for defamation, saying he falsely claimed she tried to extort him after accusing him of rape.</p>

<p>In a Nov. 19 letter to the Wigdor firm, Estrich said: "Mr. Black never sexually assaulted anyone anywhere at any time." She also said Black may bring defamation claims or seek sanctions if Pierson sued.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/jeffrey-epstein-and-virginia-giuffres-secret-settlement-deal-from-2009-released-442167">Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre's secret settlement deal from 2009 released</a></strong></p>

<p>Lawyers for Epstein's estate did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>

<p>Black is worth $9 billion according to Forbes magazine.</p>

<p>Pierson sued under New York's Adult Survivors Act, a new law giving sexual assault victims a one-year window to sue their alleged abusers, even if the misconduct occurred long ago and statutes of limitations have expired.</p>

<p>Epstein killed himself in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.</p>

<p>His former associate Ghislaine Maxwell is appealing her conviction and 20-year prison sentence for enabling Epstein's abuse of underage girls.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/where-is-jeffrey-epsteins-money-going-448444">Where is Jeffrey Epstein’s money going?</a></strong></p>

<p>Pierson said Epstein had introduced her to Black, describing him as someone who could "help" her, implying financial help.</p>

<p>She said that after the alleged rape, Black began calling her, saying he "wanted to talk" and felt "bad."</p>

<p>Pierson said they met at a bar in the St. Regis Hotel where Black gave her $5,000, ostensibly to reduce her credit card debt.</p>

<p>She said he called later and said "I want to see you," and she refused.</p>

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Leon Black, the billionaire co-founder of private equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc, was sued on Monday by a woman who said he raped her two decades ago in the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan mansion.

Leon Black, the billionaire co-founder of private equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc, was sued on Monday by a woman who said he raped her two decades ago in the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan mansion. Cheri Pierson said she had been a cash-strapped single mother who had already given Epstein five massages for $300 each, when the financier arranged in the spring of 2002 for her to massage Black for $300. She said Black, who was eight inches taller and weighed more than twice as much, without her consent physically overwhelmed her and caused "excruciating pain" in their encounter on the third floor of Epstein's home. ALSO READ | Jeffrey Epstein victims sue Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan alleging cover-up Susan Estrich, a lawyer for Black, called Pierson's lawsuit "categorically false and part of a scheme to extort money from Mr. Black by threatening to destroy his reputation....We intend to defeat these baseless claims." Pierson's lawsuit in a New York state court in Manhattan seeks unspecified damages from Black for sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and from Epstein's estate for negligence. Her law firm Wigdor LLP also represents Guzel Ganieva, a former Russian model who in June 2021 sued Black for defamation, saying he falsely claimed she tried to extort him after accusing him of rape. In a Nov. 19 letter to the Wigdor firm, Estrich said: "Mr. Black never sexually assaulted anyone anywhere at any time." She also said Black may bring defamation claims or seek sanctions if Pierson sued. ALSO WATCH | Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre's secret settlement deal from 2009 released Lawyers for Epstein's estate did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Black is worth $9 billion according to Forbes magazine. Pierson sued under New York's Adult Survivors Act, a new law giving sexual assault victims a one-year window to sue their alleged abusers, even if the misconduct occurred long ago and statutes of limitations have expired. Epstein killed himself in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His former associate Ghislaine Maxwell is appealing her conviction and 20-year prison sentence for enabling Epstein's abuse of underage girls. ALSO READ | Where is Jeffrey Epstein’s money going? Pierson said Epstein had introduced her to Black, describing him as someone who could "help" her, implying financial help. She said that after the alleged rape, Black began calling her, saying he "wanted to talk" and felt "bad." Pierson said they met at a bar in the St. Regis Hotel where Black gave her $5,000, ostensibly to reduce her credit card debt. She said he called later and said "I want to see you," and she refused. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Leon Black accused in lawsuit of raping woman in Jeffrey Epstein's mansion

<p>In a criminal case in California, a former UCLA gynaecologist Dr James Heaps was found guilty on Thursday (October 21),&nbsp;for five charges of sexually assaulting his female patients.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following Heap's arrest in 2019 and the scandal that ensued, UCLA decided to&nbsp;pay out over $700 million to his hundreds of patients&nbsp;for the settlements.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/veteran-tv-presenter-resigns-from-tvnz-following-sexual-harassment-allegations-526241"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Veteran TV presenter resigns from TVNZ following sexual harassment allegations</strong></a></p>

<p>However, the doctor was not found guilty of seven of the 21 counts, the LA jury remained deadlock for eight others. Further more, Heaps pleaded not guilty to 21 counts in the 2009-2018 sexual abuse of seven women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During Heap's 35 year tenure, his patients said he touched them inappropriately made sexual provocative remarks and even performed unceccesary exams.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On of the woman who filed the cases said that the university disregard their complaints and tried to cover up the situation all these years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-kevin-spacey-to-face-trial-in-new-york-for-sexual-assault-claims-523075"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Kevin Spacey to face trial in New York for sexual assault claims</strong></a></p>

<p>Accoridng to attorneys. the university confirmed receiving a sexual abuse report in the year 2017. The university then initiated an inquiry following, which found that the doctor was sexually harassing. But he kept working till 2018 till his retirement, AP reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was charged with several charges of sxual battery through deception, sexual exploitation last year. Despite being charged in relation to sexual battery, exploitation and penetration, he was still not found guilty but the jury remained deadlock for the counts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>November 17 is the date set for his sentence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The $700 million paid in the lawsuit is a record sum for any public institution to pay.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

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In a criminal case in California, a former UCLA gynaecologist Dr James Heaps was found guilty on Thursday (October 21), for five charges of sexually assaulting his female patients.

In a criminal case in California, a former UCLA gynaecologist Dr James Heaps was found guilty on Thursday (October 21), for five charges of sexually assaulting his female patients. Following Heap's arrest in 2019 and the scandal that ensued, UCLA decided to pay out over $700 million to his hundreds of patients for the settlements. Also read | Veteran TV presenter resigns from TVNZ following sexual harassment allegations However, the doctor was not found guilty of seven of the 21 counts, the LA jury remained deadlock for eight others. Further more, Heaps pleaded not guilty to 21 counts in the 2009-2018 sexual abuse of seven women. During Heap's 35 year tenure, his patients said he touched them inappropriately made sexual provocative remarks and even performed unceccesary exams. On of the woman who filed the cases said that the university disregard their complaints and tried to cover up the situation all these years. Also read | Kevin Spacey to face trial in New York for sexual assault claims Accoridng to attorneys. the university confirmed receiving a sexual abuse report in the year 2017. The university then initiated an inquiry following, which found that the doctor was sexually harassing. But he kept working till 2018 till his retirement, AP reported. He was charged with several charges of sxual battery through deception, sexual exploitation last year. Despite being charged in relation to sexual battery, exploitation and penetration, he was still not found guilty but the jury remained deadlock for the counts. November 17 is the date set for his sentence. The $700 million paid in the lawsuit is a record sum for any public institution to pay. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US: Former UCLA gynaecologist found guilty of sexually harassing and abusing his female patients

<p>Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis can breathe a sigh of relief now as the judge handling his sexual abuse case in the southern Italian city of Lecce has ruled in his favour. In his judgement, the judge reportedly stated that there are no grounds to further pursue an investigation into the director’s sexual abuse case.</p>

<p>On Friday, the court passed its judgement on the case and the Italian news Agency ANSA reported the same on Saturday. Elaborating on the final judgement, Haggis’ Italian lawyer Michele Laforgia said in a statement issued on Saturday, “After viewing the evidence and hearing arguments from both sides, the District Court of Lecce, an appellate court with three judges, unanimously rejected a prosecutor’s appeal to have Haggis’ house arrest reinstated.”</p>

<p>The advocate further added, “Two weeks ago, Judge Vilma Gilli of the Court of Brindisi questioned the alleged victim and then immediately overturned Haggis’ house arrest.”</p>

<p>Reports suggest that the prosecutor of Brindisi appealed the decision to the Court of Lecce. However, Haggis’ lawyer&nbsp;presented what he says is “irrefutable and objective evidence that the woman told multiple lies to investigators and the court, with facts and witnesses completely contradicting her story.”</p>

<p>Haggis’ lawyer Laforgia also reportedly&nbsp;stated that the director’s arrest was the result of a judicial error and that the prosecutors must now close the case based on the evidence. He also stated that this is expected to happen in the coming weeks&nbsp;unless new evidence surfaces.</p>

<p>Reports suggest that the Court of Lecce contacted attorneys of both parties&nbsp;on Friday to inform them of the court’s decision that rejected the public prosecutor’s appeal and confirmed the decision made by judge Gilli.&nbsp;Four judges have now ruled in favour of the filmmaker.</p>

<p>“In the coming weeks, the reasons for the decision will be known and, therefore, so will the fate of the judicial proceedings pending in Italy,” Laforgia noted in the statement.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-chris-rock-jokes-about-infamous-oscar-slap-hours-after-will-smiths-apology-video-502127" hreflang="en">Chris Rock jokes about infamous Oscar slap hours after Will Smith's apology video</a></p>

<p>Haggis was previously sued by film publicist Haleigh Breest. She had made allegations of rape against him. Haggis however said that his encounter with Breest was consensual.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis can breathe a sigh of relief now as the judge handling his sexual abuse case in the southern Italian city of Lecce has ruled in his favour.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis can breathe a sigh of relief now as the judge handling his sexual abuse case in the southern Italian city of Lecce has ruled in his favour. In his judgement, the judge reportedly stated that there are no grounds to further pursue an investigation into the director’s sexual abuse case. On Friday, the court passed its judgement on the case and the Italian news Agency ANSA reported the same on Saturday. Elaborating on the final judgement, Haggis’ Italian lawyer Michele Laforgia said in a statement issued on Saturday, “After viewing the evidence and hearing arguments from both sides, the District Court of Lecce, an appellate court with three judges, unanimously rejected a prosecutor’s appeal to have Haggis’ house arrest reinstated.” The advocate further added, “Two weeks ago, Judge Vilma Gilli of the Court of Brindisi questioned the alleged victim and then immediately overturned Haggis’ house arrest.” Reports suggest that the prosecutor of Brindisi appealed the decision to the Court of Lecce. However, Haggis’ lawyer presented what he says is “irrefutable and objective evidence that the woman told multiple lies to investigators and the court, with facts and witnesses completely contradicting her story.” Haggis’ lawyer Laforgia also reportedly stated that the director’s arrest was the result of a judicial error and that the prosecutors must now close the case based on the evidence. He also stated that this is expected to happen in the coming weeks unless new evidence surfaces. Reports suggest that the Court of Lecce contacted attorneys of both parties on Friday to inform them of the court’s decision that rejected the public prosecutor’s appeal and confirmed the decision made by judge Gilli. Four judges have now ruled in favour of the filmmaker. “In the coming weeks, the reasons for the decision will be known and, therefore, so will the fate of the judicial proceedings pending in Italy,” Laforgia noted in the statement. Also read: Chris Rock jokes about infamous Oscar slap hours after Will Smith's apology video Haggis was previously sued by film publicist Haleigh Breest. She had made allegations of rape against him. Haggis however said that his encounter with Breest was consensual.

Court dismisses sexual abuse case against Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis

<p>Filmmaker Paul Haggis can breathe a sigh of relief as a judge in Italy ended his detention on Monday.The judge ordered Haggis released from house arrest while prosecutors decide whether to pursue their investigation into allegations of sexual assault against him, Deadline reported, citing US media.</p>

<p>Haggis had remained under police detention in a hotel in southern Italy since June 19 after an unnamed British woman told police that the director twice had non-consensual sex with her while he was in Italy to participate in an arts festival in the tourist town of Ostuni.</p>

<p>Haggis originally came to Italy to attend the Allora Fest film festival, which he was involved in organizing and where he was due to hold a number of masterclasses when the anonymous complainant flew in to join him. After her police complaint and Haggis’s subsequent arrest came to light the festival went ahead without the director earlier this month, as per Variety.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-%E2%80%98crash%E2%80%99-director-paul-haggis-detained-in-italy-over-sexual-assault-charges-489813">‘Crash’ director Paul Haggis detained in Italy over sexual assault charges</a></p>

<p>Haggis is also facing a court case in the United States, where he is being sued by film publicist Haleigh Breest, who alleges Haggis raped her in January 2013. Breest originally filed the lawsuit in December 2017, although proceedings were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/director-paul-haggis-makes-latest-court-appearance-in-italy-493409">Director Paul Haggis makes latest court appearance in Italy</a></p>


Filmmaker Paul Haggis can breathe a sigh of relief as a judge in Italy ended his detention on Monday.The judge ordered Haggis released from house arrest while prosecutors decide whether to pursue their investigation into allegations of sexual assault against him, Deadline reported, citing US media.

Filmmaker Paul Haggis can breathe a sigh of relief as a judge in Italy ended his detention on Monday.The judge ordered Haggis released from house arrest while prosecutors decide whether to pursue their investigation into allegations of sexual assault against him, Deadline reported, citing US media. Haggis had remained under police detention in a hotel in southern Italy since June 19 after an unnamed British woman told police that the director twice had non-consensual sex with her while he was in Italy to participate in an arts festival in the tourist town of Ostuni. Haggis originally came to Italy to attend the Allora Fest film festival, which he was involved in organizing and where he was due to hold a number of masterclasses when the anonymous complainant flew in to join him. After her police complaint and Haggis’s subsequent arrest came to light the festival went ahead without the director earlier this month, as per Variety. Also Read: ‘Crash’ director Paul Haggis detained in Italy over sexual assault charges Haggis is also facing a court case in the United States, where he is being sued by film publicist Haleigh Breest, who alleges Haggis raped her in January 2013. Breest originally filed the lawsuit in December 2017, although proceedings were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also Read: Director Paul Haggis makes latest court appearance in Italy

Filmmaker Paul Haggis released from house arrest in Italy

<p>Oscar-winning director and screenwriter Paul Haggis was on Sunday detained over sexual assault charges and personal injury accusations in Italy’s Ostuni town by a ‘foreign’ woman who is not of Italian origin. The Hollywood Reporter reported that the woman who pressed the charges against the director claimed that he forced her to engage in sexual intercourse with him in the city for two days.</p>

<p>Haggis was in the Italian city to conduct a few master classes at a Los Angeles-based event called the Allora Fest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The woman was brought to the Papola Casale airport in Italy’s Brindisi, the Italian police said, adding that despite her ‘precarious physical and psychological conditions,’ she left the premises. The woman was then taken to a hospital with the help of the airport crew and police officers, and after reaching there, she pressed formal charges on Haggis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/uk-prosecutors-charge-actor-kevin-spacey-with-sex-crimes-482455">UK prosecutors charge actor Kevin Spacey with sex crimes</a></p>

<p>The woman had ‘formalized her complaint and cited circumstances which were subsequently looked into for confirmation by investigators’, the prosecutors claimed, without disclosing her age and nationality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Previously, in 2018, Paul Haggis had faced similar sexual misconduct accusations by a film publicist named Haleigh Breest. She sued the director for allegedly raping her in 2013 at his apartment after a movie premiere. Later, three more women opened up about being victims of sexual assault by Haggis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kevin-spacey-due-in-uk-court-to-face-sexual-assault-charges-488703">Kevin Spacey due in UK court to face sexual assault charges</a></p>

<p>However, Haggis had denied the claims of these women, saying he was used to defending himself against ‘false allegations’ because he was a notable critic of Scientology.</p>

<p>Haggis is an Academy Award-winning director and writer. He won the best picture and original screenplay awards for his 2004 film ‘Crash’ and also earned an Oscar nod for best-adapted screenplay for ‘Million Dollar Baby’.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With agency inputs)</em></p>


Oscar-winning director and screenwriter Paul Haggis was on Sunday detained over sexual assault charges and personal injury accusations in Italy’s Ostuni town by a ‘foreign’ woman who is not of Italian origin.

Oscar-winning director and screenwriter Paul Haggis was on Sunday detained over sexual assault charges and personal injury accusations in Italy’s Ostuni town by a ‘foreign’ woman who is not of Italian origin. The Hollywood Reporter reported that the woman who pressed the charges against the director claimed that he forced her to engage in sexual intercourse with him in the city for two days. Haggis was in the Italian city to conduct a few master classes at a Los Angeles-based event called the Allora Fest. The woman was brought to the Papola Casale airport in Italy’s Brindisi, the Italian police said, adding that despite her ‘precarious physical and psychological conditions,’ she left the premises. The woman was then taken to a hospital with the help of the airport crew and police officers, and after reaching there, she pressed formal charges on Haggis. Also Read: UK prosecutors charge actor Kevin Spacey with sex crimes The woman had ‘formalized her complaint and cited circumstances which were subsequently looked into for confirmation by investigators’, the prosecutors claimed, without disclosing her age and nationality. Previously, in 2018, Paul Haggis had faced similar sexual misconduct accusations by a film publicist named Haleigh Breest. She sued the director for allegedly raping her in 2013 at his apartment after a movie premiere. Later, three more women opened up about being victims of sexual assault by Haggis. Also Read: Kevin Spacey due in UK court to face sexual assault charges However, Haggis had denied the claims of these women, saying he was used to defending himself against ‘false allegations’ because he was a notable critic of Scientology. Haggis is an Academy Award-winning director and writer. He won the best picture and original screenplay awards for his 2004 film ‘Crash’ and also earned an Oscar nod for best-adapted screenplay for ‘Million Dollar Baby’. (With agency inputs)

‘Crash’ director Paul Haggis detained in Italy over sexual assault charges

<p>Jacob Hoggard, the frontman for the Canadian band Hedley, was convicted Sunday of sexual assault causing bodily harm to an Ottawa woman but acquitted of the same charge involving a teenage fan.</p>

<p>Hoggard, 37, was also found not guilty of sexual interference, a charge alleging the sexual touching of someone under 16, in an incident involving the same teen fan when she was 15.</p>

<p>The singer hugged his wife in the courtroom after the jury's verdict was read.</p>

<p>Prosecutors alleged Hoggard groped the teen after a Hedley show in Toronto in April 2016 and then raped her in a Toronto-area hotel room later that year after she turned 16.</p>

<p>They alleged he raped the Ottawa woman in a Toronto hotel in November 2016. Both complainants testified they were left bleeding and bruised. They each said that among other things, Hoggard slapped them, spit in their mouths and called them derogatory names and that he restricted their breathing at one point.</p>

<p>During the roughly month-long trial, Hoggard testified his memory of the encounters wasn't clear, but he said that he had consensual, passionate, sex with the complainants and that he didn't touch the teen sexually until after she turned 16. I knew when she turned 16, Hoggard testified, adding he made sure to be responsible and not break the law.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-the-washington-post-fixes-amber-heards-op-ed-from-2018-after-verdict-announced-485293">The Washington Post fixes Amber Heard's Op-Ed from 2018 post verdict</a></p>

<p>He denied choking or restricting the complainants' breathing but said some of the other things they described were among his sexual preferences and therefore could have happened.</p>

<p>The jury began deliberating Tuesday and twice indicated it was deadlocked on some counts.</p>

<p>Each time, jurors were asked to keep trying. They went on to replay the bulk of the testimony given by the two complainants and Hoggard and also asked several questions on legal issues, including the definition of consent.<br />
Hoggard's band, Hedley, rose to fame after he came in third on the reality show Canadian Idol in 2004.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Jacob Hoggard, the frontman for the Canadian band Hedley, was convicted Sunday of sexual assault causing bodily harm to an Ottawa woman but acquitted of the same charge involving a teenage fan.

Jacob Hoggard, the frontman for the Canadian band Hedley, was convicted Sunday of sexual assault causing bodily harm to an Ottawa woman but acquitted of the same charge involving a teenage fan. Hoggard, 37, was also found not guilty of sexual interference, a charge alleging the sexual touching of someone under 16, in an incident involving the same teen fan when she was 15. The singer hugged his wife in the courtroom after the jury's verdict was read. Prosecutors alleged Hoggard groped the teen after a Hedley show in Toronto in April 2016 and then raped her in a Toronto-area hotel room later that year after she turned 16. They alleged he raped the Ottawa woman in a Toronto hotel in November 2016. Both complainants testified they were left bleeding and bruised. They each said that among other things, Hoggard slapped them, spit in their mouths and called them derogatory names and that he restricted their breathing at one point. During the roughly month-long trial, Hoggard testified his memory of the encounters wasn't clear, but he said that he had consensual, passionate, sex with the complainants and that he didn't touch the teen sexually until after she turned 16. I knew when she turned 16, Hoggard testified, adding he made sure to be responsible and not break the law. Also Read: The Washington Post fixes Amber Heard's Op-Ed from 2018 post verdict He denied choking or restricting the complainants' breathing but said some of the other things they described were among his sexual preferences and therefore could have happened. The jury began deliberating Tuesday and twice indicated it was deadlocked on some counts. Each time, jurors were asked to keep trying. They went on to replay the bulk of the testimony given by the two complainants and Hoggard and also asked several questions on legal issues, including the definition of consent. Hoggard's band, Hedley, rose to fame after he came in third on the reality show Canadian Idol in 2004.

Canadian singer Jacob Hoggard convicted of sexual assault 

<p>Responding to a report that he had mishandled four cases involving the sexual abuse of minors while he was an archbishop in Germany decades ago, retired Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged Tuesday that “abuses and errors” had taken place under his watch, and asked for forgiveness, although he denied any misconduct.</p>

<p>“I have had great responsibilities in the Catholic Church,” Benedict said in a written response to the findings in the report commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church in Munich. “All the greater is my pain for the abuses and the errors that occurred in those different places during the time of my mandate,” he said in the response made public by the Vatican. “Each individual case of sexual abuse is appalling and irreparable.”</p>

<p>The report, and the accusations by investigators that Benedict had misled them, sent shocks through a Roman Catholic Church that has for a quarter century been devastated by revelations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The allegations related to Benedict’s time in Munich reached the very top of the church hierarchy, and they came not long after a separate report commissioned by the Vatican itself cast a shadow over Benedict’s predecessor, John Paul II, for failing to root out abusers in his church.</p>

<p>Benedict, whose backers point out that as pope he did much to throw abusers out of the church, has sought to put himself in a better light. But critics have found his answers more legalistic than pastoral and short of what many victims of abuse and their advocates long to hear from the former head of the church.</p>

<p>“He is repeating words of apology that have fallen on deaf ears for decades,” said Mike McDonnell, communications manager with Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, a global association known as SNAP.</p>

<p>“True apologies are followed by true amends, and that is a concept that the church doesn’t seem able to grasp,” he said, adding that the letter issued Tuesday followed a pattern of abuse, institutional acknowledgement and lack of action that victims have long complained about.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Benedict recalled again that he had met with dozens of abuse victims during his eight-year papacy and over many apostolic trips. He had, he said, “seen at first hand the effects of a most grievous fault.”</p>

<p>Benedict, 94, also expressed indignation that the Munich law firm that conducted the investigation had accused him of being less than honest in his initial answers, which he had provided in 82 written pages.</p>

<p>The lawyers had presented evidence in a news conference that the pontiff had participated in a meeting about the transfer of an abusive priest to his diocese for therapy, though he had claimed not to have attended. The discrepancy, Benedict insisted in the new response, was an honest mistake that emerged from the editing process of his answer.</p>

<p>“To me it proved deeply hurtful that this oversight was used to cast doubt on my truthfulness, and even to label me a liar,” Benedict said.</p>

<p>That defensive tone also ran through an analysis accompanying the letter by four legal experts who had assisted the retired pope. They wrote that the report “contains no evidence for an allegation of misconduct or conspiracy in any cover-up” on the part of Benedict.</p>

<p>Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, an advocacy group for victims, said Benedict’s response — which she described as “boilerplate” — was a “deep disappointment and missed opportunity.”</p>

<p>Instead, Benedict “conceded nothing,” Doyle said in a statement, and did not take meaningful responsibility for the abuse and a cover-up. “The church is poorer for it,” she added.</p>

<p>The report was commissioned by the German archdiocese that investigated how the church had handled cases of sexual abuse between 1945 and 2019. Benedict, at the time Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977 to 1982.</p>

<p>The report said at least 497 victims of abuse had been identified over the 74-year period it examined, and found that Benedict had mishandled four cases during his nearly five years as archbishop. Benedict’s legal experts said in their analysis that the investigators had not shown that Benedict knew of the criminal history of any of the four priests in question.</p>

<p>The investigators had previously expressed doubt about that assertion.</p>

<p>Days after the report was issued, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Benedict’s personal secretary, admitted Benedict was at the meeting about moving the abusive priest. But Benedict has maintained he did not know why the priest was being transferred to his diocese, only that he needed therapy.</p>


Responding to a report that he had mishandled four cases involving the sexual abuse of minors while he was an archbishop in Germany decades ago, retired Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged Tuesday that “abuses and errors” had taken place under his watch, and asked for forgiveness, although he denied any misconduct.

Responding to a report that he had mishandled four cases involving the sexual abuse of minors while he was an archbishop in Germany decades ago, retired Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged Tuesday that “abuses and errors” had taken place under his watch, and asked for forgiveness, although he denied any misconduct. “I have had great responsibilities in the Catholic Church,” Benedict said in a written response to the findings in the report commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church in Munich. “All the greater is my pain for the abuses and the errors that occurred in those different places during the time of my mandate,” he said in the response made public by the Vatican. “Each individual case of sexual abuse is appalling and irreparable.” The report, and the accusations by investigators that Benedict had misled them, sent shocks through a Roman Catholic Church that has for a quarter century been devastated by revelations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The allegations related to Benedict’s time in Munich reached the very top of the church hierarchy, and they came not long after a separate report commissioned by the Vatican itself cast a shadow over Benedict’s predecessor, John Paul II, for failing to root out abusers in his church. Benedict, whose backers point out that as pope he did much to throw abusers out of the church, has sought to put himself in a better light. But critics have found his answers more legalistic than pastoral and short of what many victims of abuse and their advocates long to hear from the former head of the church. “He is repeating words of apology that have fallen on deaf ears for decades,” said Mike McDonnell, communications manager with Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, a global association known as SNAP. “True apologies are followed by true amends, and that is a concept that the church doesn’t seem able to grasp,” he said, adding that the letter issued Tuesday followed a pattern of abuse, institutional acknowledgement and lack of action that victims have long complained about. On Tuesday, Benedict recalled again that he had met with dozens of abuse victims during his eight-year papacy and over many apostolic trips. He had, he said, “seen at first hand the effects of a most grievous fault.” Benedict, 94, also expressed indignation that the Munich law firm that conducted the investigation had accused him of being less than honest in his initial answers, which he had provided in 82 written pages. The lawyers had presented evidence in a news conference that the pontiff had participated in a meeting about the transfer of an abusive priest to his diocese for therapy, though he had claimed not to have attended. The discrepancy, Benedict insisted in the new response, was an honest mistake that emerged from the editing process of his answer. “To me it proved deeply hurtful that this oversight was used to cast doubt on my truthfulness, and even to label me a liar,” Benedict said. That defensive tone also ran through an analysis accompanying the letter by four legal experts who had assisted the retired pope. They wrote that the report “contains no evidence for an allegation of misconduct or conspiracy in any cover-up” on the part of Benedict. Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, an advocacy group for victims, said Benedict’s response — which she described as “boilerplate” — was a “deep disappointment and missed opportunity.” Instead, Benedict “conceded nothing,” Doyle said in a statement, and did not take meaningful responsibility for the abuse and a cover-up. “The church is poorer for it,” she added. The report was commissioned by the German archdiocese that investigated how the church had handled cases of sexual abuse between 1945 and 2019. Benedict, at the time Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977 to 1982. The report said at least 497 victims of abuse had been identified over the 74-year period it examined, and found that Benedict had mishandled four cases during his nearly five years as archbishop. Benedict’s legal experts said in their analysis that the investigators had not shown that Benedict knew of the criminal history of any of the four priests in question. The investigators had previously expressed doubt about that assertion. Days after the report was issued, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Benedict’s personal secretary, admitted Benedict was at the meeting about moving the abusive priest. But Benedict has maintained he did not know why the priest was being transferred to his diocese, only that he needed therapy.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI asks forgiveness over handling of abuse cases

<p>Victims of jailed former US national gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar are to receive $380 million after reaching a settlement with USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee and their insurers, attorneys said on Monday.</p>

<p>The settlement -- one of the largest ever recorded for victims of sex abuse -- ends a five-year legal battle that erupted following the abuse scandal that rocked the US Olympic movement.</p>

<p>Nassar, 58, is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty in late 2017 and early 2018 to sexually assaulting athletes while working as a sports medicine doctor at USA Gymnastics (USAG) and Michigan State University (MSU).</p>

<p>Hundreds of women -- including Olympic gold medallists such as Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney -- have accused Nassar of sexually abusing them over the course of his more than two-decade career.</p>

<p>Monday's settlement, which includes claims from Biles, Raisman and Maroney, was confirmed during a hearing in a federal bankruptcy court in Indianapolis.</p>

<p>The deal means some $880 million in settlements have now been reached following an earlier $500 million settlement from MSU in 2018.</p>

<p>"We prevailed for one simple reason, the courage and tenacity of the survivors," John Manly, who represents more than 180 women abused by Nassar, said in a statement confirming details of the agreement.</p>

<p>"These brave women relived their abuse publicly, in countless media interviews, so that not one more child will be forced to suffer physical, emotional, or sexual abuse in pursuit of their dreams."</p>

<p>Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to go public with allegations against Nassar in 2016, welcomed Monday's settlement.</p>

<p>"This chapter is finally closed," Denhollander wrote on Twitter. "Now the hard work of reform and rebuilding can begin. Whether or not justice comes and change is made, depends on what happens next."</p>

<p><strong>FBI targeted</strong><br />
USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy in 2018 after a tidal wave of allegations against Nassar swamped the organization.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Wall Street Journal reported that Monday's settlement was reached after the TIG Insurance Company agreed to pay a "substantial share" of the settlement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The deal includes a $34 million payment directly from the USOPC, as well as a $6 million loan from the USOPC to USA Gymnastics.</p>

<p>As part of the agreement, a victim of abuse will be put on the board of directors of USA Gymnastics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In September, Olympic champion Biles and other victims of Nassar gave devastating testimony in the US Senate, excoriating US sports officials and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for failing to act against Nassar when complaints against the doctor first emerged.</p>

<p>USA Gymnastics reported Nassar to the FBI in July 2015, but he continued to work at MSU and sexually abused at least 70 more women until a newspaper exposed him in September 2016.</p>

<p>"We suffered and continue to suffer because no one at the FBI, USAG or USOPC did what was necessary to protect us," said Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medallist.</p>

<p>Biles' fellow Olympic gold medallist Maroney, said during the hearing she had reported abuse by Nassar in 2015 during a three-hour telephone interview with an FBI agent, but it was "minimized and disregarded." &nbsp;</p>

<p>"Not only did the FBI not report my abuse but when they eventually documented my report 17 months later, they made entirely false claims about what I said," Maroney told the hearing.</p>

<p>Manly said on Monday attorneys would continue their fight to hold officials from the FBI, USAG and USOPC accountable.</p>

<p>"There is one more chapter yet to be written, the criminal prosecution of the FBI officials who failed to investigate and stop Nassar together with the USAG and USOPC officials who conspired with them to impede the investigation," Manly said.</p>

<p>"We will continue to pursue justice on behalf of the hundreds of little girls and young women who were molested as a direct result of their obstruction of justice," he said.</p>


Victims of jailed former US national gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar are to receive $380 million after reaching a settlement with USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee and their insurers, attorneys said on Monday.

Victims of jailed former US national gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar are to receive $380 million after reaching a settlement with USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee and their insurers, attorneys said on Monday. The settlement -- one of the largest ever recorded for victims of sex abuse -- ends a five-year legal battle that erupted following the abuse scandal that rocked the US Olympic movement. Nassar, 58, is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty in late 2017 and early 2018 to sexually assaulting athletes while working as a sports medicine doctor at USA Gymnastics (USAG) and Michigan State University (MSU). Hundreds of women -- including Olympic gold medallists such as Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney -- have accused Nassar of sexually abusing them over the course of his more than two-decade career. Monday's settlement, which includes claims from Biles, Raisman and Maroney, was confirmed during a hearing in a federal bankruptcy court in Indianapolis. The deal means some $880 million in settlements have now been reached following an earlier $500 million settlement from MSU in 2018. "We prevailed for one simple reason, the courage and tenacity of the survivors," John Manly, who represents more than 180 women abused by Nassar, said in a statement confirming details of the agreement. "These brave women relived their abuse publicly, in countless media interviews, so that not one more child will be forced to suffer physical, emotional, or sexual abuse in pursuit of their dreams." Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to go public with allegations against Nassar in 2016, welcomed Monday's settlement. "This chapter is finally closed," Denhollander wrote on Twitter. "Now the hard work of reform and rebuilding can begin. Whether or not justice comes and change is made, depends on what happens next." FBI targeted USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy in 2018 after a tidal wave of allegations against Nassar swamped the organization. The Wall Street Journal reported that Monday's settlement was reached after the TIG Insurance Company agreed to pay a "substantial share" of the settlement. The deal includes a $34 million payment directly from the USOPC, as well as a $6 million loan from the USOPC to USA Gymnastics. As part of the agreement, a victim of abuse will be put on the board of directors of USA Gymnastics. In September, Olympic champion Biles and other victims of Nassar gave devastating testimony in the US Senate, excoriating US sports officials and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for failing to act against Nassar when complaints against the doctor first emerged. USA Gymnastics reported Nassar to the FBI in July 2015, but he continued to work at MSU and sexually abused at least 70 more women until a newspaper exposed him in September 2016. "We suffered and continue to suffer because no one at the FBI, USAG or USOPC did what was necessary to protect us," said Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medallist. Biles' fellow Olympic gold medallist Maroney, said during the hearing she had reported abuse by Nassar in 2015 during a three-hour telephone interview with an FBI agent, but it was "minimized and disregarded." "Not only did the FBI not report my abuse but when they eventually documented my report 17 months later, they made entirely false claims about what I said," Maroney told the hearing. Manly said on Monday attorneys would continue their fight to hold officials from the FBI, USAG and USOPC accountable. "There is one more chapter yet to be written, the criminal prosecution of the FBI officials who failed to investigate and stop Nassar together with the USAG and USOPC officials who conspired with them to impede the investigation," Manly said. "We will continue to pursue justice on behalf of the hundreds of little girls and young women who were molested as a direct result of their obstruction of justice," he said.

Gymnasts abused by team doctor Nassar reach $380 million settlement

<p>FBI Director Christopher Wray and several elite gymnasts, including Simone Biles, were testifying at a Senate hearing Wednesday on the agency’s botched handling of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case, the first public questioning of the failure to properly investigate one of the biggest sexual abuse cases in U.S. history.</p>

<p>McKayla Maroney, a former Olympic gymnast, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that she spent hours telling FBI agents how Nassar had repeatedly sexually abused her, only to have them misrepresent her statements later.</p>

<p>“Not only did the FBI not report my abuse, but when they eventually documented my report 17 months later, they made entirely false claims about what I said,” Maroney testified. She said she was 15 when she spoke to agents. “They chose to lie about what I said and protect a serial child molester rather than protect not only me but countless others.”</p>

<p>The hearing comes days after the FBI fired one agent who initially worked on the case investigating Nassar, the former national gymnastics team doctor who ultimately was convicted on state charges of abusing scores of gymnasts, including Olympians, under the guise of physical exams.</p>

<p>And it comes two months after the Justice Department’s inspector general released a report that sharply criticized the FBI for making crucial errors in the matter. Those errors allowed Nassar to continue treating patients for eight months at Michigan State University, where he practiced, and in and around Lansing, Michigan, including at a local gymnastics center and a high school.</p>

<p>Nassar, who is serving what amounts to life in prison for sexual misconduct, was able to molest more than 70 girls and women while the FBI failed to act, the inspector general’s report said.</p>

<p>Two FBI agents initially assigned to the case no longer work for the agency. Michael Langeman, a supervisory special agent in the FBI’s Indianapolis office, was fired in the days leading up to Wednesday’s hearing, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. Those people did not want their names published because they do not have the authority to speak about the case. The Washington Post was the first to publish news of Langeman’s firing.</p>

<p>Langeman, who was not immediately available for comment, was not named in the inspector general report, but his actions as the special supervisory agent, and his multiple crucial missteps, were described in detail. The report said Langeman should have known that Nassar’s abuse was probably widespread, yet he did not investigate the case with any urgency.</p>

<p>Langeman interviewed just one of the three elite gymnasts who gave USA Gymnastics details of Nassar’s abuse and did not properly document that interview or open an investigation. In an interview report Langeman filed with the FBI 17 months after he spoke to that gymnast — Olympic gold medalist McKayla Maroney, who was not named in the report — he included statements she did not make, according to the report.</p>

<p>Like other agents initially involved in the case, Langeman also did not alert local or state officials of Nassar’s alleged abuse, violating FBI policy that states that crimes against children “invariably require a broad, multijurisdictional, and multidisciplinary approach.”</p>

<p>Langeman later said he had filed an initial report about Nassar, asking for the case to be transferred to the Lansing office because that’s where Nassar was based at Michigan State. But the paperwork wasn’t found in the FBI database, the inspector general’s report said.</p>

<p>W. Jay Abbott, a special agent in the FBI’s Indianapolis office, also is no longer with the FBI, after retiring in 2018. The report said he made false statements to Justice Department investigators and also “violated FBI policy and exercised extremely poor judgment under federal ethics rules.” According to the report, he had been angling for a job with the United States Olympic &amp; Paralympic Committee and discussed it with then-President of USA Gymnastics Steve Penny. Abbott applied for the job with the USOPC but didn’t get the position — yet told Justice Department investigators that he never applied.</p>

<p>Hundreds of girls and women who were abused by Nassar have been waiting to hear from the FBI about the mistakes in the case. Biles, the Olympic gold medalist, has been vocal about wanting to know “who knew what, and when” about Nassar. She won a silver medal and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games after dropping out of the team competition because of a mental health issue.</p>

<p>Biles was testifying alongside former teammates Maroney, Aly Raisman and Maggie Nichols, who is known as “Athlete A” in the Nassar case because she was the first elite gymnast to report the abuse to USA Gymnastics. That was in July 2015. The Lansing office of the FBI opened its official investigation into Nassar in October 2016.</p>


FBI Director Christopher Wray and several elite gymnasts, including Simone Biles, were testifying at a Senate hearing Wednesday on the agency’s botched handling of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case, the first public questioning of the failure to properly investigate one of the biggest sexual abuse cases in U.

FBI Director Christopher Wray and several elite gymnasts, including Simone Biles, were testifying at a Senate hearing Wednesday on the agency’s botched handling of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case, the first public questioning of the failure to properly investigate one of the biggest sexual abuse cases in U.S. history. McKayla Maroney, a former Olympic gymnast, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that she spent hours telling FBI agents how Nassar had repeatedly sexually abused her, only to have them misrepresent her statements later. “Not only did the FBI not report my abuse, but when they eventually documented my report 17 months later, they made entirely false claims about what I said,” Maroney testified. She said she was 15 when she spoke to agents. “They chose to lie about what I said and protect a serial child molester rather than protect not only me but countless others.” The hearing comes days after the FBI fired one agent who initially worked on the case investigating Nassar, the former national gymnastics team doctor who ultimately was convicted on state charges of abusing scores of gymnasts, including Olympians, under the guise of physical exams. And it comes two months after the Justice Department’s inspector general released a report that sharply criticized the FBI for making crucial errors in the matter. Those errors allowed Nassar to continue treating patients for eight months at Michigan State University, where he practiced, and in and around Lansing, Michigan, including at a local gymnastics center and a high school. Nassar, who is serving what amounts to life in prison for sexual misconduct, was able to molest more than 70 girls and women while the FBI failed to act, the inspector general’s report said. Two FBI agents initially assigned to the case no longer work for the agency. Michael Langeman, a supervisory special agent in the FBI’s Indianapolis office, was fired in the days leading up to Wednesday’s hearing, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. Those people did not want their names published because they do not have the authority to speak about the case. The Washington Post was the first to publish news of Langeman’s firing. Langeman, who was not immediately available for comment, was not named in the inspector general report, but his actions as the special supervisory agent, and his multiple crucial missteps, were described in detail. The report said Langeman should have known that Nassar’s abuse was probably widespread, yet he did not investigate the case with any urgency. Langeman interviewed just one of the three elite gymnasts who gave USA Gymnastics details of Nassar’s abuse and did not properly document that interview or open an investigation. In an interview report Langeman filed with the FBI 17 months after he spoke to that gymnast — Olympic gold medalist McKayla Maroney, who was not named in the report — he included statements she did not make, according to the report. Like other agents initially involved in the case, Langeman also did not alert local or state officials of Nassar’s alleged abuse, violating FBI policy that states that crimes against children “invariably require a broad, multijurisdictional, and multidisciplinary approach.” Langeman later said he had filed an initial report about Nassar, asking for the case to be transferred to the Lansing office because that’s where Nassar was based at Michigan State. But the paperwork wasn’t found in the FBI database, the inspector general’s report said. W. Jay Abbott, a special agent in the FBI’s Indianapolis office, also is no longer with the FBI, after retiring in 2018. The report said he made false statements to Justice Department investigators and also “violated FBI policy and exercised extremely poor judgment under federal ethics rules.” According to the report, he had been angling for a job with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and discussed it with then-President of USA Gymnastics Steve Penny. Abbott applied for the job with the USOPC but didn’t get the position — yet told Justice Department investigators that he never applied. Hundreds of girls and women who were abused by Nassar have been waiting to hear from the FBI about the mistakes in the case. Biles, the Olympic gold medalist, has been vocal about wanting to know “who knew what, and when” about Nassar. She won a silver medal and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games after dropping out of the team competition because of a mental health issue. Biles was testifying alongside former teammates Maroney, Aly Raisman and Maggie Nichols, who is known as “Athlete A” in the Nassar case because she was the first elite gymnast to report the abuse to USA Gymnastics. That was in July 2015. The Lansing office of the FBI opened its official investigation into Nassar in October 2016.

Biles and teammates testify on FBI’s handling of abuse case

<p>A French woman, Valérie Bacot, is set to stand trial for killing her stepfather-turned-husband who raped her for nearly 25 years.</p>

<p>Daniel "Dany" Polette, Bacot’s then stepfather started raping her when she was 12 years old and living with her alcoholic mother. When he raped her, she had no idea what he was doing and only realised what had happened after she learned about it in one of her biology lessons, she said.</p>

<p>When her mother got to know about the torture, Polette was put behind bars in 1995 for incest but he returned back to the family very soon and continued raping Bacot. "Nobody seemed to find it bizarre that Daniel came back to live with us as if nothing had happened," she said in her book Bacot’s story:&nbsp;Tout le Monde Savait&nbsp;(Everyone Knew)."Everyone knew but nobody said anything."</p>

<p>When he started raping her again, she overheard her mother tell him, "I don’t give a damn as long as she doesn’t become pregnant." However, she soon became pregnant at the age of 17 and Polette decided to forcefully marry the victim.</p>

<p>The toxic wedding brought daily beatings, which even involved hammer at one point. She bore three more children out of the forced sexual engagements with Polette and the children faced his beatings too.</p>

<p>Later, she was forced to be a prostitute as he pimped her in the back of his Peugeot 806 that he fitted with a mattress. He spied on her during the "appointments" and instructed her what to do through an earpiece she was forced to wear.</p>

<p>One day when she was raped by one of the men her husband had pimped her to, she decided she has had enough and shot Polette from a pistol he used to hide in his car.</p>

<p>"This is a woman who has been destroyed and devastated, not just by the lack of maternal love, the rapes, the blows, the denigration, the prostitution but also and above all by the indifference and the omerta of society," Bacot’s lawyers wrote.</p>

<p>"From her earliest age she was put through terrible things without anyone, not even those close to her, blinking an eye. They ignored her distress and her ordeal, which could be read on her face. The story of her life is deeply distressing," they added.</p>

<p>Her trial will go on for a week and has once again highlighted the alarming increase in domestic violence and sexual abuse in the EU.</p>


A French woman, Valérie Bacot, is set to stand trial for killing her stepfather-turned-husband who raped her for nearly 25 years. Daniel "Dany" Polette, Bacot’s then stepfather started raping her when she was 12 years old and living with her alcoholic mother.

A French woman, Valérie Bacot, is set to stand trial for killing her stepfather-turned-husband who raped her for nearly 25 years. Daniel "Dany" Polette, Bacot’s then stepfather started raping her when she was 12 years old and living with her alcoholic mother. When he raped her, she had no idea what he was doing and only realised what had happened after she learned about it in one of her biology lessons, she said. When her mother got to know about the torture, Polette was put behind bars in 1995 for incest but he returned back to the family very soon and continued raping Bacot. "Nobody seemed to find it bizarre that Daniel came back to live with us as if nothing had happened," she said in her book Bacot’s story: Tout le Monde Savait (Everyone Knew)."Everyone knew but nobody said anything." When he started raping her again, she overheard her mother tell him, "I don’t give a damn as long as she doesn’t become pregnant." However, she soon became pregnant at the age of 17 and Polette decided to forcefully marry the victim. The toxic wedding brought daily beatings, which even involved hammer at one point. She bore three more children out of the forced sexual engagements with Polette and the children faced his beatings too. Later, she was forced to be a prostitute as he pimped her in the back of his Peugeot 806 that he fitted with a mattress. He spied on her during the "appointments" and instructed her what to do through an earpiece she was forced to wear. One day when she was raped by one of the men her husband had pimped her to, she decided she has had enough and shot Polette from a pistol he used to hide in his car. "This is a woman who has been destroyed and devastated, not just by the lack of maternal love, the rapes, the blows, the denigration, the prostitution but also and above all by the indifference and the omerta of society," Bacot’s lawyers wrote. "From her earliest age she was put through terrible things without anyone, not even those close to her, blinking an eye. They ignored her distress and her ordeal, which could be read on her face. The story of her life is deeply distressing," they added. Her trial will go on for a week and has once again highlighted the alarming increase in domestic violence and sexual abuse in the EU.

French woman faces trial for killing her stepfather-turned-husband who raped her for 25 years

<p>Harvey Weinstein has been indicted in California on sexual assault charges, one of his lawyers said on Monday, as the former Hollywood movie producer appeared in a New York court proceeding over whether to extradite him.<br />
<br />
The 69-year-old Weinstein wore a collarless rust-colored shirt as he appeared from the Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo by video before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case.<br />
<br />
Weinstein has been appealing his February 2020 conviction in Manhattan and 23-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and raping former aspiring actress Jessica Mann.<br />
<br />
California`s criminal case against Weinstein covers alleged attacks on five women from 2004 to 2013 in the Los Angeles area, and announced last year.<br />
<br />
It includes four counts of forcible rape, four counts of forcible oral copulation, two counts of sexual battery by restraint, and one count of sexual penetration by use of force.<br />
<br />
Weinstein has denied having nonconsensual sex with anyone.<br />
<br />
Norman Effman, a public defender representing Weinstein, asked that his client be arraigned on the indictment virtually in New York rather than extradited so he could get necessary medical treatment, including scheduled eye and dental surgery.<br />
<br />
Effman said Weinstein, a diabetic, is "almost technically blind at this point," and also suffers from cardiac and back problems.<br />
<br />
"We`re not trying to avoid what is going to happen in California," Effman said. "We believe there is not only a defense to these charges, but a very good defense to these charges," which would result in an acquittal.<br />
<br />
The Los Angeles County district attorney`s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<br />
<br />
Weinstein`s indictment was reported earlier by the Los Angeles Times.<br />
<br />
Another hearing is scheduled for April 30.<br />
<br />
The conviction of Weinstein was seen as a watershed moment in the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment by men, including many like Weinstein who once held powerful jobs and influence.<br />
<br />
If convicted in California, Weinstein could spend the rest of his life in prison even if his New York conviction were overturned.<br />
<br />
"These are stale, unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, uncredible allegations that arose during the hysteria of the #MeToo movement," Weinstein`s criminal defense lawyer Mark Werksman said in a statement. "We`re confident that Mr. Weinstein will be acquitted because there`s no credible evidence against him. He`s innocent."<br />
<br />
Los Angeles` district attorney first sought Weinstein`s extradition last July, but it has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.</p>


Harvey Weinstein has been indicted in California on sexual assault charges, one of his lawyers said on Monday, as the former Hollywood movie producer appeared in a New York court proceeding over whether to extradite him.

Harvey Weinstein has been indicted in California on sexual assault charges, one of his lawyers said on Monday, as the former Hollywood movie producer appeared in a New York court proceeding over whether to extradite him. The 69-year-old Weinstein wore a collarless rust-colored shirt as he appeared from the Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo by video before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case. Weinstein has been appealing his February 2020 conviction in Manhattan and 23-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and raping former aspiring actress Jessica Mann. California`s criminal case against Weinstein covers alleged attacks on five women from 2004 to 2013 in the Los Angeles area, and announced last year. It includes four counts of forcible rape, four counts of forcible oral copulation, two counts of sexual battery by restraint, and one count of sexual penetration by use of force. Weinstein has denied having nonconsensual sex with anyone. Norman Effman, a public defender representing Weinstein, asked that his client be arraigned on the indictment virtually in New York rather than extradited so he could get necessary medical treatment, including scheduled eye and dental surgery. Effman said Weinstein, a diabetic, is "almost technically blind at this point," and also suffers from cardiac and back problems. "We`re not trying to avoid what is going to happen in California," Effman said. "We believe there is not only a defense to these charges, but a very good defense to these charges," which would result in an acquittal. The Los Angeles County district attorney`s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Weinstein`s indictment was reported earlier by the Los Angeles Times. Another hearing is scheduled for April 30. The conviction of Weinstein was seen as a watershed moment in the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment by men, including many like Weinstein who once held powerful jobs and influence. If convicted in California, Weinstein could spend the rest of his life in prison even if his New York conviction were overturned. "These are stale, unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, uncredible allegations that arose during the hysteria of the #MeToo movement," Weinstein`s criminal defense lawyer Mark Werksman said in a statement. "We`re confident that Mr. Weinstein will be acquitted because there`s no credible evidence against him. He`s innocent." Los Angeles` district attorney first sought Weinstein`s extradition last July, but it has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Harvey Weinstein is indicted in California, appears at extradition hearing

<p>The former head of one of the largest homeless shelter networks in New York was arrested Wednesday on federal charges that he pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks from contractors working with his organization.</p>

<p>The arrest of the executive, Victor Rivera, the former president and founder of the Bronx Parent Housing Network, came less than two months after a New York Times investigation found that he had engaged in a long pattern of sexual abuse and financial impropriety that stretched back almost a decade. Rivera was fired by the nonprofit last month, following The Times report.</p>

<p>The organization is one of dozens of nonprofit groups that operate the city’s $2 billion system to shelter the homeless, whose numbers have reached record levels.</p>

<p>Rivera, 61, laundered some of the money through entities he controlled, including a consulting company owned by one of his relatives, and used it to pay down his mortgage, according to prosecutors.</p>

<p>At the same time, Rivera faces another criminal inquiry that began in response to The Times’ report: The Bronx district attorney’s office opened an investigation after 10 women, including homeless women staying in Rivera’s shelters, accused him of sexual assault or harassment. Two women said he had coerced them into performing oral sex.</p>

<p>The Times investigation found Rivera had used the nonprofit for his personal financial gain. He mingled the nonprofit’s finances with for-profit housing companies he owned, steered lucrative contracts to friends and provided jobs to several members of his family, the investigation found.</p>

<p>“Victor Rivera sought to leverage his position as the CEO of a nonprofit into a very much for-profit situation for himself,” the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, Audrey Strauss, said in a statement. Federal prosecutors conducted the investigation jointly with the city Department of Investigation.</p>

<p>At an initial court appearance Wednesday, Rivera pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, honest services wire fraud and money laundering and was released on bond.</p>


The former head of one of the largest homeless shelter networks in New York was arrested Wednesday on federal charges that he pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks from contractors working with his organization.

The former head of one of the largest homeless shelter networks in New York was arrested Wednesday on federal charges that he pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks from contractors working with his organization. The arrest of the executive, Victor Rivera, the former president and founder of the Bronx Parent Housing Network, came less than two months after a New York Times investigation found that he had engaged in a long pattern of sexual abuse and financial impropriety that stretched back almost a decade. Rivera was fired by the nonprofit last month, following The Times report. The organization is one of dozens of nonprofit groups that operate the city’s $2 billion system to shelter the homeless, whose numbers have reached record levels. Rivera, 61, laundered some of the money through entities he controlled, including a consulting company owned by one of his relatives, and used it to pay down his mortgage, according to prosecutors. At the same time, Rivera faces another criminal inquiry that began in response to The Times’ report: The Bronx district attorney’s office opened an investigation after 10 women, including homeless women staying in Rivera’s shelters, accused him of sexual assault or harassment. Two women said he had coerced them into performing oral sex. The Times investigation found Rivera had used the nonprofit for his personal financial gain. He mingled the nonprofit’s finances with for-profit housing companies he owned, steered lucrative contracts to friends and provided jobs to several members of his family, the investigation found. “Victor Rivera sought to leverage his position as the CEO of a nonprofit into a very much for-profit situation for himself,” the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, Audrey Strauss, said in a statement. Federal prosecutors conducted the investigation jointly with the city Department of Investigation. At an initial court appearance Wednesday, Rivera pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, honest services wire fraud and money laundering and was released on bond.

Housing boss who was accused of sexual abuse now faces bribery charges

Marilyn Manson's ex-wife Dita Von Teese opened about the abuse allegations leveraged against her former husband. Taking to her Instagram, the burlesque dancer and lingerie designer said she had been "processing the news" about Marilyn, who she was briefly married to between 2005 and 2006.

Marilyn Manson's ex-wife Dita Von Teese opened about the abuse allegations leveraged against her former husband. Taking to her Instagram, the burlesque dancer and lingerie designer said she had been "processing the news" about Marilyn, who she was briefly married to between 2005 and 2006. "To those who have expressed your concerns of my well-being, I appreciate your kindness," Dita expressed, before adding, "Please know that the details made public do not match my personal experience during our 7 years together as a couple." View this post on Instagram A post shared by 💄Dita Von Teese (@ditavonteese) × "Had they," she continued, "I would have not married him in December 2005. I left 12 months later due to infidelity and drug abuse." Dita concluded, "Abuse of any kind has no place in any relationship. I urge those of you have incurred abuse to take steps to heal and the strength to fully realize yourself." Actress Evan Rachel Wood and four other women have come out and accused Rock singer Marilyn Manson of sexual abuse. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Evan Rachel Wood (@evanrachelwood) × Manson and Wood were in a relationship from 2007 and even got engaged in 2010 for a brief period of time. Wood was at that time 23 years old and Manson is 18 years her senior. "The name of my abuser is Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson. He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years," she wrote on Instagram. Soon after the women spoke out, Manson`s record label, Loma Vista Recordings terminated its contract with the singer and issued a statement saying that the label would "cease to further promote his current album effective immediately." Marilyn denied her accusations. "Obviously, my art and my life have long been magnets for controversy, but these recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality," the shock-rocker said in a statement shared to Instagram on Feb. 1. "My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners." "Regardless of how—and why—others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth," he added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marilyn Manson (@marilynmanson) × Marilyn has yet to address Dita's remarks about their marriage, but this isn't the first time she's blamed their breakup on the artist's controversial ways. In a 2007 interview with The Daily Telegraph, the pinup model accused Marilyn of having an "inappropriate relationship" with another woman during their marriage. "I get the impression he thinks I was unsupportive," she noted at the time. "But the truth is I wasn't supportive of his lifestyle, and someone else came along who was."

Marilyn Manson's ex-wife Dita Von Teese opens up about allegations against the singer

<p>Actress Evan Rachel Wood and four other women have come out and accused Rock singer Marilyn Manson of sexual abuse.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Manson and Wood were in a relationship from 2007 and even got engaged in 2010 for a brief period of time. Wood was at that time 23 years old and Manson is 18 years her senior.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"The name of my abuser is Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson. He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years," she wrote on Instagram.</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKvmsUmF1ho/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Evan Rachel Wood (@evanrachelwood)</a></p>
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<p>"I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission," Wood added.<br />
<br />
Three other women on Monday also posted accusations on Instagram against Manson of emotional and psychological abuse in the last 10 years.</p>

<p><strong>Record label drops Manson</strong><br />
<br />
Soon after the women spoke out, Manson`s record label, Loma Vista Recordings terminated its contract with the singer and issued a statement saying that the label would "cease to further promote his current album effective immediately."<br />
<br />
"Due to these concerning developments, we have also decided not to work with Marilyn Manson on any future projects," the Loma Vista statement added.<br />
<br />
Earlier, Wood had testified before the US Congress and California Senate about her experience with domestic violence and rape without identifying who was responsible. At that time she had not named her abuser.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Wood started her career as a child actor in a film like 'Thirteen', 'The Wrestler' and the TV series 'Mildred Pierce.'<br />
<br />
She said on Monday that she was "done living in fear of retaliation, slander and blackmail... I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent."</p>

<h4><strong>Manson denies allegation</strong></h4>

<p>Later on Monday, Manson released a statement on Instagram and stated that the allegations were 'not the truth'.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKxZavzAGOe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Marilyn Manson (@marilynmanson)</a></p>
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<p>"Obviously, my art and my life have long been magnets for controversy, but these recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality," he said. "My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners."<br />
<br />
Regardless of how - and why - others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth."</p>

<p><strong>Support from peers for Woods</strong><br />
<br />
Wood's Instagram post was flooded with support messages from actresses and peers in the film industry.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"So much love for you," wrote Rose McGowan while Anna Paquin wrote, "our courage is inspiring. #istandwithyou".&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"You will change peoples lives," remarked Jessy Barden, while Selma Blair sent her love.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
McGowan also took to Twitter to show her support to Wood. "I stand with Evan Rachel Wood and other brave women who have come forward. &nbsp;It takes years to recover from abuse and I send them strength on their journey to recovery. Let the truth be revealed. Let the healing begin," McGowan tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I stand with Evan Rachel Wood and other brave women who have come forward. It takes years to recover from abuse and I send them strength on their journey to recovery. Let the truth be revealed. Let the healing begin.</p>
— Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan) <a href="https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1356319160926691328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>McGowan was previously engaged to Manson for two years before they called it quits in 2001.&nbsp;</p>


Actress Evan Rachel Wood and four other women have come out and accused Rock singer Marilyn Manson of sexual abuse. Manson and Wood were in a relationship from 2007 and even got engaged in 2010 for a brief period of time.

Actress Evan Rachel Wood and four other women have come out and accused Rock singer Marilyn Manson of sexual abuse. Manson and Wood were in a relationship from 2007 and even got engaged in 2010 for a brief period of time. Wood was at that time 23 years old and Manson is 18 years her senior. "The name of my abuser is Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson. He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years," she wrote on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Evan Rachel Wood (@evanrachelwood) × "I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission," Wood added. Three other women on Monday also posted accusations on Instagram against Manson of emotional and psychological abuse in the last 10 years. Record label drops Manson Soon after the women spoke out, Manson`s record label, Loma Vista Recordings terminated its contract with the singer and issued a statement saying that the label would "cease to further promote his current album effective immediately." "Due to these concerning developments, we have also decided not to work with Marilyn Manson on any future projects," the Loma Vista statement added. Earlier, Wood had testified before the US Congress and California Senate about her experience with domestic violence and rape without identifying who was responsible. At that time she had not named her abuser. Wood started her career as a child actor in a film like 'Thirteen', 'The Wrestler' and the TV series 'Mildred Pierce.' She said on Monday that she was "done living in fear of retaliation, slander and blackmail... I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent." Manson denies allegation Later on Monday, Manson released a statement on Instagram and stated that the allegations were 'not the truth'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marilyn Manson (@marilynmanson) × "Obviously, my art and my life have long been magnets for controversy, but these recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality," he said. "My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners." Regardless of how - and why - others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth." Support from peers for Woods Wood's Instagram post was flooded with support messages from actresses and peers in the film industry. "So much love for you," wrote Rose McGowan while Anna Paquin wrote, "our courage is inspiring. #istandwithyou". "You will change peoples lives," remarked Jessy Barden, while Selma Blair sent her love. McGowan also took to Twitter to show her support to Wood. "I stand with Evan Rachel Wood and other brave women who have come forward. It takes years to recover from abuse and I send them strength on their journey to recovery. Let the truth be revealed. Let the healing begin," McGowan tweeted. I stand with Evan Rachel Wood and other brave women who have come forward. It takes years to recover from abuse and I send them strength on their journey to recovery. Let the truth be revealed. Let the healing begin. — Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan) February 1, 2021 × McGowan was previously engaged to Manson for two years before they called it quits in 2001.

Evan Rachel Wood and four others accuse Marilyn Manson of sexual abuse

<p>Keith Raniere sold dreams to America which later turned out to be nightmares. Raniere started a self-help group in 1998 while mingling with the superrich and was invited to big Hollywood parties but beneath all the&nbsp;glitz and glamour he was running a cult sexually abusing women and branding them as slaves.</p>

<p>Now, the law has caught up with Raniere. He has been sentenced to jail for 120 years, an effective life sentence.</p>

<p>"When justice catches up with you - as it did today - it is severe. Keith Raniere will not be able to victimise people anymore," Seth D. Ducharme, acting US attorney eastern district, New York, said.</p>

<p>With those words, a 22-year-old chapter was closed which was about power and exploitation by Keith Allen Raniere who was a sexual predator disguised himself as a self-help guru.</p>

<p>In 1998, Raniere founded 'Nxivm' - a multi-level marketing company which offered personal development courses often recruiting celebrities to take classes but behind the scenes, he was running a cult. Female members of Nxivm were sexually abused by Raniere and his inner circle, some of them were underage.</p>

<p>In 2003, the American media caught wind of Raniere's cult. Forbes magazine published a detailed cover story titled "the world's strangest executive coach" but even they failed to realise the true extent of what was going on as within Nxivm there was a secret group called Dos who were close associates of Raniere. Women in Dos were branded with Raniere's initials using a hot cauterizing pen they were treated as sex slaves</p>

<p>Throughout the last decade, many of Raniere's associates broke ranks with him and they recounted disturbing stories of sexual abuse. Finally, in 2018, Raniere and his associates were arrested.</p>

<p>Fifteen women came forward with testimonies during the trial, one of them revealed that Raniere had a sexual relationship with her when she was a minor. Her testimony was chilling.</p>

<p>"While he hid our sexual relationship from others, he explained it to me by telling me that I was very mature for my age and I know now that it was false, I was a child, he used my innocence to do whatever he wanted with me not just sexually but also psychologically," a witness identified as Camila said.</p>

<p>Despite the mounting evidence and witness accounts, Raniere maintained his innocence. He branded some of the witnesses as liars, something the judge noted while reading the sentence.</p>

<p>"Despite everything that has happened and despite the countless victims who have given voice to their great pain, Mr Raniere remains unmoved. indeed, he maintains his innocence," the judge said.</p>

<p>Keith Raniere will not see the outside world again, he has been sentenced to prison for 120 years. His chapter of exploitation is effectively closed but it could be years before the wounds he inflicted finally heal.</p>


Keith Raniere sold dreams to America which later turned out to be nightmares. Raniere started a self-help group in 1998 while mingling with the superrich and was invited to big Hollywood parties but beneath all the glitz and glamour he was running a cult sexually abusing women and branding them as slaves.

Keith Raniere sold dreams to America which later turned out to be nightmares. Raniere started a self-help group in 1998 while mingling with the superrich and was invited to big Hollywood parties but beneath all the glitz and glamour he was running a cult sexually abusing women and branding them as slaves. Now, the law has caught up with Raniere. He has been sentenced to jail for 120 years, an effective life sentence. "When justice catches up with you - as it did today - it is severe. Keith Raniere will not be able to victimise people anymore," Seth D. Ducharme, acting US attorney eastern district, New York, said. With those words, a 22-year-old chapter was closed which was about power and exploitation by Keith Allen Raniere who was a sexual predator disguised himself as a self-help guru. In 1998, Raniere founded 'Nxivm' - a multi-level marketing company which offered personal development courses often recruiting celebrities to take classes but behind the scenes, he was running a cult. Female members of Nxivm were sexually abused by Raniere and his inner circle, some of them were underage. In 2003, the American media caught wind of Raniere's cult. Forbes magazine published a detailed cover story titled "the world's strangest executive coach" but even they failed to realise the true extent of what was going on as within Nxivm there was a secret group called Dos who were close associates of Raniere. Women in Dos were branded with Raniere's initials using a hot cauterizing pen they were treated as sex slaves Throughout the last decade, many of Raniere's associates broke ranks with him and they recounted disturbing stories of sexual abuse. Finally, in 2018, Raniere and his associates were arrested. Fifteen women came forward with testimonies during the trial, one of them revealed that Raniere had a sexual relationship with her when she was a minor. Her testimony was chilling. "While he hid our sexual relationship from others, he explained it to me by telling me that I was very mature for my age and I know now that it was false, I was a child, he used my innocence to do whatever he wanted with me not just sexually but also psychologically," a witness identified as Camila said. Despite the mounting evidence and witness accounts, Raniere maintained his innocence. He branded some of the witnesses as liars, something the judge noted while reading the sentence. "Despite everything that has happened and despite the countless victims who have given voice to their great pain, Mr Raniere remains unmoved. indeed, he maintains his innocence," the judge said. Keith Raniere will not see the outside world again, he has been sentenced to prison for 120 years. His chapter of exploitation is effectively closed but it could be years before the wounds he inflicted finally heal.

US sex cult leader Keith Raniere jailed for 120 years

<p>Grammy award-winning music producer Noel Fisher, known for his work with singer Beyonce, was arrested on Wednesday on more than a dozen sexual assault charges, the Los Angeles County Sheriff`s Department (LASD) said.<br />
<br />
The music producer, who is widely known as 'Detail', was being investigated for alleged incidents that occurred between 2010 and 2018, the LASD said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cameron-diaz-says-she-felt-at-peace-after-retiring-from-movies-318583" hreflang="en">Cameron Diaz says she felt at 'peace' after retiring from movies</a></p>

<p>Fisher`s attorney, Irwin Mark Bledstein, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.<br />
Earlier this year, it said, Special Victims Bureau (SVB) detectives had submitted the case to the Los Angeles County district attorney`s office for review.<br />
<br />
The LASD statement said the attorney's office notified the detectives late in July saying that ''15 sexual assault charges and five additional felony assault-related charges were filed against Noel Christopher Fisher."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-like-his-wife-trump-praises-kim-kardashian-denies-pushing-kanye-wests-bid-in-us-presidential-election-318539" hreflang="en">'I like his wife': Trump praises Kim Kardashian; denies 'pushing' Kanye West's bid in US presidential election</a><br />
<br />
"Based on the nature of the allegations, SVB detectives believe there may be additional potential victims and they are seeking the public`s help in identifying any such victims," the LASD said<br />
A felony arrest warrant was issued with a bail of $6.3 million, it said.</p>

<p>According to Grammy's website, Fisher won a Grammy in 2014 for co-writing the Beyonce and Jay-Z hit 'Drunk in Love'.</p>


Grammy award-winning music producer Noel Fisher, known for his work with singer Beyonce, was arrested on Wednesday on more than a dozen sexual assault charges, the Los Angeles County Sheriff`s Department (LASD) said.

Grammy award-winning music producer Noel Fisher, known for his work with singer Beyonce, was arrested on Wednesday on more than a dozen sexual assault charges, the Los Angeles County Sheriff`s Department (LASD) said. The music producer, who is widely known as 'Detail', was being investigated for alleged incidents that occurred between 2010 and 2018, the LASD said in a statement. Also read: Cameron Diaz says she felt at 'peace' after retiring from movies Fisher`s attorney, Irwin Mark Bledstein, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Earlier this year, it said, Special Victims Bureau (SVB) detectives had submitted the case to the Los Angeles County district attorney`s office for review. The LASD statement said the attorney's office notified the detectives late in July saying that ''15 sexual assault charges and five additional felony assault-related charges were filed against Noel Christopher Fisher." Also read: 'I like his wife': Trump praises Kim Kardashian; denies 'pushing' Kanye West's bid in US presidential election "Based on the nature of the allegations, SVB detectives believe there may be additional potential victims and they are seeking the public`s help in identifying any such victims," the LASD said A felony arrest warrant was issued with a bail of $6.3 million, it said. According to Grammy's website, Fisher won a Grammy in 2014 for co-writing the Beyonce and Jay-Z hit 'Drunk in Love'.

Grammy-winning producer Noel Fisher aka Detail arrested on sexual assault charges

<p>The publisher of filmmaker Woody Allen's forthcoming memoir said on Friday it had scrapped plans to release the book following criticism and a walkout by staff over a longstanding allegation he molested his daughter.</p>

<p>Hachette Book Group had previously announced it would debut Allen's book, 'A Propos of Nothing', in April. Allen has repeatedly denied the accusation that he molested his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, in 1992.</p>

<p>On Thursday, dozens of Hachette employees in New York staged a midday walkout to protest the company's decision to publish Allen's book.</p>

<p>In a statement on Friday, Hachette said it had 'extensive' conversations with staff and others and concluded that publishing the book 'would not be feasible'.</p>

<p>"The decision to cancel Mr. Allen’s book was a difficult one," the statement said. "At HBG we take our relationships with authors very seriously, and do not cancel books lightly. We have published and will continue to publish many challenging books."</p>

<p>Representatives for Allen did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>

<p>Dylan Farrow and her brother, journalist Ronan Farrow, had both criticized Hachette's plan to release their father's book. The decision was "deeply upsetting to me," Dylan Farrow wrote on Twitter earlier this month.</p>

<p>Allen has denied the allegation by Dylan Farrow, which was also made by her mother, Mia Farrow, who appeared in Allen films and was his longtime partner.</p>

<p>Allen has not been charged. He is the winner of four Oscars, including best director for 1977’s "Annie Hall," which also won best picture.</p>

<p>Hachette Book Group is a unit of Lagardere SCA.</p>


The publisher of filmmaker Woody Allen's forthcoming memoir said on Friday it had scrapped plans to release the book following criticism and a walkout by staff over a longstanding allegation he molested his daughter.

The publisher of filmmaker Woody Allen's forthcoming memoir said on Friday it had scrapped plans to release the book following criticism and a walkout by staff over a longstanding allegation he molested his daughter. Hachette Book Group had previously announced it would debut Allen's book, 'A Propos of Nothing', in April. Allen has repeatedly denied the accusation that he molested his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, in 1992. On Thursday, dozens of Hachette employees in New York staged a midday walkout to protest the company's decision to publish Allen's book. In a statement on Friday, Hachette said it had 'extensive' conversations with staff and others and concluded that publishing the book 'would not be feasible'. "The decision to cancel Mr. Allen’s book was a difficult one," the statement said. "At HBG we take our relationships with authors very seriously, and do not cancel books lightly. We have published and will continue to publish many challenging books." Representatives for Allen did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Dylan Farrow and her brother, journalist Ronan Farrow, had both criticized Hachette's plan to release their father's book. The decision was "deeply upsetting to me," Dylan Farrow wrote on Twitter earlier this month. Allen has denied the allegation by Dylan Farrow, which was also made by her mother, Mia Farrow, who appeared in Allen films and was his longtime partner. Allen has not been charged. He is the winner of four Oscars, including best director for 1977’s "Annie Hall," which also won best picture. Hachette Book Group is a unit of Lagardere SCA.

Publisher drops plans to release Woody Allen's memoir

<p>USA Gymnastics has offered to $215 million to the athletes who claim to have been sexually abused by their national team doctor Lawrence G. Nasser also known as Larry Nasser.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The national gymnastics team's governing body has been sued by more than 300 plaintiffs, which also incudes Olympics gymnasts as they failed to protect the athletes from Dr Nasser.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Larry Nasser was sentenced to imprisonment between 40 to 125 years in 2018 for abusing girls in the gymnastics facility under the guise of medical treatment and for the possession of child pornography in Michigan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy in 2018. At that time they were facing 100 lawsuits which represented more than 350 athletes in various courts across the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bankruptcy law requires businesses to provide an exit plan within 18 months, and the exit plan is another hurdle in this lengthy process. USA Gymnastics president Li Li Leung who joined several months after filing bankruptcy, in March 2019, told the press that the organization wants to work toward a true consensual settlement with survivors.</p>

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<p>According to Leung, the insurance carriers have allowed $215 million at this point. US Olympic and Paralympic committee have not contributed anything for the proposed settlement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nasser worked at Michigan State University for a long time. In 2018, the university decided to pay $500 million to more than 300 women/girls who said that they were assaulted by Nasser.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The organization hopes to devise an exit plan before commencement of the Tokyo Olympics which is scheduled to take place in July this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is a two-step voting process for claimants to determine whether to accept the offer. At least half the claimants who vote have to approve the agreement, and the majority needs to represent at least two-thirds of the monetary value of the settlement. The claimants could also vote down the measure and continue to pursue their lawsuits to collect any judgments from insurance policies available to USA Gymnastics or they could not vote on it at all and discuss how to go forward.</p>


USA Gymnastics has offered to $215 million to the athletes who claim to have been sexually abused by their national team doctor Lawrence G. Nasser also known as Larry Nasser.

USA Gymnastics has offered to $215 million to the athletes who claim to have been sexually abused by their national team doctor Lawrence G. Nasser also known as Larry Nasser. The national gymnastics team's governing body has been sued by more than 300 plaintiffs, which also incudes Olympics gymnasts as they failed to protect the athletes from Dr Nasser. Larry Nasser was sentenced to imprisonment between 40 to 125 years in 2018 for abusing girls in the gymnastics facility under the guise of medical treatment and for the possession of child pornography in Michigan. USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy in 2018. At that time they were facing 100 lawsuits which represented more than 350 athletes in various courts across the country. Bankruptcy law requires businesses to provide an exit plan within 18 months, and the exit plan is another hurdle in this lengthy process. USA Gymnastics president Li Li Leung who joined several months after filing bankruptcy, in March 2019, told the press that the organization wants to work toward a true consensual settlement with survivors. × According to Leung, the insurance carriers have allowed $215 million at this point. US Olympic and Paralympic committee have not contributed anything for the proposed settlement. Nasser worked at Michigan State University for a long time. In 2018, the university decided to pay $500 million to more than 300 women/girls who said that they were assaulted by Nasser. The organization hopes to devise an exit plan before commencement of the Tokyo Olympics which is scheduled to take place in July this year. There is a two-step voting process for claimants to determine whether to accept the offer. At least half the claimants who vote have to approve the agreement, and the majority needs to represent at least two-thirds of the monetary value of the settlement. The claimants could also vote down the measure and continue to pursue their lawsuits to collect any judgments from insurance policies available to USA Gymnastics or they could not vote on it at all and discuss how to go forward.

USA Gymnastics offers $215 million to Larry Nasser's survivors