
Who Is Teny Geragos? Meet Diddy's Glamorous Nepo-Baby Lawyer Who Saved Music Mogul from Getting Life Sentence
Teny Geragos, 34, was one of Combs' high-profile attorneys who successfully convinced the jury to acquit him on Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges—crimes that could have resulted in the music mogul spending the rest of his life behind the bars. As the verdict was read and Combs was found guilty on the lesser charge of shipping people for prostitution, which carries a potential 20-year prison term, Combs held Geragos' hand.
Diddy's Savior
The verdict marks biggest victory in Geragos' blossoming legal career, with some commentators drawing comparisons between the stylish attorney and Camille Vasquez, who earlier represented Johnny Depp.
Vasquez gained widespread fame in 2022 after helping Depp win his defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard, largely due to her tough and memorable cross-examination of the Aquaman actress.
Teny Geragos, 34, gained widespread attention in the legal world for her unconventional approach to defending Diddy's innocence, as she used TikTok and primetime television as her platforms. Last September, after the music mogul was arrested and charged with sex trafficking in New York City, she began posting a series of short, one-minute videos online.
Geragos has said in interviews that "misinformation spreads" online, and she has used social media to challenge Diddy's accusers and what she described as a "series of false claims" made "in the hopes of trying to get a payday."
Now that Diddy's has been acquitted in most of the charges, the Loyola Law School alum is back in the spotlight. During Diddy's trial, Teny Geragos delivered a powerful opening statement, criticizing prosecutors for going too far in their charges against the rap mogul.
She acknowledged that her client had a history of aggressive behavior but argued that the prosecution had overreached by attempting to portray consensual sexual relationships as acts of prostitution and sex trafficking.
With nearly ten years of experience defending people accused of sexual assault, harassment, and other misconduct—as her firm proudly highlights—representing Diddy in one of the most high-profile trials in recent history marks a major milestone in her career.
Geragos is a founding partner at Agnifilo Intrater LLP, where she works alongside seasoned defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, known for representing prominent figures.
Often referred to as the "glamorous TikTok lawyer," she also shares a close bond with her father, Mark Geragos, a prominent attorney whose career likely inspired her own path in criminal defense.
Star in Her own Right
In 2021, she married her college sweetheart, Ashwinn Krishnaswamy, in a lavish summer wedding at her parents' Los Angeles home, styled after Paris's Jardin du Luxembourg. Geragos appears to have found her interest in the legal system early in her academic career.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she earned her bachelor's degree in art history and media, culture, and communication from New York University in 2013.
That same year, she began her Juris Doctor studies at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, completing the program in 2016.
During law school, she gained valuable experience by serving as a judicial extern for a Supreme Court Justice in Kings County, New York. She also interned with Brooklyn Defender Services and later took on another judicial externship at a U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. In 2015, she worked as a legal intern with the Legal Aid Society in the Bronx.
Geragos also worked as a law clerk for both the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office and her father's firm, Geragos & Geragos, APC, where Mark Geragos is the lead attorney.
Her father has defended several celebrities over the years, including Chris Brown in his assault case involving Rihanna. He has also previously represented Sean "Diddy" Combs, Winona Ryder, Kesha, and Michael Jackson, as well as Susan McDougal during the 1990s Whitewater investigation connected to the Clintons.
Geragos began her legal career as a trial attorney at Brafman & Associates PC, a law firm based in New York City, according to her LinkedIn profile. She was admitted to the bar in both New York and California in 2017.
She spent nearly eight years at Brafman & Associates before becoming a founding partner at Agnifilo Intrater LLP.
Her legal background includes expertise in cases involving sexual misconduct, where she has served as counsel for both alleged victims and those facing accusations.

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AsiaOne
2 hours ago
- AsiaOne
People aren't boycotting SingLit, they just don't know about it, say insiders on poor readership, Singapore News
An avid reader of fantasy and dystopian fiction, 27-year-old Megan often turns to social media platform Goodreads and TikTok sub-community BookTok for recommendations on what to read next. Both platforms have become go-to resources for book lovers to discover trending reading lists and reviews on popular titles. "I haven't come across much Singapore Literature (SingLit)," said Megan, who declined to give her full name. She told AsiaOne that the only SingLit titles she had encountered were from English class during her schooling years. Many readers have similar experiences with SingLit, and are largely unaware of the vast range of titles and genres published by the literary community in Singapore, as seen in the results of the National Library Board's (NLB) National Reading Habits Study 2024. Only three in 10 adults had read a SingLit book in the past 12 months, according to the study released on June 26 which surveyed 3,725 Singapore residents. Among the 2,575 respondents that were non-readers of SingLit, over half said that they were unaware of local authors and literary works. 25 per cent of the group also said that they were not interested in Singaporean themes, and 18 per cent said that they were unable to find SingLit books in the genres that they like reading. Lack of awareness, not lack of interest "I have friends who are otherwise big readers but have basically no awareness of what titles are being released in the local scene," said local author Lee Wen-yi. Speaking to AsiaOne, the 26-year-old recounted a time working in a SingLit-focused bookstore, where "someone came in and said they didn't even realise Singapore had authors". Though that experience was definitely "on the extreme end", it "still speaks to the wider condition", saying that the results of the NLB survey did not surprise her. "It's not like people are actively boycotting SingLit — most times they genuinely don't know what books exist to interest them, or where to find them," she said. Alex Chua, Co-founder of Book Bar, an independent bookstore that features local and Asian literature, echoed Lee's sentiments and said that he has encountered his fair share of "people who walk in not knowing there were so many Singapore authors". Chua thinks that interest in SingLit has been picking up over the years however, adding that he has noticed a constant flow of newcomers in attendance at Book Bar's events, which range from book launches to poetry readings. 'Same themes or subjects' The lack of interest in SingLit may also be attributed to the common misconception that SingLit works are "always about the same themes or subjects", said 27-year-old poet Laura Jane Lee. Laura and Wen-yi agreed that the misconception may be due to "what's being put in the school syllabus", since most readers' first impression of SingLit is through literary texts in school. While such texts "have a lot of literary value, they aren't always what will hook everyone into searching out more local writing," Wen-yi told AsiaOne. The necessity to study such texts on a deeper level may sometimes lead readers to think SingLit is "boring". Sceptics may also think that local literature is "not as good as international authors" and that "the quality of the writing is not good", said Book Bar's Chua, sharing that there are many internationally published local writers, such as Amanda Lee Koe and Low Ying Ping. Laura shared similar thoughts, adding that there is a "tendency for the average Singaporean reader to look towards anglophone centres of literary production as a metric of literary merit", suggesting the need for a shift in perspective towards SingLit. Speaking to AsiaOne, Associate Professor Angelia Poon from the English Language and Literature Department at National Institute of Education (NIE), also said that "there is actually a wide range of texts to choose from — poetry, novels, short stories, plays, non-fiction, essays." "We sometimes forget that SingLit is multilingual," she said, adding that there is a multitude of vernacular literature that has become more accessible with English translations. "Given how diverse Singapore literature is, it'll be hard for one not to find something that would be of interest." Limited marketing resources The discoverability of SingLit is also impacted by the lower marketing budgets that local publishers and bookstores have, according to those whom AsiaOne spoke to. Even in a digital age with BookTok and online book communities gaining traction, a majority of readers are still only exposed to books from Western publishers, said Wen-yi, who released her debut novel in 2023. "Just in terms of scale, it is hard for the much smaller number of SingLit titles — with much fewer marketing resources behind them — to break through the noise," she said. "It takes a much more concerted effort, or a stroke of luck and virality — like with Teo You Yenn's This Is What Inequality Means — for a SingLit title to gain the same kind of traction," she added. Internationally published books, under household names like Penguin Books or Harper Collins, understandably get more attention and "are supported by much bigger distribution and publicity networks than local indie publishers have", Wen-yi said, which unfortunately result in "a disparity in the support behind each title". Apart from traditional marketing efforts, Book Bar's Chua also said that SingLit books could be better promoted by Singaporean politicians, of whom many are known to be book lovers. "I think that we like to talk about our sports stars, but there isn't as much talk about our literary stars, like Jemimah Wei who clinched a US$500,000 (S$636,935) book deal," he told AsiaOne, adding that there are often so many new titles published each month that he struggles to find space to display them in store. Wen-yi also highlighted a visit to mainstream bookstore, Popular, during a recent trip to Malaysia where she noticed "a whole bookshelf section of local Malaysian authors". Similar displays of SingLit at mainstream bookstores locally could provide the needed boost for local works, she said. Speaking to AsiaOne, Assistant Professor Ann Ang from the English Language and Literature Department at NIE also said that there could be greater efforts by NLB and government agencies to promote SingLit. While they do a "stellar job", she believes that more could be done to bring literary works on permanent display in public places. She raised Poems on the MRT — a collaboration between the National Arts Council, SMRT and Sing Lit Station that displays excerpts of Singapore poetry throughout SMRT's train network — as a good example, though "unfortunately temporary" as it will only run till the end of October. Bringing SingLit to the public space could also take the form of "an excerpt from a book in place of a mural", or "quotes set into the facade of our cultural institutions, universities and libraries", she added. SG Culture Pass: Will it boost readership? As announced during Budget 2025, eligible Singaporeans will receive $100 in SG Culture Pass credits in September. Apart from tickets to local performances and exhibitions, credits may also be used to purchase SingLit titles, said the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY). According to the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) website, SG Culture Pass credits will also be valid to purchase festival passes and selected ticketed programmes at the festival in November. When asked if the SG Culture Pass would boost SingLit readership, Chua said that it would "definitely allow people who might have been unwilling to spend on a SingLit book to give it a chance". While optimistic that the credits would provide the much-needed push for some readers, Wen-yi also said that "it's unlikely to make that much of a difference specifically for SingLit, unless it's accompanied by big marketing pushes for the books". [[nid:713288]]


Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
Teen plotting attacks on women charged in France's first ‘incel' case
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox PARIS - An 18-year-old French man suspected of planning attacks on women has been charged in the country's first case of a terror plot linked to the misogynist 'incel' movement, officials said on July 2. According to a source close to the investigation, the suspect, Timothy G., was arrested on June 27 by the DGSI domestic intelligence agency near a public high school in the south-eastern city of Saint-Etienne. According to sources close to the case, the suspect was arrested with two knives in his bag and identified himself as a member of the 'incel', or involuntary celibate, subculture. The 'incel' movement is an internet subculture rife with misogyny, with men tending to blame women and feminism for their romantic failings. They typically target those who they see as attractive or sexually active women. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) said that an investigation had been opened on July 1 'against an 18-year-old man claiming to be part of the 'incel' movement'. The man has been charged with terrorist conspiracy with a view to preparing one or more crimes against persons, the PNAT said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade World Trump announces Vietnam trade deal with 20% import tariff Singapore From camping to mentorship, Singapore Scouts mark 115th anniversary of the youth movement Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty World Sean 'Diddy' Combs convicted on prostitution counts but cleared of more serious charges Singapore Teen, 17, to be charged with allegedly trespassing on MRT tracks Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home The involvement of anti-terror prosecutors appears to indicate that French authorities recognise this form of gender-based violence as terrorism. 'Suffering' teenager On July 1 evening, Timothy G. appeared before a judge who remanded him in custody. He looked shy and had an almost hairless face and a slender build, according to an AFP journalist. His lawyer Maria Snitsar described him as 'a teenager who is suffering, not a fighter preparing for action'. According to one of the sources close to the case, the teenager, who wanted to become an engineer, was a fan of misogynist videos on social media, particularly TikTok. Another source close to the case said that this is the first time the PNAT has been called upon to investigate a man who exclusively identifies as part of the 'incel' subculture. The concept had previously appeared only marginally in at least two cases handled by the anti-terrorism prosecutor's office. The PNAT announcement was also a sign of changing attitudes in France. A judicial source told AFP in late 2023 that the PNAT had long refused to take up cases linked to the movement, believing that 'these mass killing plans were not for them'. Netflix hit 'Adolescence' has sparked widespread debate about the toxic and misogynistic influences to which young boys are exposed online. The hard-hitting show is to be shown in UK and French schools, officials have said. In 2022, the US Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) highlighted the threat posed by 'misogynistic extremism'. In the United Kingdom, MI5, the domestic intelligence service, has warned of links between 'incels' and other violent conspiracy movements. In 2014, an American man, Elliot Rodger, who had professed frustration over his virginity and women rejecting him, killed six people, including three women, in California before committing suicide. In 2018, Alek Minassian, a man claiming to have been part of the movement, drove a rented van onto a busy Toronto sidewalk, killing 11, mostly women. He was sentenced to life in prison for those murders, but was never charged with terrorism. AFP


International Business Times
10 hours ago
- International Business Times
Who Is Teny Geragos? Meet Diddy's Glamorous Nepo-Baby Lawyer Who Saved Music Mogul from Getting Life Sentence
A young and glamorous attorney, whose father made his name defending high-profile clients, pulled of a stunning victory in the high-profile case of Sean 'Diddy' Combs who was acquitted of the most serious charges brought against him. Teny Geragos, 34, was one of Combs' high-profile attorneys who successfully convinced the jury to acquit him on Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges—crimes that could have resulted in the music mogul spending the rest of his life behind the bars. As the verdict was read and Combs was found guilty on the lesser charge of shipping people for prostitution, which carries a potential 20-year prison term, Combs held Geragos' hand. Diddy's Savior The verdict marks biggest victory in Geragos' blossoming legal career, with some commentators drawing comparisons between the stylish attorney and Camille Vasquez, who earlier represented Johnny Depp. Vasquez gained widespread fame in 2022 after helping Depp win his defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard, largely due to her tough and memorable cross-examination of the Aquaman actress. Teny Geragos, 34, gained widespread attention in the legal world for her unconventional approach to defending Diddy's innocence, as she used TikTok and primetime television as her platforms. Last September, after the music mogul was arrested and charged with sex trafficking in New York City, she began posting a series of short, one-minute videos online. Geragos has said in interviews that "misinformation spreads" online, and she has used social media to challenge Diddy's accusers and what she described as a "series of false claims" made "in the hopes of trying to get a payday." Now that Diddy's has been acquitted in most of the charges, the Loyola Law School alum is back in the spotlight. During Diddy's trial, Teny Geragos delivered a powerful opening statement, criticizing prosecutors for going too far in their charges against the rap mogul. She acknowledged that her client had a history of aggressive behavior but argued that the prosecution had overreached by attempting to portray consensual sexual relationships as acts of prostitution and sex trafficking. With nearly ten years of experience defending people accused of sexual assault, harassment, and other misconduct—as her firm proudly highlights—representing Diddy in one of the most high-profile trials in recent history marks a major milestone in her career. Geragos is a founding partner at Agnifilo Intrater LLP, where she works alongside seasoned defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, known for representing prominent figures. Often referred to as the "glamorous TikTok lawyer," she also shares a close bond with her father, Mark Geragos, a prominent attorney whose career likely inspired her own path in criminal defense. Star in Her own Right In 2021, she married her college sweetheart, Ashwinn Krishnaswamy, in a lavish summer wedding at her parents' Los Angeles home, styled after Paris's Jardin du Luxembourg. Geragos appears to have found her interest in the legal system early in her academic career. According to her LinkedIn profile, she earned her bachelor's degree in art history and media, culture, and communication from New York University in 2013. That same year, she began her Juris Doctor studies at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, completing the program in 2016. During law school, she gained valuable experience by serving as a judicial extern for a Supreme Court Justice in Kings County, New York. She also interned with Brooklyn Defender Services and later took on another judicial externship at a U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. In 2015, she worked as a legal intern with the Legal Aid Society in the Bronx. Geragos also worked as a law clerk for both the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office and her father's firm, Geragos & Geragos, APC, where Mark Geragos is the lead attorney. Her father has defended several celebrities over the years, including Chris Brown in his assault case involving Rihanna. He has also previously represented Sean "Diddy" Combs, Winona Ryder, Kesha, and Michael Jackson, as well as Susan McDougal during the 1990s Whitewater investigation connected to the Clintons. Geragos began her legal career as a trial attorney at Brafman & Associates PC, a law firm based in New York City, according to her LinkedIn profile. She was admitted to the bar in both New York and California in 2017. She spent nearly eight years at Brafman & Associates before becoming a founding partner at Agnifilo Intrater LLP. Her legal background includes expertise in cases involving sexual misconduct, where she has served as counsel for both alleged victims and those facing accusations.