Latest news with #CourthouseNews


UPI
18 hours ago
- Politics
- UPI
DOJ files misconduct complaint against Judge James Boasberg
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Monday that a complaint has been filed against a judge who President Donald Trump threatened to impeach. File Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo July 29 (UPI) -- Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday evening announced that a misconduct complaint has been filed against District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg "for making improper public comments" about President Donald Trump, amid his administration's targeting of the U.S. judicial system. Boasberg, a President Barack Obama appointee, has rejected Trump's attempt to deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador to be interned in a notorious mega prison for terrorists, attracting the ire of the president, who has called for the judge's impeachment. The complaint, obtained by both Politico and Courthouse News, focuses on comments made by Boasberg to Chief Justice John Roberts and some two dozen other judges who attended a March 11 judicial conference. According to the document, Boasberg said he believed that the Trump administration would "disregard rulings of federal courts," which would trigger "a constitutional crisis." The Justice Department alleges that the comments deviated from the administrative matters generally discussed at the conference and were intended to influence Roberts and the other judges. The conference was held amid litigation on Trump's ability to summarily deport the Venezuelan migrants, and days before Boasberg ruled against the administration. He also ruled that Trump had deported the migrants to El Salvador in violation of his order -- an order that was vacated in April by a divided Supreme Court. The complaint states that within days of making the alleged comments, he "began acting on his preconceived belief that the Trump administration would not follow court orders." "These comments have undermined the integrity of the judiciary, and we will not stand for that," Bondi said in a statement on X announcing the filing of the complaint. The Trump administration has attracted staunch criticism from the legal profession over actions it has taken that have been described as targeting the independence of the U.S. judiciary system. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has threatened to impeach judges who rule against him, including Boasberg, described them as "rouge judges," sanctioned law firms and lawyers linked to his political adversaries and has ignored or defied rulings he disagrees with. His administration most recently fired newly appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Desiree Leigh Grace because the New Jersey judges did not select Trump's pick for the position. The complaint against Boasberg was signed by Chad Mizelle, chief of staff for Bondi, who alleged in a statement that Boasberg's March comments violated the Canons of the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges. "Federal judges often complain about the decline of public trust in the judiciary," he said on X. "But if the judiciary simply ignores improper conduct like Judge Boasberg's, it will have itself to blame when the public stops trusting it." The Justice Department, in the complaint, is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to launch a special investigation to determine whether Boasberg's conduct constitutes prejudice against the Trump administration. It also seeks "interim corrective measures," including reassignment of the cases related to the deportation of the Venezuelan migrants to another judge. The complaint is also the second that the Trump administration has filed against a judge. In February, Bondi filed a complaint -- which is still under review -- against Judge Ana Reyes for "hostile and egregious misconduct" against the Trump administration during litigation on the president's executive order to ban transgender service members from the military.


Time of India
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs guilty and acquitted: Split verdict explained, what the charges really mean
The gavel has come down in Sean "Diddy" Combs' explosive federal trial, and the music mogul's legal fate is now partially sealed. On July 2, a New York jury found Combs guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted him of the three most serious charges, including sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and racketeering conspiracy. The split verdict brings a dramatic twist to one of the year's most closely watched celebrity trials, raising as many questions as it answers. What the Jury Decided; and What They Didn't Over 28 days of courtroom proceedings, jurors heard from a string of witnesses, including Combs' former partner Cassie Ventura, hotel staff, and even male sex workers allegedly involved in infamous 'freak-off' parties. According to reports from CNN and Courthouse News, the 55-year-old Bad Boy Records founder displayed mixed emotions during the verdict — subtly pumping his fist after being acquitted of the sex trafficking charges, but also bowing his head in visible relief. The jury ultimately ruled that Combs was not guilty of: Racketeering conspiracy (Count 1) Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion pertaining to Cassie (Count 2) Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion pertaining to 'Jane,' another woman (Count 4) However, he was found guilty on: Transportation to engage in prostitution related to Cassie and sex workers (Count 3) Transportation to engage in prostitution related to Jane and sex workers (Count 5) According to federal law 18 U.S.C. § 2421, this offense involves knowingly transporting someone across state or international lines to engage in prostitution, and does not require the force or coercion necessary to prove sex trafficking under 18 U.S.C. § 1591. The maximum penalty for each count is 10 years, placing Combs at risk of up to 20 years in prison. You Might Also Like: It is not over for Diddy yet: New legal troubles to still haunt the rapper despite surprise acquittal Why Guilty on Some Charges and Not Others? Many were confused by the apparent contradiction in the verdict — guilty of transporting the same women for prostitution, but not guilty of sex trafficking them. The distinction lies in the legal thresholds. As per Cornell Law School's interpretation of U.S. code, sex trafficking charges require proof of force, fraud, or coercion in addition to the transport of victims. Transportation for prostitution, on the other hand, only necessitates evidence of movement across borders with intent — no coercion needs to be proven if the victim is an adult. This means that while the jury did not find enough evidence to prove that Combs forced or manipulated the women into commercial sex acts, they were convinced that he played a direct role in transporting them for those acts to occur. Emotional Reactions Inside the Courtroom Reports from CNN detail a visibly reactive Diddy during the reading of the verdict. He reportedly sat with his hands in his lap and shook his head upon hearing the guilty counts. When Judge Arun Subramanian questioned if he wanted to return to New York's Metropolitan Detention Center, Combs is said to have vigorously shaken his head in protest, hands pressed together in a prayerful gesture. You Might Also Like: How did Sean 'P Diddy' Combs become Puff Daddy? The surprising story uncovered amid his trial Outside the courtroom, his former partner Cassie Ventura's legal team spoke out. Cassie had filed a civil lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, and later testified in court about the abuse she allegedly endured. Her attorney Douglas Wigdor, speaking to Sky News, said that while the jury didn't convict Combs of sex trafficking, her bravery 'paved the way' for the guilty verdicts on the prostitution-related charges. 'Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice,' Wigdor noted. What's Next for Diddy? While Diddy is no longer staring down a life sentence, he still faces the possibility of up to two decades behind bars. Prosecutors have already announced they will seek the maximum sentence. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has requested Combs' release until sentencing, arguing that his client no longer faces the most severe penalties, but the court has not yet made a final ruling. In the meantime, Diddy's troubles are far from over. As previously reported by Radar Online, several civil suits are still pending, and attorney Tony Buzbee has suggested that more are on the way.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan pleads not guilty to federal obstruction charges
May 15 (UPI) -- Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges related to her alleged interference with an ICE arrest. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries accepted Dugan's not guilty plea to one charge each of obstructing an official proceeding and concealing a person from arrest and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Dries set the next hearing in the case for July 9 and a start date for the trial on July 21. Neither Dugan, nor attorney Steve Biskupic commented on whether they believed the case would go to trial. Dugan's lawyers submitted a motion to dismiss her case Wednesday which cited judicial immunity and federal overreach as reasons her case should be dismissed, as per the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, under which her legal team purports that federal agents cannot enter a state courthouse and arrest a sitting judge. "Even if, contrary to what the trial evidence would show, Judge Dugan took the actions the complaint alleges, these plainly were judicial acts for which she has absolute immunity from criminal prosecution. Judges are empowered to maintain control over their courtrooms specifically and the courthouse generally," the dismissal notice, posted online by Courthouse News, stated. "Criminalizing the official acts of a state court judge controlling her courtroom would implicate all the concerns that motivated the 10th Amendment." Dugan was indicted on the two counts on Tuesday, related to the April 18 incident in which she allegedly misdirected federal agents to allow Eduardo Flores-Ruiz to evade arrest over his immigration status as she presided over a domestic abuse case he was involved in. She is charged with confronting federal agents in the court's hallway and escorting Flores-Ruiz out of her courtroom, although he was ultimately taken into immigration enforcement custody after a foot chase. Dugan was then arrested on April 25 as FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency believed she "intentionally misdirected federal agents" away from Flores-Ruiz. Dugan was temporarily removed from the bench by the Wisconsin Supreme Court after her arrest.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Yahoo
Transgender vegan murder cult member freaks out in court
A member of a radical transgender vegan cult suspected in several murders was dragged out of a California courtroom, claiming jail guards were trying to detransition them. And they wanted to kill them. Alexander Leatham, 29, who identifies as a transgender woman, is reportedly part of the Zizian cult. However, according to Courthouse News, they were attending a hearing in Solano County, Calif., when they freaked out and began ranting in court. Leatham exploded: 'I am not suicidal. I have never been suicidal. If I am killed in police custody, it was murder!' They are in the hot seat for allegedly attempting to murder her landlord in 2022. The landlord was later murdered, allegedly by Zizian members. Leatham claimed she was being forcibly detransitioned with hormone therapy. They added that it was all part of a 25-year conspiracy against transgender people. At a hearing in March, Leatham screamed again and again: 'This is a show trial to coordinate the genocide of transgender people!' Leatham was then locked in what cops call a 'quiet room' similar to what's found in many daycares for unruly toddlers. Courthouse News wrote: 'Her muffled shouting could be heard in the next room for the rest of the hearing.' Zizians were an unknown quantity before Jan. 20, when two suspected members were involved in a shootout with Border Patrol Agent David Maland near the Canadian border. Authorities said that Teresa 'Milo' Consuelo Youngblut and former Waterloo University student and German national Felix 'Ophelia' Bauckholt were pulled over by Maland. Youngblut allegedly started shooting, and the border agent returned fire, killing Bauckholt, but Maland was mortally wounded. Cops say the two cult members got their guns from fellow Zizian Michelle Zakjow, 32, who identifies as a trans man. Zakjow had been wanted for the double murder of his parents in Pennsylvania. One month later, detectives traced Zakjow to Delaware, where they were arrested, along with fellow cultie Daniel Blank and the bizarre sect's leader, Jack 'Ziz' LaSota. Ziz, 34, is a trans blogger and computer engineer from Berkeley, California. Police have painted the cult leader as a modern-day Charles Manson. The group has been linked to six murders in three states. Pennsylvania state police sources told the New York Post they have enough evidence to arrest Zakjow for the murders of his parents. As for Leatham, they and fellow cult members Suri Dao and Emma Borhanian are accused of attacking their landlord, Curtis Lind, 82, in 2022. Lind told cops he was inspecting a leak in Dao's trailer when he was clobbered in the back of the head. When he woke up, he had more than 50 stab wounds that detectives believe were inflicted by a samurai sword, which was stuck in his torso and the trio of Zizians standing over him. But the old man wasn't going down without a fight and managed to grab his gun, wounding Leatham and killing Borhanian. Prosecutors said it was self-defence. Another Zizian named Maximilian Snyder later finished off Lind to prevent him from testifying against the cult members. Snyder allegedly stabbed Lind to death in an ambush. bhunter@ @HunterTOSun
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Soulja Boy Ordered to Pay $4 Million to Jane Doe in Sexual Assault Case
Soulja Boy was ordered to pay $4 million to a Jane Doe who accused him of sexual battery and abuse during their two-year relationship. According to Courthouse News, a jury decided that the rapper, whose real name is DeAndre Way, was liable in his civil case for claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment and non-payment of wages. He was cleared on claims of false imprisonment and constructive discharge. Way 'smiled calmly' as the verdict was read. More from Variety A 'Taste' of Tyga: 'Being in the Game Over 10 Years and Still Dropping Hits Is Everything' Queen Radio Recap: Nicki Minaj Drops New Music, Talks Tyga With Soulja Boy Soulja Boy Praises 'Saturday Night Live' Parody Legal representatives for Doe and Way did not immediately respond to Variety's request for comment. Doe sued Way in Jan. 2021, accusing him of raping and kidnapping her while working as his personal assistant starting in 2018. She claimed that within the first month of employment, Way sent her photos of his penis and they initiated a romantic relationship that turned violent and toxic. During the trial, she testified that he locked her in a room without food for as long as two days. Way denied abusing Doe, stating that he never formally hired her and offered her a place to stay in exchange for rolling blunts. He described their relationship as consensual yet at times contentious. Throughout the trial, photographs of Doe's bruises and text messages between the two were key pieces of evidence, with Way explaining that threatening texts like 'Die bitch. Shoulda killed your stupid ass' were not meant to be violent. His lawyers also argued that the photographs of bruises didn't establish that Way had inflicted them on her, and that she was suing for a payday. During closing arguments on Monday, Doe's attorneys asked the jury to award her $73.6 million. 'If you don't believe my client, don't give her a dollar,' said her lawyer, Ron Zambrano. 'But if you do believe her, give her everything. 'He raped her,' he added. 'He punched her. He kicked her. He cut her. He pointed a Draco gun at her. He locked her in her room… He told her, 'I hope you die slow.'' Way's attorney Rickey Ivie painted Doe as an extortionist driven by greed. 'She wanted to be paid,' he said. 'Which is what this case is all about. Because it's not about the truth.' Way was previously sued for assault and kidnapping in 2021 and, two years later, was ordered to pay $471,800 to an ex-girlfriend. She claimed that he had kidnapped her and held a gun to her head at his home after a party in Feb. 2019. Another woman also accused Way of assaulting her in 2021, alleging that he put a gun to her head and kicked her in the stomach while she was pregnant. She said she suffered a miscarriage after the incident. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins