Latest news with #civillawsuit
Forbes
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
What Happens To Diddy's Civil Lawsuits? How His Convictions Could Help Plaintiffs
The dozens of plaintiffs who have filed civil suits against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, many of which accuse him of sexual assault and sex trafficking, may be helped by his criminal convictions, even though he was acquitted on more serious crimes by a Manhattan jury Wednesday. Sean "Diddy" Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage) WireImage Combs was convicted on two criminal counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and acquitted on two counts of sex trafficking and one count of racketeering conspiracy, but the music mogul still faces sentencing in his criminal case, as well as dozens of civil lawsuits. Mark Zauderer, a veteran trial and appellate lawyer, told Forbes the verdict is 'only going to help plaintiffs in civil cases,' stating the criminal trial could provide civil suit plaintiffs a 'roadmap to witnesses with helpful testimony.' Even though Combs was acquitted on sex trafficking in the criminal trial, his conviction on transportation to engage in prostitution could help support the civil suit plaintiffs' claims of sexual abuse or trafficking if evidence overlaps, Zauderer said, noting civil cases have a lower standard of proof required to find a defendant liable. 'At a minimum, [plaintiffs] are going to get an advantage by seeking evidence that may be admissible in the civil case about the conduct of the defendant,' Zauderer said. Former federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow said Combs would not be able to point to his sex trafficking acquittal in his criminal trial as 'proof he didn't commit misconduct against these plaintiffs.' Chutkow said, though, Combs' acquittal on sex trafficking and racketeering charges could be discouraging to potential civil plaintiffs who have already sued or may have planned to sue Combs, stating they would have seen the 'excruciating' testimonies of his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and 'Jane Doe,' who testified under a pseudonym. Combs may have to be prepared to pay significant amounts of money if he settles or owes damages to plaintiffs in his civil lawsuits, should they proceed to trial. Chutkow said Combs' settlement with Ventura, reported to be $20 million, was likely so large because of both the severity of Ventura's claims and his willingness to contain a scandal. Zauderer told Forbes courts could seize Combs' assets or money from his various businesses to make payouts to successful plaintiffs. If his civil cases proceed to trial, Combs may be more likely to testify, which he did not do in his criminal trial. 'In a civil case, if you don't testify, that can be harmful to you,' Chutkow said, stating there is an expectation both the defense and prosecution will present a case, unlike in criminal cases, in which the burden of proof is on prosecutors. Tangent Because civil and criminal cases have different standards of proof, if a jury feels the evidence is not strong enough to convict in a criminal case, it may still be enough to find a defendant liable in a civil case. In a criminal case, jurors must believe a defendant is guilty 'beyond a reasonable doubt,' a much higher standard of proof than civil cases, which abide by the 'preponderance of the evidence' standard, meaning jurors must believe the defendant is more likely than not to be liable. Chutkow pointed to a famous example where a civil and criminal trial ended in different ways: O.J. Simpson was found not guilty for the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in his criminal trial, but in a civil trial, he was found liable for their deaths and was ordered to pay $33.5 million to their relatives. Ventura filed a quickly settled civil lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, accusing him of sex trafficking, rape and physical abuse. Ventura's lawsuit kicked off a barrage of at least 70 suits filed against Combs, many of which were supported by attorney Tony Buzbee, and most of which accuse him of sexual assault, sex trafficking or physical abuse. Some of these lawsuits were filed by celebrities, including Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard, who also testified in his criminal trial. Richard accused Combs of physical abuse and 'inhumane working conditions.' Producer Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones sued Combs for alleged sexual assault, sex trafficking and racketeering, though a judge later tossed the racketeering claims. Some of the lawsuits involve minors, including plaintiff Liza Gardner, who sued Combs in November 2023, accusing him of drugging and assaulting her when she was 16 years old in 1990. Combs has consistently denied all allegations made in the dozens of lawsuits filed against him. Surprising Fact Combs was sued multiple times in the final days of his criminal trial. On Tuesday, Edmond Laurent, a former model and actor, sued Combs and several anonymous co-defendants in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and sexual battery, accusing Combs and a woman of drugging and raping him in the late 2000s. Another lawsuit filed last Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court accused Combs and his son, Justin Combs, of luring a woman from Louisiana to Los Angeles with the promise of a job, where they, alongside two other men, allegedly gang-raped her. What's Next For Combs' Criminal Trial? Combs' sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 3, but Judge Arun Subramanian set a hearing for July 8 for both sides to present arguments for whether his sentencing should be expedited. Until he is sentenced, Combs will remain in jail at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. Combs' legal team requested he be released on bail, but the judge denied the request, noting the defense had conceded Combs has a violent past, citing the surveillance footage of Combs attacking Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel. If Combs is given the maximum sentence on both convictions, he could serve a total of 20 years in prison, but prosecutors said in a court filing Wednesday federal sentencing guidelines could support a sentence of about four to five years in prison, while the defense is pushing for less time. Further Reading Sean 'Diddy' Combs Denied Bail After Trial (Forbes) Cassie, 50 Cent And More Major Reactions To Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial Verdict (Forbes)
Associated Press
09-06-2025
- Associated Press
Alabama sheriff arrested for hiring uncertified officers, including one accused of violence
The sheriff of an Alabama county mired in allegations of abuse was arrested on Monday for hiring officers without state training or certification, according to an indictment. Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith, 41, was indicted on six misdemeanors in state court, accused of hiring one deputy, four armed school resource officers and one jailer who allegedly didn't have state certification or training, according to court documents made public on Monday. Both the deputy and some school resource officers were issued department patrol cars, badges and firearms, according to the indictment. Smith has come under scrutiny in recent years for the death of Tony Mitchell, a 33-year-old mentally ill man who died of sepsis and hypothermia after being held in the local jail in 2023. At least 14 law enforcement employees for Walker County have pled guilty or been indicted on federal charges related to Mitchell's death. Smith, who was first elected sheriff in 2018, has been named in a civil lawsuit filed by Mitchell's family. At least one of the officers mentioned in Smith's indictment previously had his certification suspended in Arizona after he admitted to putting a gun to a woman's head during a traffic stop, according to sworn testimony during a civil service board meeting last month. The deputy was hired in late June as a provisional officer, which meant he wasn't allowed to execute arrests or patrol alone until he completed his state training under state law. But the deputy made three arrests and investigated three deaths, according to civil service board testimony from a fellow officer in May. Waker County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Ralph Williams was also arrested on Monday for allegedly lying to the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, saying the officer had been terminated last November. There were no attorneys listed for Smith or Williams on Monday afternoon. Telephone and email messages seeking comment were left with the Walker County Sheriff's Office. Smith called the May civil service board hearing a 'sham' and 'political circus' while he was questioned. ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
ABC News
27-05-2025
- ABC News
Family flags lawsuit as Victorian teen charged with multiple terror offences
A Victorian teenager has been charged with terror offences, with his father saying he has not seen the charges against his son. Last Thursday, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) raided the home of the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons. Counter-terrorism officers subsequently charged him with four terror offences, including using a carriage service to make threats to kill, threatening force or violence against groups, and possessing and using violent extremist material. The teen faced a Children's Court hearing last Friday While the AFP confirmed the boy had been charged, it would not say when the alleged offences happened. The teen was remanded in custody at the Parkville Youth Justice Precinct and is expected to re-appear in the Children's Court in coming weeks. It is understood he has been the subject of a year-long investigation by the AFP. The boy's father said dozens of federal police officers raided their home late on Thursday afternoon. He told the ABC he still has not seen the charges against his son. But an AFP spokesperson confirmed the boy had been charged by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team. "There is no impending threat to the community," she said. "Further comment will be made at an appropriate time." The boy's family said it was pursuing a separate civil lawsuit against police over their actions in investigating their son.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Daily Mail
She killed Apple exec, his wife and children with her Mercedes...but what she's accused of doing next is truly evil
A San Francisco Mercedes driver accused of killing an Apple executive and his family allegedly tried to transfer her assets to avoid losing her fortune in any civil suit filed over the tragedy. Mary Fong Lau, 79, is accused of mowing down Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, Matilde Ramos Pinto, 38, and their two children with her SUV as they waited at a bus stop in the West Portal neighborhoo d last year. In a new lawsuit filed against Lau, she was accused of hiding her assets after being hit with civil action by the victim's families. Lau is facing the lawsuit under the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act, which alleges that she fraudulently transferred her interest in real estate in San Francisco to avoid losing them in financial restitution. Lau was hit with a wrongful death lawsuit in June 2024, and according to the lawsuit first reported by KTVU, she transferred her stake in three properties in August. The day after she transferred her stake to two newly formed Nevada limited liability companies, her attorneys filed a motion to halt the wrongful death case until her criminal trial is over. Lau's attorneys quickly shot back at the allegations, saying: 'We want to be clear that this is not the case. In the aftermath of the accident, Ms. Lau and her family sought professional help from legal, financial, medical, and mental health consultants. 'While Ms. Lau was advised to reorganize her property holdings in the months following the accident, none of these transfers were intended to evade potential damages arising from this heartbreaking event.' Lau's attorney Seth Morris insisted that she will fully cooperate with both criminal and civil cases against her. 'As a mother and grandmother, she acknowledges the immense suffering of those who lost loved ones and understands their families deserve to be compensated for their very unfortunate loss.' Lau is set for a preliminary hearing on July 17, with her case upended after she was alleged to have changed her story over the horror crash. The San Francisco Standard reported that Lau told witnesses at the scene that she was trying to park when she accidentally hit the accelerator during the fateful incident on March 16. However, Lau told cops at the hospital that the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 she was driving malfunctioned before she plowed into the bus shelter where the family of four was struck. Investigators found no problems with Lau's car, which they said was traveling at an estimated 66 to 75 mph, the Standard reported. The crash killed the couple and their sons, 1-year-old Joaquin Ramos Pinto de Oliveira and three-month-old Cauê Ramos Pinto de Oliveira, as the family was waiting to catch a bus to the zoo. Lau has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter. She was ordered not to drive and to turn over her driver's license to the court. Her attorney, Samuel Geller, told the Standard that there is a 'level of hearsay' in the witness statement given to police, noting that the witness was paraphrasing comments made by Lau in the wake of a traumatic incident. 'I would ask the public to reserve judgment until the court process has taken its course,' Geller said. 'This is a horrific tragedy, and Ms. Lau continues to mourn this incident to this day.' Some witnesses said Lau suffered a medical incident before the crash. Others said she got out of the car yelling, 'What have I done?' Diego and Joaquin were killed at the scene while Matilde and Cauê succumbed to injuries in hospital. The family lived in the Mission District and planned to spend a day at the zoo for their wedding anniversary, friends said. Diego, a creative director at Apple, was from Brazil and Matilde was a film and advertising producer from Portugal. Other people waiting for the bus to arrive were also injured in the crash and received medical attention. One witness, Nikki Mashburn, told The San Francisco Chronicle that she heard the crash and that is sounded like 'an explosion.' She said that the victims suffered head injuries. 'When the paramedics showed up, you could tell … they didn't know what to do first,' Mashburn said. Following the tragedy, advocacy group Walk San Francisco and locals voiced concerns about the intersection of Ulloa Street and West Portal Avenue where the bus stop is located. The group noted that around the intersection, there are multiple places frequented by families and children, like a library, schools and train stations.
CTV News
09-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
City of Surrey, B.C., says it lost $2.5 million in ‘irregular transactions'
The City of Surrey says it filed a civil lawsuit against a former employee, looking to recover $2.5 million worth of 'irregular transactions.' A statement from city manager Rob Costanzo Thursday says the lawsuit was filed last year after staff identified problems dating back to 2017 involving dormant development-deposit accounts. Costanzo says staff first spotted irregularities in early 2024 and the city conducted an internal review, engaged external forensic specialists, and reported the situation to the RCMP. He says police are conducting a criminal investigation and the city has enhanced its processes to prevent something like that from happening again. Costanzo says no current city employee is named in the civil action and no additional staff have been implicated. He says privacy legislation prevents the city from commenting on individual employment matters, 'including those concerning relatives of the former employee.' 'Residents can be assured that decisive steps have been taken to protect public funds and to recover the full amount on their behalf. Because the matter is before the courts, the city is unable to comment further at this time,' he says This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025.
