NPA files papers
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) files its papers in the spy tapes case, after missing the previous deadline. In response to the DA’s questioning of the NPA’s decision to withdraw criminal charges against Zuma after his election as ANC leader, the NPA papers argue that Zuma was charged with corruption to stop then President Thabo Mbeki from being recalled.
Convent property dispute
Perry is in the middle of a legal dispute over the ownership of a former Catholic convent in the city’s Los Feliz neighborhood near downtown L.A. The hilltop property, with a swimming pool and a sweeping view of the San Gabriel Mountains, was once home to Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Archbishop Gomez says the property was entrusted to the diocese in 2005 and wants to sell the property to Perry for $14.5 million, but the nuns, who believe the property is theirs, have already entered into an agreement to sell it to real-estate developer Hollister for $15.5 million. Hollister plans to turn the property into a hotel, restaurant and bar, while Perry wants to use the building as her home. Archdiocese:
Unfortunately, the Archdiocese had to take civil action to protect against the unauthorized action by Ms. Hollister, which was undertaken after the preferred transaction had been accepted in consultation with the Sisters.
One of the sisters was not happy about Perry’s work:
Well, I found Katy Perry and I found her videos and … if it’s all right to say, I wasn’t happy with any of it.
They said, however, that when Perry visited the sisters, she performed a gospel song and dressed conservatively.
Sues Univision for $500 million
Trump sues Univision for $500 million in New York State Supreme Court for breach of contract and defamation, over a $13.5 million contract for broadcast rights to Trump’s Miss Universe Organization pageants. The parties had reached an agreement in January that included the rights to broadcast the Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and the Miss Universe competition from 2015 through 2019. Univision agreed to pay $2.5 million per year until 2017, and $3 million per year for 2018 and 2019, and to make “reasonable efforts” to broadcast it over two to three hours on a Sunday night. Trump says Univision’s’ decision not to broadcast the pageant is politically motivated and an attempt to suppress his freedom of speech:
Nothing that I stated was different from what I have been saying for many years. I want strong borders, and I do not support or condone illegal immigration.
He also says a high-ranking Univision executive called him, claiming that Univision had been “inundated with calls demanding that Univision immediately terminate its relationship” with Trump after his remarks and that they could “no longer sell” the pageant to its sponsors or viewers. Trump also claims the executive apologized to him for pulling the pageant, and that the network had decided to simply pay the Miss Universe Organization its $13.5 million in licensing fees. In a memo to staff Univision CEO Falco denies apologizing to Trump:
I can also assure you that we never apologized because we have nothing to apologize for.
Sue over cabin air
Four Alaska Airlines flight attendants sue Boeing claiming that the air ventilation systems are sometimes toxic. They claim that the “bleed air” design of the aircraft can expose the cabin air to toxic fumes from the engine, which are used to cycle the air. Their attorney:
We know Boeing has known about this problem since the 1950’s. This was the primary problem that they had to address with this ‘bleed air’ design. And it’s the problem they’ve fixed now with its newest design the 787.
$100 million fine for misleading customers
The FCC fines AT&T $100 million for misleading customers about its “unlimited” data plans. AT&T failed to adequately tell customers that they could experience speeds that were slower than the normal speeds AT&T advertised. AT&T says it will dispute the fine:
The FCC has specifically identified this practice as a legitimate and reasonable way to manage network resources for the benefit of all customers, and has known for years that all of the major carriers use it. We have been fully transparent with our customers, providing notice in multiple ways and going well beyond the FCC’s disclosure requirements.
Sues Cosby for defamation
Dickinson sues Cosby for defamation over denials made by the comedian’s representatives after she accused him of raping her in 1982. She seeks unspecified damages on defamation, false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and claims she has been further victimized and her reputation has suffered because of denials by Cosby’s attorney that the comedian drugged and raped her in a Lake Tahoe, California, hotel room. Suit:
Cosby knows that he drugged and raped Ms Dickinson. He knew that calling her rape disclosure a lie was a false statement.
Ex-wife, son sue for $250,000
Lemon’s ex-wife and younger son are suing him for $250,000 in child support. The basketball player’s former wife says he left her buried in bills and with little money to support her children. When the couple divorced in 1977, Lemon claimed he no longer had the income to pay court-ordered child support because he had left the Globetrotters. Lemon, who is now a motivational speaker in Arizona, said he will contest the matter in Connecticut court.
I don’t know what they are doing. John is 48 years old now. I don’t know if he is running out of money, but if that is so he ought to get out and get a job. My former wife was a good wife.
Dismissal filing cites conflict of interest
Attorneys for the six Baltimore police officers charged in Gray’s death file a motion to have the case dismissed or have Marilyn Mosby’s office taken off the case. The motion lists what attorneys say are numerous conflicts of interest and concerns about the investigation. The filing says Marilyn Mosby’s husband, City Councilman Nick Mosby, represents the West Baltimore district where Gray was arrested, and that one of her chief prosecutors is in a relationship with a local television reporter who interviewed the prisoner who was in the police van with Gray on April 12. The filing also says Marilyn Mosby has a close professional and personal relationship with Murphy, the Gray family’s lawyer and unofficial spokesman. Filing:
Mrs. Mosby’s connection to Mr. Murphy is of great concern to the undersigned counsel and it should be of greater concern to the residents of this city/ The connection between Mrs. Mosby and Mr. Murphy is undeniable and the conflict it creates is detrimental in the pursuit of justice.
Files to see knife
Lawyers for Nero file a motion in Baltimore District Court, asking the police department and prosecutor to produce the knife that was the reason for Gray’s arrest. Mosby, when charging Nero, said that Gray’s knife was legal under Maryland law, meaning Nero had arrested Gray illegally. If the knife is deemed to be an illegal knife then Nero’s charges of second-degree assault, misconduct in office and false imprisonment will fail, as Gray’s arrest would have been justified.
Wrongful death suit
Jenner is sued by the stepchildren of Howe, who claim Jenner was ‘careless and negligent’ when he rear-ended her car, causing it to crash into another car, leading to her death in February. A source close to the investigation claims Jenner only had insurance coverage up to $250,000 at the time of the accident.
Files suit against Columbia
Nungesser files suit against Columbia, saying that by allowing Sulkowicz to receive course credit for her protest, the school violated Title IX, a 1972 law mandating that federally funded education programs cannot discriminate against people based on sex. The suit alleges the university is complicit in allowing the harassment to commence, and did nothing to stop it, which according to the suit:
significantly damaged, if not effectively destroyed Paul Nungesser’s college experience, his reputation, his emotional well-being and his future career prospects.
The 54-page complaint includes more Facebook messages than were included in the Daily Beast article, including declarations of Sulkowicz’s love for Nungesser before and after the alleged rape. The lawsuit says Sulkowicz tried to get other women to accuse Nungesser of sexual assault, and that just days after Sulkowicz’s appeal was denied, she began getting advice from a publicist and Nungesser began being followed by the media. The accusers shared Nungesser’s name to a Columbia student reporter, and to the New York Post, despite a confidentiality agreement with Columbia. Nungesser’s lawyer:
Here, Columbia University, as an institution, was not only silent, but actively and knowingly supported attacks on Paul Nungesser, after having determined his innocence, legitimizing a fiction. Emma Sulkowicz is merely a footnote to this story, we already know that she cleverly crafted a story and rode it to celebrity on the back on [sic] someone found not responsible.
Sulkowicz responds:
It’s ridiculous that Paul would sue not only the school but one of my past professors for allowing me to make an art piece. [It is] ridiculous that he would read it as a ‘bullying strategy,’ especially given his continued public attempts to smear my reputation, when really it’s just an artistic expression of the personal trauma I’ve experienced at Columbia.
Chicken theft lawsuit
Karo sues Kunis for allegedly stealing her chicken as a child.
She [Kunis] fessed up to the chicken theft telling me, ‘Kristina, you can have any other chicken as a pet, you have a whole chicken farm.’
Sues mother
The actress sues her mother and one-time manager for stealing money earned when she starred on The O.C. Barton also alleges that her mother kicked her out of the home purchased with her money. Lawsuit:
While Barton was busy perfecting her craft and turning her acting dreams into reality, her mother, defendant Nuala Barton, was secretly scheming to exploit Barton’s burgeoning career for her benefit.
Files antitrust lawsuit
StubHub files an antitrust lawsuit against the Warriors and Ticketmaster, accusing them of conspiring to create an illegal resale market by telling season-ticket holders to only resell their tickets through them. The suit also claims that the Warriors told season-ticket holders that if they resold tickets through any entity other than Ticketmaster’s exchange or NBATickets.com, they will lose their ticket privileges, including playoff ticket privileges and ticket offers for next season. StubHub says their Warriors ticket listings are down eighty percent over the past year.
If the anti-competitive actions complained herein are not stopped, Ticketmaster is likely to seek to replicate them with other teams. As a result, millions of Americans will be held captive to a monopoly secondary ticketing exchange.
Jets file tampering charge
The Jets file a tampering charge against the Patriots after Kraft made the following comment about Revis:
I speak as a fan of the New England Patriots, we wanted to keep him.
Sues accuser
McDonald sues the woman who accused him of rape, claiming she defamed him and intentionally interfered with his livelihood. The lawsuit claims that the woman is lying in order to cover up the sexual encounter between she and McDonald. The lawsuit also states that the woman is trying to exploit the national wave of similar incidents that have involved NFL players.
In the eyes of the NFL teams, the unresolved threat of charges being filed against him, even though factually unfounded, continues to present a roadblock to this remarkable athlete being able to move forward in his career. This lawsuit is intended to vindicate him … and return his good name…False accusations such as this not only harm the person who was subjected to the accusation, but they also harm women generally, causing unwarranted suspicion in cases where an individual is rightfully accused of a sexual crime.
McDonald:
I feel like what I am doing is the right thing because I know that I am not this bad person that people are making me out to be. I’ve been fired from my job. I know some teams don’t even want to talk to me because of this past accusation. All I am trying to do is clear my name and move on with my life.
Files grievance
Richardson files a grievance against the Colts for voiding the $3.184 million he would have made during the 2015 season. Because Richardson was suspended for two games the day before the AFC Championship, language in Richardson’s contract allowed the Colts to not pay the final year of Richardson’s rookie contract.
Sues to force release of emails
The Associated Press files a lawsuit against the U.S. State Department to force the release of email correspondence and government documents from Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State. The AP’s FOIA requests–and their lawsuit–are trying to uncover materials related to Clinton’s public and private calendars; correspondence with aides, especially the documents related to the decision to grant a longtime aide a special position within the department; and emails concerning the Osama bin Laden raid and National Security Agency surveillance practices.
After careful deliberation and exhausting our other options, The Associated Press is taking the necessary legal steps to gain access to these important documents, which will shed light on actions by the State Department and former Secretary Clinton, a presumptive 2016 presidential candidate, during some of the most significant issues of our time.
Plans to sue
Pham plans to file suit against Texas Health Resources for ‘corporate neglect, alleging that Texas Health Resources failed to develop policies and provide proper training for staff dealing with Ebola patients.
I wanted to believe that they would have my back and take care of me, but they just haven’t risen to the occasion….I was the last person besides Mr. Duncan to find out he was positive. You’d think the primary nurse would be the first to know. … I broke down and cried, not because I thought I had it but just because it was a big ‘whoa, this is really happening’ moment.
Texas Health Resources spokesman Wendell Watson:
Nina Pham bravely served Texas Health Dallas during a most difficult time. We continue to support and wish the best for her, and we remain optimistic that constructive dialogue can resolve this matter.
Class action lawsuit
A class action lawsuit is filed in a California federal court by plaintiff Frank Lucido alleging that Purina’s Beneful dry dog food causes illness and death to thousands of dogs. Jeff Cereghino, one of the attorneys representing Lucido:
If it’s a hundred or so, it’s like, ‘Okay, a lot of dogs eat Beneful; things happen.’ But when you start getting into the thousands… The long and short of it is the complaint pyramid is such that even with the Internet–easy access to complain about things– there’s still a very large percentage of folks who simply don’t complain, or whose vet tells ‘em, ‘We don’t know what happened,’ and they’re not drawing conclusions or leaping to assumptions. But when I look at 4,000? Holy hell, there’s a lot of people out here. There seems to be somewhat of a singular event. [The dogs] are vomiting. They’re having liver problems, failures. I’m not a vet, but you look at some of this stuff and say, ‘OK, we’re starting to have similar symptoms across the board, and we’re starting to have causation.