Columbia settles with Nungesser
Columbia settles with Nungesser out of court for an unknown amount. Nungesser’s lawsuit contended the university had failed in its duty of care to protect him after the college investigation cleared him of the rape allegation. He stated that he faced discrimination because of Sulkowicz’s art project, and argued the university violated Title IX by allowing her to receive academic credit for a project that encouraged protest against a fellow student.
Columbia statement:
Paul Nungesser and Columbia University have agreed to settle the lawsuit he filed in 2015. While Paul was a student at Columbia, he was accused of sexual misconduct. In November 2013, after a diligent and thorough investigation, Paul was found not responsible for any misconduct. Columbia University stands by that finding. In 2015, Paul graduated from Columbia in good standing as a distinguished John Jay Scholar. John Jay Scholars, like Paul, are recognized for their remarkable academic and personal achievements, dynamism, intellectual curiosity, and original thinking. Paul is currently enrolled at an internationally recognized film school and has launched a career as a filmmaker. Columbia recognizes that after the conclusion of the investigation, Paul’s remaining time at Columbia became very difficult for him and not what Columbia would want any of its students to experience. Columbia will continue to review and update its policies toward ensuring that every student––accuser and accused, including those like Paul who are found not responsible––is treated respectfully and as a full member of the Columbia
community.
Nungesser lawyer:
We are very pleased with this settlement. Together with Paul and his parents, we have fought for three long years for a statement like the one Columbia released today. It gives Paul a chance to go on with his life and recover from the false accusation against him. We hope that the resolution of the case also ensures that no student will ever have to endure what Paul went through after he was exonerated.
Nungessers’s parents:
The scarlet letter that comes with an allegation of rape is virtually indelible, and that is why universities must take great care in their approach to these matters. This dark episode in Paul’s life will never fully disappear, but we are extremely happy that Paul can now fully focus on following his passion and talent as an aspiring filmmaker.
Mayweather asks for installment plan over 2015 unpaid taxes
Mayweather petitions the U.S. Tax Court for an installment agreement to pay taxes from 2015, citing his fight with Conor McGregor as a “significant liquidity event” from which he intends to pay the remaining balance. Mayweather argues he’s too illiquid to immediately pay the taxes while the IRS has said that some of his assets could be converted into cash or that Mayweather could take out a loan to pay what he owes. Mayweather reportedly earned $220-230 million for defeating Manny Pacquiao in 2015. After he fights McGregor, Mayweather will have to pay taxes on a possible $400 million in earnings as well as cover his past IRS debts.
9th Circuit: Keys’ guilty verdict and sentence to stand
The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals rules (ruling) that it was not persuaded by arguments made by Keys’ defense attorney, saying that the damage went beyond the mere alteration, as Keys created new accounts, and there was a fervent effort to contain the defacement. Court:
Prior to Keys’s conduct, the CMS existed in a certain state of security. Keys made the CMS far weaker by taking and creating new user accounts. This manipulation of user accounts and login credentials (not Keys’s access) impaired the system.
Keys:
I am extremely disappointed in their decision. Until I have a chance to review their opinion, I will have no further comment.
Diaz sued for $1 million by former agent over McGregor rematch profits
The Ballenge Group, Diaz’s former managers, files a $1 million suit in District Court in Dallas, claiming they had worked with the fighter since 2014 on several big fights including Rafael Dos Anjos, Michael Johnson and the first McGregor fight at UFC 196. Ballengee claims that in July 2016 — after sealing the deal for Nate to fight Conor at UFC 202 in August — that Nate “unexpectedly” fired them and did not pay them their cut for the UFC 202 fight, which was reportedly the biggest UFC pay-per-view ever at the time. Ballenge lawyer:
My clients performed their job, what Nate Diaz asked them to do. They are due for that. The lawsuit alleges that Diaz and [his attorney] Sam Awad conspired to get Leslie Smith to also fire Ballengee and to not pay Ballengee. Awad, as the mastermind of the conspiracy, he and Nate left, then talked Smith into doing the same thing.
Diaz has made no comment on the suit.
War Machine sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping, sexual assault
A Nevada judge sentences former MMA fighter War Machine (formerly Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver) to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 36 years after he is convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting Mack, his porn star ex-girlfriend. The earliest that he can be released from prison will be at 71 years old. The August 2014 assault began when War Machine burst into a bedroom and found Mack in bed with another man. After letting him go he beat her, leaving her with a broken nose, missing teeth, fractured eye socket, leg injuries and a lacerated liver. Mack claimed that she escaped when she thought Koppenhaver was in the kitchen fetching a knife to finish her off. She ran naked and bleeding to neighbors’ homes. In a statement, the ex-MMA fighter blames anxiety, depression and self pity for his problems:
should have killed myself by now. There’s no reason right now that I shouldn’t be in the dirt right now laying next to Aaron Hernandez. That’s 100 percent true…Not a day goes by that I don’t seriously regret all those things that I did. I was a very, very lost, very empty person. And to top it off, something’s not right with my head. Plain and simple. I’ve known that a long time and I’ve hated it. I’ve hated the way that I think. I’ve hated my impulses. Half the time, I don’t know why I do some the things I do. And some of the times I do things and I don’t even feel like I did them until it’s already done. Smashing my face [into a mirror] was like a sick form of therapy. It was the only thing I could do to prevent myself from killing myself.
Mack says she still fears for her life if Koppenhaver were to leave prison.
I do know when he gets out, he will kill me.
Eminem lawsuit against New Zealand political party begins
A New Zealand court hears opening arguments in a copyright trial taken by Eminem’s music publishers against the National Party, the county’s largest political party. A judge and nine lawyers listen to Lose Yourself, the track that the publishers claim was used on a 2014 political ad without permission. The party has previously said it purchased the track through an Australian-based supplier and doesn’t believe it has infringed anyone’s copyright. Eminem’s lawyers tell the court that the National Party had wanted a song that was edgy and modern but showed the party was dependable, and quoted from National Party emails, which described the song as an Eminem “sound-alike,” and said:
I guess the question we’re asking, if everyone thinks it’s Eminem, and it’s listed as Eminem Esque, how can we be confident that Eminem doesn’t say we’re ripping him off?
Eminem’s lawyers say that the artist does not allow his music to be used for political purposes of any kind. The trial is expected to last six days.
Diaz water-bottle incident penalty reduced
Diaz’s penalty for the water bottle throwing incident with McGregor during the UFC 202 press conference is reduced from $50,000 and 50 hours of community service, to $15,000 and 15 hours of community service. As Diaz has already paid the fine he will get a refund of $35,000.
Nungesser’s suit dissmissed
In a 46-page opinion, Judge Woods dismisses Nungesser’s second lawsuit alleging that the university violated his Title IX rights and two state laws in its handling of Sulkowicz’s mattress-toting campaign to have him expelled from campus. The case is dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning Nungesser is prohibited from filing a third suit on the same claims. Nungesser’s suit said Sulkowicz “enabled reporters to stalk [him], defamed him as a ‘serial rapist,’ and her campaign resulted in public intimidation, isolation on campus and receipt of threats against him.” He described himself “male victim of gender-based harassment” at a federally funded university that did nothing to intervene, a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Woods argued that there was no proof Sulkowicz’s actions were “motivated by gender” or that she deployed the term “serial rapist” as a gendered slur. As to his claim that harassment deprived him of educational opportunities at Columbia, Woods recognized that Nungesser’s “senior year at Columbia was neither pleasant nor easy,” but said the plaintiff’s case failed to meet the high bar set by Title IX for evidence. Nungesser’s lawyer:
We have carefully reviewed Judge Woods’ decision, and believe it to be erroneous in a number of critical areas. From the outset of this case, Judge Woods has been dead set against Paul Nungesser, which is further evidenced by his flawed reasoning in finding that the 101 page, extraordinarily detailed, Second Amended Complaint contains no viable causes of action. We are confident that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will reinstate the case.
$150,000 bottle-throwing fine reduced to $25,000
At a hearing in Las Vegas McGregor’s punishment for the water-bottle throwing incident before UFC 202 is reduced from $150,000 and 50 hours community service to $25,000 and 25 hours of community service, the same terms suggested by the Nevada attorney general’s office ahead of the initial hearing in October 2016. McGregor has six months to complete the community service and can do so in either Dublin or Las Vegas. The board’s chairman suggests that Nate Diaz, who was fined $50,000 and given 50 hours of community service for his part in the incident, should be reheard. NSAC executive director Bennett:
I just didn’t think [the original $150,000 fine] was fair.
Beyonce sued for $20 million by Messy Mya estate
The estate of late Messy Mya sues Beyonce for copyright infringement and other counts, seeking $20 million for damages over claims that she improperly used Mya’s voice in her song Formation. According to the suit, Formation misappropriated the lyrics “What happened at the New Orleans” and “Bitch, I’m back by popular demand” from Barre’s 2010 work Booking the Hoes From New Wildings. The suit also claims that the line “Oh yeah baby. I like that” from his A 27-Piece Huh? was wrongfully lifted. The lawsuit reads:
Defendants used Mr. Barre’s voice, performance and words from his copyrighted works to create the tone, mood, setting and location of the New Orleans-themed Formation.
Receives one-year ban for doping violation
Russell is banned from cricket for one year following a doping whereabouts rule violation. Russell appears to be in tears when the decision is handed down. The ban starts from January 31, 2017 to January 30, 2018 meaning the star all rounder will be unavailable for the Thunder next summer, leaving a hole in the BBL|05 champions’ roster. Russell’s attorney:
Relieved it’s one year, but not two years. But I genuinely thought given the circumstances and the evidence that was before the panel that he would have been exonerated. Haven’t made a decision [about an appeal] as yet. We have considered it but we wouldn’t really consider that seriously until we have had a chance to speak with the client and look at the (written) decision
TMG blames Depp’s $2m-a-month lifestyle for money problems
In a countersuit, TMG says Depp’s financial troubles are caused by a lavish $2m-a-month lifestyle. While Depp says the business managers have mismanaging his earnings, failed to file taxes on time, and owe him more than $25m, TMG claims the star spent more than $75m on 14 homes and needed 12 storage facilities to house his collection of Hollywood memorabilia, as well as spending $18m on a luxury yacht and $30,000 a month on wine. TMG:
Depp is fully responsible for any financial turmoil. He has refused to live within his means, despite… repeated warnings about his financial condition.
Two suspects arrested
Quebec City Police arrest one suspect at the mosque and another is apprehended after a chase that ends near l’île d’Orléans around 15 miles from the scene.
Federal court issues stay on immigration order
The federal court for the Eastern District of New York issues a stay after two of 12 refugees held at JFK airport were released, after 14 and 24 hours respectively. The ACLU had filed a petition on their behalf, but the stay is effective nationwide. Under the stay, none of the travelers held at airports across the nation can be sent back. However, the measure doesn’t mean they have to be allowed into the country – leaving them in a legal grey area. A senior Homeland Security official says that roughly 375 travelers affected by the executive order. Out of the 375, 109 were in transit to the US and denied entry. Another 173 people were stopped by airlines from boarding an aircraft to the US. An additional 81 travelers with green cards or special immigrant visas received waivers.
Two of 12 Iraqis detained at JFK are released
Two of twelve immigrants detain at JFK Airport following Trump’s executive order on immigration are released. Hameed Khaled Darweesh, who was an Army interpreter in Iraq says:
I suffered to move here, to get my family here …. I can’t go back. [I will be killed in Iraq].
Irish conman pretends to be McGregor’s friend
Demi Cairns, a Scottish woman, is warning other women to beware of Wesley Brennan, who she claims has scammed her out of £200, during a five week relationship that started on Plenty of Fish dating website. According to Cairns, Brennan claims he is a childhood friend of McGregor. Early in the relationship Brennan claimed to be related to gangster Daniel Kinahan. Cairns:
I recently entered a new relationship with an Irish guy. I was lead to believe his name was Paul Wesley Kenneth Kinahan who ran a finance company in Glasgow. However, this is not the case after scamming me of £200 for a train ticket to go collect his son. Since then I have discovered he also uses the alias Wesley O’Brien and his real name is Wesley Brennan. His stories can be Googled! He’s a serial conman who has scammed over 40 girls from Ireland and is now targeting girls in Glasgow. He’s leading people to believe that he grew up with Conor McGregor having proof to back up his allegations. It’s believable, however, it’s all fake. He’s even going to the extent of booking holidays for these girls myself included. I have had a very lucky escape. The only thing the guy got from me was £200. However, it’s believed he has conned people for thousands. He has been using the dating website Plenty Of Fish where he’s picking his victims.
Files for trademark on ‘The Notorious’ nickname
McGregor has reportedly filed trademarks on his own name as well as his nickname “The Notorious,” according to the website for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. According to the filing, McGregor plans on trying to use the trademarks for aftershave, video games, books, clothing, restaurants, barbershops and health club
Hunt sues Lesnar, White, UFC
Hunt files a civil suit naming the UFC, Lesnar and White as defendants with the Nevada District Court. The suit says:
[The parties] affirmatively circumvented and obstructed fair competition for their own benefit…Without HUNT’s knowledge or consent, the UFC conspired and caused LESNAR, a doping fighter, to fight HUNT, a clean fighter, despite the fact that LESNAR used substances banned by the UFC, USADA and WADA.
Hunt:
I want the UFC to understand it’s not OK to keep doing what they’re doing. They’re allowing guys to do this. They had a chance to take all the money from this guy, because he’s a cheater, and they didn’t. What message is that sending to the boys and girls who want to be a fighter someday? The message is, ‘You just have to cheat like this and it’s OK.’ In society, if you commit a crime, you pay. Why is it different in MMA? It’s hurt the business, so it’s even worse. They need to be held accountable for this.
Diaz fined $50,000 for bottle throwing incident
Diaz is fined 2.5% or $50,000 of his $2 million purse from UFC 202 for throwing water bottles at McGregor during the fight’s press conference. He will also have to carry out 50 hours of community service. Despite Diaz throwing the bottles first, he receives a lesser fine than McGregor, who was fined $150,000.
McGregor petitions for judicial review of Nevada fine
According to Clark County, Nevada, civil court records, McGregor has filed a petition for judicial review of his $150,000 fine for the water bottle fight with Nate Diaz before UFC 202. The suit names NSAC Executive Director Bennett and the NSAC as respondents. A hearing date has yet to be scheduled and there is no further comment from McGregor or Bennett.