Scandal

Ex-Christie Aide Gets 13 Months In Bridgegate Scandal

New York’s WINS radio reports: Bridget Anne Kelly, former Gov. Chris Christie’s deputy chief of staff who became a central figure in the infamous “Bridgegate” scandal, was sentenced on Wednesday by a federal judge to 13 months in prison for her role in shutting down lanes to the George Washington Bridge. And she had harsh words for the former governor, …

Read More »

Kraft Sex Tape Won’t Be Released Until Case Resolved

The Palm Beach Post reports: The public won’t be seeing videos of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft allegedly receiving sex at a Jupiter day spa until his case is resolved, a circuit court judge said. In an order issued Tuesday, Judge Leonard Hanser ruled that Kraft’s right to a fair trial trumps the media’s request for the videos to …

Read More »

Court Temporarily Blocks Release Of Kraft Sex Tape

USA Today reports: Criminal Circuit Judge Joseph Marx issued a temporary protective order late Wednesday that will keep the video footage in the Robert Kraft sex spa case temporarily under seal. Marx’s order will be in effect at least through an April 29 hearing. His ruling was prompted by filings earlier in the day in which the prosecution threatened to …

Read More »

Florida Prosecutors To Release Robert Kraft Sex Tape

Yahoo News reports: Prosecutors in Florida on Wednesday said they will make public the police surveillance videos from inside the Orchids of Asia Day Spa, meaning the tapes of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and two dozen other men paying for sex. Kraft’s attorney, William Burck, has been fighting in court to keep the videos out of public view, …

Read More »

Felicity Huffman, Others Plead Guilty In College Scandal

Reuters reports: Actress Felicity Huffman and 13 other people have agreed to plead guilty to participating in what prosecutors call the largest college admissions scam uncovered in U.S. history, federal prosecutors said on Monday. The 14 are among 50 people accused by federal prosecutors in Boston of engaging in schemes that involved cheating on college entrance exams and paying $25 …

Read More »

Anthony Weiner Ordered To Register As Sex Offender

The New York Daily News reports: Former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner was ordered Friday to register as a sex offender as he nears the end of a 21-month prison sentence for having illicit online contact with a 15-year-old girl. A New York City judge designated Weiner a Level 1 offender under the state’s version of what’s known as Megan’s Law, …

Read More »

North Carolina GOP State Chairman Indicted For Fraud

The Raleigh News & Observer reports: The chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party has been indicted. Robin Hayes had announced Monday that he won’t seek another term as NC GOP chairman. The indictment comes amid an investigation into political donor Greg Lindberg by U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray, an appointee of Republican President Donald Trump who oversees federal trials …

Read More »

BALTIMORE: Dem Mayor Takes Indefinite Leave Of Absence For Health Reasons Amid Book Sales Scandal

Baltimore’s ABC News affiliate reports: Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh is taking a leave of absence due to her battle with pneumonia, her office announced just hours after Gov. Hogan sent a letter to a state prosecutor asking him to investigate book sales between Pugh and the University of Maryland Medical System. Pugh was hospitalized for pneumonia last week, just days …

Read More »

BALTIMORE: Dem Mayor Under Fire Over Revelation City Health Insurer Bought 20,000 Copies Of Her Book

The Baltimore Sun reports: Health provider Kaiser Permanente paid Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh more than $100,000 to buy about 20,000 copies of her “Healthy Holly” children’s books during a period when the company was seeking a lucrative contract to provide health benefits to city employees. Kaiser confirmed Monday to The Baltimore Sun that it paid approximately $114,000 for the books …

Read More »

Robert Kraft Asks For Jury Trial In Prostitution Case

The New York Post reports: Robert Kraft wants to go to trial to try and clear his name on charges he paid for sex at a Florida massage parlor. Through his lawyers, the New England Patriots owner on Tuesday reaffirmed his not guilty plea and asked a judge to schedule a jury trial, according to documents filed in Palm Beach …

Read More »

Robert Kraft Offers “Apology” After Prostitution Bust

“In deference to the judicial process, I have remained silent these past several weeks. To correct some of the misinformation surrounding this matter, my attorney made his first public comments on Friday night. I would like to use this opportunity to say something that I have wanted to say for weeks. “I am truly sorry. I know I have hurt …

Read More »

Robert Kraft To Reject Plea Deal In Prostitution Case

CNN reports: Robert Kraft will not accept a plea deal offered by Florida prosecutors in the case against the New England Patriots owner and other men accused of soliciting prostitution at a Jupiter, Florida, day spa, a source familiar with the case told CNN on Wednesday. Prosecutors have offered to drop misdemeanor charges against Kraft and 24 other men in …

Read More »

Prosecutors Offer Deal To Robert Kraft: Charges Will Be Dropped In Return For Admission And STD Screening

CNBC reports: Prosecutors in Florida reportedly have offered Robert Kraft, the owner of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, a chance to avoid prosecution for soliciting prostitution in exchange for an admission that he could be proved guilty at trial. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the billionaire Kraft, and other defendants recently charged in a sprawling prostitution …

Read More »

Poll: 37% Of Catholics Mull Quitting Over Sex Scandals

Just out from Gallup Polling: As the Catholic church responds to more allegations of sexual abuse of young people by priests, an increasing percentage of Catholics are re-examining their commitment to the religion. Thirty-seven percent of U.S. Catholics, up from 22% in 2002, say news of the abuse has led them to question whether they would remain in the church. …

Read More »

College Admissions Ringleader “Helped” 750+ Families

NBC News reports: The ringleader behind a $25 million college admission scam that implicated dozens of people, including Hollywood actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, said he has worked with more than 750 families. William Rick Singer, who pleaded guilty Tuesday in a Boston federal court to racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges, said in a phone …

Read More »

Top Cardinal Sentenced To Six Years For Sexual Abuse

NBC News reports: The most senior Catholic cleric ever to be convicted of child sex abuse was sentenced to six years in prison in Australia on Wednesday morning. Cardinal George Pell, 77, faced as many as 50 years in prison after being convicted in December for the molestation of two choir boys while he was the archbishop of Melbourne in …

Read More »

FRANCE: Top Cardinal Convicted In Abuse Coverup

France 24 reports: The archbishop of Lyon, the most senior French Catholic cleric caught up in the paedophilia scandals that have rocked the church, was convicted of helping covering up abuse and handed a six-month suspended jail term on Thursday. Cardinal Philippe Barbarin was found guilty of failing to report the abuse of a minor between 2014 and 2015. His …

Read More »

Prosecutors To Drop Charges Against Aaron Schock

The Chicago Tribune reports: In a surprise move for a high-profile public corruption case, federal prosecutors in Chicago have agreed to drop all charges against former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock if he pays back money he owes to the Internal Revenue Service and his campaign fund. The stunning deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, was announced Wednesday during what …

Read More »

Prosecutor: More Arrests Likely In Election Fraud Case

Yesterday the Republican operative at the center of North Carolina’s election fraud scandal was arrested on seven felony charges. Today we learn more arrests may be coming. The Washington Post reports: Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman’s decision to seek indictments almost immediately after the close of those hearings sent a “clear signal,” she said, “that we take seriously the …

Read More »

Prosecutors Say Robert Kraft Arrived At Massage Parlor In Chauffeured Bentley, Is On Video Receiving Oral Sex

ESPN reports: Authorities say New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft visited a Florida massage parlor for sex acts on the morning of the AFC Championship Game, which he attended in Kansas City later that day. According to documents released by the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office on Monday, it was the second visit by Kraft to the parlor in less …

Read More »