CHICAGO — Prosecutors still insist Jussie Smollett faked a racist, anti-gay attack on himself in the hopes that the attention would advance his acting career. The "Empire" star still says he was assaulted by two men late at night in downtown Chicago. But with little explanation, authorities on Tuesday abruptly...
Regulators Fine Wynn Resorts $20M Over Sex Allegations
LAS VEGAS — Nevada gambling regulators fined casino mogul Steve Wynn's former company a record $20 million on Tuesday for failing to investigate claims of sexual misconduct made against him before he resigned a year ago. The penalty against Wynn Resorts Ltd. ends an investigation that began after The Wall...
FUSD Trustee Says Bullard Student Threatened to Kill Him
Fresno Unified is investigating an incident involving Trustee Terry Slatic, his aide, and a male student at Bullard High School that took place Friday (Jan. 11) afternoon. The school board has scheduled a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at district headquarters to discuss the incident and potential litigation stemming from...
Kevin Spacey's Lawyers Enter Not Guilty Plea in Sex Assault
NANTUCKET, Mass. — Lawyers for Kevin Spacey entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in Massachusetts court Monday on charges he groped an 18-year-old busboy in 2016. The disgraced actor was arraigned on a charge of felony indecent assault and battery during a hearing at Nantucket District Court. The...
Ford Recounts 'Laughter' in Alleged Kavanaugh Sexual Attack
WASHINGTON — Christine Blasey Ford declared Thursday that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her as he and a friend shared "uproarious laughter" in a locked room at a 1980s high school gathering, recounting her allegations to the Senate Judiciary Committee and a riveted nation in a drama that threatens to derail...
US Border Agent in Texas Confesses to 4 Killings, Police Say
LAREDO, Texas — A U.S. Border Patrol supervisor who confessed to killing four women and assaulting a fifth who managed to escape remained in jail Monday, police said in court records. Juan David Ortiz is being held in Laredo on $2.5 million bond on four counts of murder, aggravated assault...
Assaults by Taliban Raise Questions About US Plan for Peace
WASHINGTON — A year after the Trump administration introduced its strategy for Afghanistan, the Taliban are asserting themselves on the battlefield even as U.S. officials talk up hopes for peace. That's raising questions about the viability of the American game plan for ending a war that began when some of...
US Nuns Demand Action to End 'Culture of Silence' on Abuse
VATICAN CITY — The largest association of Roman Catholic nuns in the United States urged its members Monday to report any sexual abuse of religious sisters by clergy and demanded that church authorities "take action to end a culture of silence, hold abusers accountable and provide support to those abused."...
Allegation Clouds Bobby Brown's Plan for Violence Shelter
ATLANTA — Singer Bobby Brown plans to build a shelter for domestic violence victims in honor of his late daughter despite allegations that he once hit his ex-wife Whitney Houston. Brown was set to receive a proclamation Monday from City of South Fulton Mayor Bill Edwards and other officials acknowledging...
Cosby a Sexually Violent Predator? Board Says Yes.
Bill Cosby should be classified as a sexually violent predator, according to an evaluation by Pennsylvania's Sexual Offenders Assessment Board. The district attorney's office that prosecuted Cosby asked a judge in a filing Tuesday to schedule a hearing on whether to accept the recommendation. No date was immediately set. "We...