Entertainment
Former Diddy and Abercrombie CEO Charged with Sex Trafficking – Why Can You Walk Free?
Over the last 12 months, Sean “Diddy” Combs has suffered a shocking decline. The 54-yr-old music mogul went from accepting lifetime achievement awards to facing a federal racketeering and sex trafficking case.
Like Diddy, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was also charged with sex trafficking. Unlike Diddy, the 80-yr-old businessman was in a position to post bail on Tuesday after his arrest.
According to NBC NewsJeffries was arrested on October 22 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was later charged with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.
The 15-count federal indictment also charged two of Jeffries’ associates, Matthew Smith, 61, and James Jacobson, 71. All three defendants can be arraigned within the Eastern District of New York on Friday, October 25.
Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson are accused of using “force, fraud and coercion” to traffic people in a prostitution operation between December 2008 and March 2015, which involved 15 victims.
“As alleged in the indictment, former Abercrombie CEO Michael Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and their recruiter James Jacobson used their money and influence to prey on vulnerable men for their own sexual gratification,” said United States Attorney Breon Peace. he stated on Tuesday.
Domestic and international travel was arranged for alleged victims to satisfy Jefferies in New York, in addition to hotels in Italy, France, Italy, Morocco, England and Saint Barthelemy. The the lawsuit states “upscale” staff were hired and brought in to supervise the lads at “Sex Events” and control who goes out and who is available in.
“Staff also provided JEFFRIES, SMITH, and the men who were present with, among other things, alcohol, muscle relaxants called ‘poppers,’ lubricant, Viagra, and condoms,” the lawsuit explains. It also notes that there was a “referral system and interview process” in place before engaging in most activities, adding that participants “didn’t leave Sex Events until JEFFRIES and SMlTH decided it was over.”
Some were even injected with a substance that caused erections after they were “physically unable or unwilling” to exercise, prosecutors say.
After his arrest, Jefferies was released on $10 million bail and the court ordered him placed under house arrest with GPS monitoring. He also cannot travel without permission and must give up his passport.
The accusations and allegations bear some similarities to Diddy’s federal case.
Diddy pleaded not guilty following his September 16 arrest, when federal prosecutors within the Southern District of New York charged him with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation for the aim of prostitution.
A federal appeals court judge ruled that Diddy must remain in jail until his trial date in May 2025. According to reports, the three-time Grammy winner is being held in a federal prison in Brooklyn after being denied bond thrice.
Diddy’s lawyers argue that their client needs to be released pending trial. Initially, a judge rejected his $50 million bail offer, which provided house arrest with GPS monitoring and strict restrictions on his and his mother, Janice Combs’ visitation and assets.
“Indeed, he is not a flight risk, he is a 54-year-old father of seven, a US citizen, an extremely successful artist, businessman and philanthropist, and one of the most recognizable people in the world,” his legal team – he wrote in his appeal to the court in keeping with USA Today.
The proven fact that accused sex trafficker Jeffries is free and locked up in comparison with Diddy, who’s accused of comparable charges, has led social media users to query whether there’s a legal and media double standard in each cases.
“Why isn’t the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch as popular as Diddy?” user X he asked. Someone else sent“You better give the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch the same energy you give Diddy lmao.”
Another tweet To read“The CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch and his cronies have been released on bail in connection with an alleged illegal sex trafficking ring. They all managed to get bail, but the Black One couldn’t… Puffy gets a reminder that he is Black in (the US). How can he get a fair trial? Don’t commit a crime.”
One X user dismissed the unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, speculating that there was a direct connection between the allegations against Diddy and Jeffries.
Person he tweeted“People are asking if the guy from Abercrombie & Fitch is said to Diddy. You all reach out. They’re just bad old ugly white dudes who did their very own illegal shit and got caught.
In addition to the federal charges, Diddy faces quite a few charges civil trials alleging sexual assault, rape, false imprisonment, emotional distress and more. He denied any inappropriate conduct.
Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against him in November 2023 under New York State’s Adult Survivors Act. The two sides quickly reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed amount.
In May 2024, CNN released surveillance footage from March 2016 showing Combs physically assaulting Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel. The “It’s All About the Benjamins” rapper has released an album apology video without mentioning her name.
Since then, the Bad Boy Records founder has been hit with greater than 120 lawsuits detailing similar allegations, including allegedly supplying the substance now referred to as “pink cocaine” at his bizarre parties.
During the arrest, federal prosecutors found a bag of pink powder in Diddy’s hotel room.
Diddy’s adopted son, Quincy Brown, recently spoke out on behalf of his siblings in support of their father. Quincy wrote on Instagram: “We are united and supporting you each step of the way in which. We hold on to the reality, knowing that it’ll prevail and nothing will break the strength of our family.”
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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