Celebrity
Rapper Sean Kingston Arrested In California After SWAT Raids His Florida Home; Charged With Fraud
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Rapper Sean Kingston was arrested in California on fraud charges Thursday, several hours after a SWAT squad raided his rented South Florida property and took a van full of items.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office reported that Kingston was arrested without incident on a Florida warrant near Fort Irwin, an Army base in the desert about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles.
Sean Kingston | AP News Image
Rapper Sean Kingston Arrested In California After SWAT Raids His Florida Home; Charged With Fraud
Earlier in the day, Broward detectives arrested his 61-year-old mother, Janice Turner, during a raid on the rapper’s 14,000-square-foot (1,300-square-meter) home in Southwest Ranches, a wealthy Fort Lauderdale suburb that is home to many celebrities and professional athletes, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill.
Broward County prosecutors deferred any queries to the sheriff’s office, which has declined to divulge precise details about the allegations, citing an ongoing investigation. Following the operation, reporters outside the home observed authorities loading a van with stuff. The mansion was surrounded by luxury sports cars.
“People love negative energy!” Kingston posted to Instagram early Thursday. I am fine, and so is my mother! My lawyers are handling everything as we speak.” The post was eventually taken down.
Robert Rosenblatt, an attorney for the rapper and his mother, stated, “We are aware of some of the allegations” leveled against the two.
“We look forward to addressing these in court and are confident of a successful resolution for Shawn and his mother,” Rosenblatt wrote in his email
According to Florida Department of Corrections records, Kingston is now serving a two-year probation sentence for trafficking stolen property. Further information on that conviction could not be retrieved. He will be imprisoned in California and is awaiting extradition to Florida.
According to federal court documents, his mother pleaded guilty to bank fraud in 2006, taking more than $160,000 and serving over 1.5 years in jail. Thursday night, she was being held in the Broward County jail on a $160,000 bond.
The Jamaican-American rapper is best known for his 2007 No. 1 single “Beautiful Girls,” another smash, “Take You There,” and a collaboration with Justin Bieber on “Eenie Meenie.” In 2011, he was nearly killed in a personal watercraft accident. Kingston, whose official name is Kisean Anderson, has not had a major label record in almost a decade.
Sean Kingston | AP News Image
Rapper Sean Kingston Arrested In California After SWAT Raids His Florida Home; Charged With Fraud
An attorney who witnessed his mother’s arrest said the detentions are related to a lawsuit he filed against Kingston in February. The lawsuit accuses Kingston of defrauding a Florida company that installed a 232-inch (5.8 meter) television in his home, which measures approximately 17 feet by 9.5 feet (5 meters by 3 meters).
“It is amazing what you can get away with if you are a celebrity,” said attorney Dennis Card to The Associated Press. “He crafts a larger-than-life ‘I am rich’ persona. His mother is an essential component in this. He presents himself as a family-oriented guy, ‘I’m looking after my mother,’ yet she is fully aware of what is going on.”
According to the lawsuit, Kingston approached Ver Ver Entertainment in September about acquiring and installing the television sold under Colossal TV. The system costs $150,000.
Kingston allegedly promised the owners that if they agreed to a reduced down payment and granted him credit, he and Bieber would film commercials for them.
According to the lawsuit, Kingston paid the company $30,000 in November and had the television installed. Despite several pledges, no ads or further funds were made, according to the report.
Sean Kingston | AP News Image
Rapper Sean Kingston Arrested In California After SWAT Raids His Florida Home; Charged With Fraud
According to the lawsuit, Kingston no longer works with Bieber, who fired his longtime manager. Bieber’s current contact information was not available.
“He is 100% not involved in this,” Card said of Bieber. “He had the misfortune of doing some work in the past with Sean, and Sean drops his name like crazy.”
SOURCE – (AP)
Celebrity
2024| Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Washington – Pras, On Friday, a court denied a request for a fresh trial in a multimillion-dollar political conspiracy lawsuit against Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly determined that his defensedefense attorney’s employment of a generative AI software during closing arguments and other errors made throughout the Washington, D.C. trial did not constitute a substantial miscarriage of justice.
Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Michel was found guilty of ten counts after a jury heard testimony from witnesses, including actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. On the most serious charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison. He is free until sentencing, which has yet to be decided.
The Grammy-winning rapper was accused of funneling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financier through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, then attempting to deter a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China during the Trump administration.
The defense said Michel received lousy advice as he attempted to support himself while recreating himself in politics.
His defense attorney, David Kenner, who has previously represented rappers like Suge Knight and Snoop Dogg, pleaded guilty to leaking grand jury evidence to reporters.
Michel hired a new lawyer, who claimed Kenner had made several errors, including deploying an “experimental” generative AI software that botched closing arguments by misattributing a lyric from his client’s influential 1990s group.
Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Michel, however, failed to prove that Kenner’s handling of the case influenced the jury, according to Judge Kollar-Kotelly.
She accepted that some of Michel’s faults were valid, but they did not neutralise the prosecution’s extensive evidence against him or render the nearly month-long trial unfair.
Michel’s representative had no immediate comment on the ruling.
SOURCE | AP
Celebrity
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
Julian Ortega, a Spanish actor best known for his role in the popular Spanish-language Netflix drama series “Elite,” has died, according to the country’s actor and actress union. He was 41.
“Our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the union said in a statement Monday.
The sun
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
Ortega, the son of Spanish actress Gloria Muñoz, was born in Madrid in 1983. According to the organization, he attended acting school in the Spanish capital.
He began his career in Spanish-language films, including the 2000 drama “El Otro Barrio” (“The Other Side”) and the 2008 horror fantasy “La raíz del mal.”
He appeared in various Spanish television programs before becoming well-known internationally after appearing in six episodes of Netflix’s Elite.
Ortega played a restaurant manager in the murder-mystery-infused high school thriller, which follows privileged pupils at a prestigious school.
His most recent performances were in drama programs like “The Countryside” (formerly called “El Pueblo”) and “4 estrellas.”
“You were a great man; humble, always smiling, generous, and thoughtful…” I have a great colleague. “Thank you for everything,” wrote his “Countryside” co-star Ruth Diaz in an Instagram post.
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
According to the Spanish Theatre in Madrid, Ortega has worked on theatre ventures, including the 2021 play “Ira,” which he created and co-starred in with his mother.
The reason for the death has not been officially confirmed.
SOURCE | AP
Celebrity
Selena Gomez Reacts To Taylor Swift Cameo Rumors in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ S4
Selena Gomez has recently put a fun twist on rumors swirling about a potential cameo by Taylor Swift in the fourth season of Only Murders in the Building. In an interview with E! News, Gomez responded to the speculation with her signature humor and charm.
Laughing off the rumors, Gomez quipped, “You’re hilarious. She’s a little busy, you guys.”
Her playful tone continued as she added, “Oh dear, I love that,” while still chuckling. Gomez’s light-hearted response showcased her easy-going nature and her ability to handle fan speculation with grace.
Gomez’s co-stars, Steve Martin and Martin Short, also joined in on the playful banter. Martin, in a comedic twist, said, “Listen, she calls us every day. Here – she’s calling right now. Ahh I’ll take it later.”
‘Only Murders in the Building’ S4
Martin Short added to the jest, joking, “No, I was talking to Taylor around 3:00 a.m.” Their jokes highlighted the camaraderie and fun atmosphere among the cast.
Beyond the jokes, Martin took a moment to genuinely praise both Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez for their poise.
He commented, “Taylor Swift handles everything perfectly and so does Selena. In the situations I’ve seen—politically, trolls, everything—she just seems to have a wisdom about how to do something quietly, effortlessly.”
The interaction underscores not only the strong bond between the cast members but also their mutual respect and admiration for each other.
Gomez and Swift’s friendship, along with their shared ability to navigate public life with elegance, continues to be a topic of interest and admiration among fans and colleagues alike.
-
Business4 weeks ago
Are You A Cash App User? You May Be Eligible For A Piece Of This $15 Million Settlement
-
Celebrity4 weeks ago
Liza Minnelli Is ‘Mad As Hell’ And Writing New Memoir
-
Business4 weeks ago
Susan Wojcicki, Former YouTube CEO And Longtime Google Executive, Has Died At 56
-
News4 weeks ago
Travis Scott Is Arrested At A Paris Hotel After Altercation With A Security Guard, Prosecutors Say
-
Entertainment4 weeks ago
Samsung Is Recalling 1 Million Stoves To Prevent Pets From Setting Your Home On Fire
-
Sports4 weeks ago
Lydia Ko Finally Gets Her Olympic Gold. It Puts Her Into The LPGA Hall Of Fame