Veteran South Korean actor O Yeong-Su, best known for his role in Netflix’s global hit Squid Game, has been acquitted of sexual misconduct charges by a South Korean court. The 81-year-old had previously been found guilty of inappropriately touching a woman, but the verdict was overturned on appeal.

Court Overturns 2024 Conviction

O, who rose to international fame as the elderly contestant Oh Il-nam in Squid Game, was originally convicted in 2024 and handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence for allegedly hugging and kissing a woman against her will in 2017. He denied the allegations and immediately filed an appeal.

On Tuesday, the Suwon District Court acquitted him, ruling that there was reasonable doubt regarding the incident. The court noted that O had completed sexual violence prevention classes and suggested that the alleged victim’s memory might have been “distorted” over time, given that the complaint was filed several years after the alleged events.

“There is a possibility that the victim’s memory has been distorted over time,” the court said in its ruling, as quoted by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. “When there is doubt, the defendant must be given the benefit of the doubt.”

Background of the Case

The alleged assault occurred in 2017 while O was in a rural area for a theatre performance. The woman filed a complaint in 2021, but the case was initially closed in April that year. Prosecutors later reopened the investigation “at the request of the victim,” Yonhap reported.

In its statement, the court acknowledged that while there was some evidence suggesting inappropriate conduct—such as O’s reported apology to the complainant—it could not conclude that a criminal offense had occurred beyond reasonable doubt.

Reaction from the Victim and Advocacy Groups

The woman at the center of the case expressed disappointment following the acquittal, stating that the verdict would not “invalidate the truth or erase the pain I have suffered.” In a statement released through the women’s rights organization Womenlink, she vowed to continue speaking out: “Despite today’s ruling, I will continue to speak the truth to the very end.”

Womenlink criticized the court’s decision, saying it was “outraged by a ruling that once again conceals sexual violence in the theatre world.”

It remains unclear whether prosecutors will appeal the latest verdict.

O Yeong-Su’s Response

Following the ruling, O expressed gratitude to the judiciary, telling local media he was thankful for what he described as the court’s “wise judgment.”

O, a veteran stage actor before gaining global recognition, became an international star through Squid Game, the 2021 Netflix survival drama depicting contestants playing deadly versions of traditional children’s games for cash prizes.

In 2022, he made history as the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most respected performers.

The case has drawn widespread attention in South Korea, where discussions around sexual misconduct and accountability in the entertainment industry continue to evolve following several high-profile cases over the past decade.

Source: BBC – Squid Game star, 81, acquitted of sexual misconduct

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LOS ANGELES – Legendary Motown artist Smokey Robinson is facing serious allegations from four former housekeepers, who have filed a lawsuit accusing him of repeatedly sexually assaulting and raping them over a period spanning from 2007 to 2024.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, demands at least $50 million in damages, citing not only the alleged assaults but also claims of labor violations such as a hostile work environment, excessively long hours, and failure to pay wages.

Representatives for the 85-year-old Robinson did not respond to requests for comment.

Allegations of Abuse and a Hostile Work Environment

The women, who have chosen to remain anonymous and are listed as Jane Does in court filings, accuse Robinson of sexual misconduct that occurred when they were alone with him at his Los Angeles home. The alleged assaults took place over several years, with each woman saying that Robinson sexually assaulted and raped them against their will.

“We believe Mr. Robinson is a serial rapist who needs to be held accountable,” attorney John Harris stated during a press conference. Harris, who represents the four women, described the singer’s actions as “despicable” and said they were necessary to stop him from further abusing others.

All of the women eventually quit their jobs due to the abuse, but not without enduring years of fear, shame, and anxiety over retaliation, public exposure, and, in some cases, concerns about their immigration status.

“They feared losing their jobs and the ability to support their families,” Harris explained. “The shame they felt made it impossible for them to speak up sooner.”

The Allegations and Impact

The suit also targets Robinson’s wife, Frances Robinson, accusing her of enabling her husband’s alleged misconduct, despite knowing about the assaults. It also claims that she contributed to the toxic work environment, with reports of verbal abuse and ethnic slurs directed at the women.

The plaintiffs’ allegations vary in detail, but each woman paints a similar picture of repeated sexual abuse. One woman claims she worked for the Robinsons for 12 years, being assaulted at least 20 times during her employment. Another worked from 2014 to 2020 and says she was assaulted more than 20 times. Two others also describe similar experiences, with one of them working for the Robinsons for nearly two decades.

The women, who were unaware of one another’s experiences at the time, are now standing together in their quest for justice, according to their attorneys. Despite the heavy emotional toll, they have refused to identify themselves publicly, opting to keep their faces masked during the press conference.

Legal Action and Requests for Compensation

In addition to seeking monetary compensation for the abuse and alleged labor violations, the lawsuit includes multiple charges, including sexual battery, false imprisonment, and gender-based violence. Although no amount of money can truly compensate the women for their suffering, their attorney, Harris, argues that the $50 million is a reasonable figure given the severity of the alleged offenses.

While the women have not yet filed criminal charges against Robinson, their attorneys have emphasized that the matter could still be pursued in the criminal justice system. The decision not to report the incidents to police was largely due to the same fears of retaliation and personal consequences that prevented them from coming forward earlier.

Smokey Robinson’s Legacy and Future

Robinson, an iconic figure in the music industry, is known for his incredible career both as a member of the Miracles and as a solo artist with classic hits like “Tears of a Clown” and “The Tracks of My Tears.” His work as a producer and songwriter helped define the Motown sound, making him one of the most influential figures in American music.

As the case progresses, the future of Robinson’s legacy in the music industry may be further called into question, especially as the lawsuit’s allegations gain attention. Robinson’s legal team has yet to respond publicly to the accusations, but with a court hearing scheduled, this case is poised to remain in the headlines.

As more details unfold, the lawsuit shines a light on the serious allegations of abuse that have been hidden behind the fame and success of one of Motown’s most celebrated stars.\

Source:  AP News – Smokey Robinson accused by former housekeepers of sexual assault and rape

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LONDON – Actor and comedian Russell Brand has been granted conditional bail following his appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he faced multiple charges, including rape and sexual assault, involving four women.

Brand, 49, did not enter a plea at this first hearing, maintaining his previous stance of denial against the accusations. The allegations, which were brought to light last month, include one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault.

As Brand arrived at court, he was swarmed by photographers. He listened intently as the charges were read out, but spoke only to confirm his identity, date of birth, address, and understanding of his bail conditions. He appeared in casual attire—an open shirt and jeans—while Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring outlined his bail terms.

Brand has been ordered to appear at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) on May 30. His bail conditions require him to stay in contact with the court, providing information on his whereabouts, whether in the U.K. or the U.S. Brand currently resides in Florida but is expected to attend all future hearings. Failure to comply with these conditions could result in being remanded in custody.

The allegations against Brand date back to between 1999 and 2005. They include incidents in Bournemouth and Westminster, London. The women making the accusations have not been publicly identified.

Brand has denied the charges, including the claims of non-consensual sexual activity. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence.

The specific allegations include an incident in 1999, where a woman claims Brand raped her in a Bournemouth hotel room after a Labour Party conference. In another case from 2001, Brand is accused of attempting to drag a woman into a male toilet at a London television station. A third accuser, a television worker from 2004, alleges Brand groped her before pulling her into a toilet and sexually assaulting her. The final complainant, a radio station worker from 2004-2005, accuses Brand of forcibly kissing her and groping her.

These charges follow a joint investigation by Channel 4 and the Sunday Times published in September 2023.

Brand, known for his provocative stand-up comedy, has had a varied career, including hosting radio and television shows, writing memoirs, and starring in films like Get Him To The Greek. His high-profile marriage to pop star Katy Perry between 2010 and 2012 also garnered significant media attention. However, in recent years, Brand has distanced himself from mainstream media, focusing on an online following built around wellness content and conspiracy theories. He recently relocated to the U.S. and continues to post regularly to his audience.

Source: AP News – Russell Brand granted conditional bail after appearing in London court on rape and assault charges

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Best-selling fantasy author Neil Gaiman has denied multiple allegations of sexual assault made by several women, as detailed in a New York Magazine article published on Monday. Gaiman, known for works like The Sandman, Coraline, and Good Omens, issued a statement on his website rejecting the accusations.

In his statement, Gaiman asserted, “I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone.” He further described the allegations as a mix of moments that “half-recognize” and others he “don’t” while claiming that some of the descriptions of events were entirely fabricated.

Gaiman’s comments came after accusations first emerged in July, when a podcast investigation by Tortoise Media included allegations from two women. By August, additional women came forward, accusing the author of sexual assault, coercion, and abuse. These allegations, spanning from 1986 to 2022, were made in the US, UK, and New Zealand. The four women who spoke to Tortoise Media also provided accounts to New York Magazine. CNN has not independently verified their claims.

Though Gaiman refrained from addressing each individual allegation, he reiterated, “I don’t accept there was any abuse,” and emphasized that he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. He also expressed that while some of the accusations were “horrible stories” that never happened, others were significantly distorted. He stated, “I am prepared to take responsibility for any missteps I made,” but rejected being falsely described as someone he is not.

As the allegations have surfaced, some of Gaiman’s ongoing projects have been affected. Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens, based on Gaiman’s novel, will conclude with a 90-minute special instead of the originally planned third season, and Gaiman will no longer receive an executive producer credit. CNN reached out to Prime Video for further details, but the company has yet to provide a public update.

Additionally, Disney has paused its adaptation of The Graveyard Book due to multiple factors, including the allegations, as reported by IndieWire in September. CNN has contacted Disney for comment.

On the other hand, Netflix’s second season of The Sandman, produced by Warner Bros. Discovery, is still slated for release later this year. A Netflix spokesperson was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.

Gaiman’s statement reflects his steadfast denial of the allegations and his ongoing commitment to defending his reputation amid the controversy.

Source

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The House Ethics Committee has accused Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) of paying for sex, including a specific instance involving a 17-year-old girl, and engaging in illicit drug use during his time in Congress. These allegations, detailed in a 37-page bipartisan report released Monday, stem from a nearly four-year investigation into Gaetz’s conduct.

Details of the Investigation and Findings

The report outlines Gaetz’s involvement in sex parties, drug use, and questionable financial transactions between 2017 and 2020, while he represented Florida’s western Panhandle. Congressional investigators found substantial evidence that Gaetz violated multiple state laws related to prostitution, statutory rape, and drug use, although they concluded that he did not violate federal sex trafficking laws.

Among the committee’s findings, Gaetz was accused of soliciting prostitution, accepting illicit gifts, and obstructing the committee’s investigation. The committee’s report noted that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” their work.

Gaetz Denies Wrongdoing

In response to the committee’s accusations, Gaetz denied any criminal behavior and criticized the report’s timing. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). Gaetz also claimed that the report’s release, just before Christmas Eve, was a deliberate attempt to harm his reputation before the public could scrutinize the evidence in court.

Details of Gaetz’s Alleged Actions

The committee’s report detailed a lifestyle of excess, supported by text messages, financial records, and other evidence. Gaetz reportedly arranged for women to attend parties, paid for travel and lodging, and even facilitated false documentation for a woman to obtain a passport under the guise of being his constituent.

One particularly troubling part of the investigation centered on a 17-year-old girl with whom Gaetz allegedly engaged in sexual activity. While the report states there is no evidence Gaetz knew she was underage at the time, it also noted that Gaetz continued to have sexual relations with her after she turned 18, which violated Florida’s laws regarding statutory rape.

Legal and Political Fallout

Gaetz’s legal troubles have compounded over the years, especially following his brief consideration by President-elect Donald Trump for the role of Attorney General. Gaetz resigned from Congress in November, though he has indicated interest in running for a Senate seat in Florida.

The committee also revealed that Gaetz obstructed its investigation, providing minimal cooperation and refusing to be interviewed voluntarily. The investigation was delayed at times due to the Justice Department’s separate probe into Gaetz, which ultimately did not result in charges.

Public and Political Reactions

The release of the report was met with mixed reactions. While some Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, initially opposed publishing the findings of an ethics investigation into a former member of Congress, a few GOP members joined Democrats in voting to release the report for the sake of transparency. Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey, a Democratic committee member, emphasized that making the report public was crucial for maintaining trust in the legislative process.

In response to the report’s release, Gaetz filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the publication of the findings. He argued that the accusations contained “untruthful and defamatory information” and that he should not be held under the committee’s jurisdiction after resigning from Congress.

Gaetz’s Defense and Legal Strategy

Gaetz has maintained that the committee’s investigation was politically motivated, describing it as a “Christmas Eve-Eve report” aimed at tarnishing his reputation. His lawyer, Joel Leppard, who represents two women who claim Gaetz paid them for sex, stated that the report’s findings vindicated their stories and demonstrated the truth.

Despite these ongoing legal challenges, Gaetz’s future remains uncertain, with speculation over his potential Senate run in Florida.

Committee’s Conclusion and Precedents

The House Ethics Committee’s report marks a rare instance of an ethics report being released after a lawmaker’s resignation. Typically, such reports are kept confidential until after a member’s term in office ends. The decision to make the findings public was supported by the majority of the committee, despite opposition from some Republicans who argued that releasing it set a dangerous precedent.

Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS), the committee’s chairman, expressed concerns that the release of the report undermined established standards, while Rep. Ivey stressed the importance of transparency for the public and Congress itself.

As Gaetz’s legal battle continues, the ethics committee’s report shines a light on serious allegations against the former congressman and adds to his growing list of legal and political challenges.

Source

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Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing serious sexual assault allegations from a new lawsuit filed on Tuesday. The anonymous plaintiff claims that Combs sexually assaulted him after he attended a house party hosted by the music mogul in 2022 at a “large, glamorous home” in New York City. At the time of the alleged assault, the plaintiff was 39 years old.

According to the lawsuit, the man attended the party with friends and consumed alcohol provided by other guests. After drinking, he began to feel disoriented, lost control of his body, and passed out. When he regained consciousness, the plaintiff says he found himself in a dark bedroom, where Combs was allegedly on top of him, assaulting him.

The plaintiff, now living in Georgia, is one of several individuals who have filed similar lawsuits against Combs. Another accuser, a man who worked as an actor in the late 1990s and early 2000s, alleges that Combs sexually assaulted him after luring him to New York with the promise of a music video role. The lawsuit claims that the man was given a spiked soda, which caused him to pass out, and when he woke up, he was in an altered state, unable to fight off Combs, who allegedly had his bodyguard hold the plaintiff down.

A third accuser, a woman who was 17 years old in 2004, claims that Combs sexually assaulted her during a Fourth of July party in the Hamptons. She alleges that Combs and his bodyguards threatened her, warning that she would be in danger if she spoke out about the assault, with Combs reportedly telling her, “I run New York and I’ll ruin you.”

In response to the allegations, Combs’ legal team issued a statement denying the accusations. They addressed a separate lawsuit filed against attorney Tony Buzbee, accusing him of extortion in connection with the claims. Combs’ lawyers called Buzbee’s lawsuits “shameless publicity stunts,” designed to extract money from celebrities.

Regarding the sexual assault accusations, Combs’ attorneys reaffirmed their belief in the judicial process, asserting that the truth will prevail in court and denying that Combs has ever sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone, regardless of gender or age.

Source

Full Video

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Jeffries has been arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida. Two other associates, Matthew Smith of West Palm Beach and James Jacobson of Wisconsin, were also arrested in connection with sex trafficking charges.

They are expected to appear in federal court in Florida and Wisconsin today, and arraigned on a later date in the eastern District of New York.

Jeffries was the CEO of the popular clothing brand from 1992 to 2014.

Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson each face a single count of sex trafficking as well as 15 counts of interstate prostitution tied to 15 alleged victims.

A federal indictment alleges Jeffries — along with Smith, his romantic partner, and Jacobson, who was described as a recruiter — operated an “international sex trafficking and prostitution business” from 2008 to 2015.

It alleges that they organized “sex events” in England, France, Italy, Morocco, St. Barts and New York for Jeffries, Smith and “others.” They “employed coercive, fraudulent and deceptive tactics in connection with the recruitment, hiring, transportation, obtaining, maintaining, solicitation and payment of the men to engage in commercial sex.”

The men who attended the events allegedly were led to believe that it could lead to modeling opportunities or help their careers or “that not complying with requests for certain acts during the Sex Events could harm their careers.”

The men were required to sign non-disclosure agreements and surrender their wallets and cell phones during the events.

Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson also allegedly recruited, hired and paid an exclusive set of household staff to “facilitate and supervise the sex events.” The staff provided Jeffries, Smith and the men who attended alcohol, muscle relaxants known as “poppers,” lubricant, Viagra, and condoms among other items. Either Jacobson or the staff paid the men for attending the sex events, the indictment said.

Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a news conference that Jeffries and Smith spent millions on the sex trafficking enterprise — from paying staff, paying for travel and paying to maintain secrecy.

Peace said the operation used a referral system and interview process, during which the men that were allegedly preyed upon were not informed about the details of the sex events before attending. During those “tryouts” of potential candidates, Jacobson typically had candidates first engage in commercial sex acts with him, the indictment said.

At the events, the men were pressured to drink and consume poppers, and “on more than one occasion when men did not or could not consent, Jeffries and Smith violated the bodily integrity of these men by subjecting them or continuing to subject them to invasive sexual and violent contact by body parts and other objects,” Peace said.

“Powerful individuals, for too long, have trafficked and abused for their own sexual pleasure young people with few resources in a dream, a dream of securing a successful career in fashion or entertainment,” Peace said. He warned anyone who thinks they can exploit or coerce by using the “so-called casting couch system” that they should “prepare to trade that couch for a bed in federal prison.”

Peace said his office became aware of the alleged crimes through media reports.

The news of Jeffries’ arrest comes one year after BBC News published an explosive report that said Jeffries exploited men at sex parties he hosted. That report said 12 men described attending or organizing events that included sex acts for Jeffries and his partner Matthew Smith, and those events took place from 2009 to 2015. Some of the men who spoke to BBC said they were exploited or didn’t participate willingly.

Jeffries’ attorney, Brian Bieber, told NBC News at the time that Jeffries would not comment on reports about his personal life. Abercrombie & Fitch said the company was “appalled and disgusted” by the allegations in the BBC report.

Bieber told NBC News on Tuesday in response to the arrest: “We will respond in detail to the allegations after the Indictment is unsealed, and when appropriate, but plan to do so in the courthouse — not the media.”

Shortly after that report, Abercrombie & Fitch and Jeffries were sued for allegedly turning a blind eye to Jeffries’ alleged misconduct. That civil suit alleged he sexually abused numerous men after luring them with the promise of coveted modeling contracts, CNBC reported.

“Today’s arrests are monumental for the aspiring male models who were victimized by these individuals,” attorney Brittany Henderson, who is representing victims from that class action lawsuit, said in a statement Tuesday.

“Their fight for justice does not end here,” the statement said. “We look forward to holding Abercrombie and Fitch liable for facilitating this terrible conduct and ensuring that this cannot happen again.”

When asked if the alleged sex trafficking enterprise possibly continued after 2015, Peace said the investigation is ongoing, and encouraged any victims or any witnesses to come forward.

Source

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