Two Massachusetts men were arrested for allegedly trafficking nearly $7 million in SNAP benefits through small retail stores, turning a food assistance program into a criminal enterprise by exchanging benefits for cash and liquor, with some stores showing abnormally high redemption volumes.
A federal jury rejected the government's racketeering conspiracy claim against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, with legal experts noting that the case's allegations of organized crime-like behavior were a stretch and not surprising to be dismissed.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs is on trial for sex trafficking and related charges, with prosecutors portraying him as the leader of a criminal enterprise that coerced women into drug-fueled sexual encounters and used violence to hide his crimes. The defense is now delivering its closing arguments, and the case could result in life imprisonment if he is convicted.
The defense is set to deliver closing arguments in the sex trafficking trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who faces multiple charges including racketeering and sex trafficking, with prosecutors portraying him as the leader of a criminal enterprise abusing women and using violence to conceal his crimes.
Prosecutors accused Sean 'Diddy' Combs of using power, violence, and fear to operate a criminal enterprise, as they presented their case in his sex trafficking trial, where he faces multiple charges including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
A former hype man of Fat Joe has filed a lawsuit accusing the rapper of coercing him into over 4,000 sexual acts, including with minors, and engaging in sexual violence and exploitation, while also alleging financial and creative misconduct. The lawsuit also implicates associates and accuses Roc Nation of rights violations, with both sides denying the allegations and claiming legal retaliation.
Jane, an ex-girlfriend of Diddy, testified about abusive and exploitative behavior, including forced sex acts and violence, as part of a federal racketeering and sex trafficking case against him, highlighting a pattern of criminal conduct and personal trauma.
On day 20 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial, a witness testified about a violent 2016 attack by Combs, who is accused of sex trafficking and racketeering, with prosecutors presenting evidence including videos and witness accounts of violence and coercion, while defense questioned the credibility of witnesses and highlighted Combs' denial of charges.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces trial on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, with testimonies revealing alleged violence, coercion, and a criminal enterprise involving his employees and associates, including disturbing incidents linked to his personal and professional life.
Sean "Diddy" Combs has been denied bail for the third time as he awaits trial, with a federal judge citing his history of violence and potential for witness tampering. The court highlighted evidence of Combs' violent behavior, including a 2016 assault on Cassie Ventura, and his attempts to obscure communications while in prison. Combs, who faces charges related to a criminal enterprise involving assault and trafficking, has pleaded not guilty, with his trial set for May 2025.
Two men, Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand, were convicted of human smuggling after an Indian family froze to death while attempting to cross the US-Canada border. The family, including two children, died in January 2022 during a blizzard. The men were part of a larger smuggling operation, and the tragedy highlighted the dangers faced by migrants seeking a better life. Despite defense claims of misidentification and unwitting involvement, the jury found both men guilty.
Former staffers for Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, Rob and Anne Minard, have been charged with embezzlement and conducting a criminal enterprise. The charges allege that the couple misappropriated funds from multiple entities, including social welfare non-profit organizations and campaign committees. Prosecutors claim that the Minards financially exploited and defrauded these entities through improper reimbursements, double billing, misrepresenting expenses, and falsifying records. The investigation into Chatfield, who left office in 2020, remains ongoing, and additional individuals are under investigation. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel criticized the state's weak campaign finance and political disclosure laws, calling for legislative changes to prevent future misconduct.
A Home Depot executive testified before Congress about the increasing violent threats faced by the company's employees due to the rise in organized retail theft. The executive highlighted that these thefts often support more nefarious activities such as drug and human trafficking. Factors contributing to the uptick in organized retail theft include the availability of drugs, the rise of third-party marketplaces for selling stolen goods, and a lack of resources for law enforcement agencies. The executive called on Congress to pass a bipartisan organized retail crime bill to address this issue.
Three Chilean nationals have been charged with conducting a criminal enterprise and eight counts of second-degree home invasion in connection with a series of break-ins targeting extravagant homes in affluent neighborhoods across Oakland, Wayne, and Kent counties in Michigan. The suspects, who are members of the South American Theft Group, were arrested after committing eight separate break-ins between February 3-11. In a separate investigation, three Detroit residents were charged with conducting a criminal enterprise and multiple counts of first-degree retail fraud for their involvement in over 30 "push-out" retail theft incidents, resulting in losses of over $200,000.
Donald Trump and 18 allies, including Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, and Jeffrey Clark, have been indicted in Georgia for their efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Prosecutors have accused them of engaging in a "criminal enterprise" to keep Trump in power, using a statute typically associated with mobsters. The indictment outlines numerous acts, such as pressuring officials to find enough votes for Trump, harassing election workers, and attempting to persuade lawmakers to ignore the will of voters. The indictment also includes a plot to steal data from a voting machine company. This comes just two weeks after Trump was charged in a conspiracy to overturn the election by the Justice Department special counsel.