Music mogul Diddy's abandoned Atlanta mansion, purchased in 2003 and left empty for years, was recently raided by US Homeland Security, along with his Los Angeles and Miami homes, in connection with a federal sex trafficking investigation. Diddy's lawyer criticized the raids as a "gross overuse of military force," and stated that Diddy is innocent and will continue to fight to clear his name amidst several sexual abuse lawsuits.
The music industry is experiencing a wave of sexual abuse lawsuits as the deadline for New York's Adult Survivors Act (ASA) resulted in numerous allegations against renowned artists and executives. The ASA allowed people to file sexual abuse lawsuits regardless of the statute of limitations, leading to over 3,000 cases filed against figures in the music and entertainment industry. While the ASA's deadline has passed, experts predict that more lawsuits will surface in the music and entertainment industries through separate laws in New York and California. California's AB 2777 temporarily waives some statutes of limitations for civil suits regarding sexual misconduct, and attorneys are preparing to file more potential suits in California. Advocates and lawmakers are discussing the possibility of reopening the ASA window and permanently ending statutes of limitations on sexual abuse claims.
Several Hollywood stars, including Jamie Foxx, Axl Rose, and Sean Combs, have been accused of sexual abuse in lawsuits filed before the expiration of the New York Adult Survivors Act. The allegations range from sexual assault to rape, with multiple survivors coming forward. The lawsuits were filed within the one-year lookback window provided by the Act, allowing adult victims of sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against their abusers. Representatives for the accused celebrities have denied the allegations, and some have stated their intention to pursue claims for malicious prosecution. The deadline for filing under the Act has now passed.
The Archdiocese of San Francisco has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to over 500 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse. The archdiocese claims it lacks the financial means to litigate all the claims individually and believes bankruptcy is the best solution for compensating survivors. However, abuse survivor groups doubt the archdiocese's financial situation and criticize the move. The filing comes after the Catholic Diocese of Oakland also filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. The Catholic Church has faced widespread criticism for its handling of sexual abuse cases, and Pope Francis has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy. The archdiocese plans to develop a reorganization plan based on available assets and insurance coverage.
Two men who allege that Michael Jackson sexually abused them as children have been granted permission by a California appeals court to resume their lawsuits against companies owned by the late singer. Wade Robson and James Safechuck, featured in the documentary "Leaving Neverland," claim that Jackson groomed and sexually abused them for years. The cases were initially dismissed due to the statute of limitations, but were reopened in 2020 under a new state law. The appeals court disagreed with the previous ruling, stating that the corporations had a legal duty to protect the alleged victims from the abuse. Representatives for Jackson's estate expressed disappointment and maintained his innocence, while the plaintiffs' attorney argued that the court's decision corrected previous incorrect rulings.
Two men who accused Michael Jackson of sexually abusing them as children in the documentary "Leaving Neverland" could have their sexual abuse lawsuits against Jackson's estate revived by a California appeals court. The lawsuits were initially dismissed in 2017 due to the state's statute of limitations, but were resurrected in 2020 after a new bill extended the limitations. However, they were dismissed again in 2021. The 2nd District Court of Appeals has now reversed the dismissal, returning the cases to court. Attorneys representing Jackson's estate will argue against the cases. Jackson's estate has repeatedly denied the allegations.
A California appeals court is set to consider reviving the dismissed lawsuits of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege that Michael Jackson sexually abused them as children. The court's tentative decision would order the cases back to a lower court for trial, indicating a likely revival. The lawsuits were initially filed after Jackson's death in 2009 and gained wider attention through the 2019 HBO documentary "Leaving Neverland." The Jackson estate has consistently denied the allegations.
A California appeals court is considering reviving the dismissed lawsuits of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege that Michael Jackson sexually abused them as children. The court's tentative decision would order the cases back to a lower court for trial. The lawsuits were filed after Jackson's death in 2009 and gained attention through the 2019 HBO documentary "Leaving Neverland." The appeals court's decision comes after a previous dismissal in 2021 based on the statute of limitations, which was later restored due to a temporary broadening of sexual abuse case scope. The Jackson estate has denied the allegations.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland has filed for bankruptcy due to over 330 lawsuits over alleged sexual abuse of children by the clergy dating back decades. The diocese will continue to operate and all employees and vendors will continue to be paid during the bankruptcy filing. Most of the lawsuits involve allegations of abuse that date back to the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The Diocese of Santa Rosa filed for bankruptcy protection in March, similarly because it said it did not have money to settle more than 150 child sexual abuse lawsuits.
