Posts Tagged: rape allegations

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Deshaun Watson’s Endorsement Deals Suspended by Nike, Beats by Dre

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Nike and Beats by Dre reportedly suspended Deshaun Watson's endorsement deals after nearly two dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct.

The Apple-owned Beats by Dre is the second major brand to distance itself from Watson amid the damaging allegations.

"We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson. We will continue to closely monitor the situation," a Beats by Dre representative said in a statement.

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The 25-year-old Houston Texans quarterback faces sex assault allegations from multiple massage therapists who say he solicited them for sex on social media.

The women say the pro athlete made unwanted sexual advances during private massage therapy sessions.

Lawsuits accuse Watson of being a sexual predator who victimized women by pretending to seek massage therapy sessions.

"Watson is in the sex trade. He needs to be stopped," according to a lawsuit from an alleged Aug. 2 incident.

Ashley Soils, the first woman to file a sexual misconduct lawsuit against Watson, said "I am survivor of assault and harassment, Deshaun Watson is my assaulter and my harasser, he assaulted me at my home doing what I love most, massage therapy."

22 women in total have filed lawsuits against him, Complex.com reported.

Watson vigorously denied the allegations. He explained that he contacted massage therapists via DMs on Instagram.com because his usual masseuse contacts were on lockdown due to the Covid.

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T.I. and Tiny release new statement after three more women come forward

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Tip "T.I." Harris and his wife Tameka Harris released a statement in response to new allegations of misconduct.

The reality TV couple released a statement through their attorney, Steve Sadow, on Tuesday, April 6.

Sadow is still waiting to attack the integrity of the women -- once their names are revealed.

"The Harrises are still waiting for the accusers to reveal themselves publicly," Sadow told Billboard. "By continuing to hide behind anonymous allegations, the unnamed accusers effectively render themselves not credible and unworthy of belief. We say: Let the light shine on their identities so we can go about disproving these scurrilous accusations."

Vulture.com previously reported three more women came forward last week with new allegations.

Tyrone A. Blackburn, the attorney representing the women, said a victim who was 20 at the time alleged the couple "pulled out a pill and forced her to swallow it." Another woman claimed the couple trafficked her across three states.

Their stories resemble similar accusations by other women who claim they were drugged and sexually assaulted by the couple and their friends.

Blackburn sent letters to prosecutors in Georgia and California requesting a criminal investigation. So far, no charges have been filed.

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Two more women say they were drugged, trafficked by T.I. and Tiny

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Two more alleged victims have come forward with accusations of sexual misconduct against Tip "T.I." Harris and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Harris.

Two anonymous women retained attorney Tyrone A. Blackburn, who represents several other unidentified accusers.

The women accuse the reality TV couple of drugging them and sexually abusing them.

One victim said she was "drugged, forced to take tons of molly and X, and sex-trafficked in three states," according to Vulture. She was 32 at the time.

The second victim said she was "raped by Clifford Harris and one of his male friends in a hotel in Miami, Florida, in May of 2010."

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Blackburn sent letters to attorney generals in Georgia and California, requesting investigations into the allegations.

So far, there have been no charges filed against the couple.

High-powered attorney Steven Sadow said the Harrises will be vindicated.

"We await Blackburn exposing his anonymous accusers to the light of day, by revealing their names, so we will be in a position to confront their allegations," Sadow told Vulture. "By Blackburn choosing instead to misuse the media for his own publicity and hiding the identities of his clients from the public and us, he makes it impossible for us to do so now."

But legal experts say the alleged sex abuse victims have the right to privacy.

A judge can keep the names of sex abuse victims out of public records to protect them from witness intimidation or harassment.

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Two NC Men Charged with Drugging, Raping Spring Breaker Found Dead in South Beach Hotel Room

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Miami-Dade County PD

Two North Carolina men face charges of raping, drugging and robbing a woman who was found dead in a hotel room in South Beach, Florida.

Evoire Collier, 21, (left) and Dorian Taylor, 24, both of Greensboro, North Carolina, allegedly gave Christine Englehardt a "green pill" which she chased down with alcohol at a South Beach bar.

They then took her back to her room at the Albion Hotel, where she passed out. Englehardt's semi-nude body was found on the bed in the room on Thursday, March 18.

Collier later told police he and Taylor -- in town for Spring Break -- met 24-year-old Englehardt at a local restaurant before giving her the drug as they walked along Ocean Drive.

The trio then headed back to her hotel at 1650 James Avenue, according to a police report

Surveillance footage shows the men holding Englehardt by her neck as she staggered to her room.

Collier and Taylor then had sex with Englehardt while she was unconscious, police said. Authorities said Englehardt was unable to give consent because she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Collier and Taylor allegedly robbed Englehardt, stealing her phone, cash and credit cards before leaving her for dead, police say.

A surveillance camera caught one of the men using her credit card to buy alcohol at a liquor store.

Collier and Taylor appeared in a Miami-Dade courtroom on Monday following their arrests on Sunday. A judge ordered the two suspects held without bail.

The suspects face murder or manslaughter charges if tests show the drug they gave Englehardt was the cause of her death.

Miami Beach officials declared a state of emergency and imposed an 8 p.m. curfew in South Beach after thousands of mostly Black, maskless Spring breakers descended on Miami for the annual ritual of drinking, drugs and partying.

Police arrested more than 1,000 people -- mostly Black out-of-towners who were not just college students.
 

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Open Post: Raz-B Accused of Rape and Assault and Battery

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For years former B2K member Raz-B accused his then-manager Chris Stokes of inappropriate sexual behavior and other unproven allegations.

Now Raz-B, real name De'Mario Thornton, is being accused of the same salacious acts by an ex-girlfriend, Kallee Brookes.

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In a video posted on Tik Tok, Kallee asked her followers to name a "f***ed up thing" that an ex did to them. "I'll go first," she said, before accusing Raz-B of blacking her eye, choking her unconscious and raping her. She said he strangled her in a parking lot and threatened to kill her.

She also claims she lied to police to protect him. All was forgiven after he put a "large down payment on a car" for her. She captioned the video: "This is why I have trust issues."

After fading into obscurity when B2K broke up, Raz-B revived his career by repeatedly accusing Stokes, 51, of molesting him.

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In his most recent allegations in February, Raz B called for other victims of Stokes to come forward.

He also created a foundation called "You Are the Light" to bring awareness to the sexual abuse of Black males and is using his foundation to support other victims of Stokes.

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Raz-B, pictured 2nd from left with Stokes (center) and B2k members J-Boog, Omarion and Lil Fizz, has never filed a police report against Stokes. But he may find himself on the receiving end of a rape charge if Kallee goes to the police.
 

@kalleebrookes

This is why I have trust issues. ?

? original sound - kalleebrookes

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Vanessa Bryant lashes out at critics who labeled Kobe Bryant a ‘rapist’

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Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa Bryant took aim at actress Evan Rachel Wood and other critics who branded the late sports icon a "rapist" following his tragic death last year.

Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died in a fiery helicopter crash along with 7 others in Calabasas, California in foggy conditions in January 2020.

Vanessa had time over the weekend, so she searched through old social media posts for critics who accused Kobe of being a rapist.

Wood and film producer Abigail Disney were among the activists to remind fans about his July 2003 sexual assault case.

The married basketball star was accused of forcing himself on a 19-year-old female hotel employee in Colorado. The case was later settled out of court and Kobe publicly apologized to his accuser.

At the time of his death in a helicopter crash, Evan Rachel Wood posted on social media, "What has happened is tragic. I am heartbroken for Kobe's family. He was a sports hero. He was also a rapist. And all of these truths can exist simultaneously."

The tweet caused an uproar at the time, but more than a year later, Vanessa dug up the tweet, and fired back at Wood.

"This just came to my attention," she wrote across a screenshot of Wood's post, which she shared on her Instagram Story timeline on Saturday.

"Your false, insensitive, defamatory and slanderous tweet on 1/26/20 is vile and disturbing to say the least. Behavior like this is part of the reason why innocent black men go to jail for crimes they didn't commit. An accusation doesn't make someone guilty. YOU DON'T KNOW THE FACTS OF THE CASE."

Vanessa also posted a similarly-worded message to Abigail Disney, who, shortly after Kobe's death, told her Twitter followers: "The man was a rapist. Deal with it."

Vanessa's followers were confused and baffled by her response to old tweets.

Vanessa has been very active on social media since Kobe’s death. Kobe was very adamant that she devote her time to homemaking and raising their children.

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People magazine’s most eligible bachelor arrested for rape

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Instagram

A former Boston prosecutor who was once named one of PEOPLE's most eligible bachelors has been charged with rape.

Gary Zerola, 49, of Salem, was arraigned on Jan. 15 on charges of rape and breaking and entering with felony intent. He is being held without bond.

The former defense attorney was once named to People's list of "America's Top 50 Bachelors."

According to Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, Zerola is a danger to the community because he has rape allegations dating back to 1996.

Zerola grew up in the foster care system and lived in more than a dozen homes. After aging out of the system, he graduated with dual degrees in law and public administration from Suffolk University, according to the NY Post.

Zerola was already out on bail for a 2016 rape when the January 12 attack occurred, Masslive.com reported.

Zerola met his latest victim at a gathering on Jan. 11 and dropped her off at her apartment, along with a mutual friend.

Prosecutor's say Zerola returned later than night, and the victim awoke to find him on top of her.

Zerola has pleaded not guilty to rape and breaking and entering charges.

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Kodak Black may end up back in prison despite Trump’s commutation

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Kodak Black was released from a federal prison in Illinois after being pardoned by former President Donald Trump on his last day in office.

Black tweeted his thanks to Trump on Wednesday: "I Want To Thank The President @RealDonaldTrump For His Commitment To Justice Reform And Shortening My Sentence. I Also Want To Thank Everyone For Their Support And Love. It Means More Than You Will Ever Know. I Want To Continue Giving Back, Learning And Growing. @DanScavino."

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But according to reports, prosecutors in South Carolina are preparing to pursue the rapper on a felony charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Ed Clements, the 12th Circuit Solicitor in Florence County, tells TMZ that he filed a retainer against the rapper and plans to "aggressively" pursue Black, whose legal name is Bill Kapri.

Trump commuted Black's 46-month sentence for making a false statement on a federal document to purchase a gun in Florida. Convicted felons can't purchase firearms, and pardons for a federal crime have no impact on state cases.

Prosecutors in S.C. claim Black forced himself on an 18-year-old girl in a hotel room after a Feb. 2016 concert, allegedly raping her and biting her neck and right breast, according to legal docs obtained by TMZ.

Black's attorney in S.C., Beattie Ashmore, tells TMZ, "Aggressively prosecute? It's been four years. That speaks volumes. Kodak was on bond and on tour for two years before his federal case even began. Ed's a very fine and experienced prosecutor and I look forward to once again speaking with him about this case. It's been awhile."

Black faces up to 30 years in state prison, if convicted.

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Open Post: Wendy Williams says she was raped by ’80s R&B singer

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Wendy Williams claims she was date raped by 1980s singer Sherrick. Wendy made the shocking revelation while promoting her upcoming Lifetime biopic, "Wendy Williams: The Movie."

Wendy, 56, says the effeminate singer "mesmerized" her with his "twinkling eyes" during an interview in 1988.

"His name was Sherrick [and] he was a one-hit wonder, remember the song. It was called 'Just Call' and it was number one on the R&B charts and an overnight sensation," she told The NY Daily News.

"He was in D.C. I was a cute radio DJ. He'd asked me did I want to accompany him to his album release celebration in D.C. and I said 'yes.' I got off the air and went back to his hotel room with him," said Williams.

"He said he wanted to shower and freshen up and introduced cocaine to the scene," she added. "I was already familiar with cocaine so I was continuing to party while he was in the shower. And I was sitting on the bed minding my own business."

The harrowing rape scene is played out in graphic detail in the biopic, starring Ciara Peyton as Wendy, and actor Nykeem Provo portraying the rapist.

Wendy fought back tears as she recalled the incident.

"I left after that and went home and scrubbed my skin off, cried and that was that," the Asbury Park, N.J., native recalled. "I never told anybody. I just handled it and that's it."

Sherrick is best known for his single "Just Call," which peaked in the Top 10 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.

Sherrick, real name F. Lamotte Smith, was a former member of Motown R&B group Kagny. His biggest claim to fame was being featured on the soundtrack to "The Last Dragon."

Sherrick, who was an alcoholic and drug abuser, died in 1999 of unknown causes.
 

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Jay Z’s nephew drops out of UW to pursue pro career after two rape allegations

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Jay Z's nephew Nahziah Carter will pursue a pro basketball career following his suspension from the Washington Huskies men's basketball team after two students accused him of rape.

"I don't take these allegations lightly," Huskies men's coach Mike Hopkins said after speaking with his star athlete last Wednesday.

Carter was accused of sexual misconduct by two students, but he was suspended only after the 2nd student came forward. He was never charged.

The two students reported Carter to UW's Title IX office in early October. On Oct. 15, the Huskies announced Carter was suspended form all team activities for violating the school's intercollegiate athletics student code.

At the time, Hopkins said: "Hopefully he can come back. If not, it will be a huge loss for us."

After two unsuccessful appeals, Carter's suspension was finalized on December 2. Two days later, he announced he was leaving school to pursue a professional basketball career, according to the Seattle Times.

"It wouldn't be appropriate for me or somebody in my position to be talking about an university issue," Hopkins said. "There is a process and we had to let the process play out."

He continued: "As the leader of this program, I hold myself and our student-athletes to the highest standards on and off the court, and we hold ourselves to those standards. For that reason, Naz is no longer a part of this program."

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Rap mogul Jay Z, 51, was a father figure to his sister's sons. He often rapped about them in his songs. His nephew, Colleek D. Luckie, died in a car accident while driving a Chrysler 300, a graduation present from Jay Z. The aging rapper blamed himself for his nephew's death.

In his track "Sweet," Jay Z raps:

"And still there's pain/ If I would have grew up to be a doctor, my nephew would have grew up to do the same/ But since I grew up through the game, and my influence is the same/ And my therapy is music, they ask if you ashamed."

Carter, a 6-foot-6 senior guard who averaged 12.2 points and 4.9 rebounds last season, is expected to play overseas in Australia.