Judge orders Google to hand over Jussie Smollett’s emails and other data

Judge orders Google to hand over Jussie Smollett’s emails and other data

Jussie Smollett, 911 call

A judge has signed a search warrant demanding Google hand over emails, private messages and location data belonging to actor and singer Jussie Smollett.

Smollett, 37, claimed to have been the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime last January when he was attacked by two men in Chicago.

His story began to unravel when police, after spending hours investigating and viewing CCTV footage, found zero evidence to back up his claims. They believe he staged the whole incident for publicity.

This view was reinforced when two Nigerian bodybuilder brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, claimed the actor had paid them $3,500 to help stage the attack.

Related: WATCH: Damning new footage of Jussie Smollett from night of alleged attack

In February, Smollett was charged with making a false felony report. However, the charges were sensationally dropped by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx last March. Smollett was instead ordered to pay $130,000 to compensate for police time.

The dropping of the charges infuriated police and other authorities in Chicago. Afterward, Cook County Judge Michael Toomin appointed Special Prosecutor Dan Webb to look further into the case to determine why the charges had been dropped.

Chicago Tribune says it has now seen two search warrants, submitted by Webb and signed off by Toomin on 6 December, demanding Google hands over data relating to Smollett. The warrants request 12 months of data from between November 2018-November 2019.

Related: Lee Daniels says he’s “beyond embarrassed” for ever believing Jussie Smollett

It is unknown if Google has complied with the request. It declined to comment to the Chicago Tribune, saying it could not respond on matters relating to law enforcement requests.

In the warrants signed by Toomin, there is a request that Google does not disclose it has been asked to hand over the data, as it “may jeopardize an ongoing criminal investigation.”

Smollett has always maintained he did not stage the attack and is innocent of any crime.

However, any hopes he may have had that he might enjoy a return to Empire – the TV show which dropped him when he was charged with making a false felony report – were dashed this week.

In December, showrunner Brett Mahoney told TV Line there had been discussions to bring Smollett back to the show for the sixth and final season. He said it would be “weird” not to have Smollett included, but said nothing had been agreed.

Related: The cast and director of ‘Empire’ are fighting over whether to keep Jussie Smollett

However, this week, Fox Entertainment President Michael Thorn told TV Line: “We’re not going to bring Jussie back to the show.

“There were a number of factors that went into the decision to not bring him back. There were many points of view about if he should come back or if he shouldn’t.

“As hard as a decision as that was, for us — and when I say us I mean the network, the studio and the producers — it felt like it was in the best interests of the show and the cast.

“Our hope is that all of the controversy surrounding Jussie doesn’t overshadow the show, which we think is bigger than him,” he added.

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Trump Wants to Know How Your ‘409K’S’ are Doing

Trump Wants to Know How Your ‘409K’S’ are Doing

Pivoting away from the Iran crisis and his pending impeachment trial, President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday morning about the stock market.

Politically, it might seem like a good move, except that Trump mistakenly referred to retirement accounts as “409K’s” instead of “401Ks.”

STOCK MARKET AT ALL-TIME HIGH! HOW ARE YOUR 409K’S DOING? 70%, 80%, 90% up? Only 50% up! What are you doing wrong?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2020

“STOCK MARKET AT ALL-TIME HIGH!” Trump wrote in all caps. “HOW ARE YOUR 409K’S DOING? 70%, 80%, 90% up? Only 50% up! What are you doing wrong?”

Trump followed up by taking credit for the lowering the cancer death rate:

U.S. Cancer Death Rate Lowest In Recorded History! A lot of good news coming out of this Administration.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2020

“U.S. Cancer Death Rate Lowest In Recorded History! A lot of good news coming out of this Administration,” he wrote.

A few reactions from Twitter below.

Self proclaimed business genius wants to know how your 409K’s are doing pic.twitter.com/5kUyzdAScb

— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) January 9, 2020

The stock market has been relatively flat over the past two years because of Trump’s various trade wars.

Unclear how household cleansers have been doing. pic.twitter.com/i0SkH4WUzt

— S.V. Dáte (@svdate) January 9, 2020

Apparently what I’m doing wrong is investing in a 401K when I should be investing in a 409K pic.twitter.com/wsrrbssz7H

— Lis Power (@LisPower1) January 9, 2020

Just checked, my 409K balance is zero.

Send hamberders and covfefe t.co/1Jb4D9tx2r

— Angry Staffer (@AngrierWHStaff) January 9, 2020

In lieu of making fun of the PRESIDENT for talking about a thing that doesn’t exist, I’ll use this opportunity to remind you that half of Americans don’t own a single share of stock (including in retirement accounts) and that the richest 10% of Americans own 80% of stock. t.co/EYwFeeAFSZ

— Michael Linden (@MichaelSLinden) January 9, 2020

He’s going to run on claiming he cured cancer, amazing. t.co/aWbjEdjdd9

— Gary Legum (@GaryLegum) January 9, 2020

This is like a parody of how presidents try to take credit for all good news during their tenure. t.co/7Nfo3LnVHd

— Brendan Nyhan (@BrendanNyhan) January 9, 2020

Good news everyone, Trump personally lowered the death rate from cancer! Unclear why he waited until the third year but kind of him to exercise his Godlike powers on our behalf and better late than never! t.co/BoUh260uXT

— Aaron Fritschner (@Fritschner) January 9, 2020

The post Trump Wants to Know How Your ‘409K’S’ are Doing appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Trump Wants to Know How Your ‘409K’S’ are Doing, Takes Credit for Lowering Cancer Death Rate

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: January 9, 2020

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: January 9, 2020

HRC’S ELLEN KAHN WRITES ABOUT HER WEDDING — AND HOW 70,000+ HRC MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS HELPED PERSUADE HALLMARK TO REVERSE ITS DECISION TO REMOVE AN AD FEATURING A SAME-SEX COUPLE: “In my work at the Human Rights Campaign, I have seen our community attacked, belittled and yes, erased… But I’ve also seen our community and our allies jump into action to defend and support each other on issues big and small — from marching for equality in both freezing rain and sweltering heat, and testifying before Congress, to writing letters and showing up magnificently at the polls,” writes Kahn (@ellenbkahn), HRC Senior Director, Programs and Partnerships. Read the full op-ed from The Advocate

With our grassroots army behind us, @HRC went to the table with @Hallmark armed with an overwhelming mandate for them to do the right thing.

Thanks to you, they did. �� t.co/fax4hHHszn

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) January 8, 2020

THANKFUL THURSDAY — CONGRATS TO ACTIVIST GAVIN GRIMM (@GavinGrimmVA) ON HIS ELECTION TO ACLU’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Read more from The Advocate

I am honored to announce that I have been elected to the @ACLU Board of Directors for a one year term!! I am elated, and I will work hard to do this position justice. Thank you to the ACLU and to everyone who has supported me through my fight.

— Gavin Grimm (@GavinGrimmVA) January 3, 2020

NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS LAUNCH PILOT PROGRAM TO INCORPORATE LESSONS ON LGBTQ HISTORY INTO CURRICULUM: More from WCBS

68% OF OHIOANS BACK NON-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE: More from Cleveland.com

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

THE SOCIETY OF LGBTQ ENTERTAINMENT CRITICS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR DORIAN AWARDS: More from The Advocate

“QUEER EYE” STAR TAN FRANCE (@tanfrance) WILL COMPETE IN “THE GREAT CELEBRITY BAKE OFF” TO AID CANCER ORG: More from Out Magazine

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED PETITIONS FROM 230,000 PEOPLE ADVOCATING FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: More from The Advocate

NEW SURVEY SHOWS RISING SUPPORT FOR ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN HONG KONG: More from South China Morning Post

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

The New York Times reports on the final season of Schitt’s Creek and the show’s LGBTQ themes; Boston Spirit Magazine tells the stories of LGBTQ women organizers in Boston

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-january-9-2020?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Elton John donates $1million to help fight Australia’s bushfires

Elton John donates $1million to help fight Australia’s bushfires

 

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Elton John has pledged to donate $1million to help fight the current bushfire crisis in Australia.

Elton is currently on tour in Australia and he made the announcement to the audience at his Qudos Bank Arena show in Sydney on Tuesday night.

In an Instagram posting, he said, “Seeing the fires raging across Australia have left me heartbroken. This tragedy has taken lives, homes and devastated so much wildlife. At my Sydney show last night, I pledged $1 million dollars to support the Bushfire Relief Fund. God bless, Australia.”

Related: Gay adult performers will slide into your DMs in exchange for Australia relief donation

In the accompanying video, he called the current crisis an “apocalyptic disaster.”

“We should all be in the awe of the work the firefighters are doing, in the face of seven years of drought.

“There are people out there who have lost their lives trying to save homes; there are people who have lost their lives and their homes.

“And lastly, there’s the plight of the animals, a loss of their habitat that frankly is on a biblical scale and it’s heartbreaking.

“This is a magnificent country that I have been coming to since 1971. I love it here so much. To see what is happening here breaks my heart, so we have to come together and we have to fight, and this is my bit towards it. I love Australia so much. and to those who’ve lost their homes, God bless, I hope your lives will be repaired very, very soon.”

Husband David Furnish added on his own Instagram, “Last night on stage in Sydney, Elton pledged $1 million to support the firefighters in Australia.

“Our family have been living there since November and we have been deeply distressed and heartbroken witnessing the fiery destruction of such a beautiful country. The loss of animal life is incomprehensible. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these devastating fires.”

Related: Golden Globes: Awards for Elton John, Ellen DeGeneres & more queer moments

Other celebrities to have publicly donated to combat the bushfire crisis include Kylie Minogue, Pink, Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban. Chris Hemsworth and Kylie Jenner, like Elton, have also pledged $1million each.

Like John, singer Lizzo is also currently on tour in Australia. Yesterday she took time out between shows to help volunteer pack food parcels with the organization Foodbank Victoria

We had the one and only Lizzo helping us sort and pack hampers in the warehouse today! If you’d like to join Lizzo in supporting the bushfire crisis, visit t.co/aDyjFTSsLE ? pic.twitter.com/J5Nn0oyyod

— Foodbank Victoria (@FoodbankVic) January 8, 2020

An estimated 18 million acres of land have been burned in the recent bushfires, with at least 24 people killed and many homes destroyed. Some rural towns and villages have been completely devastated. It’s estimated up to a billion animals may have perished.

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