A jury has ordered Robert De Niro's production company, Canal Productions, to pay more than $1.2 million to his former personal assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, after finding the company engaged in gender discrimination and retaliation. The jury found De Niro was not personally liable for the abuse, but ordered Canal Productions to make two payments of $632,142 to Robinson. The verdict serves as a warning to employers that discrimination and retaliation in the workplace will not be tolerated, and is a reminder that employers must take all necessary steps to ensure a safe and equitable workplace.
News Mash
Former Baltimore state's attorney Marilyn Mosby was convicted of two counts of perjury by a federal jury on Thursday, stemming from her alleged misuse of retirement funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mosby had been indicted by a federal grand jury and is accused of lying about the finances of a side business to improperly access retirement funds, which she used to buy two Florida homes. The jury reached a verdict on Thursday after a trial beginning on Monday, and Mosby awaits sentencing for the perjury charges.
David DePape is on trial for attacking Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with a hammer in October 2022. Defense attorney Jodi Linker argued that DePape was driven by conspiracy theories and intended to go after multiple Democratic officials. Paul Pelosi is expected to take the stand next week, and the trial is expected to last several weeks.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has expressed concerns about the fairness and transparency of the selection process for the new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland, which was announced by the General Services Administration (GSA) on Thursday. Wray has raised questions about a potential conflict of interest in the final stage of the process. The GSA has said that the selection was conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, and is expected to be completed by 2026, featuring a state-of-the-art security system, conference center, fitness center, and cafeteria.
Suspicious letters containing powder have been sent to election workers in multiple states, with some containing baking soda and others containing fentanyl. No one was injured in the incidents, and the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are leading the investigation into the letters. The Secretary of State's Office has urged election workers to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Alejandro Vidal-Quadras, a veteran Spanish right-wing politician, was shot in the face in broad daylight on a central Madrid street on Thursday. The shooter is believed to have fled the scene on a motorbike, and Vidal-Quadras' life is not in danger. Outrage has ensued in Spain, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemning the attack and calling for an investigation.
Jim McGreevey, the nation's first openly gay governor, is making a return to politics after nearly two decades, announcing his candidacy for mayor of Jersey City. He acknowledged his imperfections in a video posted online, and was surrounded by many members of the state's Democratic political machine at a news conference. If successful, he will be the first former governor to become mayor of a major city in New Jersey, running against incumbent Mayor Steven Fulop.
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has announced he will not be running for re-election in the United States Senate, citing political divisions and a desire to bring Americans together. Manchin has served in the Senate since 2010 and is a centrist Democrat, and his decision will have a significant impact on the battle for Senate control in 2024. He has indicated that he will continue to work to bring Americans together and find common ground after his term ends in January 2023.