by Laghe Andrews | Oct 20, 2023 | Latest, Music News, New Music Alert |
Renowned artist Pras, known for his work with Lauryn Hill and The Fugees, is reportedly seeking a retrial, raising allegations against his legal team. In a motion submitted for a new trial, Pras alleges that his representation was ineffective, with his trial counsel, David Kenner, being singled out for criticism.
“Pras was found guilty in connection with undisclosed lobbying campaigns involving several individuals.”
In April, Pras was convicted in relation to undisclosed lobbying campaigns. He is currently touring with Lauryn Hill, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the classic album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Accusations Against Legal Counsel
Ignoring Defenses and Failing to Object to Testimony
Kenner, according to Pras’s allegations, overlooked almost every viable defense and failed to challenge damaging and inadmissible testimony.
Use of AI in Drafting Closing Arguments
Furthermore, Pras alleges that Kenner utilized an experimental artificial intelligence (AI) program to compile the closing argument. Pras claims that this usage of AI resulted in him not receiving the best possible arguments.
In addition to the aforementioned points, the motion for a new trial suggests that Kenner and his co-counsel may have had a financial interest in the AI program used. This undisclosed financial stake is seen as a clear conflict of interest.
From the Court Documents
The court documents provide further insight into Pras’s allegations:
“It is now apparent that Kenner and his co-counsel appear to have had an undisclosed financial stake in the AI program, and they experimented with it during Michel’s trial so they could issue a press release afterward promoting the program—a clear conflict of interest.”
The use of AI in legal practice isn’t a new phenomenon. However, its application has raised questions about transparency, ethics, and the quality of representation provided.
As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the court will respond to Pras’s motion for a new trial. The outcome has potential implications not only for Pras and his legal team but also for the broader use of AI in legal practice.
The case involving Pras and his legal team brings to light the complexities of using AI in legal proceedings. It raises pertinent questions about ethical issues, transparency, and the effectiveness of legal representation. The outcome of this case could potentially shape the future use of AI in the legal field.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Sep 15, 2023 | Latest, Music News, New Music Alert |
Image Credit: Jacob giampa / Shutterstock.com
Polo G, the renowned Chicago rapper, has recently made an announcement that has left his fans in anticipation. His fifth studio album, ‘Hood Poet’, was expected to hit the music platforms on September 15. However, the artist has decided to postpone its release due to the recent legal troubles he has been facing.
The Announcement
In an Instagram post, Polo G shared news of the delay with his followers. He wrote:
“Wanted to Tap Back in & Let y’all kno imma be postponing my album drop til further notice…just gettin back on track from a minor set back I’ll be updating y’all and droppin new music soon Ik y’all been waitin on me & I appreciate the ones who show genuine support but it’ll be worth the wait I promise.”
The post was a clear indication of Polo G’s commitment to his fans and his music, despite the legal issues he’s been dealing with.
Legal Issues: A Hurdle in the Path
Polo G’s decision to postpone his album comes in the wake of two felony arrests over the span of a few months. These incidents have, unfortunately, hindered the promotional activities for the album.
The rapper was arrested twice within 24 hours, along with his brother, Trench Baby. The Los Angeles Police Department, armed with a search warrant, discovered several firearms and a small quantity of drugs at his residence. Four individuals, including Polo G and his brother, were taken into custody.
Polo G and Trench Baby were later released but were then apprehended once again due to outstanding warrants for assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, and kidnapping. Polo G was released after posting a $100,000 bond, and his brother was released after posting the same amount.
The Impact on Tour Schedule
Polo G was set to embark on a tour with this album. However, even with the album’s delay, the tour schedule is reportedly unaffected. The rapper is still expected to perform in New Mexico in October and continue his journey through Europe in November. A concert is also scheduled in Canada for December.
Past Arrests and Controversies
Polo G’s recent arrests aren’t his first run-ins with the law. In June 2021, he was arrested in Miami after an album release party for his project ‘Hall of Fame’. He was charged with battery on a police officer, threatening a public servant, resisting an officer with violence, and resisting an officer without violence.
In addition, Polo G was also involved in a controversy in 2020 when he claimed that the Miami police targeted him due to his race and wealth.
Looking Forward
Despite these setbacks, Polo G remains hopeful and committed to his music and fans. His recent Instagram post not only communicates the delay of his album but also his plans to release new music soon.
Polo G’s decision to postpone the release of his album underscores the importance he places on giving his best to his fans. His commitment to overcoming setbacks and delivering quality music is commendable.
In the meantime, fans eagerly await the release of ‘Hood Poet’, confident in Polo G’s promise that the wait will be worth it.
Conclusion
Polo G’s journey is a testament to the challenges and obstacles that artists often face in their careers. Despite the legal issues and controversies, his dedication to his craft and his fans remains unwavering.
While the delay of ‘Hood Poet‘ may be disappointing for some, it’s clear that Polo G is working hard to navigate through these challenging times. As they say, the best things in life are worth waiting for. And in this case, the wait for Polo G’s new album promises to be just that.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Aug 31, 2023 | Latest, Social Justice |
In the dynamic world of cryptocurrency, Tornado Cash has emerged as a prominent player. However, recent developments have put the company and its founders, Roman Storm and Roman Semenov, under scrutiny, leading to significant ramifications in the tech and legal spheres.
Founders Charged by U.S. Attorney’s Office
On a recent Wednesday, a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York brought to light that the founders of Tornado Cash, Roman Storm, and Roman Semenov were officially charged1. They are accused of engaging in a conspiracy to commit money laundering, sanctions violations, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
The Indictment
An indictment unveiled recently has brought these charges against the founders. Roman Storm has already been arrested in Washington, but Semenov is still at large according to the Southern District of New York (SDNY).
“Roman Storm and Roman Semenov in fact knew that they were helping hackers and fraudsters conceal the fruits of their crimes.” – U.S. Attorney Damian Williams
The Role of Tornado Cash
Tornado Cash, a platform established in 2019, is a cryptocurrency mixing service that provides users with the ability to conceal the origin of their crypto funds during transactions. This service, although beneficial to individuals seeking privacy, has also been utilized to render potentially tainted crypto funds less identifiable.
Decentralized Nature
During an interview with CoinDesk in January 2022, Semenov emphasized the decentralized nature of Tornado Cash. He mentioned that the protocol was specifically designed to be “unstoppable”. He also added that the team had little control over the protocol, thereby making it difficult for them to assist in investigations.
Legal Repercussions
The third co-founder of Tornado Cash, Alexey Pertsev, although not named in the recent indictment, is also facing legal consequences. Pertsev, who is based in Amsterdam, is being investigated for his role in the operations of Tornado Cash.
Money Laundering Allegations
Tornado Cash’s platform has allegedly been involved in transactions amounting to over $1 billion related to money laundering according to the SDNY. This includes over $455 million stolen by the Lazarus Group, a North Korean cybercrime organization, as per a statement from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) last year.
Sanctions by OFAC
In August 2022, Tornado Cash was sanctioned by OFAC for reportedly enabling over $7 billion in crypto to be laundered through its platform. From that point forward, U.S. citizens and businesses were prohibited from using its service.
Involvement of Other Agencies
Alongside the SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Justice Department, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation unit have also been involved in the charges brought against the founders of Tornado Cash on Wednesday.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the charges brought against the founders of Tornado Cash underscore the ongoing scrutiny and regulatory challenges faced by businesses in the cryptocurrency sector. As this case unfolds, it will undoubtedly influence the legal and regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency businesses worldwide.
As we continue to monitor this situation, we remain committed to providing the latest tech news and updates regarding Tornado Cash and other significant developments in the cryptocurrency world. Stay tuned for more updates
by Xavier Thompson | Nov 1, 2021 | Latest, Social Justice |
The judge recently called thirteen witnesses, N.Y.P.D. officers, and sergeants to testify on the case of garners’ death. Their testimonials are supposed to give clarity on this case and help the judge make a verdict. There are some legal investigations on the matter that have been opened. They aim to provide results on the police killing incident in which a black man was arrested as they disputed some cigarette sales.
These investigations started this month, on 25th October, and the judge handling the case is Erika Edwards. The judge has ordered testimonies from the N.Y.P.D. officers and the 13 witnesses. The proceedings focus on police brutality/ using force while arresting Garner and filing records about his arrest.
During these proceedings, Edwards said that nobody would be liable/ charged. This case is about transparency and creating a record to help the public understand the happenings of this case from 7 years ago.
Garners’ case emerged in 2014 when he was accused of selling untaxed cigars, and he denied this accusation. The N.Y.P.D. officers that detained Garner were Justin D’Amicoto & Daniel Pantaleo. These two officers tried to take him to custody, and one officer used a chokehold.
This incident was inhumane, and Garner said he couldn’t breathe as this happened and he was unconscious. The cops left him on a sidewalk, and the cops waited for the ambulance to arrive. When the ambulance got to the hospital, Garner had died.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
by Voshawn Johnson | Oct 20, 2021 | Latest, Music News |
Hip-Hop Icon Nicki Minaj has avoided paying a $20 million default judgment in a lawsuit that accuses her of harassment.
Nicki Minaj avoids paying a $20 Million Harassment default judgement
On Tuesday, a federal court clerk decided Nicki Minaj wasn’t in default of responding to the suit claiming she harassed the victim of her husband’s attempted rape conviction and even tried bribing her. Plaintiff Jennifer Hough wanted a $20 million judgment against Kenneth Petty and her for allegedly having lied about her claim that he raped her at knifepoint in 1994 and engaging in constant attempts to influence her to back down.
The Background of the Issue
The federal clerk on behalf of the Eastern District of New York denied the request related to Nicki Minaj, stating, as per the court docket, ‘it appears that Minaj filed paperwork last week revealing new legal representation in defense of the lawsuit. However, she did certify that Petty had not responded to the complaint or taken any additional actions in connection with it.
During a sworn statement filed on October 15th, Minaj explained that she assumed she had hired her lawyer when she spoke with him on Zoom in late September, however, a series of confusing communications caused her retainer to not be raised.
The lawsuit Kenneth Petty filed against the State of New York is based on his claim that he was not properly informed in 2004 that he had the right to challenge his risk level under the Sex Offender Registration Act. Due to his first-degree manslaughter conviction, which involved the killing of a man on a Queens street, he was in prison.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
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