Predator and Prey: Assault, harassment, and other aggressions in the entertainment industry

[Trini]

1 hour ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

There are a lot of movies that have been made that were never released.  There were a lot of movies made that were released only to streaming or only to physical media. There have been a lot of movies that changed after filming.  There are options that exist besides this movie has to be released to theatres as is.  There were so many movies that never made it to theaters in the past 3 years for much tinier controversies than this one.

We don't know what WB will do yet. They have a little time to make a decision. We'll see which bad option they choose.

[bluegirl147]

6 hours ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

I really wonder what kind of contract Ezra Miller signed and I really have to wonder if he has somehow not broken it, what that contract allows people to do  because I guess it would be basically anything.

I assume most contracts have the actor, especially the star of a big budget movie, promoting the project.  It seems Miller will certainly not be able to do that. So that should make him in breach of his contract.   I don't know how Hollywood contracts work and if actors get paid all their money up front or if they get some before filming and more when the film is released.  Warner Brothers will probably sue him or withhold any money owed to him. 

[ParadoxLost]

6 hours ago, Dani said:

What was done with Spacey and Plummer wouldn’t work in this situation. Reshooting just isn’t feasible. He is supposed to be in nearly every scene of the movie. It would push the movie back to 2024 or 2025. Plus Flash was set to be the lynchpin in DC’s plans going forward. They’ve painted themselves into a corner with no good options because they based the movie that was supposed to be one of their best on a powder keg. 

I am a comic movie fan and want to see a good Flash movie but in many ways this feels like karma for how badly they handled the Joss Whedon situation. 

They've also had like six years to rethink Ezra Miller being the Flash and there have been a variety of reasons to rethink it before all of this.

I don't think they will completly reshoot the movie or leave it as is.  I think they'll take advantage of the film being about the multiverse to give it "The Expanse" treatment.  EM will be in most of the movie, but there will be a moment of jeopardy  that EM's Flash survived in the original edit that they will manipulate editting to have him killed.  And then they'll reshoot just enough to carry on with a dead EM Flash and to introduce a replacement Flash through the rest of the movie.

I think the problem they are going to have is that the fans of the Expanse were happy with and supportive enough of the show that they didn't stir up outrage and expect something that was not financially viable.  But DCEU fans are salty enough about the whole treatment of DC and all the prior scandals/issues/crappy movies that they aren't as likely to give WB a break.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, ParadoxLost said:

They've also had like six years to rethink Ezra Miller being the Flash and there have been a variety of reasons to rethink it before all of this.

Yeah that was my point. They have no one to blame but themselves. The writing was on the wall and this movie was in development hell for 5+ years. To the point Miller’s hold for the movie expired. A part of the reason for the delay was that Miller was unhappy with the script. 

11 hours ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

There are a lot of movies that have been made that were never released.  There were a lot of movies made that were released only to streaming or only to physical media. There have been a lot of movies that changed after filming.  There are options that exist besides this movie has to be released to theatres as is.  There were so many movies that never made it to theaters in the past 3 years for much tinier controversies than this one.

Absolutely but there is really no situation analogous to this one because this movie is supposed to be an integral part of a cinematic universe, WB, as a whole, is in a precarious position and DC already being in thin ice with fans. WB has no decent options. That’s not a defense of them because it is their own fault and they have a horrible track record in this area. From a business standpoint releasing it like @ParadoxLost suggests is probably their best option. That’s not to say it is the morally right decision but when was the last time WB did the morally right thing when it comes to a DC movie. They’re still refusing to support Ray Fisher even after Whedon’s reputation is in tatters. 

9 hours ago, Trini said:

We don't know what WB will do yet. They have a little time to make a decision. We'll see which bad option they choose.

Yep. Although I wonder if the bigger question will be what Discovery does. They inherited this mess. Deciding to clean house at WB and DC could help move the press in a more positive direction. If they are willing to take drastic actions like making amends with and resigning Ray Fisher, a strong statement against Ezra Miller and announcing a recast could help. I don’t expect it to happen though.

The early buzz is that the movie is very good so it wouldn’t surprise is they do just roll the dice and count on the majority of people not being aware and DC’s loyal fanbase to show up early and drive positive word of mouth. 

[ParadoxLost]

7 hours ago, Dani said:

Yeah that was my point. They have no one to blame but themselves. The writing was on the wall and this movie was in development hell for 5+ years. To the point Miller’s hold for the movie expired. A part of the reason for the delay was that Miller was unhappy with the script. 

Agree with all that but I was actually referring to the video of EM choking a female fan thing that came out in 2020.

[Zella]

I hadn't seen this on here. Apologies if it was, and I missed it. Paul Haggis was arrested in Italy for rape. He has a pending trial against him in the US for sexual assault. 

https://variety.com/2022/film/news/paul-haggis-arrested-rape-charges-1235298298/

Edited June 20, 2022 by Zella

[Cinnabon]

20 hours ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

I know you can't do that but obviously other people have worked around things like this like the Kevin Spacey / Christopher Plummer situation.

They could reshoot the movie with a different actor, but they don't want to, because they see it as a waste of money.  It shows where their priorities lie and considering they have enough money to do so I find it really cynical and disgusting and that's my opinion.

They know that most of the loudest complainers on SM - “groomers!” - will still go see the movie despite braying about boycotting it. 

[Vermicious Knid]

There's no need to kill the character. Just pull a Darren and recast the part, next time he shows up it's a different face. No explanation required.

[GHScorpiosRule]

58 minutes ago, Vermicious Knid said:

There's no need to kill the character. Just pull a Darren and recast the part, next time he shows up it's a different face. No explanation required.

Seriously. Grant Gustin’s been playing him for 8 years. He knows the character. And Miller even did a cameo a couple years ago when they did the Crisis cross over.

[SVNBob]

Summary of the "Flash" situation and Miller's scandals from The Mary Sue:

https://www.themarysue.com/ezra-miller-unlikely-to-reprise-the-flash-role-after-multiple-scandals/

[Danielg342]

On 6/17/2022 at 11:45 PM, Annber03 said:

Let's just say if one were to make a drinking game out of how many times his name gets mentioned on that show, you'd be wasted by the end of an episode. 

I think it's more "you'll be wasted within the first 15-30 minutes of the show". The oddity that is Vincent Kennedy McMahon has no bounds.

Concerning the McMahon story a bit more generally: the Talent Manager- more specifically, the General Manager of Talent Relations- is John Laurinaitis, otherwise known as "Johnny Ace". Laurinaitis came in as Talent Manager after the previous one, Mark Carrano, was fired just last year for sending the recently released Mickie James her WWE belongings in a set of trash bags. Laurinaitis' run so far has been just as "colourful" to say the least, starting with concerns that he would revive the dreaded "Divas Era" of WWE (as he oversaw during his last stint as Talent Manager) to this latest fiasco, just one month prior to WWE's reigning women's tag champions, Sasha Banks and Naomi, slapping their tag belts on Laurinaitis' desk and walking out of the building, protesting creative plans for the pair.

Word has it that WWE talent are not surprised that Laurinaitis is involved in this hush money scandal, with one unnamed star saying she'd rather have her stuff sent to her via a trash bag (like James) than deal with Laurinaitis. There's also a suggestion that Laurinaitis will be the fall guy at the end of the scandal, so Vince can find a way to keep his own job.

None of this is surprising to me at all. McMahon's had a few previous incidents of sexual misconduct already, and the fact Laurinaitis championed the infamous "bra and panties" matches means I'm not shocked he would partake in this sordid affair. I would also not be surprised if Laurinaitis is also, actually, the only one who takes the fall for this scandal because I can see the power monger that is McMahon find some way to protect himself in spite of everyone else.

As for what should happen...well, there are a lot of wrestling fans (myself included) who would love to see the day McMahon finally leaves WWE because I think he's the main thing holding it back, Somehow McMahon leaving this way feels fitting, because I can never see a scenario where McMahon voluntarily leaves WWE- they'd have to force him out or he dies.

...but, I also feel bad for the woman at the centre of all this, someone who probably thought she was getting her dream job only to find out two of wrestling's most powerful men were using her. I can't imagine that feels good. Justice for her feels paramount, and it shouldn't rest on my own feelings of McMahon or Laurinaitis. I don't believe either should be working at WWE when this is all said and done, because I think the woman involved deserves no less.

[andromeda331]

8 hours ago, Zella said:

I hadn't seen this on here. Apologies if it was, and I missed it. Paul Haggis was arrested in Italy for rape. He has a pending trial against him in the US for sexual assault. 

https://variety.com/2022/film/news/paul-haggis-arrested-rape-charges-1235298298/

Damn. I saw it on the news. This one hits hard. I still remember the episode he did in Leah Remini's Scientology and the Aftermath about his experience and leaving. He had a hard time with their support of a bill same-sex marriage ban since his daughter or daughters are gay. The insane confrontation from other celebrities when it came out he was leaving the church. He tried to point out the wrongs and they wouldn't even leave.

[Zella]

4 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

Damn. I saw it on the news. This one hits hard. I still remember the episode he did in Leah Remini's Scientology and the Aftermath about his experience and leaving. He had a hard time with their support of a bill same-sex marriage ban since his daughter or daughters are gay. The insane confrontation from other celebrities when it came out he was leaving the church. He tried to point out the wrongs and they wouldn't even leave.

Yeah he always gets billed as the director of Crash, but truthfully I only really know him from reading Going Clear, which documented his break with Scientology. 

[AstaCharles]

17 minutes ago, Zella said:

Yeah he always gets billed as the director of Crash, but truthfully I only really know him from reading Going Clear, which documented his break with Scientology. 

He was a writer for one of my favorite shows:Due South. (The early seasons )

Edited June 20, 2022 by AstaCharles

[Rose Quartz]

1 hour ago, AstaCharles said:

He was a writer for one of my favorite shows:Due South. (The early seasons )

Yes, he wrote some of the best episodes like Victoria's Secret and was creator and executive producer as well.  IMO, he really elevated the show from its cliched premise. I always remembered him fondly and was so pleased when he did well with Crash. Now I'm shocked and appalled at these allegations.

[BetterButter]

[GHScorpiosRule]

19 minutes ago, BetterButter said:

That “headline” hurts my head.

Not the content, but the order where Tuesday was placed.

[Mabinogia]

1 hour ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Not the content, but the order where Tuesday was placed.

Yes, it reads very much like Tuesday was lost when it's always been right there between Monday and Wednesday. 

I'm glad he was found guilty though. I want it to happen until every one of his victims gets some sort of justice. I hope that he is constantly reminded of what he did and how he will never get back the adoration he once had. 

[Vermicious Knid]

More details in Paul Haggis case.
 

Quote

According to multiple reports and sources, the alleged victim, who has pressed charges, is a British woman who is considerably younger than the 69-year-old filmmaker. She is believed to be either in her 30s or early 40s. She and Haggis met at the end of April at a film festival, according to an article in well-respected Italian newspaper La Repubblica, whose journalist has seen a copy of the prosecutor’s report.

Haggis presided over the jury of the Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festival (pictured above), which ran April 25-30. After the pair’s first encounter, Haggis and the alleged victim subsequently communicated via Instagram and text messages, according to the La Repubblica article. The outlet also reports that the alleged victim arrived via a low-cost airline on Sunday, June 12, in Ostuni, a small tourist town in Puglia, the “heel” of southeastern Italy.

During the course of the next two days, during which the woman and Haggis slept in the same hotel room, Haggis allegedly ”forced the young woman, known by him from some time ago, to submit to sexual relations,” according to a written statement issued by prosecutor Antonio Negro on Sunday (June 19), which announced that Haggis had been detained.

The prosecutors’ statement also said that the British woman was “forced to seek medical care” due to injuries that are consistent with her allegations of sexual assault....

The next step is a special evidence pre-trial hearing, likely next week, that is expected to involve a cross examination between Haggis and the alleged victim, who is believed to still be in Italy, and their respective lawyers. The judge will then decide whether the case will go to trial.

[Cinnabon]

2 minutes ago, Vermicious Knid said:

More details in Paul Haggis case.
 

Cue the inevitable disgusting victim blamers. 😡

[merylinkid]

Finally some justice in with Cosby.   Although its just civil so he was found "liabile" not "guilty."    It's something at least.    May that prosecutor who made that sweetheart deal roast in hell.

[andromeda331]

17 minutes ago, merylinkid said:

Finally some justice in with Cosby.   Although its just civil so he was found "liabile" not "guilty."    It's something at least.    May that prosecutor who made that sweetheart deal roast in hell.

It's better then nothing. 

[BetterButter]

Guns, Bullets, and Weed: Ezra Miller Housing Three Young Children and Their Mother at Vermont Farm

Quote

Sources claim the living conditions at the Flash star’s farm are unsafe for children, alleging there are weapons lying around and that a one-year-old put a loose bullet in her mouth

[aradia22]

I can't read Rolling Stone 

https://jezebel.com/ezra-miller-is-housing-a-woman-her-3-young-children-o-1849100135

Quote

The farm is apparently stocked with guns—including at least eight assault rifles—and is home to many marijuana plants, which are part of the actor’s cannabis business, according to a report from Rolling Stone.

Sources familiar with the situation said the farm is an “unsafe environment” for the three children, who are between the ages of 1 and 5. One source told the magazine that the youngest child once “picked up a loose bullet and put it in her mouth.” The children’s father told Rolling Stone he hasn’t been able to see or speak to his kids since their mother left Hawaii with them and Miller. The mother claims that Miller helped her escape her abusive former partner, a claim that the father denies.

[WritinMan]

So he's trying to become Ezra Manson now?

[ouinason]

does EM live at that house in Vermont?  I have questions about this story.  I'm perfectly willing to believe that the dude is up to something shady, but I wanna know the actual situation.  

Also, if there are loose bullets around the house, that one is on whoever cleans it.  

And of course the dad denies being abusive.  Who comes to the press and says "Oh, yeah, I beat the crap out of her a toss the kids into walls, but she LEFT!!!"

ETA: I'm not saying the guy is abusive, I'm saying that he is obviously going to deny it either way.

Edited June 23, 2022 by ouinason

[Blergh]

14 hours ago, ouinason said:

does EM live at that house in Vermont?  I have questions about this story.  I'm perfectly willing to believe that the dude is up to something shady, but I wanna know the actual situation.  

Also, if there are loose bullets around the house, that one is on whoever cleans it.  

And of course the dad denies being abusive.  Who comes to the press and says "Oh, yeah, I beat the crap out of her a toss the kids into walls, but she LEFT!!!"

ETA: I'm not saying the guy is abusive, I'm saying that he is obviously going to deny it either way.

IF the kids' female parent  thought Mx. Miller's farm was a better alternative for them than either their male parent or any of her own family, I REALLY feel sorry for those kids- regardless of whether the male parent was as abusive as the female parent claimed or the female parent has the judgement of a pea in a henhouse! 

[isalicat]

8 hours ago, Blergh said:

IF the kids' female parent  thought Mx. Miller's farm was a better alternative for them than either their male parent or any of her own family, I REALLY feel sorry for those kids- regardless of whether the male parent was as abusive as the female parent claimed or the female parent has the judgement of a pea in a henhouse! 

I have no dog in this hunt; i.e. never watched this actor in anything and have no desire to see The Flash or whatever, but I would urge everyone to take any article in Rolling Stone with a gigantic mountain of salt. There is *always* an agenda with them and time and again their articles have been exposed as basically badly reported/entirely specious.

[Cinnabon]

26 minutes ago, isalicat said:

I have no dog in this hunt; i.e. never watched this actor in anything and have no desire to see The Flash or whatever, but I would urge everyone to take any article in Rolling Stone with a gigantic mountain of salt. There is *always* an agenda with them and time and again their articles have been exposed as basically badly reported/entirely specious.

What agenda could they have in this particular case? What part of it seems wrong?

[ouinason]

I think the idea is that Rolling Stone might (and I stress might) be exaggerating a story in order to get clicks out of the Ezra Miller situation.  Not that any specific part of the story seems inaccurate, we wouldn't be in a position to judge, but that they have a bad history of being disingenuous or dishonest for money.

Edited June 25, 2022 by ouinason
spelling

[supposebly]

39 minutes ago, ouinason said:

they have a bad history of being disingenuous

They do? Can you give examples? Just curious since I've never heard anything bad. Granted, I don't read them much.

[Prairie Rose]

On 6/22/2022 at 5:46 AM, merylinkid said:

Finally some justice in with Cosby.   Although its just civil so he was found "liabile" not "guilty."    It's something at least.    May that prosecutor who made that sweetheart deal roast in hell.

At least it's something. A small victory is better than no victory.

[Danielg342]

6 hours ago, supposebly said:

They do? Can you give examples? Just curious since I've never heard anything bad. Granted, I don't read them much.

There is the now retracted article "A Rape on Campus", where University of Virginia student Jackie Coakley was found to have fabricated considerable amounts of her story (if not the whole thing) and Rolling Stone didn't challenge her story at all, or at least didn't do the legwork to verify the details of the story (the article's author, Sandra Erdely, didn't even bother to contact the alleged perpetrators of the assault). I could go on a screed about how RS' poor handling of the story illustrates the dangers of going too literal with the idea of "believing all victims" (a danger I have had personal experience with), but that's another topic for another day.

I used to read RS back in my university days (2001-2006) because I was into the music scene and I actually had a music review website of my own back then. Their music coverage was not bad and they had some great articles, but their work really felt like they had an agenda and they were sticking to it. Yes, I know every media outlet has a bias of some kind (even Snopes) because it's impossible for all of us to completely hide our biases no matter how hard we try (which is why it's wise to read several different accounts, not just one) but there's a difference between constructing a narrative based on the truth and twisting the truth to fit your narrative. RS, more often than not, went for the latter.

Edited June 26, 2022 by Danielg342

[isalicat]

2 hours ago, ouinason said:

I think the idea is that Rolling Stone might (and I stress might) be exaggerating a story in order to get clicks out of the Ezra Miller situation.  Not that any specific part of the story seems inaccurate, we wouldn't be in a position to judge, but that they have a bad history of being disingenuous or dishonest for money.

Yes to this. Someone up thread asked whether Ezra Miller was trying to be "Ezra Manson" and that is exactly the conclusion the RS article leads one to....the place has been visited multiple times by county social workers and law enforcement and no one has been arrested and the children have been declared safe and well cared for. Now I am well aware government officials often fall down on the job, but in this case I think RS is actively sensationalizing and fabricating, again as they have done before. I was actually an original subscriber to Rolling Stone back in the 1970s and inspired by their willingness to platform amazing writers like Hunter Thompson and Tom Wolfe. Nowadays authors of that level of audacity would never be allowed in the pages of RS because they would not fit into the current agenda.

[CrazyInAlabama]

13 hours ago, Danielg342 said:

There is the now retracted article "A Rape on Campus", where University of Virginia student Jackie Coakley was found to have fabricated considerable amounts of her story (if not the whole thing) and Rolling Stone didn't challenge her story at all, or at least didn't do the legwork to verify the details of the story (the article's author, Sandra Erdely, didn't even bother to contact the alleged perpetrators of the assault). I could go on a screed about how RS' poor handling of the story illustrates the dangers of going too literal with the idea of "believing all victims" (a danger I have had personal experience with), but that's another topic for another day.

This is an excerpt from the Hollywood Reporter about the three lawsuits that Rolling Stone had to settle or pay out for, the fraternity, the dean, and some fraternity members.    A minimal attempt to verify the story would have shown the story 'Jackie' claimed was true was just a fiction. 

"The first settlement came after Rolling Stone lost a trial with Nicole Eramo, the university’s former associate dean, who sued for being cast as the “chief villain” who “silenced” Jackie and “discouraged” her from reporting her alleged gang rape to the police. Eramo scored a $3 million verdict at trial, and the settlement announced last April headed off an appeal.

Then, Rolling Stone came to a $1.65 million deal in June with the fraternity itself. This settlement avoided a trial where $25 million in damages was being sought.

Now some of the fraternity members become beneficiaries of a settlement whose terms were not provided in court. According to the attorney representing the plaintiffs, the agreement included a confidentiality requirement that precludes comment.

I saw the documentary about the case, and the R.S. article trashed the dean's name and reputation, the fraternity, and the fraternity members, and apparently did no research.    The fact that "Jackie" ripped off someone else's true story makes it even worse.   

Edited June 26, 2022 by CrazyInAlabama

[Stats Queen]

6 hours ago, supposebly said:

They do? Can you give examples? Just curious since I've never heard anything bad. Granted, I don't read them much.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rolling-stone-defends-cover-featuring-boston-marathon-bombing-suspect/

[BetterButter]

[Wiendish Fitch]

RE: Ghislaine Maxwell

Well, as is my custom, and since there is no better way to express it...

Edited June 28, 2022 by Wiendish Fitch

[merylinkid]

TWENTY YEARS?   That's it?   For what she did?   To so many LITTLE GIRLS?  It's a joke.   She could conceivably have a life after prison.    Just no.

[aradia22]

Quote

[Alec Baldwin and Woody Allen] teamed up on Instagram Live ostensibly to discuss Allen’s new book of essays, Zero Gravity (with the comments turned off, of course). They didn’t do much of that, instead opining about how making movies isn’t as fun as it used to be, for reasons that have nothing to do with either of their personal lives

Topics that were up for discussion included:

Profanity in movies: They don’t like it unless it’s necessary. However they both use it in their home lives. Allen said that he will curse “if I drop a baked potato in my lap.” That is certainly a scenario where an F-bomb is warranted.

COVID: Neither of them has gotten it. Impressive!

Their kids: Baldwin said he has six kids with another one on the way, forgetting that he actually has seven living children at the moment. Sorry, Ireland.

Westworld: Baldwin does not know what they’re trying to do with that show.

Barry: Baldwin loves it.

Filmmaking not having that magic to it anymore.

“When I used to do a film it’d go into a movie house all across the country. Now you do a movie and you get a couple weeks in a movie house,” Allen said. “Maybe six weeks or four weeks and then it goes right to streaming or pay-per-view…It’s not the same…It’s not as enjoyable to me.”

Baldwin blamed this on audiences, who “care infinitely less about experiencing the film in real time the way the filmmaker intended.”

That won’t stop Allen, though. He is making a movie in Paris this fall, but told Baldwin that what he really enjoys now is writing. He wants to write plays and maybe novels, but mostly he wants to stay at home with his family and play his clarinet. How sweet.

https://www.gawker.com/celebrity/woody-allen-and-alec-baldwin-chat-about-everything-except-ya-know

[Wiendish Fitch]

22 minutes ago, merylinkid said:

TWENTY YEARS?   That's it?   For what she did?   To so many LITTLE GIRLS?  It's a joke.   She could conceivably have a life after prison.    Just no.

Agreed, but given what a weak, pampered, useless, effete little rich bitch ol' Gilly is, she probably won't last very long in the clink. 
 

Hey, we can only hope.

[Anduin]

3 hours ago, merylinkid said:

TWENTY YEARS?   That's it?   For what she did?   To so many LITTLE GIRLS?  It's a joke.   She could conceivably have a life after prison.    Just no.

It's my perception that in America, crimes against women get a lighter treatment than crimes against men. Why that is, I can't say. And maybe my perceptions are wrong. Still, that's the way I see it.

[CrazyInAlabama]

Just now, Anduin said:

It's my perception that in America, crimes against women get a lighter treatment than crimes against men. Why that is, I can't say. And maybe my perceptions are wrong. Still, that's the way I see it.

I agree with you.   

[Ms Blue Jay]

Came over here to celebrate!

[Vermicious Knid]

Corroboration 30 years after WWE's first female referee accused Vince McMahon of raping her

Quote

A former wrestler said an allegation made by the WWE's first female referee — who accused Vince McMahon, the organization's former CEO, of raping her in 1986 — was true.

Leonard Inzitari, the ex-wrestler whose in-ring name was Mario Mancini, said the allegation made by Rita Chatterton was true. He made the claim to the journalist Abe Riesman in a story published by New York magazine Monday. Riesman is writing a book about McMahon called "Ringmaster," which is set to be released in March.

It's the first time a wrestler has backed up Chatterton's accusation.

Chatterton came forward publicly with the accusation in 1992, alleging that McMahon raped her in his limo in 1986. She declined to press charges, and the statute of limitations for rape had passed at the time, Riesman reported.

Inzitari said in the New York magazine story that Chatterton confided in him in 1986. Before a WWF show (WWE was known as the World Wrestling Federation at the time), Chatterton "burst out in tears" in front of Inzitari, he said.

He said Chatterton told him McMahon "took his penis out" and "forced my head down there." He added that she told him McMahon then "pulled me on top of him," forced off her jeans, and was then "inside her." ...

McMahon and his wife, Linda, sued Chatterton, Rivera, and members of Rivera's production team after the interview aired, alleging that the defendants were part of a conspiracy to inflict "severe emotional distress" on the McMahons with "the fabrication of a false accusation of rape." The lawsuit was eventually dropped, Riesman reported.

[Blergh]

I agree that 20 years isn't what Gizzy deserved. However, considering how rich and connected she was, I'm relieved she got THAT much instead of just wrist slaps. Maybe 20 years will get others who might have considered exploiting minors in such a gross way to consider that that sentence wouldn't be worth the risk (even if they had had no ethics or scruples to have avoided that wretched path ). Maybe. At least her victims will know she won't be able to do them any more harm for at least two decades.

[bluegirl147]

16 hours ago, merylinkid said:

TWENTY YEARS?   That's it?   For what she did?   To so many LITTLE GIRLS?  It's a joke.   She could conceivably have a life after prison.    Just no.

15 hours ago, Wiendish Fitch said:

Agreed, but given what a weak, pampered, useless, effete little rich bitch ol' Gilly is, she probably won't last very long in the clink. 
 

Hey, we can only hope.

Yeah she isn't going to do well in prison.  If she is in gen pop she isn't going to welcomed with open arms.  I hope she feels the same fear her and Epstein's victims felt.

12 hours ago, Anduin said:

It's my perception that in America, crimes against women get a lighter treatment than crimes against men. Why that is, I can't say. And maybe my perceptions are wrong. Still, that's the way I see it.

Epstein and Maxwell purposely chose girls from unstable and unhappy homes.  They preyed on vulnerable girls.  When they were caught they trashed the girls as liars and sadly people (including law enforcement) believed them.  

1 hour ago, Blergh said:

I agree that 20 years isn't what Gizzy deserved. However, considering how rich and connected she was, I'm relieved she got THAT much instead of just wrist slaps. Maybe 20 years will get others who might have considered exploiting minors in such a gross way to consider that that sentence wouldn't be worth the risk (even if they had had no ethics or scruples to have avoided that wretched path ). Maybe. At least her victims will know she won't be able to do them any more harm for at least two decades.

I wonder if Maxwell had any information she could have bargained with to get a lighter sentence.  There are still a lot of people who were involved with the horrors Epstein and Maxwell were committing.  Are we ever going to find out who they are and will they ever be held accountable? 

[merylinkid]

45 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

wonder if Maxwell had any information she could have bargained with to get a lighter sentence.  There are still a lot of people who were involved with the horrors Epstein and Maxwell were committing.  Are we ever going to find out who they are and will they ever be held accountable? 

Maxwell was the top of the food chain after Epstein (whose dead).   So any information she has would be on lower level people.   Granted scummy lower level people, but lower level.   Deals are offered to get people HIGHER on the food chain.   "Okay Louie Lemons, you tell us who hired you and we won't go for the death penalty for the actual hit."    In this case, the lower level people would be offered lesser sentence for the actual rapes of the girls in exchange for getting the people who procured the girls, i.e. Maxwell and Epstein.   She's got nothing to offer.

[Prairie Rose]

Finally, some good news:

R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison

[Wiendish Fitch]