When we watch TV, go to the movies, or attend concerts (admittedly before Covid), we enjoy watching our favorite stars. But despite being role models for millions, celebrities sometimes break the law. The justice system's credibility then takes a hit when it all too often looks the other way. Of course, stars weaken the justice system's credibility because of their talent, charm, good looks, or wealth which shines so bright it often dazzles judges and juries. When judges and … [Read more...]
Settlement in James Franco’s Sex Misconduct case
I've followed a celeb who graduated from my high school for some years now. James Franco's been impressive. He was nominated for an Oscar in 2011, and has studied and shown promise as a filmmaker, writer, and painter.** These fields, except for acting, have been fields I've explored. And Franco's been involved with three universities I've attended - UCLA, Yale, and Columbia. Needless to say, he's intrigued me. But when he got into … [Read more...]
Actress Loughlin Sentence – only 2 Months, a fine & community service.
Photo: Steven Senne, AP Loughlin & hubby sentenced to 2 and 5 mos. A judge formalized Lori Loughlin and her husband's lenient plea bargain Friday. As noted in another blog , they got "Justice Lite" as frequently happens with celeb offenders. Actress Loughlin Sentence. Loughlin was shown to have been less involved in the family's college cheating scandal. Thus, she got less time and a smaller fine than her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli. The famous … [Read more...]
Lori Loughlin getting less prison time ‘n other Admission Cheats!
A quick update in the long-simmering college admission scandal. The Lori Loughlin shoe has now dropped in the scandal, long after the Huffman one did. See my blog here for my predictions about this case would turn out for privileged celebs. Lori Loughlin, designer hubby, spent months fighting charges In a stunning development Hollywood star Lori Loughlin and her husband signed plea deals and admitted guilt yesterday. Her attractive face frowning at times, and nodding sadly at others, … [Read more...]
Plea bargains, Prisons, Parole — an after-your-arrest Tutorial with Boston Strangler tie in.
Am close to finishing my latest book, Privileged Killers, where I take plea bargains and parole board decisions to task. These are two phenomena that've dictated court and corrections culture for years. Hopefully this tutorial will help writers, criminology students, true-crime fans, and others understand these topics. Plea bargains are a win-win often. Suspects get to plead guilty to doing something less serious than what they've done in all likelihood. The joke is it's like copping to … [Read more...]
Celebrity privilege. See who are among DUI royalty?
Celebrity privilege is a type of "Special treatment!" We know the latter phrase if we grew up with a sib or if nursery school or kindergarten teachers used it. Parents in the U.S. and early teachers drilled it into our heads—no special treatment, wait your turn, share toys with others. So, it's not surprising that Americans talk about privilege, discrimination, preferential treatment a lot. Preferential crim justice treatment for celebrity privilege? Celebs have long been ordered to … [Read more...]
Rape, Coverups, Bullying—Araoz, Acosta, Epstein
Another amazing week. US Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta resigned amid the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal. Pressure mounted against Acosta as news trickled out that he'd allowed an incredibly lenient plea deal to go forward under his watch in Epstein's Florida trial years ago. And then an accusation of rape! Rape. The allegation of rape by a then, 14-15 year old girl, trumped Acosta's fall from grace. In a TODAY interview with Savannah Guthrie, included here, Jennifer Araoz shared … [Read more...]