Plácido Domingo accused of sexual harassment

The opera singer Plácido Domingo has been accused by several women of sexual harassment.

Eight singers and a dancer said they were sexually harassed by the Spanish tenor in incidents that spanned three decades from the late 1980s, Associated Press reported.

The alleged harassment took place at venues including opera companies where the musician held top positions. read more »

The Day Jeffrey Epstein Told Me He Had Dirt on Powerful People

Almost exactly a year ago, on Aug. 16, 2018, I visited Jeffrey Epstein at his cavernous Manhattan mansion.

The overriding impression I took away from our roughly 90-minute conversation was that Mr. Epstein knew an astonishing number of rich, famous and powerful people, and had photos to prove it. He also claimed to know a great deal about these people, some of it potentially damaging or embarrassing, including details about their supposed sexual proclivities and recreational drug use.

So one of my first thoughts on hearing of Mr. Epstein’s suicide was that many prominent men and at least a few women must be breathing sighs of relief that whatever Mr. Epstein knew, he has taken it with him. read more »

Jeffrey Epstein investigation may target new suspects after financier's death

The billionaire’s death will not impede federal prosecutors as they look to pursue conspiracy cases against others

The death of the wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein in his New York City jail cell is not going to stop authorities from further examining his alleged sex trafficking crimes and may see the investigation widening and targeting new suspects.

In the wake of the billionaire’s apparent suicide on Saturday morning, his accusers voiced anger and regret that Epstein would no longer face them in court – and called for authorities to continue their investigation into others who might have been involved in a trafficking ring that targeted young girls for sexual abuse.

That call looks to have been taken up. Statements from authorities after Epstein’s death indicated potential co-conspirators were not off the hook.

William Barr, the US attorney general, said Monday: “Let me assure you that case will continue on against anyone who was complicit with Epstein,” and that “any co-conspirators should not rest easy. Victims deserve justice and will get it”. read more »

Cuomo signs new sex harassment protections into law

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Monday signed into law new workplace harassment protections for employees that local attorneys say could lead to more legal actions against employers.

The new protections, passed by lawmakers in June, eliminate the hard-to-prove standard that harassment must be "severe or pervasive" to bring a claim, expanding employees' opportunities to take legal action. 

"There has been an ongoing, persistent culture of sexual harassment, assault and discrimination in the workplace, and now it is time to act," Cuomo said in a statement released Monday. "By ending the absurd legal standard that sexual harassment in the workplace needs to be 'severe or pervasive' and making it easier for workplace sexual harassment claims to be brought forward, we are sending a strong message that time is up on sexual harassment in the workplace and setting the standard of equality for women." read more »