Afternoon Briefs: Law student expelled after posting flyers; Harvey Weinstein reportedly reaches $25M deal
Harvey Weinstein in 2014. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.
Suspended law student is expelled after posting ‘okay to be white’ flyers
A suspended law student at Oklahoma City University was expelled after he posted flyers reading “It’s okay to be white.” The student violated the terms of his suspension, which barred him from being on school property, according to the campus police director. Law school dean Jim Roth said in a statement the flyers reminded him of the fact that, “It’s okay to be everybody. Exclusion and hate will not be tolerated here.” (Law.com, the Oklahoman, Above the Law)
Harvey Weinstein reportedly reaches tentative $25M settlement with accusers
Movie producer Harvey Weinstein and his bankrupt film studio have reportedly reached a tentative $25 million settlement with more than 30 actresses and former employees who sued him for alleged sexual misconduct. Unnamed sources who spoke with the New York Times said Weinstein wouldn’t have to admit wrongdoing and wouldn’t have to pay anything out of his own pocket. Insurers would cover the payout. More than $12 million of settlement money would cover legal costs for Weinstein and corporate board members. Two women plan to challenge the deal. Weinstein still faces criminal sexual assault charges. He is scheduled to be tried in January for conduct involving two women. (The New York Times)
Kentucky’s new governor says he will restore voting rights to felons
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in an inaugural address Tuesday that he will sign an executive order restoring the voting rights of more than 100,000 convicted felons in the state. Kentucky’s constitution gives the governor the right to restore voting rights. Of the 50 states, only Kentucky and Iowa still deny the right to vote to people convicted of a felony. (Kentucky.com, NBC News)
Senate confirms first openly gay federal appeals judge appointed by Trump
The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to confirm federal prosecutor Patrick Bumatay to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at San Francisco. Bumatay is the first openly gay appeals judge appointed by President Donald Trump. (Law.com)
Bill Cosby loses criminal appeal
A Pennsylvania appeals court has upheld Bill Cosby’s 2018 conviction for sexually assaulting a Temple University employee after giving her pills, supposedly to help her relax. Cosby had claimed that he didn’t receive a fair trial when the judge allowed testimony by five other women who said Cosby had drugged and assaulted them, part of a prosecution effort to show a common scheme or pattern of misconduct. (The New York Times, How Appealing)
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