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Rachel Scharf

@rachelscharf.bsky.social
577 followers 41 following 61 posts

Senior writer @billboard.com, covering the intersection of music and the legal system. Previously New York and LA courts @law360.bsky.social. Tips: rscharf@billboard.com, DM for Signal

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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Spoke with @wbur.org about SCOTUS' music piracy ruling today. My takeaway: Our court system moves more slowly than technology, and sometimes tech is pretty obsolete by the time precedent arrives. Something to think about in the infancy of AI copyright litigation. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
wbur.org
Supreme Court rules against music industry in copyright case
The Supreme Court decided that an internet provider can't be held liable for music piracy done by people using their platform.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
First reported by Billboard: Johnny Ramone’s widow has bought Joey Ramone’s brother out of the Ramones’ estate, ending a years-long legal battle between the two heirs to the iconic punk band’s legacy. www.billboard.com/pro/ramones-...
billboard.com
Ramones Legal War Settled: Johnny’s Widow Buys Out Joey’s Brother in Estate Dispute
A years‑long Ramones legal battle is over as Linda Cummings‑Ramone buys out Joey's brother, Mickey Leigh, taking 100% ownership of the Ramones estate.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Obtained the Swedish court lawsuit brought against the Avicii estate by manager Ash Pournouri, who claims the Bergling family breached a contract by falsely suggesting in a Netflix doc and two books he was “manipulative slavedriver” who overworked the DJ and drove him to suicide.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Had a great time speaking with @wbur.org about music piracy at the Supreme Court. Take a listen! www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
wbur.org
Supreme Court considers who is liable for illegal internet downloads
Can internet service providers can be held liable if they know that people who use their service are illegally downloading copyrighted materials?
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
The Johnny Cash estate sued Coca-Cola for allegedly hiring a tribute singer to mimic his voice in a college football ad. This is the first high-profile case to be brought under Tennessee’s recently enacted right of publicity expansion, the ELVIS Act.
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Reposted by Rachel Scharf
billboard @billboard.com · 25/11/2025
Suno & WMG Ink Licensing Deal, Effectively Settling WMG’s Lawsuit Against the AI Music Company
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Suno & WMG Ink Licensing Deal, Effectively Settling WMG’s Lawsuit Against the AI Music Company
Suno and Warner Music Group have signed an AI licensing deal that effectively settles Warner's lawsuit against the AI music platform.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Revisiting my New York court roots - Don Henley and his longtime manager Irving Azoff have won dismissal of a lawsuit over their ultimately unsuccessful prosecution of three men for allegedly trying to sell stolen, original lyrics from the Eagles’ 1976 album Hotel California.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
The legal battle between A$AP Relli and A$AP Rocky continues on despite Rocky’s acquittal on felony shooting charges. We've got a civil assault trial on tap in January, and a judge refused Thursday to throw out Relli's defamation suit against Rocky and lawyer Joe Tacopina.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Dove deep into court records to untangle the origin of a real estate development underlying Calvin Harris' fraud claims against his former business manager. It turns out the project was originally thought up to ease tax liabilities on a $90 million catalog sale.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Jackson’s estate is ratcheting up allegations that a recent child abuse accuser fabricated his claims for a payday. New papers identify the man as a music manager and author of the 2011 memoir "My Friend Michael." www.billboard.com/pro/michael-...
billboard.com
Michael Jackson Estate Identifies ‘Extortionate’ Abuse Accuser as ‘My Friend Michael’ Author
Michael Jackson’s abuse accuser is the author of the book "My Friend Michael," Frank Cascio, his estate claims in a new court filing.
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Reposted by Rachel Scharf
billboard @billboard.com · 05/06/2025
Halle Bailey Says Her Mental Health Is Under Control and Slams DDG for Embellishing in Custody Case
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Halle Bailey Says Her Mental Health Is Under Control and Slams DDG for Embellishing in Custody Case
Halle Bailey has slammed DDG’s claim that her mental health history is a risk to their child amid the couple's bitter child custody case.
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Reposted by Rachel Scharf
billboard @billboard.com · 04/06/2025
Jimmy Buffett’s Widow Sues to Replace Business Manager Handling $275M Estate
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Jimmy Buffett’s Widow Sues to Replace Business Manager Handling $275M Estate
Jimmy Buffett’s widow Jane has filed a court petition asking to replace her co-trustee on the late singer-songwriter’s $275 million estate.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Salt-N-Pepa is taking UMG to court to regain control of their masters, saying the label is refusing to honor copyright clawback rights and has instead “punished” the legendary hip-hop act by removing some of its music from streaming. www.billboard.com/pro/salt-n-p...
billboard.com
Salt-N-Pepa Sues UMG to Regain Masters, Says Label Is Holding Catalog ‘Hostage’
Salt-N-Pepa filed a lawsuit to get the duo's music masters back from its record label UMG, saying the company is violating copyright law.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
DOJ is conducting a criminal investigation into whether Live Nation and AEG illegally colluded in their concert refund policies at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Live Nation confirmed as it denied any wrongdoing. www.billboard.com/pro/live-nat...
billboard.com
Live Nation, AEG Face Criminal Antitrust Probe Over Pandemic Refund Policies
Live Nation and AEG are facing a criminal investigation over the companies' pandemic refunds. The DOJ is investigating whether the companies colluded.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Housekeepers suing Smokey Robinson for sexual assault have now filed a police report, leading the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to open a criminal investigation on top of the bombshell civil claims filed against the 85-year-old Motown legend. www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
billboard.com
Smokey Robinson Faces Criminal Rape Investigation After Former Housekeepers File Police Report
Smokey Robinson is facing a criminal investigation for sexual assault claims filed against him in a civil lawsuit by four housekeepers.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
NEW: Taylor Swift’s longtime lawyers are asking a court to throw out a subpoena they were served by Justin Baldoni in his feud with Blake Lively, just a few days after Swift’s own reps slammed Baldoni for targeting the pop star with a similar subpoena. www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-s...
billboard.com
Taylor Swift’s Lawyers Fight Subpoena from Justin Baldoni in Blake Lively Legal Battle
Taylor Swift’s lawyers are fighting Justin Baldoni's subpoena in his lawsuit against Blake Lively, asking a court to throw it out in a new filing.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Taylor Swift has been hit with a subpoena officially dragging her into the legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Swift's reps aren't happy, slamming the move for "creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.” www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-s...
billboard.com
Taylor Swift Subpoenaed in Legal Feud Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal fight over the film "It Ends With Us" and its aftermath.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
A judge denied Lil Durk’s latest request to be released from jail as he awaits trial on murder-for-hire charges, unswayed that the Chicago drill star’s circumstances have dramatically changed following the removal of rap lyrics from his indictment. www.billboard.com/pro/lil-durk...
billboard.com
Lil Durk Denied Jail Release After Lyrics Axed From Murder-For-Hire Indictment
Lil Durk lost a request to get out of jail while awaiting a murder-for-hire trial, even after prosecutors removed rap lyrics from the indictment.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Smokey Robinson has denied shocking new claims of sexual assault, saying through his attorney that the “vile, false allegations” are merely “an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon.” www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
billboard.com
Smokey Robinson Says ‘Vile, False’ Rape Suit Is Just A Money Grab
Smokey Robinson has denied sexual assault claims, saying the "vile, false allegations" are merely "an ugly method of trying to extract money."
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
My first story for @billboard.com: Smokey Robinson and his wife have been hit with an explosive new lawsuit that seeks $50 million in damages over claims that the legendary Motown singer repeatedly raped four housekeepers over nearly two decades. www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
billboard.com
Smokey Robinson Hit With $50M Lawsuit Claiming He Sexually Assaulted Four Housekeepers
Smokey Robinson was hit with a sexual assault lawsuit by four housekeepers who claim the singer assaulted them during their employment.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
It's my first day as a senior writer at @billboard.com, where I'll be covering all things legal within the music industry. So excited to dive into this beat! Say hi: rscharf@billboard.com
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Personal news: It's my last day at Law360. I'm so grateful to have begun my journalism career here, and I'll miss all my colleagues in NY, LA and elsewhere. I'll still be on the legal beat - more on that soon. My final story for Law360 is a classic: www.law360.com/articles/232...
law360.com
Ex-Girardi CFO Gets 10 Years For 'Devastating' Fraud - Law360
A California federal judge sentenced Girardi Keese's former chief financial officer to just over 10 years in prison Friday for aiding firm leader Tom Girardi's $15 million client theft scheme while al...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
From today's Jay-Z v. Buzbee hearing in LA: The judge said Jay-Z's new evidence "has thrown a monkey wrench" in his analysis of the rapper's feud with personal injury atty Tony Buzbee, and he's now inclined to keep alive an extortion claim. www.law360.com/articles/231...
law360.com
Jay-Z's New Evidence May Save Claim Buzbee Tried Extortion - Law360
A California state court judge said Wednesday that new evidence submitted by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter "has thrown a monkey wrench" in his analysis of the rapper's feud with personal injury lawyer Tony Buz...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
I'm in Santa Monica court, where a civil trial is about to begin against DeAndre Cortez Way AKA Soulja Boy. The rapper's ex-assistant/girlfriend alleges recurrent physical and sexual abuse. A previous domestic abuse trial against Soulja Boy ended with a $500K verdict in 2023.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
BREAKING: Jurors in LA federal court just returned a verdict clearing a Disney subsidiary of infringing artist Buck Woodall's work "Bucky" to make the hit animated movie "Moana."
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
NOW: Jurors in LA federal court are deliberating over whether Disney's "Moana" ripped off the work of animator Buck Woodall. The trial lasted two weeks, and delibs began an hour ago. Background: www.law360.com/articles/230...
law360.com
Disney Slams Paltry Evidence As 'Moana' IP Trial Nears End - Law360
Counsel for a unit of The Walt Disney Co. urged a California federal judge to enter judgment in their favor as a copyright trial wound to a close Thursday, saying an artist has theories but no actual ...
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Reposted by Rachel Scharf
Law360 @law360.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
A longtime animation director for The Walt Disney Co. testified that blockbuster movie "Moana" was inspired by Polynesian mythology and extensive research into the region and its culture, not the work of another artist now suing for copyright infringement. www.law360.com/artic...
law360.com
Disney Animator Tells Jury 'Moana' Was His Original Idea - Law360
A longtime animation director for The Walt Disney Co. testified in California federal court Tuesday that his blockbuster movie "Moana" was inspired by Polynesian mythology and extensive research into the region and its culture, not the work of another artist now suing for copyright infringement.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
A movie executive told an LA jury Monday that she never shared a distant family member's script with The Walt Disney Co., and that she later felt "set up" and pressured to lie for this relative's copyright suit over the blockbuster animated film "Moana." www.law360.com/california/a...
law360.com
Film Exec Testifies She Felt 'Set Up' By 'Moana' IP Claims - Law360
A movie executive told a California federal jury on Monday that she never shared a distant family member's script with The Walt Disney Co., and that she later felt "set up" and pressured to lie for th...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
An animation artist's attorney told jurors on the first day of an LA federal court trial Wednesday that Disney stole his magnum opus to develop "Moana," while Disney said the 2016 blockbuster was entirely original. www.law360.com/articles/230...
law360.com
Disney Pilfered Animator's 'Life Work' For 'Moana,' Jury Told - Law360
Counsel for an animation artist told jurors on the first day of a California federal court trial Wednesday that The Walt Disney Co. stole his magnum opus to develop the blockbuster movie "Moana" witho...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
An LA trial over the alleged dangers of Merck's HPV vaccine Gardasil was abruptly called off after three weeks of testimony. Plaintiffs say this was due to bias concerns around RFK Jr.'s confirmation. Merck claims its because they were winning. www.law360.com/california/a...
law360.com
LA Gardasil Trial Against Merck Bagged After 3 Weeks - Law360
A Los Angeles state court trial over the alleged dangers of Merck & Co. Inc.'s human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil was abruptly called off after three weeks of testimony, with a new panel of jur...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
An anonymous woman dropped her lawsuit accusing Sean "Diddy" Combs and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter of raping a teenager together, claims that launched a bitter ethics feud between personal injury attorney Tony Buzbee and Jay-Z's lawyers at Quinn Emanuel. www.law360.com/employment/a...
law360.com
Diddy, Jay-Z Rape Lawsuit Dropped Amid Legal Ethics Battle - Law360
An anonymous woman on Friday dropped her New York federal court lawsuit accusing Sean "Diddy" Combs and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter of raping a teenager together, claims that launched a bitter ethics feud be...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Former Marvel Entertainment co-president Rob Steffens filed a discrimination lawsuit in LA alleging he was passed over for a promotion to lead the consumer products division of parent company Disney because he is an "old white guy." www.law360.com/media/articl...
law360.com
Former Marvel Exec Sues Disney For 'Old White Guy' Bias - Law360
The former co-president of Marvel Entertainment has filed a discrimination lawsuit in California state court alleging he was passed over for a promotion to lead the consumer products division of paren...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Late in the day New York news drop = I return to my former beat from Law360's west coast desk. www.law360.com/compliance/a...
law360.com
DOJ Brass Want Bribery Charges Against NYC Mayor Dropped - Law360
The U.S. Department of Justice has moved to drop public corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, an extraordinary development in the wake of a public courtship between the embattled ...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
SoCal Edison told a state energy regulator that it believes its utility equipment might have ignited last month's Hurst Fire in northern Los Angeles County, but that it's still investigating the cause of the area's far more destructive Eaton Fire. www.law360.com/articles/229...
law360.com
SoCal Edison Says Its Equipment May Have Caused Hurst Fire - Law360
Southern California Edison told a state energy regulator that it believes its utility equipment might have ignited last month's Hurst Fire in northern Los Angeles County, but it's still investigating ...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Today in @law360.bsky.social I ask the important question: "Will lawyers for the NFL and Fox Sports let Kendrick call Drake a pedophile at the Super Bowl?" Experts are torn. Check it out. www.law360.com/corporate/ar...
law360.com
Will NFL Let Kendrick Call Drake A Pedophile At Super Bowl? - Law360
As Kendrick Lamar prepares to take the stage for this Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show, lawyers for the National Football League and Fox Sports must decide whether to censor the lyrics of his viral h...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Another front has opened in the messy legal drama over "It Ends With Us:" a Texas-based public relations consultant filed a defamation suit alleging Blake Lively falsely roped him into her headline-making sexual harassment and retaliation claims. www.law360.com/california/a...
law360.com
Blake Lively Sued By PR Rep Over 'It Ends With Us' Claims - Law360
Another front has opened in the messy legal drama over the movie "It Ends With Us," as an Austin-based public relations consultant filed a defamation suit in Texas federal court alleging Blake Lively ...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
The California legislature greenlit a $25M cash infusion Monday for the state attorney general's office to fight President Donald Trump's policy agenda, including anticipated challenges to immigration and environmental regulations. www.law360.com/california/a...
law360.com
Calif. AG Gets $25M To Fund Legal Fights Against Trump - Law360
The California legislature greenlighted a $25 million cash infusion Monday for the state attorney general's office in a strategic effort to bolster the state's legal defenses against President Donald ...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Counsel for the widow of "ER" creator Michael Crichton urged an LA judge on Thursday not to toss allegations that "The Pitt" is an unauthorized reboot, saying the now-streaming show's development history proves it "absolutely derived" from "ER." www.law360.com/ip/articles/...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
BREAKING via @law360.bsky.social: A D.C. federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a Trump administration freeze on federal spending that was set to go into effect at 5 p.m. www.law360.com/access-to-ju...
law360.com
BREAKING: Judge Temporarily Halts Trump's Funding Freeze - Law360
A D.C. federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a Trump administration freeze on federal spending that was set to go into effect at 5 p.m.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
I'm at the Glendale courthouse, where one of the Eaton Fire plaintiffs is trying to expand her TRO against SoCal Edison. Edelson PC attys cite new videos of sparks near an SCE tower, plus revelations of a surge at a connected transmission line 5 miles away at 6:11 pm on Jan 7.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
LA County DA Nathan Hochman is declining to bring criminal charges against Marilyn Manson, saying domestic violence allegations fall outside the statute of limitations and the office is unable to prove sexual assault claims beyond a reasonable doubt. www.law360.com/media/articl...
law360.com
LA Prosecutors Close Marilyn Manson Probe Without Charges - Law360
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced Friday he's declining to bring criminal charges against rock star Marilyn Manson, saying domestic violence allegations fall outside the...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
NEW: Fox News has filed a public records lawsuit suggesting that LA County officials may have taken bribes to award a 2020 election contract to Smartmatic, the voting tech company pursuing a $2.7B defamation suit over Fox's coverage of that election. www.law360.com/articles/228...
law360.com
Fox Raises Specter Of Corruption In LA's Smartmatic Contract - Law360
Fox News has filed a public records lawsuit suggesting that Los Angeles County officials may have taken bribes to award a 2020 election contract to Smartmatic, the voting technology company currently ...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
"The Hills" reality TV show stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are among the latest Palisades Fire victims to sue the LA Dept of Water and Power alleging an empty reservoir made it more difficult for first responders to put out the devastating blaze. www.law360.com/articles/228...
law360.com
'The Hills' Reality Stars Latest To Sue Over Palisades Fire - Law360
"The Hills" reality TV show stars Spencer and Heidi Pratt are among the latest Palisades Fire victims to sue the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power alleging an empty local reservoir made it mor...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
NEW: A judge in Glendale entered a TRO today requiring SoCal Edison to produce circuit data to Eaton Fire victims and preserve all equipment in the fire zone as a slew of lawsuits begin.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
No paywall: advice from personal injury and insurance attorneys for LA fire victims, via Dorothy Atkins @law360.bsky.social www.law360.com/articles/228...
law360.com
Legal Pros Offer LA-Area Fire Victims Insurance Tips - Law360
Personal injury and insurance attorneys offered Los Angeles fire victims practical tips during an hourslong info-session hosted by the Beverly Hills Bar Association on Tuesday, cautioning against hiri...
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Reposted by Rachel Scharf
Molly Crane-Newman @mollycranenewman.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
The Supreme Court has DENIED Donald Trump’s request for a stay of proceedings in his New York criminal case. He is set to be sentenced tomorrow for crimes a jury found he committed after he was last sworn in as president, ten days before he returns to the White House.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
New in LA courts: Nicki Minaj's ex-tour manager filed suit alleging the rapper slapped him and threatened his life backstage after a concert in Detroit last year. Local prosecutors declined a warrant request, but are asking police to investigate further. www.law360.com/illinois/art...
law360.com
Nicki Minaj Sued For Slapping, Threatening Ex-Tour Manager - Law360
Nicki Minaj's former tour manager has filed an assault lawsuit in Los Angeles court alleging the rapper slapped him repeatedly and threatened his life backstage after a concert at Little Caesars Arena...
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 04/01/2025
NOW: at a press conference, new LA County DA Nathan Hochman says he's still reviewing prison records and trial transcripts to decide whether to go forward with his predecessor George Gascón's bid to free Erik and Lyle Menendez from prison. Hochman met with the family today.
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Rachel Scharf @rachelscharf.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
Hello internet world! I'm back from Law360's holiday break today and on top of the very LA legal feud between Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, the New York Times and a whole bunch of publicists. Check out my coverage, and stay tuned for more to come⬇️ www.law360.com/newyork/arti...
law360.com
'It Ends With Us' Director Sues NYT Over Blake Lively Story - Law360
"It Ends With Us" director and actor Justin Baldoni has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit accusing The New York Times of amplifying co-star Blake Lively's "unverified and self-serving narrative"...
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Pete Brush @petebrush.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
Covering Do Kwon's appearance in NY federal court today. According to a new indictment, his legal strategy as he was investigated by law enforcement was to "tell them to fuck off."
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