Drug Lord El Chapo Sentenced To Life In Prison Without Possibility Of Parole

Infamous drug lord El Chapo

El Chapo, real name Joaquín Guzmán Loera, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a life spent sending tons of drugs into the United States and ordering the deaths of dozens of people.

From the New York Times:

The life sentence, mandated by law as a result of the severity of Mr. Guzmán’s crimes, was handed down in the Federal District Court in Brooklyn, where the kingpin was convicted last winter of drug, murder and money laundering charges after a sprawling three-month trial.

As some of the federal agents who had chased him for years looked on from the gallery, Judge Brian M. Cogan issued the life term and Mr. Guzmán, 62, was hauled away to prepare himself — pending an appeal — for spending the rest of his life behind bars.

Judge Cogan said the “overwhelming evil” of Mr. Guzmán’s crimes were apparent. Besides giving him a life sentence plus 30 years, he ordered the drug lord to pay $12.6 billion in restitution.

Prosecutor on Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman life sentence: “The long road that lead Chapo Guzman from the mountains of Sinaloa to the courthouse behind us today was paved by death, drugs and destruction. But it ended today with justice.” https://t.co/63fuSn1mL9 pic.twitter.com/FgwryUlZQp

— ABC News (@ABC) July 17, 2019

Manafort Sentenced To Additional 3.5 Years In Prison, Plus Indicted By New York State On 16 New Charges

Former Trump campaign chair, Paul Manafort

Donald Trump's former campaign chair, Paul Manafort, will now serve seven and a half years in prison after Judge Amy Berman Jackson of Federal District Court in Washington added 3.5 more years to his sentence on Wednesday.

In issuing her ruling, Judge Jackson said Manafort “spent a significant portion of his career gaming the system.”

From the New York Times:

Judge Amy Berman Jackson of Federal District Court in Washington sentenced Mr. Manafort, 69, on two conspiracy counts that encompassed a host of crimes, including money-laundering, obstruction of justice and failing to disclose lobbying work that earned him tens of millions of dollars over more than a decade.

“It is hard to overstate the number of lies and the amount of fraud and the amount of money involved,” she said, reeling off Mr. Manafort’s various offenses, rapid-fire. “There is no question that this defendant knew better and he knew what he was doing.”

Each charge carried a maximum of five years. But Judge Jackson noted that one count was closely tied to the same bank and tax fraud scheme that a federal judge in Virginia had sentenced Mr. Manafort for last week. Under sentencing guidelines, she said, those punishments should largely overlap, not be piled on top of each other. Mr. Manafort was also expected to get credit for the nine months he has already spent in jail.

Per Judge Jackson's sentence, Manafort received for Count One 60 months, of which 30 months will run concurrent with last week's sentence.

For Count Two, he received a sentence of 13 months which will run consecutive to count 1 and the earlier sentence in Virginia.

He also forfeits $11 million in assets.

The Times reports that Manafort begged Judge Jackson not to add to his time in prison. “This case has taken everything from me, already,” he said as he listed the assets he's forfeited. “Please let my wife and I be together."

Donald Trump hasn't said definitively if he will pardon the 69-year-old, but he's repeatedly spoken well of Manafort calling him "a brave man."

And then...

Immediately following the sentencing hearing, Manfort was indicted by New York state Attorney General Cyrus R. Vance Jr. on 16 state felony charges including mortgage fraud.

The new state charges against Mr. Manafort are contained in a 16-count indictment that alleges a yearlong scheme in which he falsified business records to obtain millions of dollars in loans, Mr. Vance said in a news release after the federal sentencing.

“No one is beyond the law in New York,” he said, adding that the investigation by the prosecutors in his office had “yielded serious criminal charges for which the defendant has not been held accountable.”

The indictment grew out of an investigation that began in 2017, when the Manhattan prosecutors began examining loans Mr. Manafort received from two banks.

This complicates Manafort's life much more.

While Donald Trump may pardon Manafort for his federal crimes, and it's appeared that Manafort is counting on that, Trump has no pardon power over state charges.

Egypt: TV Host Sentenced To One Year Hard Labor For Interviewing Gay Man

Mohamed al-Ghiety

A television host in Egypt has been fined $167 and sentenced to a year of hard labor for the crime of interviewing a gay man.

According to the BBC, Mohamed al-Ghiety interviewed a gay man in 2018 about his life as a sex worker. In the interview, the man (who was not identified) says he has regrets about being gay and working as a prostitute.

A lawyer, Samir Sabry, sued the TV host for appearing to promote possible monetary gains from “practicing” homosexuality. Sabry apparently has a history of targeting celebrities via lawsuits.

Ghiety, who ironically has history of homophobic comments, will also be under police surveillance for a year after his prison sentence.

Homosexuality is not specifically illegal in Egypt, but police often arrest folks suspected of being LGBTQ by using a 1961 law banning prostitution which criminalizes ‘habitual debauchery.’

At the time of the interview, the top governing organization for media - the Supreme Council for Media Regulation - banned the channel from airing for two weeks due to ‘professional violations.’

The media council has prohibited LGBTQs from being shown on television in the conservative country since an incident at a Cairo rock concert in 2017, where a rainbow Pride flag was waved in a rare exhibition of gay pride.

(image via Facebook/Egypt Rainbow)

At the time, the BBC wrote, “The raising of rainbow flags at the concert by the Lebanese band Mashrou' Leila - whose lead singer is openly gay - on 22 September was a rare public show of support for the LGBT community in the conservative Muslim country.”

As a result of the images going viral, 32 men and a woman were detained by authorities. The BBC reported that five of those men had anal examination carried out on them.

For a bail bond of 1,000 Egyptian pounds ($58US), Ghiety could appeal his verdict and remain free while he awaits the outcome of the appeal.

(h/t BBC)

News Round-Up: December 21, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Handsome InstaHunk Jim Newman (above) has been running a fabulous "Days of Christmas" campaign over on his Instagram taking daily pics au naturel with items in his home blocking just the barest of body parts. Well-worth clicking over to as this was the most tame I can post here ;)

• An amateur photographer from England received a 16-year jail sentence for drugging and raping male models. "I get a kick out of robbing a straight guy out of his masculinity," he shared in a conversation.

• Donald Trump, who promised his infamous wall along the Mexican border would be paid for by Mexico, now says "The wall will pay for itself."

"The wall will pay for itself on a monthly basis," Trump said, contradicting his previous claim that Mexico would pay for the border wall and threatening a government shutdown if a spending bill doesn't include his $5B demand for funding it https://t.co/QTj5qScUCn pic.twitter.com/NUNy53tGWX

— POLITICO (@politico) December 21, 2018

• Even though the play opened to very good reviews, the Broadway revival of Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song, starring out actor Michael Urie, has announced it will close January 6.

• The stock market moved into bear territory this week as the Dow fell another 417.11 points today, closing the week with a loss of 6.75% - its worst weekly decline since October 2008. #ThanksTrump

• In a year of ups and downs, the world searched for "good" more than ever before — according to Google Trends. From the epic headlines to the everyday moments, here’s to all the good that people discovered in 2018.

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's 'Fixer,' Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison

Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former lawyer and so-called 'fixer,' was sentenced today to three years in prison for his role in secret hush money scandals regarding alleged affairs between Donald Trump and two women.

His crimes included campaign finance violations as well as lying to Congress.

From The New York Times:

The sentencing in federal court in Manhattan capped a startling fall for Mr. Cohen, 52, who had once hoped to work by Mr. Trump’s side in the White House but ended up a central figure in the inquiry into payments to a porn star and a former Playboy model before the 2016 election.

Judge William H. Pauley III said Mr. Cohen had committed a “smorgasbord” of crimes involving “deception” and motivated by “personal greed and ambition.”

“As a lawyer, Mr. Cohen should have known better,” the judge said.

Before he was sentenced, a solemn Mr. Cohen, standing at a lectern, sounded emotional but resolved as he told the judge he had been tormented by the anguish and embarrassment he had caused his family.

Referencing Trump recently calling him 'weak,' Cohen agreed with that assessment but for different reasons than Trump.

“It was because time and time again I felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds rather than to listen to my own inner voice and my moral compass,” Mr. Cohen said.

Cohen had also served as deputy finance chair of the Republican National Committee.

COHEN SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON.

Also hit with forfeiture of $500,000, restitution of $1.4 million and a fine of $50,000.

As judge read sentence, Cohen closed his eyes and shook his head slightly as if in disbelief, Bloomberg News reports.

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) December 12, 2018

Two years ago, Michael Cohen had visions of being chief of staff. He then began soaking up mega contracts from major companies to influence the president. Trump winning was going to be a gold mine for him. And now... he’s going to jail for three years.

— Sam Stein (@samstein) December 12, 2018

"Mr. Cohen should have known better." — Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen was sentenced to 36 months in prison. He is ordered to surrender on March 6. https://t.co/VtoGjJqt2C

— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) December 12, 2018

White Supremacist Sentenced To Life In Prison For Driving Car Through Charlottesville Crowd

James A Fields Jr.

The Washington Post reports that neo-nazi James A. Fields Jr., convicted of first-degree murder (among other charges) has been sentenced to life in prison and more for his actions.

James A. Fields Jr., an avowed neo-Nazi who rammed his car into a group of counterprotesters at a white-supremacist rally, was sentenced to life in prison by a jury Tuesday after a trial that offered an unsparing view of the physical and emotional ruin he caused in this city with a burst of vehicular rage 16 month ago.

As he had throughout his two-week trial, Fields, 21, sat impassively at the defendant’s table, clad in a powder blue sweater, as the jury delivered its verdict at 12:20 p.m. after about four hours of deliberations that began Monday: life for first-degree murder; 70 years for each of five counts of aggravated malicious wounding; 20 years for each of three counts of malicious wounding; and nine years for leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

His overall sentence: life plus 419 years and $480,000 in fines.

Heather Heyer, 32, was killed in the attack as well as 35 others who were seriously injured.

In Virginia, a trial jury hands out sentences within certain guidelines.

The judge will officially sentence Fields on March 29.  At that time, the judge may reduce, but not increase, the prison time.

News Round-Up: November 19, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• I've been meaning to feature the oh-so-handsome blond man above for some time, but I don't know who he is. A reader sent his pic and I was quite smitten by the good looks. Anyone know who he is? #woof #BeardCameNice

• Folks have launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a bronze plaque honoring Matthew Shepard at the Washington National Cathedral. The crypt where he lies isn't open to the public, so folks would like to design and install a plaque in the chapel.

• This Chinese author was sentenced to 10 years in prison for including gay sex scenes in her latest novel.

• Woofy Prince Harry carries on the legacy of his mother, Princess Diana, by raising awareness for HIV. Check out the new PSA as he flips the script on HIV testing saying it's something to be proud, not embarrassed, about.

Today is the start of National HIV Testing Week and The Duke of Sussex has shared an important message.

‘By getting tested you are helping stop the HIV epidemic in its tracks. You are helping to save lives,’ says The Duke of Sussex @KensingtonRoyal #HIVTestWeek pic.twitter.com/HbAx8qlNJ5

— Terrence Higgins Trust (@THTorguk) November 17, 2018

• The Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli, says religious schools in Australia should be accepting of gay teachers IF they keep their relationships hidden. He also thinks its better if they and their partners live far away from the school in which they teach.

• A gay councilman in Texas was removed from office after a homophobic political foe leaked his Grindr pics to the public.

• A new study by psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania found that too much Facebook can contribute to depression and loneliness. The study found those who cut back on their social media consumption found their moods improved.

• UK rugby legend Gareth Thomas was the victim of a hate crime by a 16-year-old in his hometown of Cardiff.

“Last night I was a victim in my home city of a hate crime for my sexuality,” Thomas told his Twitter followers. “I want to say thank you to the police, who were involved and allowed me to do restorative justice to the people that did this because I thought they could learn more that way.”

Restorative justice is a system that “that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large.”

It comes as no surprise that a champion of Thomas' caliber would opt for the teaching experience of restorative justice. The approach is also helpful to those who are assaulted to see their assailant be held accountable.

Watch Thomas' video below.

pic.twitter.com/TUSyVMLiWX

— Gareth Thomas (@gareththomas14) November 18, 2018

Manafort Ordered To Wear Orange Jumpsuit To Sentencing Hearing

Paul Manafort

Former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort requested, through his lawyers, if he could be allowed to wear a suit to his sentencing hearing later this week.

The request was denied.

It looks like Manafort will be donning a crisp shade of orange for his next court appearance.

From Politico:

A federal judge on Wednesday rejected Paul Manafort’s request to wear a professional suit during a hearing later this week about his sentence, noting the former Trump campaign chairman is now a convicted felon who has lost the right to wear street clothing in all his court proceedings.

“This defendant should be treated no differently from other defendants who are in custody post conviction,” U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III wrote in a sharply-worded order.

The decision and its tone signals Manafort may be facing a very different environment when he returns Friday to the same Alexandria, Virginia, courtroom for a hearing to discuss his ongoing cooperation with special counsel Robert Mueller and to begin the process of setting a sentencing date.

The judge in Paul Manafort's Virginia trial denied his request to wear a suit for his next hearing — and "all subsequent hearings" — arguing that Manafort should be treated no differently than other defendants in custody. https://t.co/iroF2RNIXv

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 17, 2018

Judge in Manafort Virginia trial will make him wear prison garb to trial, denies request to wear one of his (probably ostrich skin) suits https://t.co/fC5vsaJecj pic.twitter.com/Q4gcQo2hY6

— Nicole Lafond (@Nicole_Lafond) October 17, 2018

I hear the president is fond of orange, no?

Switzerland: Homophobia & Transphobia Now Punishable By Up To 3 Years In Prison

Switzerland makes LGBTQ discrimination illegal

 By a vote of 118-60, the National Council of Switzerland has amended its penal code to make homophobia and transphobia as illegal as racism.

Under the new ordinance, anyone who is found guilty of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity will face up to three years in prison.

The move to change the penal code was lead by National Councillor Mathias Reynard.

Upon passage of the new law, Reynard tweeted his celebration writing, “Victory! By 118 against 60 and 5 abstentions, the National Council accepts my parliamentary initiative against homophobia and Transphobia!

“A great success for human rights! Final response in December to the Council of States,” he added along with an LGBT Pride emoji and LGBT hashtag.

Gay Times Magazine reports Reynard told the press following the vote, “Homophobia is not an opinion. It’s a crime. One in five homosexuals attempted suicide, half before the age of 20. This victory sends a strong signal. I have already received hundreds of reactions.”

While Switzerland has allowed civil partnerships since 2007, the country is woefully behind the times in terms of most civil rights for LGBTQ people. There are no legal accommodations for same-sex couples when it comes to adoption, taxes, welfare or fertility.

Following this recent win, Reynard says that he plans on introducing marriage equality to Switzerland.

(h/t Gay Times Magazine)

Australia: HIV+ Man Receives 4.5 Years In Prison For Knowingly Infecting Boyfriend

Martin Peter Jaksic (image via Facebook)

An Australian man has pleaded guilty to infecting his former boyfriend with HIV.

Martin Peter Jaksic was diagnosed as HIV positive in 2010. But he never shared that news with the man he would soon meet and go on to date for six years even though he was fully aware of the risks.

In a Sydney courtroom on Wednesday, Jaksic pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily hard to his former boyfriend.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the 31-year-old told the court in a letter than he had been in denial after receiving his own diagnosis and admitted that what he had done to the victim was “cowardly and unthinkable.”

Judge Peter Zahra showed no sympathy for Jaksic saying, “The offender’s conduct was a gross betrayal of trust and a contemptible and callous disregard for the victim’s life.”

“At all times (he) would have been aware of the grave risk of the victim suffering serious illness which had the potential to be life-threatening,” the judge added. “The continuing effect of the harm caused to the victim is incalculable.”

The former boyfriend shared in his victim impact statement that due to his infection he now faces “internal wounds and emotional struggles” that will never heal.

The ex-boyfriend told the court that when he entered into what he believed to be a “close and loving” monogamous relationship more than 6 years ago, Jaksic did not share his HIV status.

Even though the couple had unprotected sex during their relationship, Jaksic never suggested using condoms or any other protection.

The victim added that after trusting Jaksic during their six year relationship, he nows sees him as someone who behaved “dishonestly, callously and ruthlessly.”

Jaksic was arrested at the airport in January 2016 attempting to flee Sydney.

He received the maximum sentence of four years and six months in prison.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 24 states in the U.S. have laws which specifically require persons who are aware that they have HIV to disclose their status to sexual partners.

Penalties vary from state to state with some treating the transmission of HIV as a felony and others as a misdemeanor.

There has been a movement, however, in recent years to repeal these HIV-specific laws due to the success of antiretroviral therapy which can bring viral levels down to undetectable.

In that the CDC’s current medical policy is that “undetectable=untransmittable,” many feel those who are HIV+ but undetectable shouldn’t be prosecuted in the same manner as they once were at the height of the epidemic.

The REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act was introduced in Congress in 2011. The legislation would call for a review of all federal and state laws involving the criminal prosecution of people for HIV-related offenses.

(h/t Sydney Morning Herald)

Settlement Reached In California Prison Lawsuit Alleging LGBTQ Abuses

(photo credit: Donald Tong via Pexels)

In 2014, a group of LGBTQ inmates at the Alternative Lifestyle Tank at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga filed a federal class action lawsuit alleging hate speech by the prison guards and extreme incarceration due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

According to The LA Times, attorneys for the plaintiffs now say they have reached a settlement with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Among the allegations raised by the lawsuit:

• Under the guise of “protection,” LGBTQ inmates were held in their cells for up to 23 hours a day

• The plaintiffs say they were subjected to derogatory hate speech and anti-gay slurs by prison guards and staff

• They were not allowed to take part in educational programs or drug rehabilitation programs

• They were unable to participate in work programs that could potentially reduce their sentences or attend religious services

The lead plaintiff, former sheriff’s deputy Dan McKibben, told the press at a 2014 news conference when the lawsuit was filed, “When you’re sworn, you’re sworn. And I took that oath.”

“These guys, every other minute, were violating that,” he added. McKibben died in 2016 before a resolution could be reached.

Veronica Pratt, a 33-year-old transgender woman, told The LA Times on Wednesday, “It was just depressing. It was demeaning.”

“It’s a struggle being incarcerated and then to have someone tell you ‘You can’t go to classes, you can’t try to better yourself’ because of your sexual orientation,” said Pratt. “It’s degrading.”

More from The LA Times:

The settlement agreement, which was filed in federal court in Riverside, would compel the county to offer more housing options for gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex inmates; lift restrictions on participation in work, educational, religious and community reentry programs; and establish a committee that will meet regularly with incarcerated gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people to discuss their housing options.

Transgender and intersex inmates will also have the opportunity to be housed based on their gender identity.

The settlement also includes a nearly $1-million payment that will be divided among class members. And the Alternative Lifestyle Tank will be renamed the GBTI Unit — gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex.

LGBTQ inmates will still have the choice to be housed in the newly-named unit, but the new agreement dictates that they will have access to rehabilitation/education courses and any other programs available to other inmates.

A spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department declined to comment because the settlement has not been approved by the judge.

Seven Year Prison Sentence For Indiana Man Heading To LA Pride With Explosives

James Wesley Howell

Just hours after the deadly Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, two years ago, an Indiana man was arrested and police confiscated weapons, ammunition and bomb-making materials found in his car.

In court this week, James Wesley Howell pleaded no contest to charges of unlawful assault weapon activity, possession of a destructive device on a public road or highway and possession of a destructive device. The 22-year-old was sentenced to 7 years in state prison on Thursday.

Howell was found sitting in his car in Santa Monica in the early morning hours of June 12, 2016, after police responded to a call regarding a man knocking on residents’ windows and doors.

From the LA Times:

Inside his car, police found three rifles — including an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 .223 caliber rifle that police described as an assault weapon — and two 30-round magazines.

In addition to the guns, Howell was also driving with a full five-gallon container of gasoline and a 25-pound container of "Shoc-shot," a commercially sold two-component explosive that detonates when hit by a high-velocity rifle round, Santa Monica police said at the time.

Howell also had a black hood, a Taser, handcuffs, a Buck knife, a security badge and additional ammunition for the guns, court records show.

At the time of his arrest, Howell told police he was planning on attending LA Pride, but the Indianapolis Star later reported he had been charged with sexually molesting a 12-year-old girl in Indiana.

As a result of the Pulse shooting and the dangerous materials found in his possession, security measures were heightened at the Pride festival.

(h/t LA Times)

And They Say There's No Good News Anymore

(h/t kenneth in the (212))

Florida: 11 Years For Human Trafficking/Gay Sex Ringleader

(photo credit  - Carl Juste)

The Miami Herald is reporting on what may be the first prison sentence for someone convicted of the human trafficking of gay men.

His captors raped him. One of the ringleaders, who sometimes wielded a sword, threatened him and his family in Hungary with bloodshed. If he slept with enough johns, the traffickers might give him extra food or a few cigarettes.

Even today, the ordeal has left his psyche in tatters, the 24-year-old told a judge on Tuesday.

“It’s really hard for me to socialize, to mingle with people,” he testified through a Hungarian interpreter. “I started drinking heavily to try and forget. I lost all my friends.”

His story — and the accounts of two other Hungarian men forced into sex slavery — convinced a Miami-Dade judge to sentence one of the ringleaders, Andras Janos Vass, to just over 11 years in state prison for human trafficking.

The 24 year old Hungarian man traveled to NYC in 2012 with two other young men after being promised they would be working for a legitimate business, and earn thousands of dollars.

All three men were forced to live in a cramped one bedroom apartment in NYC, performing sex acts at all times of day.

Former Subway Spokesman Jared Fogle Sentenced To Over 15 Years In Prison

(image: Michael Conroy/AP)

Disgraced Subway pitchman Jared Fogle was sentenced to over 15 years in prison for charges related to sex with minors and child pornography.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, describing Fogle’s level of “perversion and lawlessness” as “extreme,” ordered Fogle on Thursday to serve 188 months in prison — 20 more than the advisory guidelines. Fogle pleaded guilty to one count of traveling to engage in sexual conduct with a minor and one count of receiving child pornography. He must participate in a sex offender treatment program while in prison.

Prosecutors had asked for a 12.5-year jail sentence, while Fogle’s attorneys had sought a five-year term.

Under a plea deal, Fogle must register as a sex offender after his release (he’ll be eligible for parole after 13 years), have his digital devices monitored and pay a $175,000 fine.

More at Variety.com

Former GOP Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia Sentenced to 2 Years Prison For Public Corruption

Former Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell (R), has been sentenced to two years in prison and two subsequent years on probation after being convicted on 11 charges of public corruption.

From Politico:

McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were convicted of corruption charges in September, following a highly emotional trial filled with testimony about their rocky marriage. Bob McDonnell was convicted by a jury on 11 charges, while his wife was convicted on eight. Maureen McDonnell, who was present at the court Tuesday, is to be sentenced next month.

The defense is expected to pursue an appeals process.

The McDonnells were found guilty of seeking to trade official favors and the prestige of the governor’s office for more than $165,000 worth of gifts and loans from Richmond-area businessman Jonnie Williams.

Gambia passes legislation imposing life in prison for gays and lesbians

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh

The West African nation of Gambia has passed a bill which would impose life sentences for "aggravated homosexuality." Under the new legislation, charges could be brought against those who are "repeat offenders" or people living with HIV/AIDS.

Previously, the country sanctioned punishment for homosexuals with up to 14 years in prison. In 2005 the laws were amended to include lesbians as well as gays.

The bill currently awaits President Jammeh's signature.

Jammeh has a documented anti-gay past. In February, while addressing the nation on television, Jemmeh said, “We will fight these vermins called homosexuals or gays the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes, if not more aggressively.”

In 2008, Jammeh "instructed" gays and lesbians to leave the country or risk being beheaded.

(source)

John Oliver on America's prison problem

With a lot of humor, John Oliver of HBO's Last Week Tonight talks on the issues and problems facing America's broken prison system.

Taking a very somber topic, Oliver keeps the viewer engaged while bringing up very important points regarding how prisons are currently being operated here in the US.

(via Upworthy)

TV Pitchman Kevin Trudeau sentenced to 10 years in prison

TV pitchman Kevin Trudeau was sentenced to 10 years in prison for ignoring a court order to stop airing infomercials hocking his weight loss book "The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About."

Trudeau went on to air the infomercial over 32,000 times.

From NBC Chicago:

Before sentencing, Judge Ronald Guzman described Trudeau as "deceitful to the very core," and said he "requires a sentence that will deter him from future conduct of the same type."

"Since the age of 25, he has steadfastly attempted to cheat others for his own individual gain," Guzman said in court. "He has treated federal court orders as if they were merely suggestions ... to be mistreated, side-stepped or ignored."

Trudeau asked for leniency in court, promising to be a "better person."

"I had a true awakening since being incarcerated four months ago," Trudeau said. "I've been stripped of ego, defiance, arrogance and pride. It's made me a better person. I'm not the same person I was seven years ago when I made the infomercial."

"I wish I could turn back the clock and never made the statements I made in the infomercials. Making those statements were a mistake and I am sorry."

Trudeau also apologized to anyone who bought his book and felt misled.