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Tag: LEGAL

  • Honeymooners Were Stranded At Sea by Snorkeling Company | Entrepreneur

    Honeymooners Were Stranded At Sea by Snorkeling Company | Entrepreneur

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    A newlywed California couple is suing Hawaiian snorkeling company Sail Maui for $5 million after being abandoned in the ocean for hours and having to swim to shore.

    Honeymooners Elizabeth “Bette” Webster and Alexander Burckle were on their honeymoon and booked a snorkeling tour off the Lanai Coast.

    An hour into the excursion, the couple began noticing that the large catamaran they booked was drifting further away. Webster and Burckle swam for 30 minutes to get back to the boat, but they didn’t get very far. As the waves swelled between six and eight feet, the couple called for help, according to the lawsuit. They were a half mile from land.

    Eventually, the catamaran sailed off to the next snorkeling site, leaving the couple behind.

    Webster and Burckle had no choice but to swim to shore. They reached the beach exhausted and dehydrated.

    “If it wasn’t a couple that was young and fit, they probably would have drowned,” their attorney, Jared Washkowitz, told The Washington Post.

    Alone on the beach with no money or cell phone, Webster wrote “help” and “SOS” in the sand. They were eventually rescued by two Lanai residents who helped them helped return to Maui. They called Sail Maui, who hadn’t even realized the couple was missing.

    Related: Carnival Cruise Wants Passengers to Have Fun in the Sun — But Do This, and You’ll Get Burned With a New $500 Fee

    ‘They felt like they were going to die’

    In their lawsuit against Sail Maui, the couple claims the tour’s captain acted negligently by failing to do a proper head count.

    Jess Hebert, one of the other 42 snorkelers on the catamaran that day, told the Washington Post that she’d spoken to the couple about the incident. ‘They felt like there were going to die,” she said. “They were so scared.”

    Although the incident happened back in 2021, Washkowitz told USA Today that the couple is still traumatized by it.

    “They’re getting psychological treatment and have physical symptoms of anxiety,” he said.

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    Jonathan Small

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  • Lul G Pleads to Voluntary Manslaughter Stemming From Fatal 2019 Shooting

    Lul G Pleads to Voluntary Manslaughter Stemming From Fatal 2019 Shooting

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    California rapper Lul G—formerly a member of the Bay Area hip-hop group SOB X RBE—has pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter stemming from a 2019 murder charge, the Vacaville Reporter notes. The rapper was arrested on September 21, 2019, after fatally shooting a 26-year-old man that July.

    On Thursday (March 3), Lul G entered his plea in Solano County Superior Court, saying he would offer no defense. He also admitted to using a firearm during the 2019 shooting. Judge Carlos R. Gutierrez found him guilty following the plea; the rapper will likely receive 21 years in state prison at a sentencing hearing on May 22.

    When reached by Pitchfork, Lul G’s attorneys offered no comment.

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    Madison Bloom

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  • Unbelievable facts

    Unbelievable facts

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  • Murdaugh Family Murders Explained, What You Need to Know | Entrepreneur

    Murdaugh Family Murders Explained, What You Need to Know | Entrepreneur

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    Update, March 2, 2023: After deliberating for three hours on Thursday evening, a jury found Alex Murdaugh guilty of murdering his wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul, on June 7, 2021.

    Murdaugh still faces a host of serious charges, including money laundering, insurance fraud, and alleged misuse of funds from a settlement related to the death of his housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield. He will face sentencing in his wife’s and son’s murders on March 3, 2023.

    The story of the Murdaugh murders stems from a 100-year-old family legal dynasty in Hampton, South Carolina, that was put in the hands of fourth-generation lawyer Alex Murdaugh.

    But what took a century to build came crashing down in June 2021, when Alex called authorities after finding his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and his youngest son, Paul Murdaugh, shot dead in their 1,770-acre hunting lodge at 4147 Moselle Road in Islandton, South Carolina.

    These crimes led to a series of revelations about the family, which HBO Max unpacked in the new true crime documentary, Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty, that aired on November 3. Followed by another true crime series based on the once-prestigious family Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal which is set to release on Netflix on February 22.

    Image credit: Courtesy of Maggie Murdaugh via Facebook.

    Now in the same courthouse where generations of Murdaughs laid down the law, Alex is set to go on trial for murder, with jury selection beginning on January 23.

    “Murdaugh will not be shackled during the trial, which begins Monday in Colleton County,” a South Carolina Public Radio reported. “He faces life behind bars if convicted. Meantime, a portrait of his grandfather that hangs in the courtroom will be taken down.”

    Keep scrolling for everything to know about the case and the Murdaugh family.

    Who Are the Murdaugh Family?

    The Murdaugh family began in South Carolina at the turn of the century and have been prominent lawyers in the state for decades. Beginning with Alex Murdaugh’s great-grandfather Randolph Murdaugh Sr., who started Peters Murdaugh Parker Eltzroth & Detrick in 1910, generations of his family have continued to work at the firm, including his son, Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh II, grandson, Randolph Murdaugh III, and his great-great-grandsons Randolph “Randy” Murdaugh IV and Alex Murdaugh.

    The firm was successful with personal injury cases by taking advantage of a South Carolina law that allows people to sue in any county and not where an incident may have occurred — which can often result in favoritism and landed Hampton County on the 2004 list of “Judicial Hellholes“. However, this made the Murdaugh group the “go-to” lawyers in the county.

    Randolph Sr. also became the first elected solicitor, (or district attorney), of the 14th judicial circuit (district) in 1920. Randolph Sr. held the role for 20 years until his death. His son, Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh II, was elected to the position next. He worked from 1940 to 1986, until his son Randolph Murdaugh III took over, working from 1986 to 2006. Alex volunteered and worked part-time in the solicitor’s office after graduating from USC Law School in 1994 until 2021.

    The Murdaugh family were solicitors in South Carolina for 86 years straight; leading criminal prosecutions for their district, and playing a key role in deciding which cases get prosecuted (and when) from 1920 to 2006.

    What Happened to Paul and Maggie Murdaugh?

    Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were shot dead on June 7, 2021. Alex Murdaugh called 911 at around 10 p.m., claiming he had discovered the bodies. However, the coroner found that the two had died between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., per NPR, and they had been shot with different weapons — Maggie with an assault-style rifle and Paul with a shotgun.

    In October 2021, Alex was named as a person of interest in the case, although his lawyer denied the allegations and said he had no motive for the crimes, according to People.

    According to NBC News, sources close to the investigation said authorities found cellphone video evidence that places Alex at the scene of the crime.

    On July 14, 2022, he was indicted by a grand jury in connection to Paul and Maggie’s murders. He was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

    Alex Murdaugh’s lawyers maintain his innocence.

    Image credit: Courtesy of Maggie Murdaugh via Facebook.

    What Other Crimes Were Uncovered After the Murdaugh Family Murders?

    As investigators looked into the deaths of the mother and son, other unsolved crimes relating to the Murdaugh family were discovered.

    Two years before his death, in February 2019, youngest son Paul, 22, had been involved in a boat crash that left his friend, Mallory Beach, dead after being thrown from the boat. Though various witnesses said Paul had been driving the boat while intoxicated, according to a previous NBC documentary on Peacock, key evidence had gone missing in the case.

    Paul was charged with one count of boating while intoxicated and two counts of causing bodily injury, though people suggested he received special treatment thanks to his family’s legacy. He was released on bond and a date for his trial was never set, per People.

    Additionally, two weeks following the double murders that took place in June 2021, the state reopened an investigation into a 2015 case of a man, Stephen Smith, who had been found dead on the side of the road.

    While South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has not revealed what evidence caused them to reopen the case, per NPR, the Murdaugh name kept coming up in relation to the case. Sources speculated that Buster Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh’s eldest son who also worked at the family law firm, had a relationship with Smith, according to the Daily Mail.

    Furthermore, although Smith’s death was ruled a hit-and-run, he had a gunshot wound above his right eye and his injuries were not consistent with those sustained from vehicle trauma, according to the Daily Mail.

    Buster has not been named a person of interest in Smith’s death.

    What Happened to Gloria Satterfield?

    In addition to Smith’s death, SLED began investigating another case involving the Murdaugh family. In 2018, the family’s longtime housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, died after Maggie Murdaugh called 911, claiming Satterfield had fallen down the stairs. It was noted that Paul was present during the call.

    Satterfield was a longtime caretaker of the family, and according to sources featured in Discovery + documentary Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty, she had told several people that Paul would kill small animals and often disregarded authority.

    Her cause of death remains unclear.

    At the funeral, Alex approached Satterfield’s sons and said since the accident happened on his property, he was going to sue himself for wrongful death so the boys can get some insurance money, according to The New York Times.

    With all legalities handled by Alex, the sons were told to wait for a settlement.

    Alex and his insurers did reach a $4.3 million settlement in the months after Satterfield’s death, but the Satterfield family didn’t see a dime.

    The Satterfield sons filed a lawsuit against Alex Murdaugh in September 2021, and SLED decided to exhume the body for an autopsy in June 2022, according to South Carolina’s WCSC. That same month, Alex agreed to pay the Satterfield family $4.3 million.

    Where Is the Murdaugh Law Firm Now?

    The alleged misappropriated funds in the wrongful death suit uncovered various other financial crimes including Alex stealing millions from clients and his family law firm, according to The New York Times.

    He was then forced out by his partners in September 2021, just three months after the double murders. The firm changed its name to the Parker Law Group, LLP in January 2021, according to WOTC South Carolina.

    Alex was also stripped from being a lawyer in the state of South Carolina indefinitely, and his name was removed from the firm that was once known as the “Murdaugh Law Firm.”

    What Happened to Alex Murdaugh?

    The following day, after Alex was forced out of the firm, he was shot in the head while changing a tire on the side of the road. The shot only caused minor damage and he was able to call for help.

    Days after he was shot, he checked into rehab for opioid addiction. It was there that he admitted to lawyers that he had hired Curtis Eddie Smith to kill him so his son Buster could collect $10 million in insurance money.

    On Sept. 16, 2021, he turned himself in to Hampton County Law Enforcement in connection to the suicide-for-hire scam, per People.

    Later, on Oct. 14, 2021, Alex was arrested on felony charges for misusing millions from the Satterfield estate and obtaining property under false pretenses, per NPR, and was hit with tens of charges in the months that followed concerning numerous financial crimes and deaths.

    He was indicted on murder charges for the deaths of his wife and son in July 2022.

    Image credit: Tracy Glantz/The Island Packet/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

    Where Are the Murdaughs Now?

    Alex Murdaugh is currently in jail and is set to go on trial for the June 2021 murders of his son Paul and his wife Maggie in January. If convicted, he could face 30 years to life in prison without parole and could be eligible for the death penalty, according to USA Today.

    Murdaugh faces a total of 90 charges, many of which include financial crimes such as stealing from the family law firm, money laundering through a drug ring, and committing insurance fraud.

    As for the rest of the surviving Murdaugh family, eldest son Buster was last reported to be “not doing well at all” since his father was arrested for the double murders, sources told People in July 2022.

    Despite previously working at his family’s law firm, Buster appears to have no involvement in the rebranded Parker Law Group.

    Meanwhile, Alex’s brother Randy still works as a practicing lawyer at the now-renamed Parker Law Firm. He denounced Alex’s actions and claimed he had no involvement in his mishandling of company funds in a statement to People in September 2021.

    Randy is also suing Alex for thousands in unpaid loans.

    How Much Are the Murdaughs Worth?

    It’s unclear exactly how much wealth the Murdaugh family once had, but several accounts and properties were found to be worth millions.

    When Murdaugh was held on a $7 million bond for 51 criminal charges, the court detailed Murdaugh’s assets, which included numerous real estate properties and even small islands, according to Greenville News.

    Additionally, the court found a retirement account worth between $2.1 and $2.2 million, and an IRA retirement fund valued at $350,000 to $400,000.

    He was also supposed to receive a trust for an undisclosed amount after his father Randolph Murdaugh III’s death in June 2021, plus probate assets after his wife’s death that same month.

    Furthermore, the family hunting lodge where Paul and Maggie were killed was listed in February 2022 for $3.9 million.

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    Sam Silverman

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  • How To Protect ChatGPT Content with Trademark Registration | Entrepreneur

    How To Protect ChatGPT Content with Trademark Registration | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way we live and work: AI-generated content is becoming increasingly common across various industries and is all but ubiquitous in news headlines. The term, broadly, refers to content created or produced by artificial intelligence algorithms like ChatGPT and can be used as assets such as brand names, logos, product names, slogans or taglines. With the rise of this technology, it is increasingly important for businesses to protect such brand assets, including ensuring that they have exclusive rights to use them. One way to achieve this is by registering them as trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

    Think of trademarks as legal protection for assets that you don’t want competitors to steal. According to the USPTO, a trademark is a symbol, word or design that distinguishes a company’s products or services from those of its competitors. By registering AI-generated material as a trademark, businesses can ensure legal protection and recognition. Below are some of the associated benefits:

    Legal protection

    Registering AI-generated content with the USPTO provides businesses with legal trademark protection, including the right to use it in commerce and to enforce rights against others who may attempt to use similar content.

    Nationwide recognition

    A federal trademark registration grants businesses nationwide recognition for AI-generated content, allowing them to expand their business and reach new customers without worrying about infringement issues.

    Evidence of ownership

    A registration certificate serves as evidence of a business’s ownership of the AI-generated trademark and can be used in legal proceedings to enforce associated rights.

    Related: 7 Ways to Use ChatGPT at Work to Boost Your Productivity, Make Your Job Easier, and Save a Ton of Time

    In order to protect AI-generated brand assets under federal trademark registration, applicants must meet certain requirements. Firstly, the brand asset must be distinctive — not overly similar to existing ones in terms of appearance, sound or meaning, as this could lead to confusion among consumers. Secondly, AI-generated content must be used in connection with products or services. In other words, it must be used in a commercial context (such as in advertising or on products) to identify and distinguish them from other products or services.

    Even if the content is not yet in use, businesses can still protect it with an “Intent to Use” trademark filing status. This application option is available when filing a federal trademark with the USPTO, and allows applicants to reserve the right to a trademark before actually using it in commerce.

    Finally, the brand asset cannot be generic, or merely descriptive, as it would be too broad in scope and not capable of serving as a source identifier. (The USPTO will consider all relevant factors when evaluating eligibility.)

    Related: All You Need to Know About Using Trademarks for Your Business

    In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive business world, AI-generated content has become a vital part of many companies’ marketing strategies. Registering such assets as a trademark with the USPTO is a smart move for businesses looking to protect their brand and so gain a competitive advantage. By doing so, they can assure legal protection and evidence of ownership, and in the future enjoy potential nationwide recognition.

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    Kendra Stephen

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  • R. Kelly Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison in Federal Child Pornography Case

    R. Kelly Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison in Federal Child Pornography Case

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    R. Kelly has been sentenced to 20 years in prison on federal child pornography charges, The Associated Press reports. Following Kelly’s September conviction, a federal court in Chicago ruled that he’ll serve 19 of those years concurrently with the 30-year sentence a New York judge handed down for Kelly’s sex trafficking and racketeering convictions last summer.

    At the end of January, prosecutors in Cook County, Illinois dropped indictments against Kelly for state-level charges of aggravated sexual abuse. State’s Attorney Kim Foxx cited the “extensive sentences” of the federal cases, along with the need to allocate investigative resources to other, less high-profile cases. 

    Kelly is still facing state charges in Minnesota for allegedly engaging in prostitution with a minor. Along with his prison sentence for the New York charges, Kelly must pay $309,000 in restitution, which a judge ruled could be partially paid from his inmate commissary account.

    If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we encourage you to reach out for support:

    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
    http://www.rainn.org
    1 800 656 HOPE (4673)

    Crisis Text Line
    SMS: Text “HELLO” or “HOLA” to 741-741

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    Allison Hussey

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  • Nipsey Hussle’s killer sentenced to at least 60 years in prison

    Nipsey Hussle’s killer sentenced to at least 60 years in prison

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    LOS ANGELES, Feb 22 (Reuters) – A California man was sentenced on Wednesday to at least 60 years in prison for the 2019 killing of Grammy-winning rapper Nipsey Hussle after a chance encounter in the south Los Angeles neighborhood where the men grew up.

    A jury had found Eric Holder Jr, 32, guilty of first-degree murder in July 2022 for fatally shooting Hussle outside a clothing store the rapper owned.

    On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke sentenced Holder to 25 years to life in state prison for murdering Hussle, plus an additional 25 years to life because he used a gun in the slaying.

    Holder was ordered to serve an additional 10 years in prison for shooting two bystanders.

    [1/3] Eric Ronald Holder sits in the courtroom at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center ahead of his sentencing for first-degree murder in the 2019 shooting of Grammy-winning rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on September 15, 2022. Apu Gomes/Pool via REUTERS

    Prosecutors said Holder shot Hussle at least 10 times after they ran into each other on a Sunday afternoon outside the clothing store. Following a brief conversation, Holder left and returned about 10 minutes later and opened fire.

    Public defender Aaron Jansen acknowledged that Holder killed Hussle but argued that he should not be convicted of first-degree murder because he said the attack was not pre-meditated.

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    Jansen said Holder acted in “the heat of passion” after Hussle told him there were rumors of him “snitching” to police, which he considered a serious offense. Holder did not testify during the trial.

    Hussle, who was 33 when he died, had publicly acknowledged that he joined a gang as a teenager. He later became an activist and entrepreneur as he found success with rap music and collaborated with artists including Snoop Dogg and Drake.

    In 2020, Hussle won two posthumous Grammy awards including one for “Racks in the Middle,” released a few weeks before his death and featuring Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy.

    Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Jorge Garcia in Los Angeles
    Editing by Leslie Adler, Matthew Lewis and David Gregorio

    Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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  • Mexico passes electoral overhaul that critics warn weakens democracy

    Mexico passes electoral overhaul that critics warn weakens democracy

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    MEXICO CITY, Feb 22 (Reuters) – Mexican lawmakers on Wednesday approved a controversial overhaul of the body overseeing the country’s elections, a move critics warn will weaken democracy ahead of a presidential vote next year.

    President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador argues the reorganization will save $150 million a year and reduce the influence of economic interests in politics.

    But opposition lawmakers and civil society groups have said they will challenge the changes at the Supreme Court, arguing they are unconstitutional. Protests are planned in multiple cities on Sunday.

    The Senate approved the reform, which still needs to be signed into law by Lopez Obrador, 72 to 50.

    The changes will cut the budget of the National Electoral Institute (INE), cull staff and close offices.

    The INE has played an important role in the shift to multi-party democracy since Mexico left federal one-party rule in 2000. Critics fear some of that progress is being lost, in a pattern of eroding electoral confidence also seen in the United States and Brazil.

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    Lopez Obrador has repeatedly attacked the electoral agency, saying voter fraud robbed him of victory in the 2006 presidential election.

    The head of the INE, Lorenzo Cordova, has called the changes a “democratic setback” that put at risk “certain, trustworthy and transparent” elections. Proposed “brutal cuts” in personnel would hinder the installation of polling stations and vote counting, Cordova said.

    The changes, dubbed “Plan B,” follow a more ambitious constitutional overhaul last year that fell short of the needed two-thirds majority. That bill had sought to convert the INE into a smaller body of elected officials.

    Mexico will hold two state elections in June and general elections next year, including votes for president and elected officials in 30 states.

    Reporting by Adriana Barrera and Diego Ore; Writing by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Stephen Eisenhammer, Sandra Maler and William Mallard

    Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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  • Non-Disparagement Clauses for Severance Are Not Lawful: Ruling | Entrepreneur

    Non-Disparagement Clauses for Severance Are Not Lawful: Ruling | Entrepreneur

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    You can’t agree to a rule against talking about your former company in order to get your money.

    The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) said Tuesday that employers can not ask employees to agree to non-disparagement provisions, among other things, in order to receive payments in a severance agreement.

    “It’s long been understood by the Board and the courts that employers cannot ask individual employees to choose between receiving benefits and exercising their rights under the National Labor Relations Act,” said Lauren McFerran, chairman of the NLRB, in the press release.

    The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects the rights of most privately-employed workers as far as labor organizing goes, and the right to speak about workplace conditions, which also applies to social media.

    The issue stemmed from a case between a healthcare conglomerate in Michigan, McLaren Health Care Corporation, and a union that represents nurses and radiology technicians at one of the hospitals in the area, called Local 40, and part of one of the U.S.’s largest union collectives, the AFL-CIO.

    The hospital in question, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, “permanently furloughed” 11 employees in Local 40 in June 2020 in the aftermath of the pandemic, according to the decision. The severance agreement had “provisions broadly prohibiting disparagement” of the hospital, as well as financial punishment for doing so, the decision added.

    Previously, in two decisions in 2020, in a shift, the NLRB said that it was not illegal to merely offer employees agreements that involved an employee giving up an NLRA-protected right. Tuesday’s decision reverses that again.

    This decision says that employers essentially can’t ask employees to give up rights protected by the NLRA.

    “The Board observed that the employer’s offer is itself an attempt to deter employees from exercising their statutory rights, at a time when employees may feel they must give up their rights in order to get the benefits provided in the agreement,” the release added.

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    Gabrielle Bienasz

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  • Entrepreneur | How to Set Up Google Analytics in 7 Steps

    Entrepreneur | How to Set Up Google Analytics in 7 Steps

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Google Analytics can do wonders for your business. If you have a website for your business and it’s not synced with Google Analytics, you’re missing out on a lot of data that you could use to drive more conversions, which ultimately will result in more revenue for your business.

    Google Analytics is a powerful tool that allows you to track your website’s traffic and gain insights into your audience’s behavior. Connecting Google Analytics to your website is an essential step in improving your website’s performance, but it can be daunting for beginners. This article will guide you through connecting Google Analytics to your website in easy-to-follow steps.

    Related: Using Data Analytics Will Transform Your Business. Here’s How.

    1. Create a Google Analytics account

    The first step in connecting Google Analytics to your website is to create an account. To do this, go to the Google Analytics website and sign up with your Google account. If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to create one before proceeding.

    2. Set up a new property

    Once you’ve created your account, the next step is to set up a new property. A property is a website or mobile app that you want to track. To set up a new property, click on the “Admin” button on the bottom left-hand side of the page. Then, click the “Create Property” button, and follow the prompts to enter your website’s details.

    3. Get your tracking code

    After you’ve set up your new property, you’ll need to get your tracking code. Your tracking code is a unique snippet of code that you’ll need to add to your website to start tracking your visitors. To get your tracking code, click the “Tracking Info” button on the left-hand side of the page and select “Tracking Code.”

    Related: 10 Questions to Ask When Using Google Analytics

    4. Add your tracking code to your website

    Now that you have your tracking code, it’s time to add it to your website. The method for adding your tracking code will depend on the platform you’re using to build your website. Most platforms can add code snippets to your website’s header or footer.

    For example, if you’re using WordPress, you can add your tracking code by going to Appearance > Editor and selecting your theme’s header.php file. Paste your tracking code just before the closing tag, and save your changes. Rest assured, this tracking code works for all types of websites, not just WordPress.

    If you’re uncomfortable editing your website’s code, you can use a plugin to add your tracking code. For WordPress, the Google Analytics plugin is an excellent option. This is the most popular option for business owners who don’t want to edit their website code.

    Related: How to Calculate SEO ROI Using Google Analytics

    5. Wait for data to start populating

    After you’ve added your tracking code to your website, it can take 24 hours for data to start populating in your Google Analytics account. Once data starts appearing, you’ll be able to see information about your website’s traffic, such as how many people are visiting your website, how long they’re staying on it, and which pages are most popular.

    6. Set up goals

    Setting up goals is essential in maximizing the value you get from Google Analytics. Goals are specific actions you want your visitors to take on your website. For example, a goal could be completing a purchase or filling out a contact form.

    To set up goals in Google Analytics, click on the “Admin” button and select “Goals.” From there, you can create a new goal and define the parameters of what you want to track.

    Related: A Small-Business Guide to Google Analytics (Infographic)

    7. Monitor your analytics data

    Once you’ve set up your tracking code and goals, it’s time to monitor your analytics data. Google Analytics provides a wealth of information that can help you improve your website’s performance. Some of the key metrics you should be monitoring include:

    • The number of visitors: This tells you how many people visit your website.
    • Bounce rate: This tells you the percentage of visitors who leave your website after viewing only one page.
    • Average session duration: This tells you how long visitors stay on your website.
    • Pages per session: This tells you how many pages, on average, visitors are viewing during a single session.

    Save your business time and money by setting up Google Analytics to track more data. Remember, the business owner with access to the most data will ultimately win the long game as they have more leverage. In future blogs, we’ll discuss how your business can optimize your Google Analytics account to achieve more success. Google Analytics 4 will be launching in a few months, so you need to be prepared as well to make sure you’re staying up to date on the latest tips and strategies to grow your business.

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    Sean Boyle

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  • Lil Peep’s Mother Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit With Label

    Lil Peep’s Mother Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit With Label

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    More than five years after Lil Peep’s death at age 21, the legal battle over responsibility for his fatal drug overdose has ended. According to a notice filed today in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the rapper’s mother, Liza Womack, has settled her wrongful death lawsuit against First Access Entertainment (FAE)—the management and label services company that worked with Peep, who was born Gustav Elijah Åhr.

    Terms of the settlement were confidential, according to Womack’s lawyer, Paul Matiasic. “Liza has been indefatigable in her pursuit of justice for her son,” Matiasic told Pitchfork. “With the conclusion of the litigation, her focus will shift to shepherding his legacy and continuing to release his music for the enjoyment of his fans.”

    The date of the settlement was February 14, according to the court filing. A trial had been scheduled to start on March 8.

    A post on Lil Peep’s social media pages from earlier today reads: 

    Today, Gus’s music came home.

    From this day forward, his music will be in the care of his mother and brother, and no one else.

    It is a solemn moment for us as we reflect on the struggles of the past five plus years.  We are grateful to all of the fans, friends, professionals, and family who stood by us.  We were all permanently changed by Gus’s death.  We know he should be here in the world with all of us, creating–making whatever he was inspired to make.  But he is not.  So, we will protect his music with all of our strength.

    We look forward to continuing to release Gus’s music.

    This is a very important day for us.

    Womack filed the lawsuit in October 2019, almost two years after Peep’s death. The complaint alleged wrongful death, negligence, and breach of contract against First Access Entertainment, manager Bryant Ortega, and tour manager Belinda Mercer. Legal experts said at the time that the case had the potential to change the way the music industry views drugs. In January 2022, texts unsealed in court showed what Womack’s lawyers asserted was the “dysfunctional, ultimately lethal state” of the tour that Peep died in during 2017. A month later, Judge Teresa Beaudet ruled that the case against FAE and Mercer could go ahead, but dismissed most of the claims against Ortega.

    Pitchfork has reached out to lawyers for FAE, Ortega, and Mercer for comment about the settlement notice. In court documents in 2021, Mercer denied causing Peep’s death “in any way.” Previously, FAE has called Womack’s lawsuit “groundless and offensive”; FAE CEO Sarah Stennett, through her attorney, has denied giving Peep any drugs; and Ortega has called the allegations against him “entirely baseless, misguided, and without merit.”

    Lil Peep released just one proper studio album, Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 1, during his lifetime. The record’s sequel, Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2, was shared posthumously, as was the compilation Everybody’s Everything.

    In recent years, Liza Womack has been re-releasing her son’s self-released material, including Live Forever, Crybaby, and Hellboy. An archival song, “Runaway (OG Version),” was uploaded to streaming services today. (In 2018, a year before filing the wrongful death lawsuit, Womack directed the posthumous music video for Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2’s “Runaway.”)

    Why Lil Peep’s Mother’s Wrongful Death Lawsuit Could Change the Way the Music Industry Views Drugs

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    Marc Hogan

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  • Sex, lies and video cams: Andrew Tate turned women into slaves, prosecutors say

    Sex, lies and video cams: Andrew Tate turned women into slaves, prosecutors say

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    BUCHAREST, Feb 2 (Reuters) – The woman from Moldova thought it was love. Internet celebrity Andrew Tate had offered her a new life. They’d even discussed marriage. He asked for only one thing: absolute loyalty.

    “You must understand that once you are mine, you will be mine forever,” Tate told her on Feb. 4 last year in one of dozens of WhatsApp messages cited by Romanian prosecutors who allege he trafficked and sexually exploited several women.

    Tate, an influencer with millions of online followers, urged the Moldovan woman to join him in Romania. “Nothing bad will happen,” he reassured her on Feb. 9. “But you have to be on my side.”

    The following month, Romanian prosecutors say, Tate raped the woman twice in the country while seeking to enlist her in a human-trafficking operation focused on making pornography for the online platform OnlyFans, a site that allows people to sell explicit videos of themselves.

    Latest Updates

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    The allegations and messages are included in a previously unpublished court document, dated Dec. 30 and reviewed by Reuters, which paints the most detailed picture yet of the illicit business allegedly run by Tate, a former kickboxing world champion, and his brother Tristan.

    They came to light following the arrest of the brothers on Dec. 29 on charges of forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.

    British-American Andrew Tate, 36, who’s been based mainly in Romania since 2017, and his 34-year-old brother have denied all the allegations against them. Reuters was unable to reach them in police detention for comment.

    In response to questions, their attorney Eugen Vidineac said he couldn’t publicly confirm or deny information about the case while the investigation was ongoing. Romania’s anti-organized crime unit also said its prosecutors couldn’t comment on the probe.

    Reuters translated the WhatsApp exchanges with the Moldovan women – which appear in Romanian in the court document – back into English, their original language. While accurate, the translation of the Romanian version provided by prosecutors may not be identical to the initial wording.

    The brothers used deception and intimidation to bring six women under their control and “transform them into slaves”, prosecutors said in the document. The 61-page file, produced by Bucharest court officials, comprises minutes of a hearing when a judge extended the Tates’ detention plus evidence submitted by the prosecution.

    Attorney Vidineac said the brothers’ alleged victims weren’t mistreated, but “lived off the backs of the famous Tates”, according to the court document. “They were joyful and nobody was forcing them to do these things,” he added.

    Vidineac acknowledged in the document that Andrew Tate and the Moldovan woman had sex but he said it was consensual and accused her of fabricating the rape claims.

    Reuters couldn’t independently corroborate the version of events provided by prosecutors or the defence lawyer, and was unable to reach the six women named in the document for comment. The news organization does not typically identify alleged victims of sexual crimes unless they have chosen to release their names.

    Two of the women told Romanian TV station Antena3 on Jan. 11 that they’re not victims and the Tates are innocent. The station identified them only by first names, Beatrice and Iasmina.

    “You cannot list me as a victim if I say I am not one,” Beatrice told the station. The four other women, including the Moldovan woman, haven’t publicly commented.

    ONLYFANS: WE’VE MONITORED TATE

    The allegations facing Tate have put intense focus on a self-described misogynist who has built an online fanbase, particularly among young men, by promoting a lavish, hyper-macho image of driving fast cars and dating beautiful women.

    In 2022, he was the world’s eighth-most Googled person, outranked only by figures such as Johnny Depp, Will Smith and Vladimir Putin, according to Google’s analysis.

    Prosecutors say the Tates controlled the victims’ OnlyFans’ accounts and earnings amounting to tens of thousands of euros, underlining concerns among some human rights groups about the potential for the exploitation of women on such platforms.

    Reuters couldn’t verify the existence of the alleged victims’ OnlyFans accounts.

    UK-based OnlyFans has 150 million users who pay “creators” monthly fees of varying amounts for their content, much of it erotic or pornographic, but also in areas such as fitness training and music.

    The company, whose 1.5 million creators can earn anything from hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands a month, says on its website it’s “the safest digital media platform”. It was founded in 2016 and grew rapidly during COVID-19 lockdowns.

    An OnlyFans spokesperson told Reuters that Andrew Tate “has never had” a creator account or received payments. They said OnlyFans had been monitoring him since early 2022 and taken “proactive measures” to stop him posting or monetizing content, without elaborating on the reasons for the scrutiny or the steps taken.

    The spokesperson added that creators as a whole underwent extensive identification checks and that all content was reviewed by the platform, which worked closely with law enforcement. Vidineac declined to comment about the measures taken by OnlyFans against Tate.

    HOW I GET WOMEN TO LOVE ME

    Andrew Tate’s image has been stoked by a series of contentious comments. He’s compared women to dogs and said they bear some responsibility for being raped. His remarks got him banned from Facebook, Instagram and other leading social media platforms last year.

    A spokesperson for Meta said Tate was banned in August 2022 from its Facebook and Instagram platforms for violating its policies, which forbid “gender-based hate, any threats of sexual violence, or threats to share non-consensual intimate imagery”.

    Tate said on a podcast in 2021 that he had started a webcam business in Britain that had peaked with 75 women working for him earning $600,000 a month – a sum Reuters was unable to independently verify. He didn’t elaborate in the podcast on what the women did.

    Up until last month, his website offered a course costing more than $400 that promised to teach “every step to building a girl who is submissive, loyal and in love with you”.

    “THAT IS MY SKILL. To extremely efficiently get women in love with me,” he said on the website. The pages about the course, reviewed by Reuters, were removed in January.

    In a separate YouTube video aimed at men who want to make money by putting women on OnlyFans, Tate called the platform “the greatest hustle in the world”. The original date of the video, which was uploaded multiple times, is unclear.

    In the court document, lawyer Vidineac said Tate’s online persona was a “virtual character” constructed to gain followers and make money, and had “nothing to do with the real man”.

    Tate’s Twitter account, reinstated in November, one month after billionaire Elon Musk bought the platform, protests his innocence to his 4.8 million followers. “They have arrested me to ‘look’ for evidence … which they will not find because it doesn’t exist,” said a Jan. 15 post.

    AMERICAN WOMAN ‘VERY AFRAID’

    Tate first met the Moldovan woman virtually on Instagram in January 2022 before they met in person in London the following month, and by March she was in Romania, prosecutors said in the court document, which includes WhatsApp exchanges between Feb. 4 and Apr. 8.

    Authorities moved on the brothers on Apr. 11, when police raided one of their properties in Bucharest on suspicion that an American woman was being held there against her will.

    According to prosecutors, the American woman – another of the alleged six victims – met Tristan Tate online in November 2021, then in person in Miami the following month. They said he lured her to Romania by expressing “false feelings” for her and promising a serious relationship, paid for her plane ticket and said he could help her earn “100K a month” on OnlyFans.

    Tristan Tate picked her up at Bucharest airport in a Rolls-Royce on April 5 2022, and took her back to his house, which had two armed guards, the court document said.

    He told her she wasn’t a prisoner but said the guards wouldn’t let her outside without his permission, it added. He said it was dangerous for her to leave “because he had enemies”.

    There were cameras all over the house, which Tristan Tate monitored remotely, prosecutors said in the document. He once messaged the American to say he could see where she was and what she was doing, they said.

    When she moved to another house with four of Andrew Tate’s “girlfriends” she was allowed outside but only if accompanied by other women, said the prosecutors, adding that she was “very afraid” of the brothers.

    In the document, Tate’s lawyer said the American woman had a mobile phone, internet access and the freedom to leave the house as she pleased.

    The woman has not spoken publicly about the Tates or the prosecutors’ allegations.

    Romanian prosecutors said on Jan. 15 that as part of their probe into the suspects they had seized assets worth almost $4 million, including a fleet of luxury cars from Andrew Tate’s compound on the outskirts of Bucharest.

    ‘SEXUALLY EXPLOITATIVE CONTENT’

    The detention of the Tates, along with two Romanian women accused of working for them, has been extended to Feb. 27. Their appeal against that detention was rejected by a court on Wednesday. A judge can order their detention for up to 180 days while the investigation is ongoing, which means it could stretch into late June.

    The suspected accomplices, Georgiana Naghel and Luana Radu, controlled the six victims’ OnlyFans and TikTok accounts on behalf of the Tates, skimming off half the revenue and fining women for being late or sniffling on camera, said prosecutors.

    The pair threatened to beat the women up if they did not do their job, according to the court document.

    Naghel and Radu have denied all the allegations against them. Vidineac, who also represents Naghel, and Radu’s lawyer said they couldn’t comment on the case.

    The Tates’ operation put women on TikTok to drive traffic to OnlyFans because of its lucrative subscriptions, prosecutors said. Reuters couldn’t independently verify the existence of the TikTok accounts in question.

    TikTok said in a statement that Andrew Tate was banned from its platform, and that it had been taking action against videos and accounts related to him that violated its prohibition against “sexually exploitative content”.

    The company declined to comment further, citing Romania’s ongoing investigation.

    Reporting by Luiza Ilie, Octav Ganea and Andrew R.C. Marshall. Editing by Jason Szep and Pravin Char

    Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

    Luiza Ilie

    Thomson Reuters

    Bucharest-based general news reporter covering a wide range of Romanian topics from elections and economics to climate change and festivals.

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  • Money-Saving Tips Entrepreneurs Often Miss in Tax Filing Season

    Money-Saving Tips Entrepreneurs Often Miss in Tax Filing Season

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    There is one time a year that requires a detailed level of attention for a business owner, no matter the size of your business.

    When tax season comes around, entrepreneurs initiate survival mode sometime between January and April 15 and look for every way to get a few more deductions.

    Bookkeeping, tax filing, audits and deductions will assist in keeping a good relationship with the IRS, as well as supporting good habits for your business; however, because getting everything just right can be overwhelming, it is easy to miss important things and leave money on the table that would be better suited in your pocket.

    Tax season reaches beyond the immediate tax return and can have a lasting impact five or even 10 years down the road. While you can make certain deductions one year that will benefit you, as your business grows, having a different strategy is in your best interest.

    This requires experience, a little patience and a willingness to learn from the mistakes you made.

    There are three very important things every business owner should be paying attention to when you file your yearly taxes to ensure you are getting the most out of your return. These examples can also create strong business habits that will help you create a long-term operation.

    Related: 75 Items You May Be Able to Deduct from Your Taxes

    The home office deduction

    While it may be more convenient to work from home, as well as being fiscally cheaper, it may make you a target for audits.

    Since you can deduct items like the square footage of your home office or short trips to the office supply store, it is crucial that you have the documentation to verify everything you list as a deduction.

    With less obvious options like the Augusta Rule — in which you can rent your home out to business events and summit meetings — you have more options for write-offs and every purchase adds up. Nearly every purchase that you make for your business is considered tax-deductible as it relates to your business.

    Although not every person who works from home will be audited, if you were to go through a formal audit and you do not have proper documentation for your deduction claims, you can have those deductions revoked.

    If your business is growing quickly and producing high capital, you may want to consider moving your business into an office lease to keep your home and business separate.

    This will be to your advantage when you are looking for clear defining factors in listing deductions, but if that’s not your cup of tea as an entrepreneur and you like the home office as a center for operations, make sure you keep proper documentation of your home office to ensure your write-off isn’t arguable in the case of an audit.

    Related: These 6 Tax Tips Will Help Make Tax Season Easy for Your Business

    Utilize deductions in the ways that benefit you the most

    Being honest with your deductions is a good practice to have, making sure that you are not putting forth false information to save a few bucks.

    One thing that many people do not consider is overusing deductions that are available. It can be quite easy to get into a rhythm of using the same tactics every year, but this can cost you in the long run.

    Let’s say you were to buy a new vehicle every year or two for your business. It could be a worthwhile plan for the first couple of filings that will help ease some of the financial pressure on a young business.

    However, this can turn into abuse — not from a legal standpoint, but in the metric that vehicles depreciating over time will cost you more than the deduction would save.

    Working with a professional accountant to have a good roadmap to how your deductions will affect you not only this year, but in future filings, is a good thing to consider. This will help with the guidance of what you should be used as a deduction and what would be better to leave behind.

    Map your deductions out accordingly because they can save you a lot of headaches and money 10 years from now.

    Related: The IRS Hates Telling Entrepreneurs Anything About Taxes. Here’s How You Can Find Out What They’re Thinking.

    Categorize your business properly

    It is a necessary task to “list” your business regardless of where you operate. That being said, there are four options upfront as to how you list your business by definition and how your business is classified can save you or cost you money.

    The four business classifications are:

    • LLC: A limited liability company.

    • S corp: S corporations are corporations that elect to pass corporate income, losses, deductions, and credits through to their shareholders for federal tax purposes.

    • C corp: A C corporation is a legal structure for a corporation in which the owners, or shareholders, are taxed separately from the entity.

    • Sole proprietor: A person who is the exclusive owner of a business, entitled to keep all profits after tax has been paid but liable for all losses.

    With all of these options, it is imperative to either know what you are doing or work with someone who does to register your business accordingly in the state you own a business.

    Related: 14 Tax Deductions Your Small Business Might Be Overlooking

    It can be misleading as to which definition will be the best to suit your needs; however, if you do it correctly, it can create a good foundation that will benefit you.

    There can be many options to choose from when you are looking for deductions within your business, whether you are working from home or in an office space, under an LLC, sole proprietor or S corp. If you are unfamiliar with how to navigate this information, it is best to hire an accountant/bookkeeper to help guide you through.

    While there are many “deductions” you can apply to your business, being aware of the things that will benefit you now and in the long run can relieve stress when you need it most.

    Utilize every deduction you can to bring the cost of running your business down like materials, office supplies, office space, vehicles, advertising, etc., then consider what you will still be able to use in the big picture by measuring your growth against what you are saving this year.

    Documentation is one of the most important things you can do, so if you don’t have the time to be on top of it, hire a competent bookkeeper.

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    Kale Goodman

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  • Marilyn Manson Sued for 1990s Sexual Battery of a Minor

    Marilyn Manson Sued for 1990s Sexual Battery of a Minor

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    Note: This article includes details of alleged assault that readers may find disturbing.

    Marilyn Manson has been sued by a woman who claims that the musician sexually abused her in the 1990s when he was an adult and she was a minor, Rolling Stone reports and Pitchfork can confirm.

    The lawsuit was filed in a New York court today (January 30) and also names Interscope Records and Nothing Records (John Malm Jr. and Trent Reznor’s former Interscope subsidiary) as defendants. The woman is identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe. Formally, the lawsuit accuses Manson of sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and accuses Interscope and Nothing of negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Doe is seeking unspecified damages.

    According to the complaint, Jane Doe first met Marilyn Manson (whose real name is Brian Warner) at age 16 after attending his September 15, 1995, concert in Dallas, Texas. She, along with “three other underage female fans,” were apparently waiting outside the venue to meet Manson. The musician allegedly asked the girls “what each of their ages were, what grades in school they were in, and where their parents were at the time,” before inviting Jane Doe “and one of the other younger girls onto the tour bus.”

    On the tour bus, according to the lawsuit, “Warner performed various acts of criminal sexual conduct upon Plaintiff [Jane Doe], who was a virgin at the time, including but not limited to forced copulation and vaginal penetration.” The lawsuit continues, “One of the band members watched Defendant Warner sexually assault Plaintiff. Plaintiff was in pain, scared, upset, humiliated and confused. After he was done, Defendant Warner laughed at her. Plaintiff is informed and thereon alleges that all of the sexually abusive and harassing conduct alleged herein was done to satisfy Defendant Warner’s own prurient sexual desires. Then Defendant Warner demanded Plaintiff to ‘get the fuck off of my bus’ and threatened Plaintiff that, if she told anyone, he would kill her and her family.”

    Following the alleged assault, Manson’s manager apparently gave Doe a phone number and password to “‘stay in touch’” with Manson and the band. Manson, in turn, allegedly began to call Doe at her home, “soliciting Plaintiff to send explicit sexual photos of her and her friends to his fan club, Satan’s Bakesale.”

    On December 9, 1995, after more communication with Manson, Doe allegedly attended his concert in New Orleans and was again brought to the musician’s tour bus after the show. On the bus, the lawsuit states, Manson “groomed Plaintiff by complimenting her, playing with her hair and looking at the photos and drawings she brought with her.” In addition, Manson allegedly sexually assaulted Doe, as did “[a]nother man involved with the tour.”

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    Matthew Strauss

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  • What Small Businesses Can Do If the IRS Comes Knocking

    What Small Businesses Can Do If the IRS Comes Knocking

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered legal or financial advice. You should consult with an attorney or other financial professional to determine what may be best for your individual needs.

    Although most small business returns filed every year don’t get audited, the IRS is certainly becoming more active. For instance, in November 2020, the IRS announced it would ramp up audits of small businesses by 50% in 2021. Then, in August 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, including $80 billion in IRS funding, with approximately $45 billion going toward enforcement — conducted by at least some of those 87,000 new agents the IRS is reportedly hiring.

    So how can you stay out of the IRS’s crosshairs? To an extent, there’s nothing you can do, as some audits are totally random. However, in most cases, audits result from actions or omissions by the taxpayer — certain of which are more likely to trigger some unwelcome mail from the IRS announcing an audit.

    Here are five of the most common small business tax audit triggers.

    Related: These Are the Top Tax Filing Mistakes Made by Small Business Owners (and How to Avoid Them)

    1. Failing to report income

    Whether it’s intentional or simply due to an oversight, failing to report income is a common trigger for an IRS audit.

    The IRS receives copies of 1099 forms sent to your business, so in many cases, it’s easy to spot a discrepancy between reported income on a tax return and the information included in tax reporting forms. If there is a discrepancy, the IRS will flag it on your return and, most likely, initiate an audit.

    In addition, as more individuals turn to side hustles and gig work to make money, the IRS is taking steps to ensure that it’s keeping tabs on what people are earning. While it has delayed implementation for tax year 2022, the IRS will soon be requiring third-party settlement organizations such as PayPal and Venmo to issue 1099-K forms to individuals being paid $600 or more via these platforms.

    Fail to report income? There’s a good chance the IRS will notice.

    2. Large deductions and excessive expenses

    Small businesses should claim all justifiable business deductions. That’s their right under our tax laws.

    However, there are no bright-line rules that define what’s “justifiable” — only a somewhat fuzzy standard that a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary.

    Because there’s ambiguity in these terms, some taxpayers take it too far and claim unreasonably large deductions and excessive expenses, leading to audits. The odds that a deduction will trigger an audit increase if such deductions or expenses are either out of line with IRS standards for similarly situated businesses and/or significantly larger than the prior year.

    It’s also important to note that certain deductions tend to draw more scrutiny than others, including the home office deduction, travel costs and vehicle use, to name a few.

    Related: Top Tax Write-Offs That Could Get You in Trouble With the IRS

    3. Large amounts of cash transactions

    If you run a “cash business,” such as a restaurant or barber shop, that fact alone makes it more likely that you’ll be audited. When a business relies mostly on cash transactions, they face an increased audit risk because the IRS may be concerned that the business is underreporting income.

    If your small business has a large number of cash transactions, there may not be much you can do to prevent an audit — but if you keep good records and disclose your income, the risks stemming from an audit will be greatly reduced.

    4. Claiming business losses year after year

    Are you running a business or trying to write off expenses for a hobby? IRS guidelines say that if you have earned a profit in at least three of five consecutive years, the presumption is that the business is being run to generate a profit. If not, it could trigger an audit, because having multiple years of losses can lead to the IRS questioning if you have a legitimate business.

    If your business is not, in fact, a hobby but continues to generate losses, make sure to keep accurate and extensive records to help prevent the reclassification of your business as a hobby.

    5. S Corp shareholder-employees earning low or no salaries

    It’s common for small business owners to establish an S Corp instead of an LLC to avoid paying self-employment tax on distributions. However, to take advantage of these tax benefits, the S Corp shareholder-employee must be paid what the IRS deems a “reasonable salary” — a paycheck comparable to what other employers would pay for similar services.

    If there’s additional profit in the business beyond the salary, those can be paid as distributions.

    The IRS is on the lookout for S Corps paying shareholder-employees unreasonably low salaries — or in some cases, no salaries at all. When compensation is misaligned relative to a similar position in a similar industry, it may trigger an audit.

    Related: What I Learned From a Two-Year IRS Audit

    What to do if you get audited by the IRS

    The idea of an audit strikes fear in most people because they immediately conjure up a vision of IRS agents forcefully knocking on the front door of their home or business, ready to rifle through their records.

    That’s not how things work, at least for most people who are subject to audits. Remember, audits are rare. And when they do happen, most are done by mail. While it’s not common, some audits take place at an IRS office (a “desk audit”) or at a home or business (a “field audit”). Regardless, if you find out you’re getting audited, don’t panic and contact an experienced tax audit lawyer, especially if there’s significant money at stake. Do this right away, because the IRS requires a timely response.

    In many instances, resolving an audit will involve providing documentation to the IRS to substantiate the figures on your return. That may end the matter, or there may be some adjustment to the amount you owe, as well as penalties and interest, that you may agree to pay.

    However, you may disagree with the conclusion reached by the IRS, in which case you’ll have 30 days to appeal the IRS’ findings. Disputes proceed with an appeal with the IRS Office of Appeals, followed by a petition to the U.S. Tax Court in the event your appeal is unsuccessful.

    While it’s important to know what to do in the event of an audit, the best way to avoid negative repercussions from an audit is to avoid one in the first place. Be aware of the most common audit triggers. Avoid them if possible. Keep good records. And if the IRS comes calling anyway, contact an experienced audit defense attorney to help you through the process.

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    Jason Carr

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  • Who Is Ruja Ignatova? The FBI’s Most Wanted ‘Crypto Queen’

    Who Is Ruja Ignatova? The FBI’s Most Wanted ‘Crypto Queen’

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    Disgraced “Crypto Queen” Ruja Ignatova’s time on the run may be coming to an end.


    Cryptoqueen via Facebook

    Ignatova, 42, a German citizen born in Bulgaria, is a former crypto pioneer who vanished in October 2017 after over-promising high returns on her OneCoin crypto token in a $4 billion Ponzi Scheme. She’s now facing several charges of fraud and has been on the run from the FBI for five years.

    Although she hasn’t been seen since her disappearance, a new London apartment listing suggests she’s alive and evading arrest.

    Ignatova, the only woman on the FBI’s most wanted list, was recently found to be connected to an £11 million [$13.6 million] penthouse apartment for sale in Kensington, England, thanks to a new rule change by the UK’s Companies House, which acts similarly to the U.S’s Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

    The rule now requires properties purchased by companies to also list a beneficiary, and while it is believed Ignatova originally purchased the home under a shell company, a new court filing to the UK’s financial regulators lists Ignatova as the “beneficial owner” of the property – inadvertently exposing her whereabouts.

    Ignatova’s connection to the home was first spotted by the host of “The Missing Cryptoqueen” podcast, Jamie Bartlett.

    “[The document] suggests she is still alive, and there are documents out there somewhere which contain vital clues as to her recent whereabouts,” Bartlett told iNews.

    Since Ignatova’s link to the home, which was listed on Knight Frank real estate website, was confirmed, the listing has been removed.

    Here’s what to know about the disgraced “Crypto Queen.”

    RELATED: Who Is FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried and What Did He Do? Everything You Need to Know About the Disgraced Crypto King

    Who is Ruja Ignatova?

    Before Ruja Ignatova become one of 11 women to be on the FBI’s most wanted list in its 72-year history, she was regarded as a rising star in the crypto industry.

    Ignatova was known for liking glitz and glamour, per CNN, and was revered for growing from her humble beginnings in Germany to success as a consultant and then a crypto entrepreneur.

    Together with her business partner Sebastian Greenwood, the pair convinced investors to back their OneCoin crypto token which they said would be more valuable than Bitcoin. However, authorities found that OneCoin defrauded investors out of $4 billion in one of the largest international fraud schemes of all time.

    “OneCoins were entirely worthless … (Their) lies were designed with one goal, to get everyday people all over the world to part with their hard-earned money,” U.S. prosecutors said, according to court documents.

    Furthermore, the court documents reveal that Ignatova and Greenwood intended to deceive their clients from the get-go, calling their own token a “trashy coin” and discussing an exit strategy in private emails.

    Their scheme imploded in 2016 when investors struggled to sell their OneCoins to recoup their investments, alerting the media and investigators to look into the business.

    Then in October 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Ignatova with one count of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, with a federal judge issuing a warrant for her arrest, court documents state.

    But Ignatova fled on a flight from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Athens, Greece, just two weeks after the warrant was issued and she hasn’t been seen since.

    The FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to her arrest. Additionally, they said: “Ignatova is believed to travel with armed guards and/or associates. Ignatova may have had plastic surgery or otherwise altered her appearance.”

    What Happened to OneCoin?

    Ruja Ignatova and her cofounder lured people to their OneCoin scheme beginning in 2014 by promising investors around the world a fivefold or tenfold return on their investments.

    Taking advantage of the crypto frenzy at the time, investors gave them $4 billion between 2014 and 2016. However, OneCoin’s value was manipulated by the company and it was never mined like other cryptocurrencies, despite telling investors otherwise, according to CNN.

    Once regulators uncovered the scheme and Ignatova vanished, she left her partners to deal with the fallout.

    Cofounder Sebastian Greenwood was arrested in July 2018. He’s currently in jail after pleading guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder money. He is set to be sentenced in April.

    Ignatova’s brother, Konstantin Ignatov, who was also a part of the business scheme, was arrested in March 2019 and is set to be sentenced in February after pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud charges.

    Since the scandal unraveled, OneCoin has been shut down and its website is no longer active.

    RELATED: What Did Bernie Madoff Do? Everything to Know About the Disgraced Financier Ahead of Netflix’s ‘Madoff: The Monster of Wall’

    What Is Ruja Ignatova’s Net Worth?

    A lawsuit filed by the victims against OneCoin revealed that Ignatova had $500 million in Dubai bank accounts as of 2021, per a report by Financial Finds. It’s unknown how much crypto she holds, but the outlet found that she was paid 230,000 Bitcoins by a member of the Emirati royal family in 2015.

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    Sam Silverman

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  • Rick Astley Enlists “Blurred Lines” Lawyer to Sue Yung Gravy Over Vocal Impersonation

    Rick Astley Enlists “Blurred Lines” Lawyer to Sue Yung Gravy Over Vocal Impersonation

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    Rick Astley has filed a lawsuit against Yung Gravy over the rapper’s 2022 single “Betty (Get Money).” The song interpolates Astley’s 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up,” and, in the lawsuit, Astley claims that Gravy impersonated his voice without the correct legal authorization. Astley is suing the 26-year-old musician and his collaborators for violating his right of publicity, false endorsement, unfair competition, and more.

    “In an effort to capitalize off the immense popularity and goodwill of Mr. Astley, Defendants conspired to include a deliberate and nearly indistinguishable imitation of Mr. Astley’s voice throughout the song,” the lawsuit reads. “The imitation of Mr. Astley’s voice was so successful the public believed it was actually Mr. Astley singing and/or a direct sample.”

    The lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday (January 26) in a Los Angeles court, suggests that Yung Gravy and his collaborators had the right to use the underlying musical composition, but not Astley’s voice, meaning they could interpolate the ’80s hit but not sample it. Gravy worked with the producer Popnick to recreate Astley’s voice as closely as possible, which Astley’s team claims constitutes “unauthorized, intentional, theft of his voice for commercial purposes.”

    In the complaint, Astley’s lawyers cite the famous 1988 legal battle between the actress Bette Midler and Ford Motor Co., which notably hired a voice actor to impersonate Midler after the company was unable to hire her for a series of commercials. The attorneys argue:

    To be clear, again, as the “Bette Midler” court found, more than 30 years ago, in one of the most famous cases in the music business, a license to use the original underlying musical composition does not authorize the stealing of the artist’s voice in the original recording. To use the artist’s voice, the creators of a new recording need a license to copy the actual sounds of the voice from the sound recording, a so-called “sample” license of the actual sounds of the voice from the sound recording. As stated, Defendants absolutely knew that to be the case, as Gravy said he tried but failed for years to obtain a sound recording sample license. So, instead, they resorted to theft of Mr. Astley’s voice without a license and without agreement.

    Astley is represented by Richard S. Busch, the lawyer who helped the family of Marvin Gaye win a landmark copyright infringement case against Robin Thicke, Pharrell, and T.I. over the song “Blurred Lines.” In a statement shared with Pitchfork, Busch said:

    Mr. Astley owns his voice. California law is clear since the Bette Midler case more than 30 years ago that nobody has the right to imitate or use it in a new sound recording without his permission, or pass it off as if he did approve the use. We set out the facts here in great detail in the Complaint, and also set out what the Defendants admitted to themselves. We look forward to now litigating the case on behalf of Mr. Astley.

    Pitchfork has also reached out to representatives for Yung Gravy for comment.

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    Rob Arcand

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  • MSG CEO James Dolan Defends Facial Recognition Software at Venues

    MSG CEO James Dolan Defends Facial Recognition Software at Venues

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    James Dolan, the CEO of Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSG) took his growing chorus of critics to task in an interview with FOX 5’s Good Day New York on Thursday.


    Paul Bereswill / Contributor

    James Dolan of Madison Square Garden Entertainment.

    The company has a policy that doesn’t allow lawyers who work for firms involved with legal battles with MSG to attend events at MSG venues such as Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Beacon Theatre. The policy recently came under fire after using facial recognition to identify (and then remove) such a lawyer in December. It’s possible the policy has affected lawyers at more than 90 firms, New York’s attorney general Letitia James’ office has said.

    Related: A Girl Scout Mom and Lawyer Was Denied Entry to Rockettes Show After Being Recognized By Facial Recognition Tech

    “If somebody sues you, that’s confrontational… And it’s fine. People are allowed to sue, right? But at the same time, if you’re being sued, you don’t have to welcome the person into your home,” Dolan told Fox anchor Rosanna Scotto.

    MSG is a private venue but receives an estimated $43 million a year through a tax break.

    Dolan went on the show in the wake of a bill introduced in the state legislature related to this policy and an inquiry from James’ office. The New York’s State Liquor Authority, which regulates the sale of alcohol is also investigating the company for a potential violation of a law that requires people who have liquor licenses to be open to the general public, per Gothamist.

    In September 2022, brokers who hold season tickets to the Knicks and New York Rangers sports teams sued MSG for not renewing their season tickets, per the New York Post. The group claimed MSG used to solicit their business to boost profits, but stopped after the Knicks became more popular.

    In a filing in October, it was noted that MSG had barred the attorneys from the firm representing the resellers, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, from entering any of its venues, per the Post.

    Later in December, the policy received more public attention after Kelly Conlon, an attorney at a law firm in New Jersey, Davis, Saperstein, and Salomon, went to a show with her daughter at Radio City Music Hall — and was not allowed in.

    Facial recognition technology had identified her as a lawyer with the New Jersey firm, which is involved in a personal injury case with MSG. She didn’t work on the case or even in New York, she previously told NBC, calling the experience “mortifying.”

    On Fox 4, Dolan said “there’s no way to tell which attorneys are working on the case and which aren’t,” and that it’s not bothering fans.

    He also said in the interview that the company would answer questions from James’ office, which has raised the question of the policy running afoul of anti-discrimination laws and he dismissed the State Liquor Authority’s (SLA) concerns.

    The SLA “is way over their skis,” he said, using an expression that often means someone is acting too quickly.

    Dolan further threatened to pick a day to not sell alcohol and encourage fans instead to contact the head of the SLA. He also the bill that would, in effect, prevent the company from blocking its list of lawyers.

    “Why don’t we do something about quality of life in New York and stop worrying about the attorneys who are defending ticket scalpers?” Dolan said.

    Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a New York state senator who has been involved with the MSG-aimed bill, told Gothamist the interview was the “petty and vindictive behavior that we’ve all come to expect from Dolan.”

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    Gabrielle Bienasz

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  • Biden Administration Releases Roadmap To Mitigate Cryptocurrency Risks

    Biden Administration Releases Roadmap To Mitigate Cryptocurrency Risks

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    The Biden Administration has posted an official blog detailing its roadmap to mitigate the risks of cryptocurrencies.

    The roadmap starts by citing the 2022 implosion of LUNA/Terra and the subsequent catastrophic contagion within the industry that led to various bankruptcies. Included in this reference is the bankruptcy of FTX, saying that, “Many everyday investors who trusted cryptocurrency companies—including young people and people of color—suffered serious losses, but, thankfully, turmoil in the cryptocurrency markets has had little negative impact on the broader financial system to date.”

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    BtcCasey

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  • Senator Ted Cruz Is Bringing Bitcoin To The Capitol With Vending Machines

    Senator Ted Cruz Is Bringing Bitcoin To The Capitol With Vending Machines

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    Sen. Ted Cruz (TX-R) has proposed a resolution that would request vendors within the Capitol area to work with payments providers that accept bitcoin.

    The proposal specifically mentions that restaurants, gift shops and vending machines within Capitol Buildings should work with persons accepting cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, which would allow the lawmakers of the United States to purchase their on-the-go snacks with sound money as they please.

    Sen. Ted Cruz has been an outspoken advocate for bitcoin before, saying that, “One of the reasons I’m bullish on Bitcoin is because it’s decentralized. The Left hates Bitcoin because they can’t control it.”

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    BtcCasey

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