Most #MeToo Verdict: Weinstein Guilty on Two Counts, Rape and Sexual Assault
Movie producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of two sex crimes in a trial largely considered the impetus for the #MeToo movement, according to an article from LoHud. The trial, which featured “graphic testimony” from six accusers yielded a guilty verdict for rape in the third degree of Jessica Mann and a guilty verdict for a criminal sexual act in the first degree related to an encounter with Miriam "Mimi" Haleyi. An appeal is planned. Weinstein is set to be sentenced on Wednesday, March 11.
Most Communicative Verdict: T-Mobile, Sprint Merger Heads to Next Phase of Approval As State’s Lawsuit Shot Down
T-Mobile US Inc. defeated a lawsuit aimed at blocking its takeover of Sprint Corp. and is one step closer to being able to complete its $26.5 billion deal, according to an article from the Time. The combined entity will have a base of close to 80 million customers and will be in the same class as competitors AT&T and Verizon. “After the merger, T-Mobile will have more spectrum—the frequencies through which wireless signals are transmitted—than any other carrier,” the article reads. The deal still needs sign off from a federal judge in Washington and California’s utility board.
Most Corrupt: Veteran Republican Strategist Roger Stone Sentenced to 3 Years, 4 Months in Prison
Roger Stone, a longtime Republican strategist and associate of President Donald Trump’s, was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for “for obstructing a congressional investigation of Russia's 2016 presidential election meddling,” according to an article from NBC News. He was also hit with a $20,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and two years’ probation. Stone will not have to report to prison until a ruling is made on a motion for a new trial as his defense team has claimed juror bias.
Most Delayed Verdict: Flynn Sentencing Cancelled As He Tries to Withdraw Guilty Plea
Ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn’s sentencing has been cancelled indefinitely by U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan, according to an article from Politico. Flynn is hoping to withdraw the guilty plea he entered after being charged with lying to the FBI. That case, now two years old, was prosecuted by special counsel Robert Mueller's office. “A new set of defense attorneys retained by Flynn last year has been aggressively challenging the case against him—an uphill task given that Flynn publicly admitted his guilt under oath at a court hearing in December 2017 and reconfirmed those statements a year later at another court session,” according to the article.
Most Musical Verdict: National Music Publishers' Association, Peloton Agree to Chuck Copyright Suit
The National Music Publishers' Association and Peloton came to a settlement agreement over litigation related to allegations the exercise bike maker used more than “1,000 copyright musical compositions without obtaining needed licenses,” according to an article from Billboard. The lawsuit was originally for $370 million and will now require the two groups to come together to “optimize” Peloton’s licensing processes. The suit originated when 14 members of the music group made the claims last March. An April countersuit for anti-competitive behavior was dismissed last month.