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USA Today
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Fat Joe faces explosive sex trafficking lawsuit from former hype man
Another famous rapper has been his with a RICO charge, this time in civil court. Fat Joe is being sued by his former hype man, Terrance "T.A." Dixon, for over a decade of alleged abuse and demanding up to $20 million in damages. In a lengthy complaint filed in federal court Thursday, June 19, lawyers for Dixon accused the Bronx-based rapper, whose legal name is Joseph Cartagena, of a "deliberate and sustained campaign of exploitation." So graphic was the 157-page filing detailing Cartagena's alleged campaign of abuse and criminality that it contains a "trigger warning" in bright red text at the top alerting of the depictions of sex trafficking and assault that follow. Discover WITNESS: Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more "Fat Joe is Sean Combs minus the Tusi," Tyrone Blackburn, Dixon's lawyer, wrote in a statement to USA TODAY June 20, referencing Sean "Diddy" Combs' ongoing criminal RICO case in which the music mogul is accused of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. "Tusi" is a variety of cocaine. "We have three additional pages of predicated acts which we are itching to disclose if the defendants call our bluff," Blackburn wrote. He is also representing rapper Lil Rodney in a separate case against Combs. Joe Tacopina, Cartagena's lawyer, called the lawsuit "a blatant act of retaliation," in a statement to USA TODAY June 20. Referencing Cartagena's own civil suit against Dixon, in which he accused his former employee of extortion, Tacopina wrote: "We didn't just sue a disgruntled former employee trying to revive a false claim from 15 years ago — we sued the lawyer behind it all. Tyrone Blackburn has a well-documented pattern of abusing the courts to harass defendants and generate media attention." "Law enforcement is aware of the extortionate demand at the heart of this scheme. The allegations against Mr. Cartagena are complete fabrications — lies intended to damage his reputation and force a settlement through public pressure," Tacopina wrote. "Mr. Cartagena will not be intimidated. We have taken legal action to expose this fraudulent campaign and hold everyone involved accountable." Who is Terrence Dixon and why is he suing Fat Joe? Dixon, according to the filing, worked for Cartagena for 16 years in various capacities, including as a lyricist and creative partner, labor for which the lawsuit alleges he was never compensated or credited. Beyond a run-of-the-mill employment dispute, Dixon's complaint claims that Cartagena oversaw a criminal enterprise, buoyed by violence and intimidation, in which Dixon was forced into performing sex acts "under duress and surveillance." Cartagena and his associates threatened to abandon Dixon in foreign countries if he did not comply, the complaint alleges, and systematically underpaid him, committing tax fraud in the process by inflating his wages in reports to the IRS. Like many RICO cases, which were originally designed to help the government unravel multi-state gang operations, Dixon's complaint tells a complex tale of criminality. It ties together a small sneaker store in New York allegedly laundering money, fake Instagram accounts designed to harass Dixon into silence, and highly orchestrated sexual performances, which Cartagena allegedly recorded. While this RICO case is civil, brought by one party against another, many are federal, brought by lawyers for the government against an individual as in the high profile cases of Combs, rapper Young Thug and President Donald Trump. "Sexual compliance became a condition of (Dixon's) continued employment, access to essential resources, safe travel, and basic human dignity," Cartagena's filing reads, alleging that over the course of his employment, Dixon was forced into 4,000 unwanted sexual encounters. Lawyers for Dixon also allege that Cartagena engaged in sex with minors, some as young as fifteen and sixteen years old. In a series of explosive claims, the filing alleges that Cartagena paid for cosmetic surgery for one of the minors, exchanged money for a cell phone bill for sexual favors from another and contemplated leaving his wife for one of the young girls. "Cartagena has demonstrated a disturbing lack of remorse or discretion regardinghis predatory behavior," lawyers for Dixon argue. "Rather than conceal his actions, he has, on multiple occasions, alluded to or openly referenced sexually inappropriate conduct in his public persona and artistic output." Referencing Cartagena's hit track "She's My Mama," the filing claims the lyrics demonstrate a clear fascination with underage women. The choice to use lyrics as evidence, particularly in a RICO case, is rich with controversy, following Young Thug's trial in Georgia in which the rapper's verses were used to demonstrate a propensity for violent behavior. Looping in high-profile political figures, the lawsuit alleges Cartagena used his connections to figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris, President Bill Clinton and New York City Mayor Eric Adams to bolster his sense of power and impunity. The filing includes a photo of Adams gifting Cartagena a key to the city – a symbolic gesture also afforded to Combs. Another photo shows Clinton allegedly wearing a pair of shoes that Cartagena gifted him, which, unbeknownst to the former president, bore the name of the criminal enterprise. The lawsuit, which is both wide-ranging and starkly detailed, paints a picture with its multifold accusations of a powerful man in entertainment who, behind the scenes, was both a bully and a sexual abuser, intent on using his influence to secure silence and compliance. Fat Joe rose to fame in the 1990s, forming the rap group Terror Squad and a label by the same name. His hit tracks include "What's Luv" which features Ja Rule and Ashanti and "Lean Back," which became a dance sensation.
New York Post
11-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC LGBT voters back Zohran Mamdani by just tiny margin over Andrew Cuomo — but 24% are undecided: poll
New York City's LGBT voters back Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani by just a slim margin ahead of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo — and about one fourth are still undecided, a new survey obtained by The Post claims. The demographic group could play an outsized role in selecting the winner of the Democratic primary for mayor, accounting for up to 25% of the total vote, according to the survey, conducted by the Honan Strategy Group for the Bronx-based LGBT group Destination Tomorrow. As with other voters, LGBTers see a largely two person race — with 25% backing Mamdani, 21% supporting Cuomo — and no other candidate breaking 10%. 5 New York City mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani holds a press conference at the UAW Local Headquarters. / MEGA 'No one else has broken through,' said pollster Bradley Honan, noting he was surprised at the high percentage of undecided LGBT voters compared to other Democrats. A significant 24% of LGBT New Yorkers — about one quarter of all Democrats — were still undecided with early voting starting Saturday for the June 24 primary. The poll found that 75% of Democrats identified as heterosexual, about 20% identified as LGBT or non-straight and 5% declined to identify their sexual orientation. The breakdown includes 7% who identified as gay and lesbian, 4% as bisexual, 3% pansexual, 1% queer and another 5% who identified as having 'another identity.' 5 Speaker Adrienne Adams is indourced by the Williams Plaza Tenants Association during her run for mayor. Gabriella Bass City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams received 7% support from LGBT Democratic New York City voters. Three other candidates — City Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer and Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie — each received the backing of 6% of respondents. Queens state Sen. Jessica Ramos, who recently endorsed rival Cuomo, and former Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake, each received 2% support. Cuomo, when he was governor, pushed through a gay marriage law in 2011 and he's run with strong LGBT backing in his races for governor. 5 Candidates Adrienne Adams, Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, Andrew Cuomo, Whitney Tilson, Zohran Mamdani, Michael Blake and Scott Stringer participate in a Democratic mayoral primary debate, at NBC's 30 Rockefeller Center studios in New York on June 4, 2025. POOL/AFP via Getty Images That was before he resigned as governor in 2021 following sexual misconduct accusations that he has denied. The major local LGBT political clubs did not endorse his comeback bid. The Stonewall Democrats ranked Adams, no relation to the mayor, first in the primary, Lander second and Mamdani, a Queens state Assembly member, third. 5 The major local LGBT political clubs did not endorse Cuomo's comeback bid. Paul Martinka The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club also did not rank Cuomo. The 4 point spread between Mamdani and Cuomo is within the poll's 5.87 percentage point margin of error for the 282 LGBT Democrats queried. Among all 1,257 Dems queried — including LGBTers — Cuomo defeated Mamdani in the seventh round of rank-choice voting 56% to 44%. That's similar to most other recent polls. 5 New York City voters in Brooklyn seen casting their votes on November 5, 2024 at Brooklyn Prospect High School at 3002 Fort Hamilton Parkway in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. Paul Martinka The horse race starts with Cuomo at 38%, Mandani with 22%, city Comptroller Brad Lander with 12% and Adrienne Adams with 10%, and another 10% are undecided. The survey asked specific questions pertaining to the LGBT community. A majority of all Democratic voters said the next mayor has to do more to assist LGBT New Yorkers, particularly black and brown individuals. The text poll of all 1,257 Democrats was conducted from June 5th to 9th and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.76 percentage points.
New York Post
05-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Small businesses say they are already feeling the pain of tariffs: survey
Small business owners say they face mounting pressure from tariffs — which have exacerbated existing struggles with gaining access to new funding because of policy uncertainty, according to a Goldman Sachs survey released Thursday. More than a third of small businesses (36%) said they feel negatively impacted by tariffs, with another 38% anticipating adverse effects in the future, the study found. Of those impacted or expecting impacts, a striking 77% of small business owners attribute their concerns primarily to the uncertainty stoked by President Trump's tariff policies, the survey found. 4 Small business owners surveyed by Goldman Sachs say they face mounting pressures from tariffs. insta_photos – The survey was done by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices — the Wall Street firm's national advocacy initiative designed to help entrepreneurs engage directly with policymakers. The results underscore challenges posed by Trump's constantly changing tariffs. The administration has imposed a universal 10% levy on most nations, while hitting major trading partner China with a 30% tariff, while it negotiates better deals with all the countries. There are also additional 25% tariffs on imported automobiles and car parts and a 50% levy on steel. Jessica Johnson-Cope, who runs the Bronx-based private security firm Johnson Security Bureau, noted the pressing reality facing small firms. The third-generation business provides services on construction sites, a sector sensitive to fluctuating trade policies. 'I anticipate that the prices of uniforms will increase because our vendors import them,' Johnson-Cope told The Post via email. 4 More than a third of small businesses (36%) are already feel negatively impacted by tariffs with another 38% anticipating adverse effects in the future. AFP via Getty Images 'I also expect a big hit when we purchase a new armored truck. Had we purchased it last year, a new truck would have cost approximately $150,000. Now, the price will probably be closer to $200,000.' She said tariffs are causing direct disruptions through increased prices as well as indirect challenges through delayed projects. 'Some of our construction customers are postponing pending projects until there is a greater level of certainty around the tariffs,' she said. The uncertainty over trade policy is compounded by broader anxieties centered around access to capital. The survey reported that 81% of small businesses seeking loans or credit lines in the past year encountered difficulty securing affordable financing. High interest rates have led 49% of small businesses to halt expansions and 41% to restrict new business endeavors, the survey found. 4 President Trump has argued that tariffs are necessary to spur domestic manufacturing. AFP via Getty Images Johnson-Cope detailed a personal experience illustrating these struggles. 'Several years ago, a slow-paying client nearly bankrupted us. Without access to affordable capital, we had to take out a high-interest loan just to stay afloat,' she told The Post. 'That expensive debt limited our ability to grow — we couldn't expand or pursue new opportunities, and our future growth was effectively stalled.' Tax policy complexities further compound these challenges, with 82% of small business owners believing the federal tax code favors large corporations. Johnson-Cope and her peers call for straightforward, predictable policies, highlighting that 'when the tax code is overly complex or constantly changing, it makes long-term planning difficult.' Despite these considerable obstacles, optimism persists. The Goldman survey showed that 75% of small businesses remain upbeat about their trajectory, with 72% forecasting growth in 2025. Many are incorporating artificial intelligence to boost efficiency, although 42% lack the resources and expertise for successful deployment, according to the survey. 4 Despite uncertainty surrounding tariffs, three in four small business owners say they anticipate growth this year. olezzo – Johnson-Cope told The Post that addressing tariffs, capital access and tax simplicity is crucial. She emphasized the critical need for small businesses to have a consistent voice in policymaking. 'Small businesses are the engine of the American economy. We are job creators, innovators, and the heartbeat of our communities — we deserve for our voices to be heard, not just as a one-off for a single piece of legislation, but day in and day out as policymakers craft ideas that can limit or expand our chance to grow,' Johnson-Cope said. The Post has sought comment from the White House.
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Far-left, anti-Israel Bronx activist group shockingly cheers accused DC Jewish Museum terrorist Elias Rodriguez, encourages more violence
A far-left, anti-Israel group in the Bronx disgustingly cheered the suspected terrorist accused of gunning down the two Israeli Embassy staffers in an antisemitic attack. The Bronx Anti-War group said what alleged gunman Elias Rodriguez 'did is the highest expression of anti-Zionism' and 'We need more Elias Rodriguez in this world' in a pair of social media posts on Thursday. The shocking statements quickly drew fire from local leaders, including Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres. Advertisement 3 Chicago native Elias Rodriguez was arrested shortly after the deadly shooting outside a Jewish museum in Washington D.C. Katie Kalisher via Storyful 3 A series of tweets sent by @BXAntiwar following the shooting. The Bronx Anti-War Coalition is 'a Bronx-based group made up of working-class people who are anti-imperialist and led by people of color' X/@BXAntiWar 'The Bronx Anti-War coalition, which has been harassing me since October 7th, has described the murderous targeting of Jews as 'the highest expression of anti-Zionism,'' Torres said in a statement. Advertisement 3 Israeli embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and fiance Sarah Milgrim (pictured) @yaron_li/X 'Violence is not a bug but a feature of virulent Anti-Zionism.' Rodriguez, 31, was charged with fatally shooting Sarah Milgrim and her boyfriend Yaron Lischinsky Wednesday night shortly after 9 p.m. outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. The coalition is described as a Bronx-based group made up of working-class people who are anti-imperialist and led by people of color. They push for 'resisting state violence while advancing decolonization.'
CBS News
26-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
NYC funeral home company hit with another lawsuit over overseas burial mix-up
A second family is now suing a New York City funeral home company for what they call an unforgivable mix-up -- the wrong body being shipped out of the country for burial. It was a shocking discovery for the family at the worst possible time. While mourning the death of the children's father, 39-year-old Elder Emilio Garcia, and watching his funeral in Guatemala via live stream, they saw the body in the casket wasn't him. In his place was the body of a 96-year-old woman, identified as Carmen Maldonado . The Rivera Funeral Home in Corona, Queens had sent the wrong body to Guatemala, where Garcia, a Queens waiter and father of four who died of a heart attack, was to be buried alongside his parents. "It's completely irresponsible the way they have handled those bodies," said Leonor Valenta, Garcia's sister. Valenta said to make matters worse, the funeral home seemed to have no idea where his body was. "It was completely heartless. They were very stubborn with us. He never left the funeral home. He was there the whole time," Valenta said. What's more, Maldonado's body was supposed to have been sent to Ecuador. Maldonado's family only found out she was mistakenly sent to Guatemala via a TikTok post. Both families are now suing Bronx-based RG Ortiz Funeral Homes, which owns Rivera and other locations. "The funeral home denied they made a mistake," said attorney Philip Rizzuto, who now represents both families. "I think the funeral home was hoping no one would find out about it, and they never would have told either family if this video didn't go viral." The company was named in nearly 100 lawsuits and last year was cited by New York City for 82 violations. The Department of Health, which oversees funeral homes, said its investigation is seeking fines and the potential revocation of licenses. "They tortured the family. They didn't just fix it immediately," Rizzuto said. "They're taking advantage of them at their most vulnerable time of their lives." "This was no mistake. It was negligence on their part and something that cannot be forgiven," Valenta said. An attorney representing RG Ortiz Funeral Home said he had no comment on the series of complaints against the business. The Garcia family is seeking a jury trial, they say, to send a message. It took 10 days for the mixed-up bodies to be properly buried in the correct countries.
