Former Congressman Matt Gaetz Sued For Sex Trafficking

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Numerous allegations have been leveled at Matt Gaetz over the years.

And now, the former Florida congressman is facing another legal battle that could have profound consequences.

Two women have filed a federal lawsuit accusing Gaetz and several other defendants of participating in an alleged sex trafficking scheme.

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) walks on stage on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The plaintiffs, identified in court documents as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, claim the alleged activity took place between 2017 and early 2019 (per TMZ).

According to the lawsuit, both women were introduced to Gaetz through Joel Greenberg, the former Seminole County tax collector who is currently serving prison time for separate federal crimes.

Jane Doe 1 alleges she met Greenberg in 2017 through Seeking Arrangement, an online dating platform often associated with relationships involving financial support. She claims their initial encounters involved sexual activity in exchange for money.

She alleges she subsequently met Gaetz at a party on July 15, 2017. According to her account, she witnessed Gaetz have sex with a 17-year-old girl and give the teenager $400.

The lawsuit also alleges Gaetz sent Jane Doe 1 money in multiple installments, with payments ranging from $150 to $1,000.

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Some of the transactions reportedly included casual explanations such as “Being my friend,” “Being awesome,” “Here” and “Just because.”

Jane Doe 2 alleges she met Gaetz in December 2017. She claims that after taking ecstasy, she had sexual encounters with both Gaetz and Greenberg.

The women also allege they traveled with Gaetz on multiple occasions, including trips to Las Vegas, the Florida Keys and New York City.

The lawsuit names additional defendants and seeks to hold them accountable for the alleged conduct. The claims have not yet been proven in court.

We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.

Former Congressman Matt Gaetz Sued For Sex Trafficking was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Donald Trump Calls Off Televised Execution of Fort Hood Shooter

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It was an unpopular idea from the start, and now the critics can breathe a sigh of relief.

Last week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the firing squad execution of Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Hasan would be available to watch live online.

Now, Donald Trump has announced that his administration has reversed course, and the public will no longer be getting a front-row seat.

President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before boarding Air Force One as he departs Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport following a rally on October 14, 2026 in Bullhead City, Arizona. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Trump announced Thursday that Hasan’s scheduled execution by firing squad will not be livestreamed.

The decision follows mounting criticism from both Democrats and Republicans over the prospect of broadcasting a man’s execution.

Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. The former Army psychiatrist has been sentenced to death, with his execution scheduled for December 3.

The Pentagon’s original plan to livestream the execution sparked widespread backlash, raising questions about whether broadcasting the event would serve as a deterrent or simply create a disturbing spectacle.

Trump addressed the controversy in a post on Truth Social, acknowledging the argument that showing the execution could discourage future attacks while ultimately deciding against making it public.

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“I think streaming the execution for all to see might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM like Hasan,” Trump wrote.

“But, many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device,” he continued, adding:

“He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed.”

He also said immediate family members of the victims would be permitted to witness the execution in person, should they choose to attend.

The reversal comes after Hegseth’s announcement generated criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum.

Vice President JD Vance also expressed reservations about the proposed broadcast, saying he would not watch if the execution were livestreamed. Critics have warned that footage of the event could be used as propaganda by terrorist organizations.

Hasan has been paralyzed from the waist down since law enforcement officers shot him in the back while responding to the 2009 attack. He now uses a wheelchair, a detail that reportedly factored into discussions about whether to broadcast his execution.

The December 3 execution is still scheduled to take place at Fort Hood. Trump’s announcement changes the plan for how the event will be witnessed, not the punishment itself.

For the families of the victims, the decision closes one particularly contentious chapter in a case that has remained part of the national conversation for nearly 17 years.

And for an administration that initially considered televising the execution as a warning to potential attackers, the backlash has made clear that even a proposed public display of punishment can become a controversy of its own.

Donald Trump Calls Off Televised Execution of Fort Hood Shooter was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Michael Desronvil: Lindsay Clancy’s Lawyer Put Me In Danger for Being the Holdout …

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In the wake of this summer’s trial, the lone holdout juror has spoken out.

Michael Desronvil points the finger at Lindsay Clancy’s attorney — saying that the man put a target on his back.

In a new interview, he says that he has feared for his safety after the public learned of his identity.

What threats has he received?

Michael Desronvil attained a measure of notoriety as a holdout juror. (Image Credit: Fox News)

Despite receiving no threats, the rogue juror has feared for his safety

Michael Desronvil made himself infamous as he remained the lone holdout in the Clancy murder trial this summer.

He now accuses Kevin Reddington, the defense attorney in the case, of putting a target on his back.

Speaking to Fox News, Desronvil complained that he felt “scared” after Reddington asked the court to authorize an investigation into him.

Specifically, Reddington has asked the court to look over Desronvil’s phone data from during the deliberations. He also wants Desronvil to answer questions regarding his truthfulness during Voir Dire.

The vast majority of the time, juries operate on an honor system until that honor is questioned. Desronvil’s honor has been questioned — and not only by Reddington.

According to Desronvil, one of his issues with Reddington is that the attorney referred to him as “he” while speaking to the judge.

His fear is that someone with harmful intentions would have an easier time narrowing down the identity of the rogue juror.

The Clancy jury was comprised of nine women and three men. Someone simply guessing could have identified Desronvil with 33% accuracy.

(Of course, as non-rogue jurors spoke out after the case, his identity became much more obvious.)

Of course, Desronvil did admit that he has not received physical threats of an kind despite the high profile of the case.

Was there ever a chance for him to remain anonymous?

Other jurors from the Clancy trial did not speak out lightly.

As journalists spoke to them, the jurors all painted similar pictures of the then-unidentified holdout juror.

They explained that this tragedy was just that — a tragedy. The defense made the case for postpartum psychosis to all 11 of them.

Desronvil, however, maintained that Clancy had carefully planned the murders of her three young children. (After the killings, she jumped from a window to attempt suicide, but survived and is now permanently disabled.)

His fellow jurors accused him of ignoring the facts of the case and even at one point of admitting to having reasonable doubt before backtracking. He denies this.

Earlier this month, Reddington attempted to persuade the judge to dismiss the case. The judge didn’t go for it.

If prosecutors really do insist upon taking Clancy to court again for a retrial, it’s unclear what they’d do differently.

(They cannot simply hope for another Desronvil. The prosuection would need to somehow get 12 Desronvil’s on the jury — or prevent the defense from presenting any effective evidence or arguments.)

Many say that prosecutors shouldn’t bring Clancy back to court. Others have said that they should have offered Clancy a deal to begin with.

At any rate, she is due back in court on November 2. As for Desronvil, it’s unclear if he has anything to hide if the court allows an investigation into his phone data.

Michael Desronvil: Lindsay Clancy’s Lawyer Put Me In Danger for Being the Holdout … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Make First Public Appearance Since Return to UK; Critics …

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Now that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have returned to British soil, they’re getting more scrutiny than ever from the British press.

And much has been made of the fact that their latest public appearance took them somewhere with plenty of royal history.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out in Nottingham on October 15 for their first official joint engagement since relocating from California to the United Kingdom with their children in August.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pose for a photo during a Scar Tree Walk on April 16, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

“Oh, it’s great to be back,” Meghan reportedly told a well-wisher as the couple greeted supporters.

The visit marked a return to familiar territory for the couple. Nottingham was also the site of their first official engagement together after announcing their engagement in 2017.

Nearly nine years later, a lot has changed. Harry and Meghan married in 2018, welcomed two children, and walked away from their senior royal duties in 2020 before settling in California.

Now, they’re back in Britain and making their presence known.

The couple began their Nottingham visit at the Community Recording Studio, a charity that provides creative activities, mentoring and development programs for young people. Meghan and Harry greeted supporters outside the venue, posed for selfies and accepted gifts from well-wishers.

Meghan also participated in a confidence-building workshop, while Harry reconnected with people involved in the organization’s youth programs.

The Sussexes were scheduled to visit two additional organizations during the day: Himmah Hub, which works to combat food poverty, and Epic Partners, which supports young people through sports, education and mentoring.

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Both stops have connections to the couple’s previous charitable work. Meghan supported community cooking initiatives through her 2018 cookbook, “Together: Our Community Cookbook,” while Harry has maintained ties to Nottingham youth organizations for years.

Of course, their return comes with a few complications.

Although Harry and Meghan retain their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, they are no longer working members of the royal family. King Charles III’s household reiterated that status in a letter issued in September, emphasizing that the couple would continue to operate as private citizens.

Their public engagements therefore come with a distinction: They may look like traditional royal appearances, but they aren’t official duties on behalf of the monarchy.

And many critics were quick to point out that distinction.

“Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the royal family,” firebrand royal expert Kinsey Schofield remarked this week. “King Charles recently reminded his government that the Sussexes are private citizens. The Sussexes appear increasingly determined to recreate the optics of royal life without the responsibilities that come with it. … The charitable visits, the appearances, the photographers. It’s royal theatre without royal authority.”

The couple also continue to navigate strained relationships with the royal family. Harry has not publicly reconciled with his father or his brother, Prince William, despite the family’s return to the United Kingdom.

Security remains another important issue. Harry has long argued that adequate protection is necessary when he brings his family to Britain, and questions surrounding taxpayer-funded police security remain part of the broader picture.

For now, however, the Sussexes appear focused on reconnecting with charitable organizations and establishing their lives in the UK.

Their Nottingham appearance represents a significant public step since their return. Whether it signals a more regular schedule of joint engagements remains to be seen.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Make First Public Appearance Since Return to UK; Critics … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Joe Manganiello Was Warned Sofia Vergara’s Ex Put a ‘Voodoo Curse’ on …

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Actor Joe Manganiello revealed a nearly fatal health battle in his memoir.

He described it as closely tied to the end of his marriage to Sofia Vergara.

According to the actor, a shaman contacted him to warn him that he was “sick” and had been the victim of a curse by Vergara’s ex.

Manganiello’s illness was not public knowledge. Even most of his family didn’t know.

Joe Manganiello attends the 2024 Critics Choice Real TV Awards on June 15, 2024. (Photo Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

A stranger warned him that he had been cursed with illness (long before the public knew of his health battle)

In Bloodlines, Manganiello shared that a Cuba-based shaman had contacted him over the phone.

The shaman warned him that he was “sick,” specifying only that “something is wrong with his intestines.”

Manganiello clarified that this was not a case of someone using publicly accessible information to pretend to have extraordinary insight into a celebrity’s life.

“There were members of my close family who didn’t know any of that, let alone some random guy on the phone,” he explained.

“I side-eyed Sofía with a look that was equal parts fear, anger, and disbelief,” Manganiello recalled.

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‘No one knew’

“I looked at Sofía, trying to comprehend how the f–k this guy could possibly know any of this,” Manganiello described.

“None of this had been mentioned in the press,” he emphasized. “No one knew.”

The Cuban shaman then told the then-spouses that someone who still harbored love for Vergara had cursed Manganiello.

“‘Someone from your past is still in love with you. He put a voodoo curse on your husband. He did it in New Orleans,’” he quoted the shaman in his book.

‘”Your husband needs to be cleansed and protected. I can do this. I can help him,'” Manganiello recalled the shaman telling them. “‘But I need to see him for two days, and I cannot come to the United States. Can he meet me somewhere else? I could meet him in Ecuador.’”

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‘How did the shaman know all of that about me?’

“I was fully aware of how crazy it was for me to seriously entertain thoughts this bizarre,” Manganiello penned.

“But then again,” he asked, “how did the shaman know all of that about me?” Especially when family and friends did not.

“Why did the most insane thing I’d ever heard have to make so much f–king sense?” Manganiello asked.

He added: “I shook my head, pulled out my phone, and began google searching flights to Guayaquil, Ecuador.”

Manganiello did share that Vergara’s infamous ex, Nick Loeb, lived in New Orleans and had been with her shortly before they got together. It is unclear what good it would do to identify a suspect.

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What is a shaman?

Strictly speaking, shaman originates from a Russian word and may even connect to a Sanskrit word. (Indo-European roots provide a common history for a lot of language, so etymology can be difficult to parse.)

In essence, shamans are spiritual practitioners. They might do so within a religion or not. They might use the term interchangeably with “witch” or “priest,” or they might not.

A shaman in Cuba would, statistically, most likely practice Lucumi (Santeria). Like Vodou, this Afro-Caribbean faith was imported from West Africa, particularly Nigeria, through centuries of trans-Atlantic human trafficking. Also like Vodou, Lucumi’s faith is rooted in Yoruba, with some syncretism with Catholicism.

Was the person who contacted Manganiello a shaman eager to heal him? Was this person a scammer? Were they both? (There are, after all, people who dishonestly try to bring in business while earnestly practicing their faith. That happens in just about all religions.)

We’re sorry that Manganiello went through literally any of this years-spanning nightmare.

Joe Manganiello Was Warned Sofia Vergara’s Ex Put a ‘Voodoo Curse’ on … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Pete Davidson’s Ex Blasts Him For Alleged Cheating: ‘He Is an Absolute Joke …

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Olivia O’Brien is revisiting her alleged relationship with Pete Davidson, and she has some choice words for Hollywood’s biggest player.

The 26-year-old singer recently took to Instagram to criticize Davidson after his comments about female influencers sparked backlash online.

And apparently, O’Brien has some history with the Saturday Night Live alum that she isn’t particularly interested in remembering fondly.

Pete Davidson attends Moncler Fifth Avenue Flagship Opening at 767 Fifth Avenue on September 10, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Manoli Figetakis/Getty Images)

“I was dating him in 2020 and found out we were no longer together by seeing on Snapchat Daily Mail that he went public with a more famous woman lmaooo. He is an absolute joke of a human being,” O’Brien wrote.

O’Brien also responded to another commenter who questioned Davidson’s schedule, given his demanding career and romantic history.

“Not sure how he has the time considering we were texting 24 hours a day and falling asleep on facetime when we weren’t together. Busy boy!” she added.

According to O’Brien, the pair were in frequent contact before she discovered that Davidson had apparently moved on with someone else.

The singer’s comments surfaced amid criticism of Davidson’s recent remarks about social media influencers. During an interview with Variety, the comedian took aim at creators who make money from TikTok dances, beauty routines, and other online content.

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Davidson described the influencer economy as “f–king insane and lame,” arguing that some creators earn enormous sums despite what he views as relatively little work.

His comments didn’t go over particularly well with everyone. And O’Brien apparently saw an opportunity to offer a little insight into her own experience with the comedian.

Of course, this isn’t the first time the singer has discussed their romance.

During a 2022 appearance on the “BFFs” podcast, O’Brien spoke about their reported involvement in 2020, describing Davidson as a “nice guy” who was “funny” and “sweet.”

She also discussed how she learned that Davidson was seeing someone else, explaining that she had been linked to him in a blind item circulating online.

At the time, Davidson’s representative denied that the pair had dated, telling outlets there was “no truth” to the claims and explaining that they had hung out a few times as friends.

O’Brien subsequently pushed back against the media coverage, claiming that her comments had been taken out of context.

“I never claimed to date anyone,” she wrote in an Instagram Story at the time. “Stop trying to start weird drama over me texting someone 2 years ago. Jesus Christ.”

Now, however, O’Brien has once again brought their alleged history into the spotlight.

Davidson has yet to publicly respond to her latest comments.

And if O’Brien’s account is accurate, this particular chapter of his dating history clearly hasn’t aged especially well.

Pete Davidson’s Ex Blasts Him For Alleged Cheating: ‘He Is an Absolute Joke … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Hilary Swank Pregnant at 52 With Third Child in Three Years!

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Congratulations!

Hilary Swank has announced that she is expecting a baby with her husband Philip Schneider.

The actress is 52, and she’s even putting her baby bump on display.

Their newborn, whose due date is very soon, will be her third child in three years.

Hilary Swank attends The Johnson Brunetti Connecticut Children’s Foundation Gala on November 08, 2025. (Photo Credit: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Connecticut Children’s Hospital Foundation)

‘A lot of people have been asking what project I’m doing next …’

On Wednesday, October 14, Swank took to Instagram to share an adorable family video.

As human shapes, illuminated stick figures made by glow sticks on real people in a pitch black room, dance, we hear “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive playing.

Two of the figures are small. Like, say, the size of preschool-aged twins. The other figure has more adult proportions.

There is a four figure in the background, facing away from the others at first.

When the figure — clearly Swank herself — turns around, it becomes clear that she is very pregnant, and has even goofily outlined a tiny person (in glow sticks) on her baby bump.

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In an age of hideous AI slop blanketing so much of social media — our generation’s asbestos, which will take decades to identify and eradicate — it is great to see something so fun and creative.

“A lot of people have been asking what project I’m doing next,” Swank commented in the caption.

She teased that “this one releases in December.”

No, she is not releasing a film about glow stick figures. Not at this time, anyway.

It seems clear that she is saying that her expected due date is either in late autumn or early winter.

She shared big news with fans and followers! (Image Credit: Instagram)

‘… This one releases in December’

Back in May, Swank spoke to People about motherhood just over three years after becoming a mother.

(In April of 2023, she welcomed Aya and Ohm. Those are certainly the two tiny dancers in the Instagram video.)

Swank spoke about how she is in a “really blessed position” to be able to spend so much time with her children.

Having children later in life, she explained, “just worked out” to let her “be so present” with them.

“It wasn’t that I didn’t want them earlier,” Swank noted. “There were a lot of things that kept that from happening, and so I can really take time to be with them.”

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Hilary Swank Pregnant at 52 With Third Child in Three Years! was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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