Tag: sports

NBA Legend Magic Johnson’s Gushing Endorsement of Failed LA Mayor Karen Bass Totally Backfires After X Users Uncover This Damning Fact

NBA all-time great and self-made billionaire Magic Johnson made a completely boneheaded political decision that is coming back to haunt him after X users pointed out an inconvenient truth.

On Sunday, Johnson issued a gushing endorsement of failed LA mayor Karen Bass in a video posted on her X account. After first noting their personal connection (Johnson has known Bass for three decades), Johnson lavished praise on her supposed ‘accomplishments,’ including her record on homelessness and crime.

Then, Bass appeared on screen. In a clearly rehearsed stunt, the two embraced before Johnson slobbered over Bass some more.

“Listen, you took on a tough job here, and you’ve done a fabulous job, and all of us appreciate your effort and what you’re doing, and we look forward to helping you continue your mission and the things that you have in store, your vision for the city,” he tells her. “And tell me what I need to do.”

Bass then praises Johnson in response before the retired basketball star hails her for creating jobs as the video ends.

After the video went viral, X users quickly discovered that Johnson lives in a huge mansion in Beverly Park, a gated community in Beverly Hills. Perfectly cordoned off from all of the problems that ordinary Angelinos face.

Moreover, Beverly Hills is its own city and has its own mayor. This means he cannot even vote for Bass for mayor.

There’s also another factor regarding Johnson’s home: it lies in a high fire-hazard severity zone, just like Pacific Palisades, which burned under Bass’s watch. Giving her the seal of approval is like having the arsonist serve as the firefighter.

Just imagine if Bass gets re-elected and, during her second term in office, Johnson and his neighbors’ homes get torched in an inferno. Talk about digging your own grave.

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19-year-old Padres prospect self-deports to Mexico after pleading guilty to human smuggling charge

Humberto Cruz, a high-ranking pitching prospect for the San Diego Padres, has reportedly self-deported to Mexico after pleading guilty to a federal misdemeanor charge involving the transportation of illegal aliens.

According to reports from the San Diego Union-Tribune, the now-19-year-old athlete, who was ranked as the organization’s fifth-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, admitted to authorities that he had responded to a social media advertisement seeking drivers to “pick up people for easy money.”

Cruz disclosed that he was offered $1,000 per person and acknowledged his awareness that the individuals were in the country illegally. While Cruz was initially in the United States on a legal work visa, the conviction triggered a near-certain deportation process and long-term consequences for his professional career.

Legal experts and team officials indicate that Cruz will likely be barred from reapplying for a U.S. work visa for at least ten years, though he may be eligible to petition for a return after five years — provided he demonstrates consistent good behavior during his time abroad.

The legal proceedings stem from an incident in October last year, when law enforcement officers stopped the pitcher in Lukeville, Arizona, on suspicion of transporting illegal aliens into the United States. Following his guilty plea, Cruz was sentenced to 30 days in prison, a term satisfied by the credit he received for time already served in custody.

In a lengthy statement released through the San Diego Padres organization, Cruz expressed deep remorse for his actions and offered an extensive apology for the lapse in judgment that led to his arrest and subsequent deportation.

“To my teammates, the organization, our fans, and my family, I want to express my sincere regret for a recent lapse in judgment that has caused disappointment to many people I deeply respect,” he began in the statement. “I understand that my actions have fallen short of the standards expected of me as a professional and as a representative of this organization. I take responsibility for my conduct and recognize the impact it has had on my teammates, the club, and those who support us.

“To my teammates and coaches, I apologize for becoming a distraction and for not upholding the level of professionalism you deserve,” he continued. “To the fans, I am sorry for letting you down and for failing to meet the trust placed in me. Your support means a great deal, and I regret not honoring it in the way I should have. To my family, I am grateful for your continued support and understanding during this difficult time.

“I regret the stress and disappointment this situation has caused. I am committed to reflecting on this moment, learning from it, and taking the appropriate steps to move forward in a positive and responsible manner. I will cooperate fully with the organization and any steps required of me, as I remain focused on personal growth and accountability. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with support and honesty. I understand that trust must be earned, and I am prepared to do that through my actions going forward.”

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Billionaire Bucks Co-Owner Alleges $1 Billion Blackmail Plot After Affair With China-Born Entrepreneur

Wesley Edens, billionaire investor and co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, replied to a 2022 LinkedIn message from Changli Sophia Luo, a China-born founder of a small Manhattan nonprofit that produced interview videos. Their exchanges turned personal; by June 2023 they met at her apartment and had sex, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing prosectuors.  

What followed, authorities say, became an extortion case. Luo was indicted for allegedly trying to extract over $1 billion by threatening to release explicit images and videos. Prosecutors claim she repeatedly contacted Edens’s relatives, warned she would approach investors, and vowed to ruin him. She faces four charges, including blackmail and evidence destruction, and has pleaded not guilty. Released on $500,000 bond, she awaits trial.

Edens was not initially named, but a spokesman confirmed he is “Victim-1.” He reported the matter over safety concerns and is expected to testify. His side declined further comment: “Mr. Edens will be making no comment on the case as the indictment speaks for itself with respect to the charges against the defendant.”

The WSJ writes that Luo’s attorneys argue she sought accountability for what they describe as “an inappropriate and aggressive sexual encounter,” asking the court to dismiss the case. Federal prosecutors have not commented.

The dispute highlights reputational risks when personal relationships involving high-profile figures unravel. Victims often hesitate to involve authorities, partly because cases can expose private details.

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Female Athletes Slam Gavin Newsom Over California Trans Athlete Controversy

As the girls’ high school track and field championships approach, a trans athlete is set to compete in this year’s girls’ tournament.

The main controversy centers on AB Hernandez, a biological male high school student at Jurupa Valley High School in Riverside County. Hernandez qualified for and competed in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track & Field Championships in Clovis in the girls’ long jump, high jump, and triple jump.

Hernandez is seeded first in the upcoming tournament.

Last year, Hernandez won 1st place in high jump and triple jump and took 2nd place in the long jump.

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Former NFL Player Sentenced to Prison for $197M Medicare Fraud

The Department of Justice announced that former NFL player Joel Rufus French, 47, was sentenced to 16+ years in prison and ordered to pay $110,753,619 in restitution after a years-long scheme to bilk Medicare and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) out of nearly $200 million.

He also forfeited approximately $17 million that the government seized from bank accounts and other assets.

French was an All-American tight end at Ole Miss before briefly playing in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers.

According to the DOJ, French, who owned a marketing company and was the beneficial owner of eight durable medical equipment (DME) companies, was selling patient information and sham doctors’ orders for orthotic braces that patients did not want or need.

Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. shared, “Fueled by lies, bribes, and overseas telemarketers, this corrupt scheme preyed on senior citizens and disabled veterans to flood the country with unnecessary medical devices — and then billed the taxpayer for it.”

“Today’s sentence makes clear that if you target America’s elderly, sick, or vulnerable — and rob America’s purse doing so — you will be targeted and brought to justice.”

“The defendant orchestrated a brazen, yearslong scheme that preyed on elderly patients and the families of disabled and deceased veterans to steal millions from Medicare and CHAMPVA.”

Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG) added, “By hiding behind overseas call centers, sham telemedicine companies, and straw‑owned DME suppliers, he exploited some of the most vulnerable people these programs were created to protect.”

“This lengthy sentence underscores the seriousness of his crimes and sends a clear message: HHS‑OIG and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in safeguarding taxpayer‑funded programs and ensuring those who seek to defraud them will be found, stopped, and held accountable.”

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Transgender athlete AB Hernandez dominates three jumping events at California postseason track meet

A California postseason track meet on Saturday opened with a “Save Girls’ Sports” rally outside the gates and ended in familiar fashion, as one athlete again separated from the field in the jumping events, highlighting growing concerns over competitive fairness in girls’ sports.

Saturday’s CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries in Yorba Linda drew attention before competition began, with demonstrators protesting California’s policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports.

Inside, the focus turned to the jumping events, where biological male AB Hernandez, a senior from Jurupa Valley, competed against women and finished first across all three competitions with dominant performances.

Hernandez, a trans multi-sport athlete (previously involved in girls’ volleyball), won the Long Jump Division 3 Prelim and Triple Jump Division 3 Prelim by wide margins and tied for first in the High Jump Division 3 Prelim with Reese Hogan, an athlete with past ties to Hernandez.

The long jump result separated the field. Hernandez posted 20 feet, 4 1/4 inches. The next closest finishers reached 19 feet, 1 1/2 inches and 18 feet, 7 inches.

More than a foot separated first from second.

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Female World Cup Soccer Hopeful Accused of Raping 14-Year-Old Boy Multiple Times

An elite female soccer player with World Cup aspirations stands accused of raping a 14-year-old boy with braces multiple times and sending him nude pictures of herself.

Oteta Kristina Kitiona, 20, faces multiple felony charges stemming from alleged sexual encounters with the teenager at his home in Bluffdale, Utah, in 2024, when she was 19.

Police claim Kitona, a part of Samoa’s ill-fated 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid earlier this year, sexually abused the youth multiple times over a period of six months before departing for college.

The 14-year-old boy claims that Kitona would visit him “two to three times a week” to have sex with him. He further claims that Kitona would text him nude pictures of herself in which he says she was, “head to toe clean, naked.”

The boy also claims that Kitona wanted him to reply with nudes of himself.

Kitona faces charges of distributing material harmful to a minor and three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor while under the age of 21.

In Utah, the age of consent is 18.

Kitona is not in police custody, but is scheduled to appear in court on June 6.

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Sports Leagues Warned That Failing to Protect Women’s Sports Breaks the Law

Several sports leagues in the United Kingdom received a notice threatening them with legal action if they fail to protect women’s sports from self-proclaimed transgender athletes.

The letters — signed by ADF International and the Women’s Sports Union — were sent to 10 sports bodies, including the Football Association of Wales, Swim England, and British Gymnastics.

Two elite former British athletes — Sharron Elizabeth Davies, a member of the House of Lords who competed in Olympic swimming, and Tracy Edwards, who was a competitive sailor — also signed the letters.

Both women have been awarded with the “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” — a royal order of chivalry that recognizes public service and other contributions to British life.

The coalition said that the sports entities “are in breach of the law” and asked for “confirmation of the immediate steps the bodies will take to remedy the situation,” according to an April 23 release from ADF International.

“Any governing body that continues to permit biological males to compete in the female category contravenes the Equality Act 2010 as interpreted by the Supreme Court. This exposes the organisation to immediate and substantial legal liability,” the letters said.

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Vermont Christian School Banned from All Competitions for Standing Up for Girls Wins $566K in Damages

A Christian school that was punished for refusing to play against a transathlete has won a settlement from the State of Vermont.

In 2023, The Gateway Pundit reported that Mid Vermont Christian School (MVCS) withdrew from Vermont’s Division IV basketball tournament due to a biological male being on the opposing team.

MVCS head of school Vicky Fogg explained in a statement it was unfair and unsafe for the high school girls to play against a biological male.

Following the forfeiture, the school was banned from participating in sporting events going forward. In addition, the school was banned from participating in all VPA-sanctioned activities, not only athletics but also extracurricular competitions such as drama and debate, as well as science and math fairs.

In November 2023, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) attorneys filed a lawsuit against Vermont officials on behalf of the school. A district court denied the school’s injunction request that would have allowed it readmission into the VPA for all sports, so ADF appealed the case to the 2nd Circuit and,  in September 2025, the 2nd Circuit ruled in favor of Mid Vermont Christian.

Per ADF:

“The VPA likely violated Mid Vermont’s First Amendment right to free exercise of religion because its consideration of Mid Vermont’s case was not neutral,” the ruling reads.

The court went on to explain: “[the VPA] acted with hostility toward Mid Vermont’s religious beliefs. The VPA’s Executive Director publicly castigated Mid Vermont—and religious schools generally—while the VPA rushed to judgment on whether and how to discipline the school. In upholding the expulsion, the VPA doubled down on that hostility by challenging the legitimacy of the school’s religious beliefs.

And … the punishment imposed was unprecedented, overbroad, and procedurally irregular. Those facts strongly support the inference that Mid Vermont’s religious objection ‘was not considered with the neutrality that the Free Exercise Clause requires.’

Now, Fox News reports that State education agencies in Vermont have settled with the school for over $566,000.

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New York Hockey Fans Rally to Help NYPD Sergeant Who Received Outrageous Sentence from Far-Left Judge

During Tuesday night’s game between the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes on Long Island, hockey fans rallied to help jailed ex-NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran, during a fundraising push to help him in his fight to overturn the controversial sentence handed down by a far-left judge.

In August 2023, fleeing drug suspect Eric Duprey died after a Duran tossed a cooler he grabbed from a local family’s sidewalk table at him. Duprey, who was fleeing a Bronx buy-and-bust drug sting at the time, was knocked off his bike. Duprey died from injuries following the incident.

Duran was charged with second-degree manslaughter in January 2024.

Last week, The New York Post reported that radical Bronx Judge Guy Mitchell handed Duran a sentence of 3 to 9 years in prison despite pleas from the father of three to show mercy.

“Your honor, I am asking for a chance to be there with my kids. I am asking for a chance, just one,” Duran said.

During the Islanders game,  the NYPD’s Sergeants Benevolent Association shared a fundraiser for Duran on the Jumbotron to help him raise funds to overturn the harsh sentence.

The New York Post reports:

“This is all about Erik’s family,” said union head Vincent Vallelong, who was joined at the game by Post executive Patrick Judge, Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky and other SBA members.

“Whatever it takes to get him out, is exactly what it is everyone on this board believes and everybody in law enforcement is going to do at this point. The message is that basically, this is going to affect law enforcement across the nation. They all feel that this can happen in their cities.”

Islanders fans were given the option to donate directly to the fund, which had already raised $40,000 as of Tuesday morning, via a QR code displayed on the jumbotron.

A portion of Tuesday night’s 50/50 raffle that took in nearly $45,000 will also go toward the legal fund launched Monday by the SBA to help Duran appeal his conviction.

The fundraiser, spearheaded by The National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF) notes, “In August 2023, Sgt. Erik Duran, a highly decorated member of the NYPD, was supervising a “buy and bust” operation in the Bronx. One of the suspects attempted to evade capture by mounting a nearby motorcycle and driving it on the sidewalk, directly at responding officers. Fearing that his officers would be seriously injured or killed by fleeing felon Eric Duprey, Sgt. Duran grabbed an Igloo cooler and hurled it at Duprey to divert him from crashing into his officers, their prisoner, or bystanders.”

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