Free Republic

Clare Bronfman, the Seagram liquor heiress charged alongside NXIVM leader Keith Raniere and Smallville actress Allison Mack in the infamous sex-cult case, nearly fell in court Wednesday during a dramatic proceeding in which it was revealed that disgraced celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti had negotiated with prosecutors on her behalf. Bronfman was asked by Brooklyn federal court judge Nicholas G. Garaufis whether Avenatti was now one of her attorneys. She presently counts Mark Geragos, who is reportedly an unindicted co-conspirator in Avenatti’s extortion case with Nike, among her lawyers. “It is now the court’s understanding that she has an additional attorney...

Jussie Smollett is in the clear after the District Attorney in Cook County dropped all charges against the “Empire” star over allegations he lied to police in faking an alleged hate crime against himself. According to reports, the state filed the motion to dismiss the case and the judge signed off. The judge also granted a motion to seal the case, according to Charlie De Mar of CBS Chicago. Jussie Smollett is expected to speak to the media once the hearing has concluded. Smollett’s attorneys released a statement saying, “Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his...