News: January 15, 2008: Special Edition

[mulattogyrl]

Aw man!

[jitterbug13]

I read about it last night. So sad.

[DSTCHAOS]

[delph998]

This is an older article, but I keep hearing about it on the ABC News.

DETROIT — The city’s charismatic but scandal-plagued mayor and his chief of staff will be the subject of an investigation into whether they lied under oath when they denied having an extramarital affair, the Wayne County prosecutor announced here Friday.

The investigation by the prosecutor, Kym L. Worthy, was prompted by The Detroit Free Press’s publication this week of text messages, many of them flirtatious, between the mayor, Kwame M. Kilpatrick, and his chief of staff, Christine Beatty, who have known each other since high school.

The messages, transmitted to and from Ms. Beatty’s city-owned pager in 2002 and 2003, appear to show that the two had an intimate relationship and suggest that they committed perjury by denying the affair during testimony in one of two whistleblower lawsuits that have cost taxpayers in the beleaguered city more than $9 million.

A felony perjury conviction carries a possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

Read the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/26/us...it.html?ref=us

And just reported today:

Detroit ministers pledge support for Kilpatrick

About 60 Detroit ministers pledged their unwavering support for embattled Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick this afternoon.

Pastors from the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit, representing multiple denominations, gathered at Corinthian Baptist Church in Hamtramck to publicize their belief that Kilpatrick deserves forgiveness and compassion.

“The mayor is not standing alone,” said the Rev. E.L. Branch, pastor of Third New Hope Baptist Church in Detroit. “We’re holding him up in prayer all the way through.”

Moments before the ministers convened, Kilpatrick was arraigned in 36th District Court on eight felony counts, including perjury. The Free Press published text messages shared between Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff Christine Beatty that revealed the two lied under oath about a extramarital affair and the firing of former Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown.

“We’re called to stand with him at a time of trial in his life,” said the Rev. Skip Wachsman, pastor of Genesis Lutheran Church in Detroit. “He’s not guilty of anything; he has been charged.”

Two weeks ago, the pastors' council voted 34-24 not to issue a letter calling for Kilpatrick to resign over the scandal. The council, which represents 400 clergy members, endorsed Kilpatrick's policies in his 2005 re-election bid.

[jitterbug13]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03232008...188.htm?page=1

As long as Michael owns the Beatles songs, he will never go broke. He may not make as much money as he used to, but I believe he still has a little bit of money in the bank. And I wish he will dump Neverland--he hasn't lived there in three years.

I also believe that part of the reason that Michael has had the money problems he has had is because he has been taking care of his family. I would have made sure that Joe and Katherine would have been set and the rest would have to fend of their own.

And I don't believe that Michael would sabotage his siblings' career either.

[RedefinedDiva]

Son of O'Jays lead singer reportedly found dead

March 31, 2008

By Stella Foster Sun-Times Columnist

Sean Levert, son of O'Jays lead singer Eddie Levert, was found dead in a Cleveland, Ohio, jail over the weekend, sources said.

Sean Levert, 39, was being held for allegedly failing to pay about $80,000 in child support. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Sean Levert was a member of the R&B group LeVert with his late brother Gerald Levert and Marc Gordon. Gerald Levert died Nov. 10, 2006 at the age of 40.

Sean Levert had recently completed an album with Gordon, sources said.

Sean Levert appeared in the movies Dope Case Pending (2000) and New Jack City (1991).

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by RedefinedDiva

Son of O'Jays lead singer reportedly found dead

March 31, 2008

By Stella Foster Sun-Times Columnist

Sean Levert, son of O'Jays lead singer Eddie Levert, was found dead in a Cleveland, Ohio, jail over the weekend, sources said.

Sean Levert, 39, was being held for allegedly failing to pay about $80,000 in child support. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Sean Levert was a member of the R&B group LeVert with his late brother Gerald Levert and Marc Gordon. Gerald Levert died Nov. 10, 2006 at the age of 40.

Sean Levert had recently completed an album with Gordon, sources said.

Sean Levert appeared in the movies Dope Case Pending (2000) and New Jack City (1991).

I found this additional info:

O'Jays son dies after taken from jail
http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/58921407
03/31/2008 5:00 PM, AP


Sean Levert, a third of the 1980s R&B trio LeVert and son of lead O'Jays singer Eddie Levert, has died after falling ill while serving a jail term. He was 39.

Authorities said Monday that an autopsy was inconclusive but foul play was ruled out.

Levert was sentenced last week to one year and 10 months in jail for failing to pay $89,025 in child support. He died at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland late Sunday, less than an hour after he was taken there from the jail, said coroner Frank Miller.

Levert was sentenced by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Margaret Russo, who said a presentence report indicated he had been addicted to marijuana from the time he was 14 until recently. He didn't speak at his sentencing and gave no indication of any health problems, the judge said Monday.

His brother Gerald Levert, who had success as a solo artist after leaving their trio died in 2006 at age 40 of an accidental mix of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

The brothers had formed LeVert in the 1980s with childhood friend Marc Gordon. Their hits included "Baby I'm Ready," "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind" and "Casanova."

"Casanova" was nominated for a Grammy in 1988 for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocal. It was also nominated for best R&B song.

At Gerald Levert's funeral service in November 2006, Sean Levert and his father performed "Dance With My Father" and personalized the words for Gerald. The elder Levert's group, the O'Jays, was known for such smash hits as "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train."

Sean Levert found a new third partner last year and was trying to revive LeVert.

An autopsy was done Monday but no immediate cause of death was determined, according to Powell Caesar, a spokesman for the Cuyahoga County's coroner's office, but he said there was no evidence of foul play or trauma.

Levert suffered from high blood pressure and had been hallucinating in jail, Caesar said. Toxicology reports could take four to six weeks, he said.

Warden Kevin McDonough said earlier that Levert had been sick and guards were watching him at the jail's regular cellblock because he had been acting strangely.

Sean Levert had pleaded guilty last week to six counts of nonsupport involving children ages 11, 15 and 17.

[jitterbug13]

http://www.people.com/people/article...187497,00.html

If so, kudos to them!!

[delph998]

Originally Posted by RedefinedDiva

Son of O'Jays lead singer reportedly found dead

March 31, 2008

By Stella Foster Sun-Times Columnist

Sean Levert, son of O'Jays lead singer Eddie Levert, was found dead in a Cleveland, Ohio, jail over the weekend, sources said.

Sean Levert, 39, was being held for allegedly failing to pay about $80,000 in child support. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Sean Levert was a member of the R&B group LeVert with his late brother Gerald Levert and Marc Gordon. Gerald Levert died Nov. 10, 2006 at the age of 40.

Sean Levert had recently completed an album with Gordon, sources said.

Sean Levert appeared in the movies Dope Case Pending (2000) and New Jack City (1991).

I just read about this today! I'm so sorry to hear this. Man life is so precious now.

[1908Revelations]

Awwww....Eddie (show name)! I hope everything is fine.

[FeeFee]

Orlando does look a bit "different" in that photo. I hope he's okay.

As for Star and BGA, I guess some folks have won some bet money.

[Senusret I]

I think he just looks tired -- he looks like how I look right this second.

Anyway, he has GOT to be okay. Young people don't need any more tragedies right now.

[1908Revelations]

^^I wonder if they were overboard in his pockets...

[FeeFee]

Well I'm glad he's not missing.

[jitterbug13]

My stepdad and I were just talking about Star this morning. He told me (and I've seen it on some blogs) that she is now hanging out with Dwayne Wade (even though he's married).

Quoting Best Week Ever:

UPGRADE!!!!