The Daily Populous

Thursday January 13rd, 2022 night edition

image for Matt Gaetz's ex-girlfriend testifies to grand jury in sex trafficking probe

ORLANDO, Fla. — Rep. Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend testified Wednesday before a federal grand jury investigating him for sex crimes, a major development that suggests the Department of Justice may be moving closer to indicting him.

The ex-girlfriend, whose name is being withheld by NBC News to respect her privacy, has been in talks for months with prosecutors about an immunity deal.

Legal sources familiar with the case say Gaetz is being investigated for three distinct crimes: sex trafficking the 17-year-old; violating the Mann Act, which prohibits taking women across state lines for prostitution; and obstructing justice.

Gaetz, R-Fla., has not been charged with a crime and has denied all accusations, saying he never paid for sex and never had sex with a minor when he was an adult.

He has pleaded guilty to charges of identity theft, stalking, wire fraud, conspiracy to bribe a public official and sex trafficking of a minor.

According to one source familiar with the case, the alleged sex-trafficking victim told investigators at one point that Gaetz had sex with her.

It’s on that call that Gaetz is suspected of obstructing justice, which federal prosecutors are investigating, according to law enforcement sources. »

A More Just Drone War Is Within Reach

Authored by foreignaffairs.com
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But no accounting of the drone war would be complete without determining whether policies intended to reduce civilian casualties from U.S. strikes ever worked.

The case of Pakistan shows that a standard of near certainty for U.S. drone strikes can reduce civilian casualties.

A tighter threshold for U.S drone strikes can reduce civilian casualties without emboldening the enemy. »

West Virginia governor feels 'extremely unwell' after testing positive for Covid-19 and cancels state legislature address

Authored by edition.cnn.com
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(CNN) West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice tested positive Tuesday for Covid-19 and described feeling "extremely unwell" as he isolates at home, according to a statement.

Justice, 70, awoke Tuesday morning with congestion and a cough, eventually developing a headache and fever, he said in the statement.

Results from a rapid test in the morning came back negative but a PCR test came back positive, he said. »

Prince Andrew must face sex abuse accuser's lawsuit - U.S. judge

Authored by reuters.com
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The Manhattan judge said it was premature to assess Andrew's efforts to "cast doubt" on those claims, though the 61-year-old prince could do so at a trial.

Kaplan said it was also too soon to decide whether Giuffre's 2009 civil settlement with Epstein "clearly and unambiguously" shielded Andrew from her lawsuit.

"I can't imagine that Prince Andrew wants every detailed allegation to come out in the public realm," she said. »