Awards

"Justice Served: Jury Awards $13.6 Million to Survivors of Teacher’s 1980s Abuse in Landmark Case"

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Torrance, California — A jury has awarded $13.6 million to five women who were sexually assaulted by their former high school teacher in the 1980s. The verdict was reached on Monday after a four-week trial, during which jurors found that the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District failed to protect students from the abuse. The jury determined that school administrators were negligent in oversight of Garry Poe, a longtime English teacher and baseball coach at Rolling Hills High School. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Poe groomed students so he could exploit them during … Read more

Justice Served: Jury Awards $60 Million to Man Wrongfully Charged by Disgraced Michigan Prosecutor

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DETROIT — In a significant ruling, a jury awarded nearly $60 million to Sean MacMaster, who claimed that a former Michigan prosecutor and a police officer violated his rights in an alleged sexual abuse case that was ultimately dismissed. The jury found that Brian Kolodziej and state police Lt. David Busacca acted with “intentional disregard for the truth” as they pursued charges against MacMaster. The jury’s award included $33 million to address lost wages, emotional distress, and damage to MacMaster’s reputation, along with an additional $25 million in punitive damages due to the “malicious” nature … Read more

Jury Awards $2.2 Million to Protester Shot in the Face by LAPD During 2020 Police Brutality Demonstration

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LOS ANGELES — A jury has awarded over $2.2 million to a protester injured during a demonstration against police brutality in 2020, after he was struck in the face by a less-lethal projectile fired by a sheriff’s deputy. The jury’s ruling came last week, determining that Los Angeles County was responsible for the injuries sustained by Cellin Gluck, a filmmaker known for works such as “Oba: The Last Samurai.” Gluck’s damages were estimated at $3.5 million, while an additional $300,000 was granted to his daughter for the emotional distress she experienced during the incident. However, … Read more

Golden Panda Awards Shine: International Talent Celebrated at Chengdu Ceremony with 27 Honors in Film, TV, and Beyond

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Chengdu, China — The 2nd Golden Panda Awards took place on September 13 in Chengdu, Sichuan province, drawing attention for its celebration of achievements across film, television, animation, and documentaries. The glamorous ceremony presented 27 honors in various categories, underscoring the event’s significance in the cultural landscape. The prestigious Best Film award was claimed by the Italian production There’s Still Tomorrow, while Pema Tseden received the Best Director accolade for his work on Snow Leopard. The screenwriting honors went to the creative team behind About Dry Grasses. Chinese actor Zhu Yilong and Brazilian actress Denise … Read more