Federal authorities are investigating former Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley’s alleged involvement in wire fraud, gambling, and illegal prop betting, according to ESPN. The allegations stem from Beasley’s time playing for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-2024 season, sources told the outlet, with the focus on “unusually heavy betting interest on Beasley’s statistics” starting in January 2024. A gambling industry source shared that o ne or more prominent U.S. sportsbooks noticed the activity. The 18-month investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Beasley’s lawyer Steve Haney told The Detroit News. “It’s a gambling investigation involving Malik. No criminal charges have been issued. It’s nothing but an investigation and Malik is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” Haney said, per the outlet. The investigation has reportedly resulted in the Pistons withdrawing a three-year, $42 million contract offer to Beasley. While...
NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook’s AI-enabled funeral planning platform Eazewell has partnered with LegalZoom to help users simplify the process of preparing wills, trusts, and estate planning documents, according to a press release. Partnership With LegalZoom The partnership will grant access to LegalZoom’s estate planning infrastructure, allowing end-of-life documents to be created in minutes. It will also leverage LegalZoom’s attorney network and an advanced AI-driven interface to streamline the onboarding experience. “Our partnership with LegalZoom is a game-changer. Legal and estate planning has always felt out of reach for many families, too complex, too expensive, or simply too intimidating,” Donnell Beverly Jr., an Eazewell co-founder, told AFROTECH™ in an email interview. Adding, “LegalZoom helps us break down those barriers. Together, we’re democratizing access to essential documents like wills, power of attorney, and trusts, all through a seamless, user-friendly experience....
A UK-based legal tech startup has secured new funding that helps lawyers streamline their workflow with the aid of AI. Definely Co-founded in 2017 by CEO Nnamdi Emelifeonwu and Chief Strategy Officer Feargus MacDaeid, Definely offers AI solutions geared toward lawyers, allowing them to create, draft, and review legal documents. The company was named one of the 50 fastest-growin g tech companies in the UK by Deloitte in 2023. “A Microsoft Word add-in, the Definely suite contains a suite of products that help you through the complete pre-execution stage of contract drafting with AI power. Surface precedent clauses, better understand provisions and automate hundreds of your proofreading checks,” its website describes. In a LinkedIn post, Emelifeonwu revealed the platform has more than 100 customers, including BT, IKEA, JPMorgan, DLA Piper and Shoosmiths. $30M Series B With a $30 million Series B funding round led by Revaia with participation from Alumni Ventures, Beacon VC, Clio,...
Unemployment insurance (UI) is a critical safety net for workers. It’s designed to provide temporary financial assistance to people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. For startups , it’s important to understand the legal obligations around unemployment benefits, especially when navigating the challenges of hiring employees and managing payroll. While large corporations typically have well-established unemployment insurance practices, startups may be less familiar with the requirements. This article explores whether startups are required to offer unemployment benefits, how unemployment insurance works, and what employees and founders should expect. Understanding Unemployment Insurance And Employer Responsibilities Unemployment insurance is a joint federal-state program that provides financial assistance to eligible workers who are unemployed for reasons beyond their control. Each state administers its unemployment insurance program within federal guidelines. This...
The Trump administration has rescinded a historic settlement designed to improve wastewater treatment services for residents in majority-Black communities in Lowndes County, Alabama, where inadequate infrastructure has long led to raw sewage exposure. On Friday, April 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the termination of the 2-year-old agreement made with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) under the Biden administration , describing it as an “ illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.” “The DOJ will no longer push ‘environmental justice’ as viewed through a distorting, DEI lens,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “ President [Donald] Trump made it clear: Americans deserve a government committed to serving every individual with dignity and respect, and to expending taxpayer resources in accordance with the national interest, not arbitrary criteria.” On Jan. 20, 2025 — his first day back in office — Trump had signed an executive...
A class on Issa Rae’s legal life will be taught at Georgia State University College of Law. Black Enterprise reports that George State University law professor Moraima “ Mo ” Ivory designed the course to highlight the legal considerations essential for celebrities with high-profile careers. As a result, the law students will be able to gain a firsthand account from the “ Insecure ” creator herself. She will speak to the class about contracts she has created to land deals over the past decade. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, some of her contracts include a substantial $40 million, five-year deal that dates back to 2021. This deal is in partnership with her media production company, Hoorae , and WarnerMedia. According to Variety, the agreement granted HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Television the exclusive rights to her television work, as well as a first-look film deal across various WarnerMedia brands. “T his is the first class where every single contract was the actual artist...
Historically Black Colleges and Universities ( HBCUs ) have played a pivotal role in educating African American students and fostering leadership within the legal profession. HBCU law schools continue to produce top-tier legal professionals, activists, and judges who advocate for justice and equality. For aspiring attorneys looking for a legal education that combines academic rigor with a focus on social justice and community impact, these HBCU law schools stand out as some of the best in the country. 1. Howard University School Of Law Located in Washington, D.C., Howard University School of Law is the most renowned HBCU law school in the nation. Established in 1869, it has a long history of producing influential leaders, including Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and many civil rights attorneys. Howard’s law program is known for its focus on social justice, civil rights, and its commitment to diversifying the legal profession. With its location in the nation’s capital,...
A teen has passed away following ongoing interaction with an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. The New York Times reports that Sewell Setzer III developed an attachment to a chatbot from Character.AI named Dany, inspired by the “Game of Thrones” character Daenerys Targaryen. The 14-year-old would engage in countless conversations with it, developing an interest that fluctuated between platonic and romantic. He sent dozens of messages and began to disassociate from his real-life passions and responsibilities, per the outlet, losing enjoyment in playing “Fortnite” with his friends and in Formula 1 racing . Instead, he would spend hours in his room conversing with Dany. At school, his grades began to drop, and he started getting into trouble. “I like staying in my room so much because I start to detach from this ‘reality,’ and I also feel more at peace, more connected with Dany and much more in love with her, and just happier,” Sewell wrote in his journal, according to the outlet....
There are more than 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, one-fourth of them in two states: New York (188K) and California (170K). In 2013, lawyers of color were just 11%. A decade later, that total has almost doubled to 21%. However, the biggest increase within the minority lawyer community is with Asian American lawyers, not Black ones. In 2013, Black lawyers totaled 4.8%. Ten years later, the total was 5%. But for aspiring lawyers (and attorneys ) who are interested in joining that 5% (and helping to increase the number), becoming a paralegal is one step in that direction. Deciding Between A Career As A Lawyer, Attorney Or Professional Paralegal While interested legal students will be able to make the final decision about which path they want to go into, they should have a general idea about whether they want to be an attorney, a lawyer or a paralegal. There is a common misunderstanding that you have to do all three in order to work within the legal industry. That is...
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is prepared to take his woes with Suntory Global Spirits to Congress if both parties are not able to come to a mutual agreement soon. According to HipHop DX, the rapper-turned-businessman used his Instagram account to address the company’s decision to change its name from Beam Suntory to Suntory Global Spirits without taking accountability for its alleged wrongdoing toward him and Sire Spirits. “Changing the company name from Beam Suntory to @SuntoryGlobalSpirits without correcting what was done to my brands @bransoncognac and @lecheminduroi doesn’t fix the problem and lacks honor,” 50 Cent said. “ I attempted to resolve the matter, not once, but twice. Now the legal process will play out publicly for everyone to see what really happened and how @SuntoryGlobalSpirits would rather spend millions to protect and conceal criminal conduct instead of doing the right thing.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent) As previously reported...
Following the death of George Floyd in May 2020, North Central University held a memorial service. During the ceremony, the Minneapolis, MN-based institution announced that it had created the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship, according to a news release. “It is time to invest like never before in a new generation of young black Americans who are poised and ready to take leadership in our nation,” North Central University President Scott Hagan, Ph.D., said per the news release. He added, “So, university presidents, let’s step up together.” Hagan’s call to action for fellow college and university presidents to establish their own George Floyd Memorial Scholarship sparked a movement. Schools such as the University of Minnesota, University of Michigan, Ohio University, and more went on to create their own. However, as the fourth anniversary of Floyd’s passing is coming up, North Central University’s scholarship in his remembrance is receiving pushback. According to NBC News, on March...
“God Is Dope.” The phrase might convey varying meanings; however, for Steve King, who trademarked it in 2014, it represents leaning on God when his world was turned upside down. Birth Of Phrase, According To King During an exclusive interview with AFROTECH, King, a North Chicago, IL, native serving in a local ministry, takes us back to 2012, when he created the well-known phrase. His wife suffered through a series of miscarriages, and King found it very difficult to deal with the emotions of grief. Escapism became his coping mechanism until he experienced an intervention from God, he says. “We had just experienced this loss, and we were devastated. I didn’t know how to necessarily cope at the time,” King, 37, explained . “I found myself getting high off weed in my car, hot boxing, just trying to escape the pain and the trauma.” He continued, “There was this voice that spoke to me, and I heard it clear as day. I believe that it was the voice of God, and he said, ‘Hey, this isn’t...