Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial

Retired New York financier Howard Rubin has been charged with sex trafficking multiple women, including Playboy models.

Prosecutors allege the women were sexually and physically assaulted in a Manhattan penthouse in a soundproofed room described as “The Dungeon”.

Rubin’s former assistant Jennifer Powers is charged as a co-conspirator.

They have both pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent assess the case and discuss why the prosecution have revealed the more shocking allegations in a letter recommending Rubin be denied bail.

This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual and physical violence. If you are affected by anything in the programme, details of help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

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Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty

A singer who claims platinum-selling artist Jason Derulo sabotaged her career after she denied his sexual advances has refiled her lawsuit against him. 

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been sentenced to more than four years in prison on prostitution charges.

He was convicted of flying girlfriends and male sex workers across the US for sexual encounters which he called “freak offs”. He was cleared of the more serious counts of sex trafficking and racketeering.

In addition to the prison time, Judge Arun Subramanian also imposed a $500,000 fine. He told Combs he used his power to subjugate and abuse two women. "This is the reality of what happened," he said.

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty from the Diddy on Trial podcast brings you all the news from inside the courtroom with New York reporter Nada Tawfik.

Got questions? We’ve got answers. Message us at 0330 123 555 1. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.

Cassie Ventura has said she is worried for her family’s safety ahead of Sean “Diddy” Combs sentencing this week.

"I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up,” the R&B singer, who is Combs' ex-girlfriend, wrote in a victim impact statement to the judge.

Combs was found guilty in July of transportation for prostitution of Ms Ventura and another ex-girlfriend "Jane", but was cleared on the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

Prosecutors have recommended 11 years, while the defence seeks 14 months, which including time served would mean an almost immediate release. His attorneys say he has changed his ways while being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Presenter Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty look ahead to the sentencing with BBC reporter Sakshi Venkatraman and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent.

Plus, another update in the legal battle between right-wing influencer Candace Owens and the Macrons.

The French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are suing Owens for defamation. She has repeatedly told her millions of followers that Brigitte was born a man.

Now Owens’ team are accusing the Macrons of breaking US federal law by hiring investigators, publicists and others to work on their behalf in the United States without registering under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Passed in 1938 to counter Nazi propaganda, this law says, if you’re working in the US on behalf of a foreign government, you have to inform the US government what you’re doing.

Anoushka and Shaun consider the strategy behind this move and discuss whether it will affect the lawsuit.

Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.

Candace Owens claims she is being “hounded” by the media to distract her from investigating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The right-wing influencer was responding to Fame Under Fire’s exclusive story last week that Brigitte Macron is planning to present “scientific evidence” in the Macrons’ lawsuit against Owens.

The French president and his wife are suing the podcaster for defamation including over her allegation that Brigitte Macron was born a biological man.

Last week, the Macrons’ lawyer Tom Clare told Fame Under Fire how they plan to support the case with scientific and photographic evidence.

On her podcast, Candace Owens told her followers: “I don't know what this is, just like we're just gonna all hound Candace to try to distract her from looking into Charlie Kirk's murder and assassination.”

In a statement to Fame Under Fire, she added: “Brigitte's claim that she will offer scientific evidence regarding her gender in court is an obvious and pathetic public relations ploy.”

Presenter Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty unpacks Owens’ response with resident trial attorney Shaun Kent and looks at why the location of the lawsuit is so important.

Plus, could Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs walk free? The hip hop megastar is due to be sentenced on 3 October after being convicted for two counts of transportation for prostitution.

Anoushka and Shaun look at his glowing character reference from rapper Yung Miami and assess how the sentencing hearing may play out.

Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.

Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller

Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are planning to present photographic and scientific evidence in their US lawsuit to prove Mrs Macron is a woman.

The French president and Mrs Macron will present the documentation in a defamation suit they have taken against the right-wing influencer Candace Owens after she promoted a theory that Brigitte Macron was born male.

Ms Owens’ lawyers have responded with a motion to dismiss the claim.

Speaking to the BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast, the Macrons’ lawyer in the case, Tom Clare, said Mrs Macron had found the claims “incredibly upsetting” and they were a “distraction” to the French president.

“I don't want to suggest that it somehow has thrown him off his game. But just like anybody who is juggling a career and a family life as well, when your family is under attack, it wears on you. And he's not immune from that because he's the president of country,” he said.

Owens’ lawyers have responded with a motion to dismiss, arguing that the case was filed in Delaware, where her businesses are incorporated, rather than in Tennessee, where she lives. They claim forcing her to defend the case in Delaware would cause “substantial financial and operational hardship”.

The BBC has approached Candace Owen’s legal team for a comment. She has previously said she believes what she is saying is true and there is nothing more American than free speech, the ability to criticise.

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Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty examines the $50m lawsuit which calls Priscilla Presley “a pit viper willing to prey on her own family”.

How could Taylor Swift protect her assets - and her cats?

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident attorney Shaun Kent unpack the months-long legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

Lively is suing Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and others involved in the production of the movie It Ends With Us.

Her allegations include sexual harassment, retaliation, and defamation.

All the claims are denied. Lawyer Bryan Freedman, who is representing all the defendants, called them “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious".

Plus, intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien answers those questions you’ve always secretly wondered about sex on set: What happens if an actor gets an erection? How do directors cope with menstruation? And more!

Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.

What’s a guardianship? As media personality Wendy Williams fights hers, we ask criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent how guardianships, also known as conservatorships, like those faced by Williams and Britney Spears work.

Plus, when does a rap battle turn into a legal fight? The latest on the Drake lawsuit about Kendrick Lamar song ‘Not Like Us’. It was filed against Universal Music Group who said ‘Not only are these claims untrue, but the notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist - let alone Drake - is illogical’.

Anoushka speaks to Mark Anthony Neal, professor of African and African American Studies at Duke University in North Carolina. Plus Shaun explains how legally risky a song can be.

Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.