Author name: Robert Walsh

Families Sue Camp Mystic Over Deadly Texas Flood, Alleging Negligence and Profit Motive
News

Families Sue Camp Mystic Over Deadly Texas Flood, Alleging Negligence and Profit Motive

/

Families of seven young girls and two counselors who died in the July 4 flood at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, have filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit, accusing the camp’s owners of ignoring repeated flood warnings and state safety regulations to protect profits.

The 75-page lawsuit, filed Nov. 10 in Travis County District Court by attorney R. Paul Yetter of Yetter Coleman LLP, lists the families of Anna Margaret Bellows, Lila Bonner, Chloe Childress, Molly DeWitt, Katherine Ferruzzo, Lainey Landry, and Blakely McCrory as plaintiffs.

All seven victims were killed in the flood that swept through the camp along the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country, as reported by The New York Post.

The complaint alleges Camp Mystic and its owners “put profit over safety” and “chose to house young girls in flood-prone areas to avoid the cost of relocating cabins.”

The filing also accuses camp leadership of violating state requirements by failing to establish or follow an emergency evacuation plan.

“Just such a tragedy hit our State on July 4, 2025,” the lawsuit states. “When 25 campers and two counselors needlessly and tragically died in the floodwaters at Camp Mystic.”

Camp Mystic occupies 725 acres along the Guadalupe River, a region known for dangerous flash floods.

The lawsuit cites a 1990 interview with then-director Richard Eastland, who reportedly told the Austin-American Statesman, “I’m sure there will be other drownings. People don’t heed the warnings.”

According to the lawsuit, the camp ignored multiple warnings leading up to the disaster — including National Weather Service alerts and staff pleas to evacuate. Counselors allegedly begged to move campers to higher ground but were told to “stay put because that’s the plan.”

Timeline Detailed in the Lawsuit
• 1:14 a.m. – The National Weather Service issued a “life-threatening flash flood” warning.
• 1:45–2:13 a.m. – Camp leaders Richard and Edward Eastland allegedly worked to move equipment rather than evacuate cabins.
• 2:20 a.m. – Counselors reported water entering cabins but were instructed to remain inside.
• 2:30–3:30 a.m. – Five cabins were evacuated to the Rec Hall; six others were left behind, including Nut Hut, Chatter Box, Wiggle Inn, Giggle Box, Twins, and Bubble Inn.
• 3:35–3:51 a.m. – Richard Eastland’s SUV was swept away while he tried to rescue girls from Bubble Inn. All 13 campers and two counselors inside drowned.
• 3:35–4:09 a.m. – Eleven campers died in Twins Cabin after being told to stay because “the water would go back down.”

The petition argues that the girls could have safely reached higher ground within 60 seconds if not ordered to remain in their cabins. It accuses the camp of gross negligence, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The filing also cites a written Camp Mystic policy stating: “In case of flood, all campers on Senior Hill must stay in their cabins… All cabins are constructed on safe, high locations.” Families argue this policy was inaccurate and led to preventable deaths.

The lawsuit further alleges that camp administrators misled parents after the disaster, initially claiming the girls were “unaccounted for” hours after the floodwaters subsided.

Nick Fazio and Noel Padilla, Westchester County DPW workers, clear clogged drains on the flooded Bronx River Parkway in White Plains July 15, 2025. Sections of the parkway remain closed after Monday night’s flash flooding.

Families also condemned the camp’s decision to announce its reopening for the next summer season while one camper, Cile Steward, remained missing.

The plaintiffs are seeking more than $1 million in damages, including compensation for wrongful death and exemplary damages, and have requested a jury trial.

Police Called Two Dozen Times to Letitia James’ Virginia Homes Since Purchase
News

Police Called Two Dozen Times to Letitia James’ Virginia Homes Since Purchase

/

Police have been called more than two dozen times to two Virginia houses owned by New York Attorney General Letitia James since she purchased them, according to public records reviewed by The New York Post.

Both homes — occupied by members of James’ extended family — have been linked to repeated disturbances, arrests, and ongoing criminal investigations.

James bought the first home in August 2020 for $137,000. Her grandniece, 36-year-old Nakia Thompson, moved into the property soon afterward with her three children.

Nov 6, 2023; New York, NY, USA; New York Attorney General Letitia James arrives as Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to testify for his civil business fraud trial at New York Supreme Court on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 in New York City, NY. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Altman-USA TODAY

Since then, Norfolk police have been called to the residence 12 times for various incidents, including warrant and subpoena service, vandalism reports, domestic disputes, and suspicious activity. In some cases, officers were dispatched multiple times in a single day.

The police activity at the property escalated sharply in early October after James was indicted on federal bank fraud charges.

The indictment alleges that she misrepresented the intended use of the home when applying for a mortgage, claiming she would occupy it herself despite working and residing in New York — more than 300 miles away.

James has denied the allegations but faces up to 60 years in federal prison if convicted.

Thompson, who testified before a grand jury in June that she was living rent-free in the house, is currently wanted in Forsyth County, North Carolina, for failing to complete probation in a separate criminal case.

Court records show she was previously charged with malicious conduct by a prisoner, assault of a government official, and resisting a public officer.

Since moving into the Norfolk home, Thompson has also been arrested or cited in Virginia on multiple charges, including possession of burglary tools, grand larceny, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

In 2020, she was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to petit and grand larceny related to the theft of nearly $2,000 worth of merchandise from department stores in Chesapeake.

Late last month, Thompson was charged with using profane, threatening, or indecent language over public airways after allegedly threatening to punch her child’s assistant principal during a phone call.

New York Attorney General Letitia James talks about the ongoing investigation into the death of Daniel Prude during a press conference held at the Aenon Missionary Baptist Church on Genesee Street in Rochester Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020.
Sd 092020 Attorney General E Metro

James’ second Norfolk property, purchased in 2023 for $219,780, has also drawn repeated police attention. Records show 10 calls for service between April 2024 and April 2025, including reports of domestic disputes, an assault, and warrant service.

That home is occupied by another grandniece, 21-year-old Cayla Thompson-Hairston, an OnlyFans content creator, along with her mother, Shamice, and sister, Courtney.

In April 2024, Cayla was charged with providing false information on a federal form while attempting to buy a firearm in Suffolk, Virginia.

Court documents show she was legally barred from purchasing a gun because of a prior felony charge of malicious wounding from 2020, when she was a juvenile.

She also faced grand larceny charges in 2024 after stealing more than $1,600 in merchandise from a Walmart in Norfolk, later pleading guilty to misdemeanor petit larceny.

Both homes remain under investigation as part of the federal fraud case against James, who maintains that her property purchases were legitimate and intended to support her relatives.

Court Upholds Texas Effort to Stop Sexual Content in Front of Children
Galdric PS -Shutterstock
Culture War

Court Upholds Texas Effort to Stop Sexual Content in Front of Children

/

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that Texas may enforce its law banning sexually oriented performances in the presence of minors, reversing a lower court decision that had blocked the law from taking effect.

The ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over Texas Senate Bill 12, which restricts adult-themed performances from being conducted in front of children.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit found that the plaintiffs challenging the law failed to demonstrate that they would be directly affected by its enforcement.

The law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott earlier this year, defines a “sexually oriented performance” as a “visual performance” that “(1) features a performer who is nude or engages in sexual conduct, and (2) appeals to the prurient interest in sex.”

Judge Kurt Engelhardt, writing for the panel, concluded that the plaintiffs did not show sufficient grounds to challenge the law.

“None of the Woodlands Pride conduct introduced at trial arguably amounts to a ‘sexually oriented performance,’” Engelhardt wrote.

“Because Woodlands Pride does not intend to engage in conduct that is arguably proscribed by S.B. 12, it does not have standing to seek an injunction.”

The same conclusion applied to another plaintiff, Abilene Pride.

However, the court ruled that 360 Queen Entertainment, a Texas-based drag production company, did have standing to seek an injunction against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton because its performances could potentially fall within the scope of the law.

The court’s opinion noted that because only 360 Queen Entertainment had standing, the case could proceed solely on its claim against Paxton in his official capacity.

“Because the plaintiffs only have standing to assert their claims against the Attorney General, and the Attorney General only has the authority to enforce Section One, the sole remaining issue on appeal is whether the plaintiffs have established that Section One, on its face, violates the First Amendment,” the court stated.

The Fifth Circuit did not reach a final conclusion on whether the law itself violates the First Amendment, remanding the case back to the district court for further consideration.

“The district court did not conduct this analysis, nor did the parties brief the proper standard or adequately develop the record,” the judges wrote.

“Consequently, we are unequipped to undertake this task in the first instance, and remand for the district court to do so.”

Attorney General Paxton praised the decision, saying the ruling vindicated the state’s position that protecting minors from explicit performances is both lawful and necessary.

“At the Attorney General’s urging, the Fifth Circuit rightfully expressed ‘genuine doubt’ regarding plaintiffs’ argument that they had a First Amendment right to stage graphic, sexually explicit performances in front of children,” Paxton’s office said in a statement.

Paxton added, “I will always work to shield our children from exposure to erotic and inappropriate sexually oriented performances.

It is an honor to have defended this law, ensuring that our state remains safe for families and children, and I look forward to continuing to vigorously defend it on remand before the district court.”

Senate Bill 12 was signed into law earlier this year after lawmakers cited concerns about drag performances and other adult-themed events occurring in public spaces accessible to minors.

Opponents of the law argued that it unfairly targets LGBTQ performers and infringes on free expression protected under the First Amendment.

The Fifth Circuit’s decision means that Texas can enforce the law while litigation continues.

The case will return to the lower court for a full review of the constitutional arguments raised by the remaining plaintiff.

The ruling represents another win for state officials defending legislation aimed at restricting explicit performances in settings where children are present.

Obama Judge Rebuked as Supreme Court Halts SNAP Spending Mandate
News

Obama Judge Rebuked as Supreme Court Halts SNAP Spending Mandate

/

The Supreme Court on Friday granted a temporary reprieve to the Trump administration, allowing it to withhold roughly $4 billion in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while legal challenges continue over how to sustain the nation’s food aid during the ongoing government shutdown.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an administrative stay pausing a lower court order that had required the administration to fully fund November payments for approximately 42 million low-income people in America.

The stay will remain in effect until two days after the Boston-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit rules on the administration’s request to limit payments.

The legal battle began when U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Thursday to allocate $4 billion in contingency funds to fully support the SNAP program through November.

McConnell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, said the administration’s prior decision to fund only 65% of benefits would leave families without adequate food assistance.

“It’s likely that SNAP recipients are hungry as we sit here,” McConnell said before issuing his order.

The judge also directed the USDA to use all available funds, including a $23.35 billion child-nutrition account partially supported by tariff revenue, to cover the full monthly cost of between $8.5 and $9 billion in SNAP benefits.

The Trump administration swiftly appealed the ruling, asking the First Circuit to halt McConnell’s injunction.

In its filing, the Justice Department argued that the order “makes a mockery of the separation of powers” and forces the USDA to spend money not appropriated by Congress.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer said the decision would “sow further shutdown chaos” and warned it could “prompt a run on the bank by way of judicial fiat.”

“There is no lawful basis for an order that directs USDA to somehow find $4 billion in the metaphorical couch cushions,” the administration said in its filing.

The government’s lawyers added, “This is a crisis, to be sure, but it is a crisis occasioned by congressional failure, and that can only be solved by congressional action.”

McConnell accused the administration of withholding funds “for political reasons” and said officials failed to comply with an earlier order requiring SNAP payments before they lapsed on Nov. 1.

“The government did nothing to ensure that the money would be paid on Wednesday,” he said, emphasizing that this was the first time in the program’s 60-year history that benefits had lapsed.

The USDA complicated matters Friday when it informed states that funds would be available to pay full SNAP benefits, even as the administration continued to seek relief from the order.

Some states, including New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, moved quickly to issue full payments to avoid further disruption.

By Friday evening, Wisconsin, Oregon, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania confirmed that full benefits had been released, while Colorado, North Carolina, and Illinois said distributions would occur over the weekend.

Delaware also began using state funds to provide emergency payments to affected recipients.

Sauer told the Supreme Court that several states acted quickly to “seize what they could of the agency’s finite set of remaining funds” before an appeal could be filed.

SNAP benefits, previously known as food stamps, provide assistance for groceries to low-income households.

Depending on income, benefits can reach up to $298 per month for single individuals and $546 for two-person households.

As the case proceeds, millions of Americans remain uncertain about when or whether their food aid will arrive.

The First Circuit’s pending decision will determine whether the USDA must resume full funding immediately or await further congressional action.

The dispute highlights the broader challenges facing federal agencies as the Democrat led government shutdown continues to strain public programs and resources nationwide.

Outrage in Oklahoma: Teen Gets 78-Year Suspended Sentence in Sex Assault Case
News

Outrage in Oklahoma: Teen Gets 78-Year Suspended Sentence in Sex Assault Case

/

Protesters gathered outside the Payne County Courthouse in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Wednesday after 18-year-old Jesse Butler, accused of multiple sexual assaults, avoided prison time under the state’s youthful offender law, as reported by The New York Post.

Butler, who pleaded no contest to 10 rape-related charges and one count of violating a protective order, was sentenced to 78 years.

However, the term was suspended under Oklahoma’s youthful offender provisions, which allow offenders under 18 at the time of their crimes to undergo rehabilitation instead of serving prison time.

The ruling has ignited anger across the community, with victims’ families and activists demanding accountability.

According to The Oklahoman, more than 100 people rallied outside the courthouse carrying signs calling for justice and demanding the removal of Payne County District Judge Susan Worthington, who issued the sentence.

“Ponca Tribal Victim Services is standing in solidarity with survivors demanding Justice!” the group wrote on Facebook. “Jesse Butler needs to be held accountable! Payne County Judge Susan Worthington should be disbarred.”

The protests followed days of public outrage after Butler’s sentencing became widely known.

A spokesperson for Stillwater Public Schools told Fox News Digital that administrators coordinated with local police in anticipation of demonstrations, designating protest areas and assigning additional officers.

“We condemn sexual assault and violence in all its forms,” the district said in a statement. “Our thoughts, prayers and hopes for justice are with the victims in our community and everywhere.”

Stillwater police confirmed they are investigating “recent phone calls and messages to the district regarding the enrollment of student Jesse Butler.” The department said while no direct threats were made, extra patrols have been deployed “out of an abundance of caution.”

Police also confirmed that Butler, a former Stillwater student, does not attend classes in person and is banned from school property and events.

Body camera footage from Butler’s arrest last year shows officers detaining him after multiple girls accused him of violent sexual assaults. Court documents reveal one victim was nearly strangled to death.

The Payne County District Attorney’s Office defended its handling of the case, citing Butler’s age when the crimes occurred. The office said Oklahoma’s youthful offender law allows supervision “until the defendant’s 19th birthday” and offers a path toward rehabilitation “while still holding him accountable.”

However, state Rep. Justin “JJ” Humphrey (R-Okla.) called the ruling “unacceptable” and announced plans to petition for a grand jury review. “If that don’t set you on fire, your wood’s wet,” Humphrey said. “You’ve got a bad deal. That sets me on fire.”

Court records show Butler remains under the supervision of the Office of Juvenile Affairs. His requirements include counseling, therapy, over 100 hours of community service, and regular check-ins. He is banned from social media and remains under a nightly curfew.

If Butler violates any terms, the court could impose his full 78-year sentence. His next court hearing is scheduled for December 8 in Payne County District Court.

Charlie Kirk’s Widow Says 3-Year-Old Daughter Still Asks for ‘Daddy’ Months After His Murder
News

Charlie Kirk’s Widow Says 3-Year-Old Daughter Still Asks for ‘Daddy’ Months After His Murder

/

Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, gave her first television interview since her husband’s assassination, revealing that their 3-year-old daughter continues to ask for her father nearly two months after his death, as reported by The New York Post.

Speaking with Fox News host Jesse Watters, Erika described the heartbreaking questions from her young daughter and how she has tried to guide her through grief.

Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk takes the stage during the memorial service honoring Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 21, 2025.

“It’s really sweet because I keep explaining to her a few things, and I said, ‘if you ever want to talk to daddy you just look up to the sky and start talking, and he can hear you,’” Erika said. “I told her, ‘You know, daddy is in heaven’ — and she goes, ‘Do you think I could go sometime?’”

“I said, ‘Baby, we will all go one day,’” she continued.

Charlie and Erika Kirk shared two children — a daughter who turned 3 in August and a son who turned 1 in May.

Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Authorities said the suspected gunman, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, opened fire during the event, striking Kirk in the neck.

Tyler Robinson’s Mugshot – Utah County Sheriff’s Office

The shooting was captured on multiple videos that later circulated widely on social media.

Robinson was arrested days later following a multi-state manhunt and charged with aggravated murder and related offenses. Prosecutors confirmed he could face the death penalty by firing squad if convicted.

Erika said she initially believed her husband would survive after hearing early reports about the attack but realized the severity of the situation when she arrived at the hospital.

She described seeing her husband’s face one final time, recalling a familiar expression that brought her a measure of peace.

“We walked into that room and he had this smirk on his face,” she said.

“That smirk to me is that look of ‘you thought you stopped what I’ve built. You thought you could end this vision, this movement, this revival. You thought you could do that by murdering me. You got my body, but you didn’t get my soul.’”

The killing of Kirk, one of the nation’s most prominent conservative activists, drew widespread condemnation and renewed concerns about the rise in politically motivated violence.

Watters, previewing the interview on Fox & Friends Wednesday morning, said the conversation was deeply emotional. “I almost started crying a few times when she talked about her children,” he said. “You can feel the spirit of Charlie Kirk in Erika, and it’s just a real power.”

Watters’ full interview with Erika Kirk will air Wednesday night at 8 p.m. on Jesse Watters Primetime.

Wild Brawl Breaks Out at Bass Pro Grand Opening in Odessa
News

Wild Brawl Breaks Out at Bass Pro Grand Opening in Odessa

/

A chaotic scene unfolded at the grand opening of a Bass Pro Shop in Odessa, Texas, when a heated argument over a restroom line erupted into a large brawl inside the store on Saturday afternoon, as reported by The New York Post.

According to a report from Fox 4 News, the fight began around 3 p.m. when two men waiting to use the restroom exchanged words that quickly turned physical. Within moments, multiple customers joined the melee, sending the grand opening event into disarray.

Video footage posted to X captured the chaos as pairs of men swung punches and wrestled on the floor while startled bystanders looked on.

As the situation intensified, a man wearing a Texas Longhorns jersey jumped into the fray, shoving one of the participants to the ground. The fight continued briefly before Bass Pro Shop employees and customers intervened to separate those involved.

In the footage, a visibly frustrated woman could be heard shouting, “Grown-ass men acting like idiots!” She added, “And you wonder why our schools are falling apart! It’s their fault! Look at the example that you’re setting!”

Police reports obtained by TMZ indicated that the confrontation began when a man waiting in line with his wife and child became angry at another man who was taking too long in the restroom.

When the man finally exited, the two exchanged words and briefly moved outside before returning indoors, where the confrontation escalated into physical violence.

The Odessa Police Department stated that none of the men involved wished to file criminal charges. However, those identified as the primary aggressors were issued criminal trespass warnings and permanently banned from the store.

Authorities confirmed that several individuals sustained minor injuries but declined medical transport.

Bass Pro Shop employees managed to restore order after several minutes of commotion, allowing the grand opening to continue. The incident did not result in any significant property damage, and the store remained open following the altercation.

Bass Pro Shops, founded in 1972 by Johnny Morris in Springfield, Missouri, has expanded from a small operation selling fishing gear inside a liquor store to one of the largest outdoor retailers in North America.

The company now operates more than 200 locations, including 18 in Texas, offering fishing, hunting, camping, and boating equipment.

While no arrests were made, local authorities said the altercation served as a reminder of how quickly minor disputes can escalate in crowded public settings. The Odessa Police Department confirmed the investigation is closed since no parties pursued further legal action.

Elon Musk Warns New Yorkers About the ‘Charismatic Swindler’ That is Zohran Mamdani
News

Elon Musk Warns New Yorkers About the ‘Charismatic Swindler’ That is Zohran Mamdani

/

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has issued a warning about the potential economic fallout of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s platform, describing the democratic socialist’s proposals as a threat to the city’s standard of living.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, discussed the upcoming mayoral race during an appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” where he addressed Mamdani’s rise as the frontrunner.

While acknowledging Mamdani’s appeal to some voters, Musk said his policies would severely damage New York’s economy if implemented.

“Mamdani is a charismatic swindler,” Musk said.

“I mean you gotta hand it to him, like, he can light up a stage, but he has just been a swindler his entire life.”

Musk continued, warning of broad economic consequences: “If Mamdani’s policies are put into place, especially at scale, it would be a catastrophic decline in living standards, not just for the rich, but for everyone. As has been the case with every socialist experiment.”

Mamdani, currently a member of the New York State Assembly, has based his campaign on implementing a range of democratic socialist policies if elected mayor.

His platform includes major wage increases, expanded government services, and broad public housing initiatives.

Among his proposals is a plan to raise New York City’s minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030.

Mamdani also supports increasing the city’s corporate tax rate to 11.5 percent, matching that of neighboring New Jersey.

In addition, he has called for eliminating bus fares, creating a universal childcare system, and freezing rents for tenants in rent-stabilized housing.

Mamdani has said he intends to build 200,000 new units of “permanently affordable, union-built, rent-stabilized homes” over the next decade.

His platform also calls for establishing city-owned grocery stores that would operate rent-free and without property taxes, selling products at wholesale prices to provide what he calls a “public option” in the grocery market.

During an interview last month with Martha MacCallum on Fox News’ The Story, Mamdani defended his tax and spending proposals, saying they represent a fair way to pay for expanded public programs.

“I’ve said time and time again that I believe these are the most straightforward ways that we can actually fund universal childcare, making buses fast and free, and I’ve said that the two clear ways to do so: raising personal income taxes on the top 1% by 2% and raising the corporate tax to match that of New Jersey’s corporate tax of 11.5%,” Mamdani said. “Now, if there are other ways to raise this money to fund this agenda, the most important thing is that we fund the agenda.”

Pressed on whether his plan would require budget cuts elsewhere, Mamdani rejected the idea, insisting that higher taxes on wealthier New Yorkers could support his priorities without reducing existing programs.

“I don’t think we have to cut,” Mamdani said.

“I’ve spoken about raising taxes on the wealthiest. And frankly, this is an issue that we have here in New York City, and frankly, even across this country. When I’ve spoken to Trump voters right here in New York City – Hillside Avenue in Queens, Fordham Road in the Bronx – they’ve told me it was the cost of living that drove them to vote for Donald Trump.”

Denise Richards Revives Steamy Playboy Look Ahead of Court Fight with Estranged Husband
Entertainment

Denise Richards Revives Steamy Playboy Look Ahead of Court Fight with Estranged Husband

/

Actress and reality television star Denise Richards marked Halloween by revisiting her well-known Playboy past just days before she is scheduled to return to court in her ongoing legal dispute with estranged husband Aaron Phypers, as reported by Fox News.

Richards, 54, shared photos on social media dressed in a black bodysuit, matching bunny ears, white cuffs, and a black-and-white bow tie — a nod to her December 2004 Playboy cover appearance.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Denise Richards (@deniserichards)

Nearly 20 years ago, the Wild Things actress posed nude for the magazine only months after giving birth. She later told Jay Leno that her parents and newborn joined her on the shoot in the Bahamas.

“I said, you better find me some fricken bottoms,” Richards recalled, describing how a stylist made impromptu bottoms out of a shammy and island leaves. “I didn’t have to show anything I didn’t want to.”

Richards said she had turned down earlier offers from Playboy but accepted the 2004 shoot, believing it was her last opportunity.

“Playboy approached me a couple other times and I didn’t do it, and this time I figured I might as well do it before they never approach me again,” she said, adding that then-husband Charlie Sheen “was really cool about it and helped me pick out the pictures.”

The actress’s social media post came ahead of a court hearing related to her restraining order against Phypers, from whom she filed for divorce on July 7 citing irreconcilable differences. Richards was granted a temporary restraining order on July 17.

In testimony last month, Richards accused Phypers of repeated physical and emotional abuse, including an incident in May that allegedly occurred hours after she underwent multiple cosmetic surgeries.

“That is when I really, really knew that our marriage was over because there’s been physical abuse, but it kept getting worse and worse,” she said in court. “The fact that he did that to me five hours after coming out of a seven-hour surgery … made me feel a lot of things. Scared and vulnerable.”

Richards alleged that Phypers struck her, grabbed her arms, and called her derogatory names during confrontations. Court filings described additional claims of choking, slapping, and threats.

“Aaron regularly threatened to ‘break my jaw’ and would cry, beg me to stay, and promise to get help – none of which ever happened,” she said in the restraining order filing.

BEVERLY HILLS – SEP 29: Aaron Phypers, Denise Richards at the 2018 American Humane Hero Dog Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 29, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California

During a recent court hearing, Phypers was arrested on spousal abuse charges and escorted from the courtroom in handcuffs. He later filed a petition claiming financial hardship, asserting that Richards cut off access to their joint bank account and took equipment from his holistic business.

Phypers also claimed entitlement to half of Richards’ income from her OnlyFans page, which he estimated at between $200,000 and $300,000 per month, saying he took the photos and therefore held intellectual property rights.

His filing requested half of that revenue and immediate access to $200,000, alleging he is facing eviction and utility shutoffs.

A hearing on both the restraining order and financial matters is expected in the coming weeks.

Hegseth Shakes Up Pentagon: Top Generals Out as New Leadership Takes Over
News

Hegseth Shakes Up Pentagon: Top Generals Out as New Leadership Takes Over

/

Two senior flag and general officers have been replaced in the Pentagon within the past week, reflecting ongoing changes under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine as they continue reshaping military leadership and strategy across the Department of Defense.

The first major personnel change involves Lieutenant General Joseph P. McGee, director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff — commonly referred to as the J5.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the J5 is responsible for developing strategies, plans, and policy recommendations for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to support military advice to the President and national leaders while coordinating with interagency and allied partners.

McGee, a career Army officer with 35 years of service, commanded companies in the 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalions, the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, and later a brigade combat team within the same division.

He served ten combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and earned multiple commendations throughout his career.

His retirement was announced in a brief statement from the Joint Staff: “Lt. Gen. JP McGee will retire after nearly three years of outstanding leadership and service on the Joint Staff. We are grateful for his 35 years of honorable and dedicated service to the Nation. We owe him a great debt for his service, and it is regrettable anonymous sources would put the focus anywhere else.”

Reports indicate McGee’s exit stemmed from disagreements with Secretary Hegseth and Gen. Caine over strategic priorities, particularly regarding U.S. policy toward Russia, Ukraine, and ongoing operations in the Caribbean.

CNN reported that McGee had “frequently pushed back” on several of the administration’s new defense initiatives, creating tension within the upper levels of the Pentagon.

McGee was promoted to lieutenant general in May 2024 after being renominated by Joe Biden later that year.

That nomination expired at the end of the 118th Congress, and President Donald Trump did not submit his name for renomination, signaling that McGee’s retirement was likely imminent.

His close association with former military leadership, including ex-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, reportedly contributed to the decision not to retain him.

The second change involves Rear Admiral Kurt J. Rothenhaus, who was serving as the head of the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Rothenhaus, a 33-year Navy veteran with a Ph.D. in Software Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, was reassigned to command the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR).

Replacing Rothenhaus at ONR is Rachel Riley, a 33-year-old former McKinsey & Company partner who most recently served as a senior advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Despite some media speculation, Pentagon officials clarified that Rothenhaus’s transfer was not a dismissal but a lateral move to fill a vacant command position at NAVWAR.

Critics have questioned Riley’s lack of scientific or military background, though Pentagon officials noted that none of ONR’s top military positions are held by scientists.

The leadership structure includes officers with advanced degrees in business administration, systems analysis, and software engineering.

As ONR’s director, Riley will oversee funding allocations and research priorities rather than engage in hands-on scientific work.

Pentagon officials described her management and efficiency experience as consistent with the department’s emphasis on cost reduction and program effectiveness.

These two personnel changes follow a series of leadership reshuffles within the Department of Defense since the start of the year.

More than a dozen senior officials have been reassigned, retired, or replaced, including former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, and the heads of the National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency.

The changes reflect Secretary Hegseth’s ongoing efforts to overhaul Pentagon leadership and restructure the chain of command to align with the administration’s strategic defense and efficiency goals.


Scroll to Top