News

Too Black for Business: Carlos Watson Defense Team Asks Justice Department to Conduct Racial Bias Investigation of Brooklyn Prosecutors After Revelations They Charge Blacks and Other People of Color in 90 Percent of Cases

Published

3 months ago

June 30, 2023

Daily News Staff

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Carlos Watson’s defense team, led by Ronald S. Sullivan Jr. of Ronald Sullivan Law, PLLC, today requested the Justice Department undertake a review of the Eastern District of New York office after an investigation found that the white prosecutors pursuing OZY Media founder Carlos Watson charge people of color in 90 percent of their cases.

“The numbers tell a disturbing story of racial bias, with Carlos Watson the latest target,” said Sullivan in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Carlos Watson and his company OZY Media are based in Northern California, yet these prosecutors targeted Watson while choosing to ignore the conduct of white entrepreneurs engaging in similar conduct and headquartered in New York City.”

The prosecutorial track record of the three white prosecutors – Jon Siegel, Dylan Stern and Gillian Kassner – targeting Carlos Watson reveals an alarming racial bias. Combined, they have pursued charges against 193 defendants since 2019 – and only 6 percent are White, according to Bureau of Prisons data reviewed and verified by Quest Research and Investigations. These prosecutors are eight times more likely to target black defendants over white defendants.

Below is a breakdown of cases handled by Siegel, Stern and Kassner:

	Percentage of Population	Percentage of Criminal Cases
White	35 %	6 %
Black	27 %	51 %
Hispanic	19 %	25 %
Asian	14 %	13 %

“The fact that these prosecutors charge people of color in 90 percent of their cases reveals a troubling racial bias against Blacks and other minorities,” added Sullivan. “Is it so hard to find Whites who commit crimes in Brooklyn? Or are these prosecutors just not looking for them?”

Too often the conduct of black entrepreneurs is criminalized while their white counterparts who engaged in the same conduct are held harmless or lauded for their business acumen.

A 2022 study of white-collar sentencing found “even though most white-collar crimes are committed by people who are White, people of color are incarcerated more frequently and for longer: African American adults are 5.9 times as likely to be incarcerated than whites.”

Prosecutors indicted Watson, who faces 37 years in prison, while giving a pass to white entrepreneurs who engaged in similar or more egregious conduct. For example, Vice’s Shane Smith and BuzzFeeds’s Jonah Peretti faced no legal scrutiny despite questionable behavior that cost shareholders billions of dollars revealed in multiple news stories (Vice goes belly up; BuzzFeed News is shutting down, as CEO cites missteps; BuzzFeed’s Epic Fail).

According to a recent survey, by a 4-1 margin Americans say that it’s more likely that a black entrepreneur will be prosecuted for the same conduct as a white entrepreneur. (Source: Survey of 1,062 Americans conducted on June 13, 2023. Margin of error is +/- 2.5 percent).

Sullivan, a Harvard Law professor, has dedicated his career to racial justice. He oversees cases as part of the Criminal Justice Institute, represented the family of Michael Brown – the unarmed teen shot to death by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri – and was dubbed the “The Man Who Dealt the Biggest Blow to Mass Incarceration,” for his efforts to win the release of more than 6,000 wrongfully incarcerated (and mostly black) persons.

“The responsible act would be for Attorney General Garland and Deputy Attorney General Monaco to review the prosecutorial track record of these prosecutors in the Brooklyn US Attorney’s office,” said Sullivan. “And once they see the obvious bias that has targeted people of color, they should dismiss the charges against Carlos Watson.”

For more information about the Carlos Watson case and the racial disparities in the prosecution and sentencing of black defendants, please go to tooblackforbusiness.org.

SOURCE Ronald Sullivan Law, PLLC

Daily News

Pickleball in California Sees Unprecedented Growth: Investment Needed

California’s pickleball surge necessitates investment in courts to meet demand and sustain growth.

Published

22 hours ago

September 27, 2023

Michael J Sliwa

Pickleball, the popular paddle sport, is experiencing unprecedented growth in California. According to the recently released 2023 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report by Pickleheads and The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the state will need to build a staggering 3,748 courts at a cost of $131.2 million to meet the increasing demand over the next 5-7 years.

The report also reveals that California currently has only 0.67 dedicated pickleball courts per 10,000 people, which is 45% below the national average. In fact, the state ranks 41st in the nation in terms of dedicated court coverage per capita. These figures highlight the urgent need for investment in pickleball infrastructure to keep up with the sport’s meteoric rise.

Brandon Mackie, Co-founder and COO of Pickleheads, emphasizes the significance of this growth, stating, “Pickleball continues to grow at an unprecedented rate in California. Our estimates show the state will need to invest $131M in courts over the next 5-7 years. This represents an exciting challenge for both public and private enterprises in California.”

Pickleheads, the leading online platform for pickleball, has been instrumental in compiling comprehensive data on pickleball courts across the country. Their database currently includes 51,937 courts across 12,081 facilities in the U.S.

To gain further insights into the state of pickleball and its infrastructure, the 2023 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report can be purchased on pickleheads.com for $350.

As pickleball’s popularity continues to soar, the investment and expansion of pickleball facilities in California will play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand and ensuring players have ample opportunities to enjoy the sport.

SOURCE Pickleheads

Daily News

Dink Ninja Paddle Review: High-Quality Performance!

“Discover the Dink Ninja Paddle’s high-quality performance in our review! Elevate your pickleball game with this top-notch equipment.

Published

23 hours ago

September 27, 2023

Rod Washington and Michael J Sliwa

“Dink Ninja Paddle Review: Slicing and Dicing Its Way to High-Quality Performance!”

In a recent episode of Sleeves Senior Pickleball Report, renowned host Mike Sliwa took on the challenge of reviewing the Dink Ninja 🥷White Hot Edition 🔥 Carbon Paddle. Known for his expertise and insightful analysis, Mike left no stone unturned as he explored the paddle’s features and performance.

The Dink Ninja paddle boasts an 18k Carbon Fiber face that delivers an impressive combination of power, spin, and accuracy. Its dual layer PP honeycomb core, coupled with a flexible paddle surface, provides an unmatched touch, allowing players to execute precise shots with ease. With a thickness of 16mm, this paddle offers increased power for those aggressive shots on the court.

What sets the Dink Ninja apart is its proprietary textured surface, which effortlessly generates impressive ball spin. Mike Sliwa couldn’t help but be impressed with the paddle’s ability to enhance his game and take it to the next level.

If you’re looking to elevate your pickleball game, the Dink Ninja 🥷White Hot Edition 🔥 Carbon Paddle might just be the game-changer you need. Don’t miss out on this incredible paddle that slices and dices its way to high-quality performance.

Discover everything you need to know about the legendary Dink Ninja paddle by clicking the link below.

https://dinkninjas.com/products/dink-ninja-carbon-paddle

Automotive

Hyundai 2024 Santa Cruz: Best Urban Pickup by Cars.com

“Hyundai’s 2024 Santa Cruz named Best Urban Pickup by Cars.com, blending adventure with practicality.”

Published

1 day ago

September 27, 2023

Hal Machina

Hyundai’s 2024 Santa Cruz has been named the Best Urban Pickup by Cars.com in their Pickup Truck Buying Guide. The Santa Cruz impressed Cars.com’s editors with its ability to combine adventure and practicality, as well as its range of desirable features. Ricky Lao, the director of product planning at Hyundai Motor America, expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the brand’s commitment to innovative design, powerful drivetrains, driver convenience, and advanced safety features.

*The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Night Edition photographed in Irvine, Calif., Aug. 18, 2022.*

According to Aaron Bragman, Cars.com’s Detroit Bureau Chief, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the ideal truck for urban environments. Its sleek and compact design, lockable hard-top tonneau cover, and comfortable ride make it a dream for city dwellers. Additionally, its Surround View Monitor makes parallel parking on narrow city streets a breeze.

To receive a Cars.com Top Pick designation, vehicles must demonstrate solid fuel economy, capability, and value. For pickup trucks, payload and towing capacities are also considered. Moreover, practical attributes that cater to family needs are taken into account, as many pickups are used for this purpose.

Cars.com Inc. is a leading automotive marketplace platform that connects car shoppers with sellers through digital solutions. Hyundai Motor America focuses on “Progress for Humanity” and offers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles to U.S. consumers. In 2022, Hyundai’s dealers sold over 724,000 vehicles in the U.S., with a significant portion produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Source: Hyundai