Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Did you hear raised agic Did you hear him talk
about the weekend? Independence Day? Friday sunny eighty five, Saturday
mostly sunny eighty five, Sunday mostly sunny eighty eight. So
all this rain we've been getting, all the problems we've
been having with thunderstorms, and there might be an isolated
(00:20):
thunderstorm before we get the Friday. Just keep thinking about it.
I've been saying it all week. Just keep thinking about
it that we are all working for the weekend right now.
It is going to be just gorgeous, and we deserve it.
We deserve it after so many horrible weekends in a row,
especially a couple weeks ago it seemed like we had
(00:41):
four or five weeks in a row that were rained
out on the weekends. The jury and the Sean Diddy
Comb sex trafficking trial has reached a verdict that starts
our Big three. A verdict. However, on four of the
five counts, the judge says, keep deliberating, and so that's
going to happen, and we'll see if they come back
today and say, hey, guess what, we still got a problem.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
We have this note saying as a partial verdict, saying
that they have an unpersuadable opinion between them when it
comes to that first count of racketeering conspiracy, but they
have a verdict as it applies to the other four accounts.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
So the big beautiful bill now goes on to the
House and it's going to have some problems there and
this is.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Not going to sail through the House. We're going to
have to negotiate with the Senate one more time, and
that's just appropriate. That's the way the legislative process works
and the way it should work on a bill of
this size.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
And the final numbers are in in the Democratic mayoral
primary and it was really surprising. I mean, the whole
thing was surprising that Zorin Mamdani won, but what's really
surprising is how much he won by in the Democratic primary,
and it shows how much he has electrified these young
voters who I guess don't really know what socialism is.
(01:59):
They just love free stuff.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
We always thought our victory would come up for multiple
rounds of rank twist vote, So when we got more
first round votes than Eric Adams gotten seven rounds in
the last collection, it was astonishing.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Everything he does is highly produced. I know he wants
to make it look like, you know, here I am
walking through the subway. Here, I am walking through the
department store. But they all have this special lens on
the camera. He's obviously not shooting it. It's highly edited.
But the big tell is he puts music in the background.
(02:35):
That's not he was standing by the river just then
there's nobody with a beatbox nearby that's adding that music. Now,
this isn't a guy off the streets. This was all
put together somewhere. I don't know where. He's getting a
lot of money from his parents, from his mommy. I
know that he's got that kind of money coming in,
but there's more than that. The organization that he had
(02:57):
early on this was put together somewhere. This whole campaign
was put together for this moment. And there has to
be an investigative reporter out there that wants to dig
into that. I hope the New York Times right now
or the Wall Street Journal is working on that. And
with that, let's get to Jeffrey Lichtmann, high profile criminal
(03:20):
defense attorney, host of Beyond the Legal Limit podcast found
on the iHeartRadio app. I know you want to talk
about Leah Thomas, which we were talking about just a
moment ago the swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania. But
before we do that, I want you to comment on
something I just said that it does seem like there's
something or someone behind this Zorhan mom Dani movement. They
(03:45):
like to make it look like it just sprung up
off the streets and he just was doing these cool
videos like the cool kids. It's a lot more than that,
don't you think.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Well, I mean, look, it's a highly produced, slick candidate
who smiles a lot and hides the fact that he's
in islamis with love for Hamas. I mean, he doesn't
even actually, he doesn't even hide it. That's what's so
amazing to me about this candidate. Normally, when you've got
a socialist or a Muslim terror sympathizer as a candidate,
(04:18):
you try to hide it and you try to deny
it because you know that the elector it doesn't want that.
But that's not the case in New York City anymore.
This is a far leftist dump now that's been taken
over due to one due to immigration, rampant immigration, due
to allowing the schools to brainwash our children. And now
we've got a guy who is openly embracing Hamas. He
(04:40):
had much Mood Khalil on stage with them. They're hugging,
they're kissing. You know, mood Khalil lied to get into
this country, openly supports Hamas, supports the end of America.
This is what Mamdani is. New York City doesn't care
he's getting elected. I know that there's still many of
us to think, well, of course we're going to come
(05:01):
to our senses on election day. We're absolutely not, because
there is massive amount of enthusiasm for his base to
vote for him. And who do we have against him.
We have Eric Adams, whose approval rating is in the teams.
I mean, he's an absolute jawbone of an ass As
a mayor and as a candidate. Curtis Lee has got
no chance. He's a Republican, he's a throwback to the fifties.
(05:22):
He's wearing the same stinking beret and I love the guy,
but realistically, he's not getting elected. And at this point
you have Andrew Cuomo is not dropping out. They're gonna
split the vote. All these guys have such massive egos,
they're gonna all run. Mombani's gonna crush in November, and
this is exactly, Larry, what New York City deserves. I'm
looking forward to it. This will be New York City
(05:45):
circling the drain and I'm going to be in the
front row looking at it, applauding and laughing because this
is exactly what the leftists deserve in New York City.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah, somebody's got to do a financial forensic look at
the money he's getting, because I don't think this is
all grassroots and coming up from the streets. I have
a believe that belief there's someone behind this, and I'd
love to know who.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
That is, no doubt. But here's also money behind the
Marjorie Taylor Green and Tucker Carlson from Qatar, which is
another Muslim terror state sponsor. You know this all over.
It's not just on their side, Larry, it's our side too. Oh.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I understand there's money in politics, that's but not everybody
goes and tries to hide that like he has. He's
not what he says he is, That's what I'm trying
to say. And he's so honest about everything else, as
you pointed out with the terrorism stuff and humas, He's
so honest about everything else, it's almost scary. And yet
he's not honest about who he is, where he came from,
(06:44):
or where he gets his money. Let's talk about Lea Thomas.
Speaking of money, the Trump administration said to Penn University
was going to hold one hundred and seventy five million
dollars from them if they didn't change their transgender stuff.
And they did. Not only that, they took away all
the accolades and the awards from and her complete her
(07:05):
complete athletic record they erased. And in response to that,
what it seems like he's having some success with some
Ivy League schools.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
There's no question. I mean, it's all about the money.
And Pen realize that, Look, we're willing to apologize for
letting a dude with a French bread between his legs
swim against the women. Were happy to get rid of
that and apologize for it. So they just throw him overboard,
throw that monstrosity overboard. But naturally noticed they're not apologizing
(07:38):
for all the anti semitism in the attacks on Jews,
because that's a bridge too far for you, Penn. They
can certainly throw over what is his name, Larry Thomas, Billy,
whatever his name is, I don't know, Larry doesn't make it.
I don't know what his real name was, his dead
name whatever. Anyway, So yes, I'm not surprised that Penn
(07:58):
would do that. In the schools obviously, all they care
about is money and their jew hates, so they're keeping
both of them.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
It looks like, yeah, you know what. I know you
were trying to insult him, but I think if you
said there was French bread between my legs, I might
take that as a compliment. I'm not sure that's.
Speaker 5 (08:15):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Let's get to p Diddy, and I know you've been
in so many courtrooms and have probably dealt with notes
coming back from the jury a million times. What do
you take of the split verdict?
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Well, I think that the defense is nauseated right now.
They didn't sleep last night. And if you've been listening
to me for the last bunch of weeks on your program, Larry,
I've tried to gently say that this was a disaster
for the defense. It's a case that should have been one.
You've got a a somewhat popular defendant, at least with
some of the jury. You've got a rico case with
(08:53):
no other co conspirators being tried. Next to many. He's
being tried as an entertainer as opposed to a mafia boss,
cartel leader. In Rego, this case was wildly overcharged. I
fell from the beginning that they would not get a
conviction on the rico. As I've said here, the fact
that they got such a quick verdict on the other
charges does not bode well for the defense, because look,
(09:13):
if they were going to quit them on these other
four charges, it's not very hard to then just take
those and quickly just dump them in the toilet and
flush it by convicting them on the first count rico charge.
They did. And this is what happens when you treat
a criminal trial of this magnitude like a law school project.
You have eight defense lawyers, eight different people, cross examining, opening, closing.
(09:36):
I think it's been a disaster. They have not put
on any defense. How hard would it have been to
get a few witnesses that are apt some of these
freak offs and explain that Cassie and some of these
other women were having a good time and that they
were completely there voluntarily and didn't seem to be in
any distress. They couldn't find a single witness You know sometimes, Larry,
(09:56):
this work isn't for everybody. You need a dictator criminal
defense trials to deal with the defense. This is not
a democracy where everybody gets to get up. You got
this person getting up to the young lawyer get everybody
gets to talk because you know, after all, it's not
like we've got somebody's freedom on the line. The defense
is going to get what it deserves. I suspect. I
hope I'm wrong. I hope that somehow that what's happened
(10:18):
so far it leads towards an acquittal. But I'd be shocked.
I think he's going to get convicted at least of
some of the charges two through five, the sex trafficking
and the prostitution. And I think they'll hang on count
one's rico because it's a tough charge to prove. But
this is a case that shouldn't have been one, could
have been one, and if it's not, there's no one
(10:38):
to blame but the defense.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Jeffrey Lickman, high profile criminal defense attorney, host of Beyond
the Legal Limit podcast found on the iHeartRadio app. Thanks
a lot, Jeffrey, talk to you again next week. Have
a good weekend. Do you have what it takes to
be cool. Now, sure, Well, we have a test to
see if you are cool. If you're not sure about that,
(11:00):
you can take it with us next. Plus, we've got
tickets to see Jackson Brown at A twenty five, so
stay with us. Well, Ow, I's appreciate your talkbacks. As
I say all the time, you make the show so
much better because you inspire other conversation. Today we got
several talkbacks, and the story about Lucy the pig in
(11:20):
Staten Island, in Tottenville in Staten Island certainly got lots
of talkbacks. And Uh, it was interesting where people took
the conversation.
Speaker 6 (11:32):
Uh, this is unbelievable. I heard somebody said we should
bend the rules for a piggy. We want to bend
the rules for a piggy, but don't want to bend
the rules for people that are trying to come here
to make a good living, honest living that I've been
here for many years working you know, food vendors that
are honestly trying to make a living for themselves and
for their family.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Well, let me tell you some of the differences. There's
not ten to twenty million pigs that we have to
worry about in the country right now. The pigs don't
commit any crimes, and there are a lot of criminals
that came across took advantage of the fact that the
border was left open for four years. There's no terrorist
pigs that I know of that we're also now concerned
(12:14):
of because especially from Iran, because the border was left
open all that time. And the rest of the people
in the neighborhood don't have to pay so that pig
can be here. They don't have to pay for housing,
they don't have to pay to help get them a job,
they don't have to pay any of the money for
the health care. Yeah, it's a lot different when they're
(12:36):
paying all the medical expenses for that pig, and that
pig is bothering no one. So I don't think that
was the best example you could have brought up. But
you know, you beu.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
Hey, that was probably a vegan that turned them in, right,
turned to Lucy in hold Lucy there. Well, good for Lucy,
Good for everybody that came to her rescue. She doesn't
have too much longer, but she'll be a rasher of bacon.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
I guess right.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
Oh boy, that wasn't a good ending, although I'm not
gonna say.
Speaker 8 (13:13):
It, so, I understand that the Democrats are planning another
huge protest on the fourth of July. Can you imagine
on our nation's birthday, and with all the positive things
that are going on right now in our country and
the world for that matter, and the Democrats have to
protest on our nation's birthday.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Yeah, there are several protests that are set for that day.
You know, I got to the point I don't care anymore.
The only reason that they have any power in these protests.
And by the way, most of them aren't that big.
There was a couple of them were large, but most
of them are pretty tiny. But man, the media covers
(13:55):
every single one of them, every single one of them,
as if they mean anything, if any as if anything's
gonna get done. After a while, we have to realize
these protests are just going to keep happening only because
they're getting attention. You want to stop the protests, just
stop paying attention, stop sending out the TV cameras. But
(14:18):
you know, talk about things that cost us money. You know,
they have to put police on overtime for this, and
I'm good for them. They get to make some extra money.
But this is getting silly.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Now.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Every single weekend, every single event, there has to be
some type of protest, and we just got to stop
caring about them.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
You know.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
It's like the guy that yells the end of the world.
Just pass them by, just pass them by and ignore them.
Just like these protesters, they don't really mean anything. Now,
let's get to this research on the six attributes that
make somebody cool.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
All right, I'm ready for the quiz, And do you
have any of these? Do I need all six?
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Let's just let's let's let's start low. Let's make it
a low bar to go in the beginning. Just if
you have any of these, that would be that would
be okay, if you have any of these, If you
have some of them, I'd be concerned to take you
the truth. Number one, Are you powerful? No, I'm going.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
To say no to that.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Number two, how about you? Am I powerful? Yeah? Some days?
Speaker 4 (15:21):
Okay, So you got a half half a point.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
On and off. Used to be a pile of a
lot more powerful. Not so powerful anymore. Are you hedonistic?
Are you a pleasure seeker? No? You don't seek pleasure,
not for.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Not in the way hedonistic implies. Yes, exactly, that's simple pleasures,
So no good clean fun.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Are you adventurous?
Speaker 6 (15:46):
No?
Speaker 1 (15:47):
Oh, I am a little bit used to be. Are
you independent?
Speaker 4 (15:50):
I think so?
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (15:52):
I am.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Are you open?
Speaker 4 (15:53):
I believe so.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Are you extroverted? Yes? Definitely doesn't even h It didn't
even hesitate at all. That The study also highlighted that
being cool is not the same as being good. Well,
obviously if you're hedonistic. Let's get the news now at
seven thirty with Jacqueline Carl Jacqueline.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
Good Morning, GOP. House lawmakers want to have the big,
beautiful bill on President Trump's death by Friday. The Senate
narrowly passed the massive spending package Tuesday. Asked by a
reporter if they have the votes, House Speaker Mike Johnson said,
they have more work to do, but it's going to
get done. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security
say lone wolf attacks pose the biggest threats to New
(16:36):
York City in San Francisco this fourth of July.
Speaker 9 (16:39):
The warning comes from internal bulletin's. ABC News has obtained
a warning of copycat attacks and homegrown extremists. Officials warrant
attacks in New York City and San Francisco could be
motivated by world events, with the agency specifically worried about
bad actors entering July fourth celebrations with weapons or other
hazardous material. It comes weeks after a man in Boulder, Colorado,
(17:02):
attacked a crowd marching and support of Israeli hostages, and
months after a driver rammed into New Year's revelers in
New Orleans. Natalie Migliori wo R News.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
So here's a good tip for travelers this weekend. According
to Yahoo News, not many people are aware of this,
but a sweaty body part could get you a friendly
pat down from the TSA. According to a TSA expert,
body sweat is one of the weirdest things that can
set off TSA scanners. She says this has to do
with millimeter wave technology and how the waves bounce off water.
(17:37):
So if you're planning on flying, do what you can
to minimize your excessive body sweat. Whatever you do, don't
be nervous.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
If you're nervous and you're sweaty, you may have to
step out of the line for a second.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
Yeah, I heard up when you said sweaty body part.
I thought you were talking specifically about one area.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
I not a little specific in the story. I changed
it to body parts because it's it's all the same.
If you have a sweaty body part, you can you
can get pulled over by the TSX.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
So basically, if you're just sweaty the body part.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
Yeah, you know.
Speaker 10 (18:12):
I had a relative who was, you know, taking aside
and said, you know, we have to do a pat down.
And they said it was because they were wearing a hoodie.
And they said it was so bulky, you know, the
bulky hoodie that they can't They said, if you want
to take off the hoodie, that's fine, but if you
want to keep it on, we have to take you
off the line.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
So, you know, did he take off the hoodie?
Speaker 4 (18:34):
They didn't have anything underneath the hoodie, so they didn't.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
That was a good choice. Yeah, I didn't know that.
That's really interesting. My kids wear hoodies and it made sense.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Well they said it, Yeah, okay, I get that, all right,
Thanks a lot, Jacqueline Carl.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
This story of the day, of course, is Sean p.
Diddy Combe's trial, and ABC's Peter Haralambu's has been covering
it from day one. We'll get his take on the
jury's hang up on the racketeering charge. Next also in
a new episode of On Purpose, Jay Shetty sits down
with award winning actress and singer Cynthia Arrivo for a
(19:17):
raw and inspiring conversation. Cynthia talks about her whirlwind year
filming back to back movies, performing at the Oscars, and
pouring her soul into her deeply personal new album. Open
the iHeartRadio app and search for On Purpose with Jay
Shetty to listen today. So I know that the p
(19:39):
Didy trial, the Shaan Coalms trial has been getting a
lot of coverage, but man, I was listening to some
reports yesterday and driving in today where they were saying,
all these new trucks are showing up now it's getting
worldwide coverage at this point because it sounds like a
verdict is going to happen. That's because the jury came
(20:01):
back and said, you know, we have a verdict on
four counts. We just can't come together and we don't
think we're ever going to come together on the first count.
What does all that mean? Well, luckily we have Peter
Haralambus who has been covering it from the beginning. ABC
News investigative reporter in New York. So, Peter, walk us
through this, walk us through the counts and what the
(20:23):
jury has come to a verdict on. We don't know
what the verdict is has come to a verdict on.
And what is the count that they have not come
to a verdict on.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Yeah, good morning, Larry. So at this point of the
four counts, we have five total counts. The jury has
reached a verdict on everything but racketeer and conspiracy. That's
the most serious charge, that's the top charge. For that one,
they say they're deadlocked. According to a note yesterday, they
have unpersuadable opinions on both sides. Otherwise, when it comes
to those four other counts, the two sex trafficking charges
(20:55):
and the two transportation for the purposes of the prostitution charges,
they've reached a vert Now what's kind of tricky here
is based on the notes we've got and based on
how this vertice has been delivered, we really have no
clue how they might have decided those those four counts.
I mean that genuinely, it could really go either way.
On one hand, I really genuinely think that Tron Combs's
(21:16):
legal team looks concerned Duncombs was wiping his eyes in
court yesterday. There was a look of panic. They looked
like stricken basically when this note came through. But when
I think about these counts, I generally can see it
going either way for him.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
And let me ask you about the first count, the
racketeering account, And everybody was saying from the very beginning
that might be a stretch. And so it's not a
huge surprise to anybody that's been watching the trial that
that is the one they may be caught up on.
When you find somebody guilty of racketeering, there are predicate charges, right,
and you have to get two of them. Is that right?
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Yeah, that's exactly right. And I think that's part of
the reason for confusion here. Right. So the elements for
this jury is a convict on racketeering conspiracy. Are believing
that one Shawn Combser's associate committed two underlying crimes what
they're called predicates, and that he did this with the
help of a criminal enterprise. He relied on other people, employees, staff,
(22:12):
et cetera. Right, So, on one hand, it's possible that
they reached a verdict on this four other counts and
just don't think it was a criminal enterprise. They don't
think this was an organized thing. When you think about it.
The racketeer conspiracy count is arguably the least intuitive of
these charges. But what's confusing to me is, let's say
they did actually convict on sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution.
(22:33):
Those are predicates according to the prosecutor. Wow, if they're
convicting on those two counts of those four counts, that
should be enough theoretically to reach a guilty verdict on
the racketeer and conspiracy unless they just think that this
wasn't a criminal enterprise. They just think Sean Combs was
acting alone. That's why I really think it can go
either way at this point.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
Yeah, Peter, you're so good. That was my setup question.
The second question was going to be the other two
pretty good charges, and yes they were, and you've jumped
right through that and answered it. So it is possible
that it, let's just say, the easiest one and the
one that everybody seems to think that he's absolutely guilty
of is the prostitution charges, but the sex trafficking, it
(23:14):
is possible that he's found not guilty on the sex trafficking,
but the prostitution that would probably make the most sense
for all of I don't believe me. We're just speculating
at this point. Nobody knows, but that seems to make sense.
If you're saying those two are predicate charges for the
racketeering that they would the more difficult one, the sex trafficking,
(23:35):
they may find him not guilty on. Would that make sense.
Speaker 3 (23:38):
That's I think that's exactly right. I think the transportation
for prostitution counts, those are arguably the slam dunks with prosecution.
It takes the lowest burden proof to actually get a
conviction on those. The jury has seen records, it's her
testimony all about it. I can see why the sex
trafficking counts are a bit trickier to the jury. But again,
(24:00):
these those four counts were all predicates according to the city,
to the prosecutors, So theoretically, let's we really just have
to wait and see at this point. So it's based
on how Sean Combs's team was reacting to this yesterday.
If I was judging the verdicts simply based on their reaction,
you'd think it was a fall on conviction. They looked devastated.
(24:20):
Sean Combs was wiping his eyes, he was being consoled
by his lawyers. From our vantage point, as we're trying
to interpret, is this a verdict is just a note,
we were pretty convinced it was it was a conviction,
just based on their reaction. But of course, for now,
this is a mystery to everyone, including the judge. Only
the jury at this point knows how they concluded on
(24:40):
those four counts.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
But everybody right now is of course reading facial reactions
there are trying to read into anything. Nobody really knows
anything at this point. But you what you just talked
about with the predicate charges and the fact that he
almost has to be found not guilty on one of
the other one, and if they found him guilty, I
(25:02):
just want to make sure that the audience gets this.
If he has found guilty on the other four they
are predicated charges. They are two of the predicated chargers,
and if that were to happen, he would have to
be You would think he would have to be found
guilty of the first one. That's what you've been saying.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
The only way that wouldn't be the case is if
the jury thought that Okay, yeah, perhaps COM's a guilty
of sex trafficking and prostitution, but he acted alone. If
they believe he acted fully alone, he didn't require any help,
He didn't rely on a staffers employee. If they could
maybe find a way to find him guilty on those
but find him innocent on the racketeeran conspiracy. But you know,
(25:41):
when you look at all the evidence, it's pretty clear
that at least he got some kind of assistance, even
if the assistants were unaware, perhaps of the extent of
the alleged plemonality, he didn't need some help there to
orchestrate all of this. So even also another thing just
to add is, even if they acquit him on this trafficking,
if they convict him on two of those prostitution counts,
(26:03):
that's also theoretically two racketeering predicates in the eyes of
the prosecutors. So there's a world in which they convicted
on racketeering, they quit on sex trafficking, but they convict
on those last two prostitution counts. So this is why
I talk a bit of a mystery, because all these
counts should kind of fit together like puzzle pieces, and
right now we just have this incomplete puzzle piece of
(26:23):
whether or not he's guilty of racketeering conspiracy.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
Okay, so you have really thought this out, and now
you've confused everybody, including me, Well are you Are you
comfortable in saying what you think is going to happen
at this point?
Speaker 3 (26:38):
I and I mean this genuinely. I really have no
clue at this point what direction it could go. I
really think the jury could come back and say they
fully acquitted him of everything. I could also see a
world in which they come back and they fully convicted
him based on what we know, based on the notes
we've gone back from the jury. It's a bit of
a It's fully a mystery at this point, and I
(27:00):
really think there's no telling at this point, based on
at this point the six notes we received from the jury,
I really think it will go either way for Shancombs.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
Well, that's what makes it a great story. You've been
covering it extremely well. Thank you so much, Peter Haralambus,
ABC News investigative reporter in New York. Have a good day, Peter.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
Thankularry.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
The Coney Island hot dog eating contest is this weekend,
and George Shay, the man who made the contest, the
national event that it is will be here with the
return of Joey Chestnut. That's next, and our iHeartRadio Music
Festival is back September nineteenth and twentieth in Las Vegas.
(27:40):
Two big nights, one big stage, live performances by It's
quite a lineup Brian Adams, John Fogerty, Sammy Hagar, Ed Sheeran,
Maroon five, and there's more to be added. Now's your
chance to buy tickets. You go to AXS dot com
AXS dot com get them now before they sell it. Well,
(28:01):
Cony Island is going to be the center of global
attention in a couple of days because not only are
they holding the Hot Dog Eating Championship again on Friday,
July fourth, but Joey Chestnut is back. So let's talk
to George Shay, who was co founder of the Major
(28:22):
League Eating and host of the annual Fourth of July
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. And George, you are such
a confident guy. And I've had a chance, I've had
the pleasure of talking to you a couple of times before,
and you always seem so confident. I just heard you
talking to Natalie. What are you worried about what are
(28:42):
you concerned about this weekend?
Speaker 5 (28:46):
Well, I had not looked at the weather. And you know,
I stopped looking at the weather a couple of years
ago when I looked and it looked great, and I'm going, Okay,
everything's going to be great. And then a thunderstorm came
through halfway through and just washed us out, and I said,
the weather, the weather is just fool's gold. I'm just
gonna do what I gotta do.
Speaker 1 (29:03):
So so you don't even look at a forecast looked.
Speaker 5 (29:07):
I have not looked at the forecast. I have not so,
but I'm glad to hear that it's supposed to be good.
Speaker 4 (29:13):
Yes, supposed to be let's stick with that.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Yeah, it's supposed to be beautiful. So now it's going
to rain because we just talked about it. But no, no,
I'm kidding. I it's not Don't let that. Don't let
that worry you. It is amazing, George. Let's just give
praise to you for a second. It's amazing what you've
done with a hot dog getting contest. I know there's
competitions around the world with other types of food. Nothing
(29:37):
has captured the world's imagination like this. So I don't
know how you did it, but man, you deserve a
lot of credit. And it is one of the best
promotion jobs in history.
Speaker 5 (29:52):
Well I appreciate that, and I have I have two partners,
my brother Richard and Dave bare But also, you know what,
it is very true about this. Nathan's has been like,
you know, we do the pr and we did all
of the you know, the sort of promotion of this.
But Nathan's is a great is a great partner in
that sense. Like a lot of people, you go, I'd
like to try this, and they go Nope, and I'd
(30:14):
like to try this. We'll put it through the We'll
put it through the group and see what happens. It's
not like that. They're like old school in New York.
Let's do what's fun. Let's let's do what will be interesting.
And that's always.
Speaker 3 (30:24):
Been the way it is.
Speaker 5 (30:26):
And then I also think that a lot of this
comes from the fact that it's linked to Coney Island,
and Coney Island has its own myth, its own sort
of momentum, and all this sort of goodwill behind it,
and a lot of it is linked to that.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
Let's talk about the competition and why it is so
exciting this year. It's funny when when Joey Chestnut didn't
take part, it was almost like a perfect storm of
setting up for a bigger story when he comes back.
So again this has worked out perfect.
Speaker 5 (30:58):
We know, I would say I thought it was unfortunate
that he wasn't there last year. I wanted him to
be there, as we all did. But with that said,
from a public relations standpoint, it was fantastic. We got
more press than we have ever gotten before, and that's
how we get our buzz. It's all through earned media,
it's all through stories and that sort of comes out
(31:18):
of that. It's not driven by advertising or you know,
social media. And then after a huge wave last year,
we've had an even bigger wave this year. So it's
really good and I think it sets everybody up for
a truly triumphant return to Coney Island, where previously he
was the element of it that fans wanted to see,
(31:38):
but it was a foregone conclusion that it was going
to win. So that now him coming back really provides
sort of a punctuation mark on, you know, an exclamation
point on the sort of effort.
Speaker 1 (31:50):
But there is sort of a competition this year. I mean,
he's expected to win. I get that, but there's other people,
especially with his absence last year, that have real and
so talk about the competition.
Speaker 5 (32:03):
Well, first of all, Mickey Pseudo, the female winner, will
be defending her title and her record of fifty one
the hot dogs and buns in ten minutes. Man, she
is equally dominant in that contest. But you're quite right.
Last year was a much more competitive event and it
was much more exciting from the pure sports angle of it.
(32:25):
And Patrick Bertolletti, who's an old friend by the way
of Joey Chestnut, they sort of grew up on the
circuit eating circuit together. Patrick ate fifty eight hot dogs
and buns and he is the reigning champion, so he's
gonna They're both going to be back. You know, I
have heard on the street that Patrick has upped his
numbers considerably, But if you think about it, fifty eight
(32:47):
to seventy plus, that's a pretty big deal.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
That's a big jump. So I guess the big question is,
since there may not be that much of a competition,
is will Joey Chestnut break the record?
Speaker 5 (33:00):
And that's always that is always the question, very dramatic
year in twenty twenty one when he came and only
was racing, racing, racing to break the record, and only
did it in the last bite, in the last second. Honestly,
I was I was counting it down and that was
seventy six hot dogs and buns, and so he would
have to break that record seventy six and ten minutes. However, Vegas,
(33:25):
the odds have him going out sort of as an
over under of seventy one. So I'm not sure, you know,
I'm not a betting man, and I can't, you know,
as the leader of the world body that governs all
stomach centric sports, I have to I have to refrain
from that. But that seems a little low.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Hey, thanks a lot for talking to us. Congratulations on
your success and we'll all be watching this weekend. Thanks
a lot.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
George Shay co watch and happy Fourth of July.
Speaker 1 (33:52):
Same to you, Sir George Shay, co founder of Major
League Eating and host of the annual Fourth of July
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Coming up next, Councilwoman Vicki Palladino.
It's eight o'clock
Did you hear raised agic Did you hear him talk
about the weekend? Independence Day? Friday sunny eighty five, Saturday
mostly sunny eighty five, Sunday mostly sunny eighty eight. So
all this rain we've been getting, all the problems we've
been having with thunderstorms, and there might be an isolated
(00:20):
thunderstorm before we get the Friday. Just keep thinking about it.
I've been saying it all week. Just keep thinking about
it that we are all working for the weekend right now.
It is going to be just gorgeous, and we deserve it.
We deserve it after so many horrible weekends in a row,
especially a couple weeks ago it seemed like we had
(00:41):
four or five weeks in a row that were rained
out on the weekends. The jury and the Sean Diddy
Comb sex trafficking trial has reached a verdict that starts
our Big three. A verdict. However, on four of the
five counts, the judge says, keep deliberating, and so that's
going to happen, and we'll see if they come back
today and say, hey, guess what, we still got a problem.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
We have this note saying as a partial verdict, saying
that they have an unpersuadable opinion between them when it
comes to that first count of racketeering conspiracy, but they
have a verdict as it applies to the other four accounts.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
So the big beautiful bill now goes on to the
House and it's going to have some problems there and
this is.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Not going to sail through the House. We're going to
have to negotiate with the Senate one more time, and
that's just appropriate. That's the way the legislative process works
and the way it should work on a bill of
this size.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
And the final numbers are in in the Democratic mayoral
primary and it was really surprising. I mean, the whole
thing was surprising that Zorin Mamdani won, but what's really
surprising is how much he won by in the Democratic primary,
and it shows how much he has electrified these young
voters who I guess don't really know what socialism is.
(01:59):
They just love free stuff.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
We always thought our victory would come up for multiple
rounds of rank twist vote, So when we got more
first round votes than Eric Adams gotten seven rounds in
the last collection, it was astonishing.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Everything he does is highly produced. I know he wants
to make it look like, you know, here I am
walking through the subway. Here, I am walking through the
department store. But they all have this special lens on
the camera. He's obviously not shooting it. It's highly edited.
But the big tell is he puts music in the background.
(02:35):
That's not he was standing by the river just then
there's nobody with a beatbox nearby that's adding that music. Now,
this isn't a guy off the streets. This was all
put together somewhere. I don't know where. He's getting a
lot of money from his parents, from his mommy. I
know that he's got that kind of money coming in,
but there's more than that. The organization that he had
(02:57):
early on this was put together somewhere. This whole campaign
was put together for this moment. And there has to
be an investigative reporter out there that wants to dig
into that. I hope the New York Times right now
or the Wall Street Journal is working on that. And
with that, let's get to Jeffrey Lichtmann, high profile criminal
(03:20):
defense attorney, host of Beyond the Legal Limit podcast found
on the iHeartRadio app. I know you want to talk
about Leah Thomas, which we were talking about just a
moment ago the swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania. But
before we do that, I want you to comment on
something I just said that it does seem like there's
something or someone behind this Zorhan mom Dani movement. They
(03:45):
like to make it look like it just sprung up
off the streets and he just was doing these cool
videos like the cool kids. It's a lot more than that,
don't you think.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Well, I mean, look, it's a highly produced, slick candidate
who smiles a lot and hides the fact that he's
in islamis with love for Hamas. I mean, he doesn't
even actually, he doesn't even hide it. That's what's so
amazing to me about this candidate. Normally, when you've got
a socialist or a Muslim terror sympathizer as a candidate,
(04:18):
you try to hide it and you try to deny
it because you know that the elector it doesn't want that.
But that's not the case in New York City anymore.
This is a far leftist dump now that's been taken
over due to one due to immigration, rampant immigration, due
to allowing the schools to brainwash our children. And now
we've got a guy who is openly embracing Hamas. He
(04:40):
had much Mood Khalil on stage with them. They're hugging,
they're kissing. You know, mood Khalil lied to get into
this country, openly supports Hamas, supports the end of America.
This is what Mamdani is. New York City doesn't care
he's getting elected. I know that there's still many of
us to think, well, of course we're going to come
(05:01):
to our senses on election day. We're absolutely not, because
there is massive amount of enthusiasm for his base to
vote for him. And who do we have against him.
We have Eric Adams, whose approval rating is in the teams.
I mean, he's an absolute jawbone of an ass As
a mayor and as a candidate. Curtis Lee has got
no chance. He's a Republican, he's a throwback to the fifties.
(05:22):
He's wearing the same stinking beret and I love the guy,
but realistically, he's not getting elected. And at this point
you have Andrew Cuomo is not dropping out. They're gonna
split the vote. All these guys have such massive egos,
they're gonna all run. Mombani's gonna crush in November, and
this is exactly, Larry, what New York City deserves. I'm
looking forward to it. This will be New York City
(05:45):
circling the drain and I'm going to be in the
front row looking at it, applauding and laughing because this
is exactly what the leftists deserve in New York City.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah, somebody's got to do a financial forensic look at
the money he's getting, because I don't think this is
all grassroots and coming up from the streets. I have
a believe that belief there's someone behind this, and I'd
love to know who.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
That is, no doubt. But here's also money behind the
Marjorie Taylor Green and Tucker Carlson from Qatar, which is
another Muslim terror state sponsor. You know this all over.
It's not just on their side, Larry, it's our side too. Oh.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I understand there's money in politics, that's but not everybody
goes and tries to hide that like he has. He's
not what he says he is, That's what I'm trying
to say. And he's so honest about everything else, as
you pointed out with the terrorism stuff and humas, He's
so honest about everything else, it's almost scary. And yet
he's not honest about who he is, where he came from,
(06:44):
or where he gets his money. Let's talk about Lea Thomas.
Speaking of money, the Trump administration said to Penn University
was going to hold one hundred and seventy five million
dollars from them if they didn't change their transgender stuff.
And they did. Not only that, they took away all
the accolades and the awards from and her complete her
(07:05):
complete athletic record they erased. And in response to that,
what it seems like he's having some success with some
Ivy League schools.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
There's no question. I mean, it's all about the money.
And Pen realize that, Look, we're willing to apologize for
letting a dude with a French bread between his legs
swim against the women. Were happy to get rid of
that and apologize for it. So they just throw him overboard,
throw that monstrosity overboard. But naturally noticed they're not apologizing
(07:38):
for all the anti semitism in the attacks on Jews,
because that's a bridge too far for you, Penn. They
can certainly throw over what is his name, Larry Thomas, Billy,
whatever his name is, I don't know, Larry doesn't make it.
I don't know what his real name was, his dead
name whatever. Anyway, So yes, I'm not surprised that Penn
(07:58):
would do that. In the schools obviously, all they care
about is money and their jew hates, so they're keeping
both of them.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
It looks like, yeah, you know what. I know you
were trying to insult him, but I think if you
said there was French bread between my legs, I might
take that as a compliment. I'm not sure that's.
Speaker 5 (08:15):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Let's get to p Diddy, and I know you've been
in so many courtrooms and have probably dealt with notes
coming back from the jury a million times. What do
you take of the split verdict?
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Well, I think that the defense is nauseated right now.
They didn't sleep last night. And if you've been listening
to me for the last bunch of weeks on your program, Larry,
I've tried to gently say that this was a disaster
for the defense. It's a case that should have been one.
You've got a a somewhat popular defendant, at least with
some of the jury. You've got a rico case with
(08:53):
no other co conspirators being tried. Next to many. He's
being tried as an entertainer as opposed to a mafia boss,
cartel leader. In Rego, this case was wildly overcharged. I
fell from the beginning that they would not get a
conviction on the rico. As I've said here, the fact
that they got such a quick verdict on the other
charges does not bode well for the defense, because look,
(09:13):
if they were going to quit them on these other
four charges, it's not very hard to then just take
those and quickly just dump them in the toilet and
flush it by convicting them on the first count rico charge.
They did. And this is what happens when you treat
a criminal trial of this magnitude like a law school project.
You have eight defense lawyers, eight different people, cross examining, opening, closing.
(09:36):
I think it's been a disaster. They have not put
on any defense. How hard would it have been to
get a few witnesses that are apt some of these
freak offs and explain that Cassie and some of these
other women were having a good time and that they
were completely there voluntarily and didn't seem to be in
any distress. They couldn't find a single witness You know sometimes, Larry,
(09:56):
this work isn't for everybody. You need a dictator criminal
defense trials to deal with the defense. This is not
a democracy where everybody gets to get up. You got
this person getting up to the young lawyer get everybody
gets to talk because you know, after all, it's not
like we've got somebody's freedom on the line. The defense
is going to get what it deserves. I suspect. I
hope I'm wrong. I hope that somehow that what's happened
(10:18):
so far it leads towards an acquittal. But I'd be shocked.
I think he's going to get convicted at least of
some of the charges two through five, the sex trafficking
and the prostitution. And I think they'll hang on count
one's rico because it's a tough charge to prove. But
this is a case that shouldn't have been one, could
have been one, and if it's not, there's no one
(10:38):
to blame but the defense.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Jeffrey Lickman, high profile criminal defense attorney, host of Beyond
the Legal Limit podcast found on the iHeartRadio app. Thanks
a lot, Jeffrey, talk to you again next week. Have
a good weekend. Do you have what it takes to
be cool. Now, sure, Well, we have a test to
see if you are cool. If you're not sure about that,
(11:00):
you can take it with us next. Plus, we've got
tickets to see Jackson Brown at A twenty five, so
stay with us. Well, Ow, I's appreciate your talkbacks. As
I say all the time, you make the show so
much better because you inspire other conversation. Today we got
several talkbacks, and the story about Lucy the pig in
(11:20):
Staten Island, in Tottenville in Staten Island certainly got lots
of talkbacks. And Uh, it was interesting where people took
the conversation.
Speaker 6 (11:32):
Uh, this is unbelievable. I heard somebody said we should
bend the rules for a piggy. We want to bend
the rules for a piggy, but don't want to bend
the rules for people that are trying to come here
to make a good living, honest living that I've been
here for many years working you know, food vendors that
are honestly trying to make a living for themselves and
for their family.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Well, let me tell you some of the differences. There's
not ten to twenty million pigs that we have to
worry about in the country right now. The pigs don't
commit any crimes, and there are a lot of criminals
that came across took advantage of the fact that the
border was left open for four years. There's no terrorist
pigs that I know of that we're also now concerned
(12:14):
of because especially from Iran, because the border was left
open all that time. And the rest of the people
in the neighborhood don't have to pay so that pig
can be here. They don't have to pay for housing,
they don't have to pay to help get them a job,
they don't have to pay any of the money for
the health care. Yeah, it's a lot different when they're
(12:36):
paying all the medical expenses for that pig, and that
pig is bothering no one. So I don't think that
was the best example you could have brought up. But
you know, you beu.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
Hey, that was probably a vegan that turned them in, right,
turned to Lucy in hold Lucy there. Well, good for Lucy,
Good for everybody that came to her rescue. She doesn't
have too much longer, but she'll be a rasher of bacon.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
I guess right.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
Oh boy, that wasn't a good ending, although I'm not
gonna say.
Speaker 8 (13:13):
It, so, I understand that the Democrats are planning another
huge protest on the fourth of July. Can you imagine
on our nation's birthday, and with all the positive things
that are going on right now in our country and
the world for that matter, and the Democrats have to
protest on our nation's birthday.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Yeah, there are several protests that are set for that day.
You know, I got to the point I don't care anymore.
The only reason that they have any power in these protests.
And by the way, most of them aren't that big.
There was a couple of them were large, but most
of them are pretty tiny. But man, the media covers
(13:55):
every single one of them, every single one of them,
as if they mean anything, if any as if anything's
gonna get done. After a while, we have to realize
these protests are just going to keep happening only because
they're getting attention. You want to stop the protests, just
stop paying attention, stop sending out the TV cameras. But
(14:18):
you know, talk about things that cost us money. You know,
they have to put police on overtime for this, and
I'm good for them. They get to make some extra money.
But this is getting silly.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Now.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Every single weekend, every single event, there has to be
some type of protest, and we just got to stop
caring about them.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
You know.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
It's like the guy that yells the end of the world.
Just pass them by, just pass them by and ignore them.
Just like these protesters, they don't really mean anything. Now,
let's get to this research on the six attributes that
make somebody cool.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
All right, I'm ready for the quiz, And do you
have any of these? Do I need all six?
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Let's just let's let's let's start low. Let's make it
a low bar to go in the beginning. Just if
you have any of these, that would be that would
be okay, if you have any of these, If you
have some of them, I'd be concerned to take you
the truth. Number one, Are you powerful? No, I'm going.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
To say no to that.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Number two, how about you? Am I powerful? Yeah? Some days?
Speaker 4 (15:21):
Okay, So you got a half half a point.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
On and off. Used to be a pile of a
lot more powerful. Not so powerful anymore. Are you hedonistic?
Are you a pleasure seeker? No? You don't seek pleasure,
not for.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Not in the way hedonistic implies. Yes, exactly, that's simple pleasures,
So no good clean fun.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Are you adventurous?
Speaker 6 (15:46):
No?
Speaker 1 (15:47):
Oh, I am a little bit used to be. Are
you independent?
Speaker 4 (15:50):
I think so?
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (15:52):
I am.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Are you open?
Speaker 4 (15:53):
I believe so.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Are you extroverted? Yes? Definitely doesn't even h It didn't
even hesitate at all. That The study also highlighted that
being cool is not the same as being good. Well,
obviously if you're hedonistic. Let's get the news now at
seven thirty with Jacqueline Carl Jacqueline.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
Good Morning, GOP. House lawmakers want to have the big,
beautiful bill on President Trump's death by Friday. The Senate
narrowly passed the massive spending package Tuesday. Asked by a
reporter if they have the votes, House Speaker Mike Johnson said,
they have more work to do, but it's going to
get done. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security
say lone wolf attacks pose the biggest threats to New
(16:36):
York City in San Francisco this fourth of July.
Speaker 9 (16:39):
The warning comes from internal bulletin's. ABC News has obtained
a warning of copycat attacks and homegrown extremists. Officials warrant
attacks in New York City and San Francisco could be
motivated by world events, with the agency specifically worried about
bad actors entering July fourth celebrations with weapons or other
hazardous material. It comes weeks after a man in Boulder, Colorado,
(17:02):
attacked a crowd marching and support of Israeli hostages, and
months after a driver rammed into New Year's revelers in
New Orleans. Natalie Migliori wo R News.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
So here's a good tip for travelers this weekend. According
to Yahoo News, not many people are aware of this,
but a sweaty body part could get you a friendly
pat down from the TSA. According to a TSA expert,
body sweat is one of the weirdest things that can
set off TSA scanners. She says this has to do
with millimeter wave technology and how the waves bounce off water.
(17:37):
So if you're planning on flying, do what you can
to minimize your excessive body sweat. Whatever you do, don't
be nervous.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
If you're nervous and you're sweaty, you may have to
step out of the line for a second.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
Yeah, I heard up when you said sweaty body part.
I thought you were talking specifically about one area.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
I not a little specific in the story. I changed
it to body parts because it's it's all the same.
If you have a sweaty body part, you can you
can get pulled over by the TSX.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
So basically, if you're just sweaty the body part.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
Yeah, you know.
Speaker 10 (18:12):
I had a relative who was, you know, taking aside
and said, you know, we have to do a pat down.
And they said it was because they were wearing a hoodie.
And they said it was so bulky, you know, the
bulky hoodie that they can't They said, if you want
to take off the hoodie, that's fine, but if you
want to keep it on, we have to take you
off the line.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
So, you know, did he take off the hoodie?
Speaker 4 (18:34):
They didn't have anything underneath the hoodie, so they didn't.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
That was a good choice. Yeah, I didn't know that.
That's really interesting. My kids wear hoodies and it made sense.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Well they said it, Yeah, okay, I get that, all right,
Thanks a lot, Jacqueline Carl.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
This story of the day, of course, is Sean p.
Diddy Combe's trial, and ABC's Peter Haralambu's has been covering
it from day one. We'll get his take on the
jury's hang up on the racketeering charge. Next also in
a new episode of On Purpose, Jay Shetty sits down
with award winning actress and singer Cynthia Arrivo for a
(19:17):
raw and inspiring conversation. Cynthia talks about her whirlwind year
filming back to back movies, performing at the Oscars, and
pouring her soul into her deeply personal new album. Open
the iHeartRadio app and search for On Purpose with Jay
Shetty to listen today. So I know that the p
(19:39):
Didy trial, the Shaan Coalms trial has been getting a
lot of coverage, but man, I was listening to some
reports yesterday and driving in today where they were saying,
all these new trucks are showing up now it's getting
worldwide coverage at this point because it sounds like a
verdict is going to happen. That's because the jury came
(20:01):
back and said, you know, we have a verdict on
four counts. We just can't come together and we don't
think we're ever going to come together on the first count.
What does all that mean? Well, luckily we have Peter
Haralambus who has been covering it from the beginning. ABC
News investigative reporter in New York. So, Peter, walk us
through this, walk us through the counts and what the
(20:23):
jury has come to a verdict on. We don't know
what the verdict is has come to a verdict on.
And what is the count that they have not come
to a verdict on.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Yeah, good morning, Larry. So at this point of the
four counts, we have five total counts. The jury has
reached a verdict on everything but racketeer and conspiracy. That's
the most serious charge, that's the top charge. For that one,
they say they're deadlocked. According to a note yesterday, they
have unpersuadable opinions on both sides. Otherwise, when it comes
to those four other counts, the two sex trafficking charges
(20:55):
and the two transportation for the purposes of the prostitution charges,
they've reached a vert Now what's kind of tricky here
is based on the notes we've got and based on
how this vertice has been delivered, we really have no
clue how they might have decided those those four counts.
I mean that genuinely, it could really go either way.
On one hand, I really genuinely think that Tron Combs's
(21:16):
legal team looks concerned Duncombs was wiping his eyes in
court yesterday. There was a look of panic. They looked
like stricken basically when this note came through. But when
I think about these counts, I generally can see it
going either way for him.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
And let me ask you about the first count, the
racketeering account, And everybody was saying from the very beginning
that might be a stretch. And so it's not a
huge surprise to anybody that's been watching the trial that
that is the one they may be caught up on.
When you find somebody guilty of racketeering, there are predicate charges, right,
and you have to get two of them. Is that right?
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Yeah, that's exactly right. And I think that's part of
the reason for confusion here. Right. So the elements for
this jury is a convict on racketeering conspiracy. Are believing
that one Shawn Combser's associate committed two underlying crimes what
they're called predicates, and that he did this with the
help of a criminal enterprise. He relied on other people, employees, staff,
(22:12):
et cetera. Right, So, on one hand, it's possible that
they reached a verdict on this four other counts and
just don't think it was a criminal enterprise. They don't
think this was an organized thing. When you think about it.
The racketeer conspiracy count is arguably the least intuitive of
these charges. But what's confusing to me is, let's say
they did actually convict on sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution.
(22:33):
Those are predicates according to the prosecutor. Wow, if they're
convicting on those two counts of those four counts, that
should be enough theoretically to reach a guilty verdict on
the racketeer and conspiracy unless they just think that this
wasn't a criminal enterprise. They just think Sean Combs was
acting alone. That's why I really think it can go
either way at this point.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
Yeah, Peter, you're so good. That was my setup question.
The second question was going to be the other two
pretty good charges, and yes they were, and you've jumped
right through that and answered it. So it is possible
that it, let's just say, the easiest one and the
one that everybody seems to think that he's absolutely guilty
of is the prostitution charges, but the sex trafficking, it
(23:14):
is possible that he's found not guilty on the sex trafficking,
but the prostitution that would probably make the most sense
for all of I don't believe me. We're just speculating
at this point. Nobody knows, but that seems to make sense.
If you're saying those two are predicate charges for the
racketeering that they would the more difficult one, the sex trafficking,
(23:35):
they may find him not guilty on. Would that make sense.
Speaker 3 (23:38):
That's I think that's exactly right. I think the transportation
for prostitution counts, those are arguably the slam dunks with prosecution.
It takes the lowest burden proof to actually get a
conviction on those. The jury has seen records, it's her
testimony all about it. I can see why the sex
trafficking counts are a bit trickier to the jury. But again,
(24:00):
these those four counts were all predicates according to the city,
to the prosecutors, So theoretically, let's we really just have
to wait and see at this point. So it's based
on how Sean Combs's team was reacting to this yesterday.
If I was judging the verdicts simply based on their reaction,
you'd think it was a fall on conviction. They looked devastated.
(24:20):
Sean Combs was wiping his eyes, he was being consoled
by his lawyers. From our vantage point, as we're trying
to interpret, is this a verdict is just a note,
we were pretty convinced it was it was a conviction,
just based on their reaction. But of course, for now,
this is a mystery to everyone, including the judge. Only
the jury at this point knows how they concluded on
(24:40):
those four counts.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
But everybody right now is of course reading facial reactions
there are trying to read into anything. Nobody really knows
anything at this point. But you what you just talked
about with the predicate charges and the fact that he
almost has to be found not guilty on one of
the other one, and if they found him guilty, I
(25:02):
just want to make sure that the audience gets this.
If he has found guilty on the other four they
are predicated charges. They are two of the predicated chargers,
and if that were to happen, he would have to
be You would think he would have to be found
guilty of the first one. That's what you've been saying.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
The only way that wouldn't be the case is if
the jury thought that Okay, yeah, perhaps COM's a guilty
of sex trafficking and prostitution, but he acted alone. If
they believe he acted fully alone, he didn't require any help,
He didn't rely on a staffers employee. If they could
maybe find a way to find him guilty on those
but find him innocent on the racketeeran conspiracy. But you know,
(25:41):
when you look at all the evidence, it's pretty clear
that at least he got some kind of assistance, even
if the assistants were unaware, perhaps of the extent of
the alleged plemonality, he didn't need some help there to
orchestrate all of this. So even also another thing just
to add is, even if they acquit him on this trafficking,
if they convict him on two of those prostitution counts,
(26:03):
that's also theoretically two racketeering predicates in the eyes of
the prosecutors. So there's a world in which they convicted
on racketeering, they quit on sex trafficking, but they convict
on those last two prostitution counts. So this is why
I talk a bit of a mystery, because all these
counts should kind of fit together like puzzle pieces, and
right now we just have this incomplete puzzle piece of
(26:23):
whether or not he's guilty of racketeering conspiracy.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
Okay, so you have really thought this out, and now
you've confused everybody, including me, Well are you Are you
comfortable in saying what you think is going to happen
at this point?
Speaker 3 (26:38):
I and I mean this genuinely. I really have no
clue at this point what direction it could go. I
really think the jury could come back and say they
fully acquitted him of everything. I could also see a
world in which they come back and they fully convicted
him based on what we know, based on the notes
we've gone back from the jury. It's a bit of
a It's fully a mystery at this point, and I
(27:00):
really think there's no telling at this point, based on
at this point the six notes we received from the jury,
I really think it will go either way for Shancombs.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
Well, that's what makes it a great story. You've been
covering it extremely well. Thank you so much, Peter Haralambus,
ABC News investigative reporter in New York. Have a good day, Peter.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
Thankularry.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
The Coney Island hot dog eating contest is this weekend,
and George Shay, the man who made the contest, the
national event that it is will be here with the
return of Joey Chestnut. That's next, and our iHeartRadio Music
Festival is back September nineteenth and twentieth in Las Vegas.
(27:40):
Two big nights, one big stage, live performances by It's
quite a lineup Brian Adams, John Fogerty, Sammy Hagar, Ed Sheeran,
Maroon five, and there's more to be added. Now's your
chance to buy tickets. You go to AXS dot com
AXS dot com get them now before they sell it. Well,
(28:01):
Cony Island is going to be the center of global
attention in a couple of days because not only are
they holding the Hot Dog Eating Championship again on Friday,
July fourth, but Joey Chestnut is back. So let's talk
to George Shay, who was co founder of the Major
(28:22):
League Eating and host of the annual Fourth of July
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. And George, you are such
a confident guy. And I've had a chance, I've had
the pleasure of talking to you a couple of times before,
and you always seem so confident. I just heard you
talking to Natalie. What are you worried about what are
(28:42):
you concerned about this weekend?
Speaker 5 (28:46):
Well, I had not looked at the weather. And you know,
I stopped looking at the weather a couple of years
ago when I looked and it looked great, and I'm going, Okay,
everything's going to be great. And then a thunderstorm came
through halfway through and just washed us out, and I said,
the weather, the weather is just fool's gold. I'm just
gonna do what I gotta do.
Speaker 1 (29:03):
So so you don't even look at a forecast looked.
Speaker 5 (29:07):
I have not looked at the forecast. I have not so,
but I'm glad to hear that it's supposed to be good.
Speaker 4 (29:13):
Yes, supposed to be let's stick with that.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Yeah, it's supposed to be beautiful. So now it's going
to rain because we just talked about it. But no, no,
I'm kidding. I it's not Don't let that. Don't let
that worry you. It is amazing, George. Let's just give
praise to you for a second. It's amazing what you've
done with a hot dog getting contest. I know there's
competitions around the world with other types of food. Nothing
(29:37):
has captured the world's imagination like this. So I don't
know how you did it, but man, you deserve a
lot of credit. And it is one of the best
promotion jobs in history.
Speaker 5 (29:52):
Well I appreciate that, and I have I have two partners,
my brother Richard and Dave bare But also, you know what,
it is very true about this. Nathan's has been like,
you know, we do the pr and we did all
of the you know, the sort of promotion of this.
But Nathan's is a great is a great partner in
that sense. Like a lot of people, you go, I'd
like to try this, and they go Nope, and I'd
(30:14):
like to try this. We'll put it through the We'll
put it through the group and see what happens. It's
not like that. They're like old school in New York.
Let's do what's fun. Let's let's do what will be interesting.
And that's always.
Speaker 3 (30:24):
Been the way it is.
Speaker 5 (30:26):
And then I also think that a lot of this
comes from the fact that it's linked to Coney Island,
and Coney Island has its own myth, its own sort
of momentum, and all this sort of goodwill behind it,
and a lot of it is linked to that.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
Let's talk about the competition and why it is so
exciting this year. It's funny when when Joey Chestnut didn't
take part, it was almost like a perfect storm of
setting up for a bigger story when he comes back.
So again this has worked out perfect.
Speaker 5 (30:58):
We know, I would say I thought it was unfortunate
that he wasn't there last year. I wanted him to
be there, as we all did. But with that said,
from a public relations standpoint, it was fantastic. We got
more press than we have ever gotten before, and that's
how we get our buzz. It's all through earned media,
it's all through stories and that sort of comes out
(31:18):
of that. It's not driven by advertising or you know,
social media. And then after a huge wave last year,
we've had an even bigger wave this year. So it's
really good and I think it sets everybody up for
a truly triumphant return to Coney Island, where previously he
was the element of it that fans wanted to see,
(31:38):
but it was a foregone conclusion that it was going
to win. So that now him coming back really provides
sort of a punctuation mark on, you know, an exclamation
point on the sort of effort.
Speaker 1 (31:50):
But there is sort of a competition this year. I mean,
he's expected to win. I get that, but there's other people,
especially with his absence last year, that have real and
so talk about the competition.
Speaker 5 (32:03):
Well, first of all, Mickey Pseudo, the female winner, will
be defending her title and her record of fifty one
the hot dogs and buns in ten minutes. Man, she
is equally dominant in that contest. But you're quite right.
Last year was a much more competitive event and it
was much more exciting from the pure sports angle of it.
(32:25):
And Patrick Bertolletti, who's an old friend by the way
of Joey Chestnut, they sort of grew up on the
circuit eating circuit together. Patrick ate fifty eight hot dogs
and buns and he is the reigning champion, so he's
gonna They're both going to be back. You know, I
have heard on the street that Patrick has upped his
numbers considerably, But if you think about it, fifty eight
(32:47):
to seventy plus, that's a pretty big deal.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
That's a big jump. So I guess the big question is,
since there may not be that much of a competition,
is will Joey Chestnut break the record?
Speaker 5 (33:00):
And that's always that is always the question, very dramatic
year in twenty twenty one when he came and only
was racing, racing, racing to break the record, and only
did it in the last bite, in the last second. Honestly,
I was I was counting it down and that was
seventy six hot dogs and buns, and so he would
have to break that record seventy six and ten minutes. However, Vegas,
(33:25):
the odds have him going out sort of as an
over under of seventy one. So I'm not sure, you know,
I'm not a betting man, and I can't, you know,
as the leader of the world body that governs all
stomach centric sports, I have to I have to refrain
from that. But that seems a little low.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Hey, thanks a lot for talking to us. Congratulations on
your success and we'll all be watching this weekend. Thanks
a lot.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
George Shay co watch and happy Fourth of July.
Speaker 1 (33:52):
Same to you, Sir George Shay, co founder of Major
League Eating and host of the annual Fourth of July
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Coming up next, Councilwoman Vicki Palladino.
It's eight o'clock
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.