It was some of the controversial Star Wars tasks of all time, which is definitely saying one thing, and now there shall be nothing extra to debate, it appears. Deadline is reporting that The Acolyte has been cancelled and won’t see a second season, one thing that’s been hazy for the reason that sequence ended.

The Acolyte turned the middle of a Star Wars tradition battle surrounding its casting range, “woke” nature and supposed writing flaws that “broke canon,” every episode bringing some new controversy. It was some of the review-bombed sequence in in all probability Disney or Marvel historical past on Disney+, with an 18% viewers rating and a great, not nice, 78% critic rating.

ForbesWhy ‘The Acolyte’ Season 2 Appears to be like More and more UnlikelyBy Paul Tassi

Although the anti-Acolyte crowd will little question rejoice this as some nice victory like Ewoks enjoying bongos on useless Stormtrooper helmets, the truth right here is that this present in all probability didn’t have an opportunity.

It had an enormous, stupidly huge, reported $180 million price range for the eight episode sequence, when at the very least that a lot cash was on no account ever seen on display. And once you spend that a lot, you need some kind of big viewership to match.

The Acolyte didn’t have that. Whereas there’s no official information from Disney, estimates put its viewers as smaller than each different Star Wars sequence and half of one thing like Ahsoka, at greatest. Some would simply say it is because the present is “dangerous,” nevertheless it had a completely mountain to climb being a sequence set within the completely unexplored (in dwell motion) Excessive Republic which takes place centuries earlier than the Skywalker saga and seemingly had no connection to it (by the tip, it had a bit of).

It was creating a wholly unique story with model new characters and mere seconds of some well-placed cameos from Yoda to Darth Plagueis by the finale. It left many mysteries unsolved together with Plagueis’ involvement in all this, the true nature of the split-consciousness twins and additional growth of characters like Osha and The Stranger, the latter of which was simply one of the best factor concerning the sequence and top-of-the-line new villains within the Disney period. He’ll in all probability by no means been seen once more, until he and his castmates end issues up in some novel or comedian. I might see that occuring, in concept.

I don’t assume The Acolyte had an opportunity as quickly because it spent that $180 million. A present with zero Star Wars icons or connections to the OG sequence ought to by no means have anticipated big viewership. Andor additionally had viewership issues nevertheless it was in fact a straight line to Rogue One and A New Hope. And sure, it being a stage of excellent previous primarily the rest Disney had ever launched in all probability impressed at the very least a second concluding season. The Acolyte could have been good in elements, however no, it’s not wherever near Andor-good.

This destiny was already written and it will have taken a miracle to keep away from it. I can’t miss the web firestorm that occurred each week concerning the sequence which made its good bits nearly inconceivable to take pleasure in, however all this says to me is that Disney goes to experiment loads much less. When actually the takeaway ought to be that they should spend loads much less.

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Decide up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller sequence and The Earthborn Trilogy.

“The Acolyte” is not going to return for Season 2.

Lucasfilm has elected to not proceed with the “Star Wars” Disney+ sequence following its first season, which depicted the rise of the Sith roughly 100 years earlier than the occasions of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.”

The information comes without delay as a shock, given how a lot of the Season 1 finale ended on a cliffhanger and teased a number of plotlines for a Season 2, and never a lot of a shock, given the wildly opposing reception from followers and the less-than-robust viewership that appeared to drop off after the sequence premiere in June.

Creator Leslye Headland (“Russian Doll”), an avowed “Star Wars” tremendous fan, got down to create the primary “Star Wars” story set outdoors of the core timeline within the franchise that stretches from “The Phantom Menace” to “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” The present adopted twins Osha and Mae, each performed by Amandla Stenberg, who have been separated as kids and led to imagine the opposite had been killed. Some critics and followers cherished how the present challenged the standard notion of the Jedi as infallible and wholly virtuous, as embodied by the emotionally self-serving selections made by Jedi Grasp Sol (Lee Jung-jae), who’s liable for eradicating Osha from her household and inflicting her separation from her sister.

Different followers, nevertheless, felt these artistic selections have been antithetical to the good-vs-evil nature of “Star Wars” storytelling, and strongly objected to the present’s enlargement of the mythology of the Pressure. “The Acolyte” was additionally review-bombed, an insidious apply most frequently employed as a type of digital protest towards inclusive casts centered round actors of coloration and LGBTQ characters, like Osha and Mae’s moms performed by Jodie Turner-Smith and Margarita Levieva. (The 2017 movie “Star Wars: The Final Jedi” was an early recipient of this type of trolling.)

Regardless of these objections, “The Acolyte” additionally captured an excessive amount of optimistic reactions, particularly surrounding the reveal that Manny Jacinto (“The Good Place”), first launched as Mae’s hapless sidekick Qimir, was actually the masked Sith warrior commanding Mae to assassinate the Jedi liable for separating her from Osha. A scene through which Jacinto disrobes alongside a rocky shoreline as a tactic to seduce Osha to the Darkish Aspect garnered an excessive amount of consideration, spawning legions of thirst posts to social media. Different forged members included Carrie-Anne Moss, Rebecca Henderson, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Eager, Dean-Charles Chapman and Joonas Suotamo.

Lucasfilm’s subsequent “Star Wars” sequence for Disney+, “Skeleton Crew,” debuts on Dec. 3, and it may scarcely be extra totally different from “The Acolyte,” with a forged made up largely of kids and an method akin to the Amblin-style kidventure tales from the Nineteen Eighties. The second and closing season of “Andor,” the sprawling political drama starring Diego Luna, is ready to observe in 2025, and a second season of “Ahsoka” is in improvement.

Deadline first broke the story that “The Acolyte” was ending after Season 1.

Match Report

Van Assche leads French cost in US Open R1 Qualifying

Gasquet, Pouille, Mayot all advance to second spherical of qualifying

August 19, 2024

#NextGen ATP Frenchman Luca Van Assche sailed previous veteran Pablo Cuevas 6-2, 6-1 Monday to advance to the second spherical of qualifying on the US Open.

Eighteen years youthful than his opponent, Van Assche transformed 5 of 10 break factors to dispatch the 38-year-old Uruguayan as he bids to make a second major draw look at Flushing Meadows, the place he misplaced within the first spherical on debut final 12 months.

The 20-year-old is at the moment No. 111 within the PIF ATP Rankings, having slipped from No. 65 a 12 months in the past. He’s at the moment fifth within the PIF ATP Race to Jeddah as he goals to return to the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF for the second consecutive 12 months.

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Van Assche led the French cost on Day 1 of qualifying, with Richard Gasquet, Lucas Pouille and Harold Mayot all advancing.

Gasquet hopes to make his twentieth major draw look at Flushing Meadows this 12 months. His greatest outcome got here in 2013 when he reached the semi-finals, shedding to Rafael Nadal in straight units.

Pouille will goal to duplicate his qualifying success at Wimbledon earlier this 12 months, the place he gained all three matches to make the primary draw. The previous No. 10 within the PIF ATP Rankings will face countryman Mayot within the subsequent spherical, who’s making an attempt to advance by qualifying for the primary time this 12 months, having fallen within the qualifying rounds at each the Australian Open and Wimbledon.  

Former US Open quarter-finalist Diego Schwartzman additionally progressed to the second qualifying spherical following his 7-5, 6-3 win over Andrea Pellegrino. Earlier this 12 months, the Argentine introduced that he’ll retire after the Argentina Open in 2025, making this his ultimate US Open. He faces fellow Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante within the subsequent spherical.

NEW YORK – Columbia males’s tennis rising junior and 2024 NCAA males’s singles runner-up Michael Zheng returns to the US Open for the second straight yr to compete within the qualifying draw.
 
Qualifying play is scheduled for Monday by Thursday on the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Middle with 16 main-draw locations on provide for individuals who can earn their means in with three victories. Zheng will meet Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak within the first spherical of qualifying Tuesday.
 
Zheng earned a wildcard into the occasion because of his runner-up end on the 2024 NCAA Singles Championships and returns to compete within the US Open qualifying draw after posting a first-round qualifying victory final yr. Zheng battled previous Franco Agamenone in two units, 6-2, 6-3, to advance to the second spherical the place he was defeated by Otto Virtanen.
 
Zheng enters the US Open qualifying event driving a wave of latest success. Zheng received his first skilled title every week in the past on the ITF M25 event in Southaven, Mississippi. Zheng cruised by the bracket with 5 straight-set victories, together with a 6-4, 7-6(3) win over Tyler Zink within the championship match. With the singles title, Zheng is the primary Columbia males’s tennis athlete to win an expert event since Roko Horvat claimed the singles title on the ITF M15 in Celje in August 2022.
 
Moreover, Zheng shined in doubles play on the ITF M25 occasion in Southaven. Partnering with TCU’s Lui Maxted, the duo posted 4 consecutive wins, together with a 6-2, 6-4 victory towards Keshav Chopra and Andres Martin to safe the doubles title.
 
Zheng completed his sophomore season at Columbia with the very best efficiency within the NCAA Singles bracket in program historical past. He’s the primary singles participant from the Columbia tennis program to play within the nationwide championship. Zheng can be simply the third individual in program historical past to earn ITA All-American standing in two consecutive seasons.
 
“We’re happy with Michael and the way he has continued to develop and mature – each on and off the tennis court docket,” Bidyut Ok. Goswami Head Coach of Males’s Tennis Howard Endelman ’87CC stated. “We’re extraordinarily happy that the USTA has awarded a US Open qualifying wildcard to Michael after his efficiency this season which culminated in a spot within the finals of the NCAA Particular person Championships and a year-end top-10 nationwide rating.”
 
Zheng continues to be acknowledged as a part of an elite group of Columbia singles tennis gamers to compete within the US Open. Previous to Zheng, the final Lion to play within the singles qualifying draw or fundamental draw was Phil Williamson ’87CC. Williamson noticed motion in the principle draw of the event in 1987, 1991 and 1993. He most just lately competed in 1997 as he misplaced within the qualifying draw. Max Schnur ’15CC is the final Lion to compete within the doubles fundamental draw on the US Open in 2022.
 
Eight different former Lions have performed within the qualifying or fundamental draw on the US Open in singles. Evan Ratner ’85CC, Matthew Litsky ’87CC and present Bidyut Ok. Goswami Head Coach of Males’s Tennis Howard Endelman ’87CC have every participated within the singles qualifying draw.
 
Eric Fromm ’80CC earned a spot in the principle draw of the US Open in 4 completely different years – 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1983. Vitas Gerulaitis was with the Lions for a stint and misplaced within the 1979 US Open closing to John McEnroe. Rick Fagel ’75CC certified for a spot in the principle attract 1975 and 1978. Fagel went straight into the principle attract 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982. Henry Bunis ’75CC certified for the principle attract 1974 earlier than shedding the first-round match to Butch Seewagen who was the Columbia tennis coach on the time. Bunis misplaced within the qualifying attract 1975 earlier than enjoying in the principle attract 1976 and 1977. He received his first-round matches in the principle draw each years. Jon Molin ’77CC certified for the principle draw after shedding within the qualifying attract 1978.
 
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Keep updated on all issues Columbia Males’s Tennis by following the Lions on X (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten) and on Fb (@ColumbiaAthletics).
 

I do know a good quantity about church-state separation after working at Individuals United for Separation of Church and State for almost 37 years. However as a borderline Child Boomer-Gen Xer, even one who has Millennial and Gen Z youngsters and likes to assume he’s retaining tabs on popular culture, I acknowledge there could also be a factor or two I can be taught from younger individuals about learn how to greatest interact different younger individuals in our mission. As an example, I hear we’re within the midst of a “brat summer time,” however I’m not 100% clear on what that’s. 

AU’s summer time interns course of our points by means of a Gen Z lens

That’s why I respect the interns who be part of Individuals United each summer time. It’s been refreshing to seek out out what our eight summer time interns find out about church-state separation, hear them course of our points by means of a Gen Z lens and see what they uncover throughout their time at AU. 

As editor of AU’s “Wall of Separation” weblog, I’ve loved studying their takes on the problems – together with Improvement Intern Lilly Arthur’s name for unity within the battle towards Christian Nationalism and Communications Intern Leland Murphy’s report on non-public college vouchers. Leland and fellow Communications Intern Chloe Serrano even have been creating content material for our social media platforms all summer time – you possibly can see examples of their work right here and right here. And a 3rd Communications Intern, Carl Omondi, has been serving to with our web site – our new webpage educating people about Venture 2025 was his design.

Interns’ behind-the-scenes work very important to AU’s mission

A variety of our interns’ work occurs behind the scenes however continues to be very important to AU’s mission. Intern Mariamme Latif Estafan’s initiatives for the Outreach and Engagement Division included researching potential companions for AU and the Summit for Non secular Freedom (SRF) and conducting intergenerational interviews to construct better understanding and collaboration between older and youthful advocates.

The Authorized Division benefited tremendously from the efforts of interns Jillian Snyman, Siena Hohne and Chloe Rutledge. They helped draft authorized briefs, assisted in preparations for oral argument in one in every of our circumstances and wrote memos evaluating potential circumstances wherein AU may need to file friend-of the-court briefs, to call only a few initiatives. And Lilly helped the Improvement Division with basis and main donor analysis initiatives.

Way forward for church-state separation depends upon younger individuals

Interacting with these vivid college students reinforces for me some extent that President and CEO Rachel Laser has pressured repeatedly – the way forward for church-state separation, public training and our democracy depends upon younger individuals. That’s why Individuals United devotes a lot time, sources and a spotlight to initiatives like our internships, our Authorized Academy, our Youth Organizing Fellowship and our expanded Pupil Contest (which is now accepting submissions).

We’re dedicated to serving to Gen Z, Gen Alpha and the generations that observe become champions for church-state separation who will lead AU and our motion into the long run.

CHICAGO — New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez highlighted Vice President Kamala Harris’ center class roots in her speech to delegates on the Democratic Nationwide Conference on Monday — evaluating her personal background as a waitress to Harris’ beginnings. 

“Six years in the past I used to be taking on-line orders as a waitress in New York. I didn’t have medical insurance, my household was combating off foreclosures,” AOC stated, including that her household was “drained” of politics that have been “blind” to the wants of working individuals.

“Solely by means of the miracles of Democracy and group did the nice individuals of the Bronx and Queens select somebody like me to elect them in Congress,” she continued. 

The identical “hope” and “aspiration” that obtained her into Congress will get Harris and Walz into the White Home, she stated.

Harris is “for the center class” as a result of “she is from the center class,” Ocasio-Cortez stated.The left-wing rep obtained a heat welcome from the DNC crowd, with attendees chanting “AOC” as she walked out on stage. However the 34-year-old lawmaker’s loudest applause got here when she talked about Harris’ strategy to the Gaza Strip.

Comply with together with The Publish’s dwell reporting of the Democratic Nationwide Conference in Chicago.

Ocasio-Cortez stated Harris is “working tirelessly to safe a cease-fire in Gaza and to convey the hostages dwelling,” speakingabout the Israeli warfare with Hamas, probably the most fiery protest matter on the DNC.

In the meantime, anti-Israeli protesters disrupted visitors outdoors the DNC conference heart earlier, resulting in visitors jams and delays in getting visitors and press contained in the conference heart after one protester breached the fence.

“Thanks Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in your imaginative and prescient. And thanks Joe Biden in your management,” AOC went on in her speech. 

Republicans have in contrast ultra-progressive “Squad” member Ocasio-Cortez’s liberal insurance policies Harris’ — in a bid to argue that the vp has a extra liberal agenda than President Biden. 

Ocasio-Cortez tore into former President Donald Trump in fiery remarks as nicely, arguing that he cannot “love this nation” as a result of he fights for Wall Road and “massive enterprise.” 

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. spoke Monday on the first evening of the Democratic Nationwide Conference, praising Vice President Kamala Harris’s dedication to taking up “company greed.”

Ocasio-Cortez is a member of the progressive “Squad” representing a part of the Bronx and Queens.

In her rousing conference speech, she drew comparisons between her working class background with that of Harris’ upbringing, arguing the presidential nominee will work to assist the center class.

Watch Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s full speech right here

The conference is happening from Monday to Thursday in Chicago, on the United Heart, residence of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks. Chicago has hosted the Democratic Conference 11 occasions, most just lately in 1996 when the United Heart noticed President Invoice Clinton was nominated for a second time.

Signal-up for Your Vote: Textual content with the USA TODAY elections workforce.

Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is scheduled to talk Thursday evening. Here’s what else to know in regards to the conference.

DNC stay updates:What time does the Democratic conference begin – and who’s talking?

What to find out about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

• Who’s she? Ocasio-Cortez, additionally know by her initials, AOC, is a progressive member of the Home of Representatives typically affiliated with different members of the “Squad”
• What position is she taking part in? She spoke on the primary evening of the conference. She stood with President Joe Biden till he made his resolution to drop out, after which shortly endorsed Harris.
• In her phrases: “In Kamala Harris, I see a frontrunner who understands. I see a frontrunner with an actual dedication to working households,” she stated. “We all know that Donald Trump would promote this nation for $1 if it meant lining his personal pockets and greasing the palms of his Wall Road mates. And I, for one, am drained about of listening to about how a two-bit, union- buster thinks of himself as extra of a patriot than the girl who fights each single day to raise working folks out from beneath the boots of greed trampling on our lifestyle.”

Find out how to watch and stream the 2024 DNC

The conference will air stay on its web site, from the United Heart in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Jap (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m Central) on Monday, and seven p.m to 11 p.m. Jap (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the opposite days.

USA TODAY will present livestream protection on YouTube every evening of the conference, Monday by way of Thursday.

What are the themes for every evening of the DNC?

The DNC introduced nightly themes for the conference. The title of the conference is “For the Folks, For Our Future.”

Listed here are the themes for every evening:

• Monday: “For the Folks”
• Tuesday: “A Daring Imaginative and prescient for America’s Future”
• Wednesday: “A Combat for our Freedoms”
• Thursday: “For our Future”

Donald Trump seems to have falsely implied he has Taylor Swift’s endorsement, posting pretend pictures on social media of the singer and her followers supporting him.

The Republican presidential candidate posted the message “I settle for!” alongside the photographs, which had been taken from different social media accounts. Many seem to have been created utilizing synthetic intelligence.

The submit sparked a backlash amongst Swift’s followers, generally known as Swifties, who accused Trump of spreading misinformation.

The singer has not endorsed a candidate within the 2024 election however backed the Democrats in 2020 and criticised Trump whereas he was president.

One of many photographs shared by Trump depicted Swift followers carrying t-shirts that learn: “Swifties for Trump”.

The submit appeared to have a label of “satire” with a headline that learn: “Swifties turning to Trump after ISIS foiled Taylor Swift live performance”.

Swift lately cancelled three live shows in Vienna following a potential safety risk. Police arrested two individuals on suspicion of planning assaults impressed by the Islamic State group.

One other re-posted photograph mimicked a World Battle One US military recruiting poster, which changed Uncle Sam’s face with Swift’s and browse: “Taylor desires you to vote for Donald Trump”.

NBC Information reported two of the photographs Trump re-posted characteristic actual girls who’re Trump supporters.

Swift supported the Democratic Occasion within the 2020 election, and criticised Trump throughout the nationwide protests over the police homicide of George Floyd.

“After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your whole presidency, you’ve gotten the nerve to feign ethical superiority earlier than threatening violence?,” she posted on Twitter/X. “We are going to vote you out in November.”

Earlier this yr, the BBC found dozens of deepfakes portraying black individuals supporting Trump. There was no proof linking the photographs to Trump’s marketing campaign.

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — George Santos, who was expelled from Congress as he confronted almost two dozen felony expenses, reached a plea deal Monday with federal prosecutors in New York on two federal counts. 

Santos pleaded responsible to wire fraud and aggravated identification theft. 

“A short while in the past, after years of telling lies, former Congressman George Santos stood within the courthouse behind me and at last, underneath oath, informed the reality. And that fact is that he’s a felony,” U.S. Lawyer Breon Peace mentioned. “Santos pled responsible to severe crimes involving fraud and identification theft. He additionally admitted to committing all different crimes he was charged with within the superseding indictment. Consequently, he’ll lastly be held to account for his actions.” 

Peace mentioned underneath the deal Santos will go to jail for no less than two years, although the decide mentioned the plea deal could include an estimated sentencing vary between 6-8 years. He is set for sentencing Feb. 7 at federal court docket in Central Islip. 

Below the settlement, Santos should repay no less than $373,000.   

“He admitted that he lied, he stole, and that he conned individuals”

“So at the moment, for what could look like the primary time since he began his marketing campaign for Congress, Mr. Santos informed the reality about his felony schemes. He admitted that he lied, he stole, and that he conned individuals. Santos’ numerous lies and audacious misrepresentations catapulted him to Congress,” Peace mentioned. “However for the victims of Santos’ numerous monetary crimes and the group whose falsehoods and fabrications disadvantaged them of sincere illustration in Congress, he’s worthy solely of infamy.” 

Santos spoke in court docket, acknowledging a collection of crimes. He spoke so rapidly the decide needed to inform him to decelerate, CBS Information New York’s Alice Gainer reported. 

He admitted fraudulently utilizing bank cards of no less than one different particular person for his private profit, in addition to making false statements to the Federal Election Fee. He additionally admitted to committing wire fraud between Sept-Oct of 2022. 

Along with pleading responsible to these crimes, Peace mentioned Santos additionally admitted to a “litany” of different crimes, “for which the court docket will maintain him accountable at sentencing.” 

Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly praised the cooperation with federal companions within the prosecution of Santos. 

“Working collectively to prosecute a liar, a cheat, and a thief, for that is what George Santos is, and that is what his plea of responsible right here at the moment proves,” Donnelly mentioned. 

“I allowed ambition to cloud my judgment,” Santos says

“It is clear to me now I allowed ambition to cloud my judgment, main me to make choices that had been unethical and pleading responsible is a step I by no means imagined I might take, however it’s a obligatory one as a result of it’s the proper factor to do,” Santos mentioned exterior of court docket. 

Amongst different issues, he admitted to giving a listing of false donors, writing down the names of household and buddies who didn’t give him permission to take action in an effort to conceal his crimes. 

“My actions have betrayed the belief of my supporters and constituents,” Santos mentioned in court docket. 

Santos had beforehand known as the investigation a “witch hunt” whereas sustaining his innocence.

Stint in Congress outlined by scandal 

Santos’ 11-month stint in Congress was outlined by scandal after he overtly embellished his biography to win his seat within the 2022 midterm elections. 

His life story continued to unravel when the Justice Division indicted him in Could 2023 and once more in October. Amongst the 23 felony expenses, Santos is alleged to have defrauded marketing campaign donors after which used the cash to pay for private bills like designer clothes, stole his donors’ identities and made hundreds of {dollars} in unauthorized expenses on their bank cards, acquired unemployment advantages whereas he was employed, lied to Congress about his monetary circumstances and falsified marketing campaign finance studies. 

Report discovered “substantial proof” Santos broke the legislation

His Home colleagues tried to expel him twice final yr earlier than a damning Ethics Committee report detailing his alleged conduct opened the floodgates for lawmakers to assist expelling him. 

The report discovered Santos fabricated his biography whereas operating for workplace and funneled marketing campaign funds to pay for Botox injections, OnlyFans subscriptions, Hermès and Ferragamo purchases and different private bills. 

There was “substantial proof” that Santos repeatedly broke the legislation, the report mentioned. 

Tried comeback bid

Santos, who had maintained his innocence till now, did not retreat from the highlight after his historic fall within the Home. He sought to stay within the public eye by attacking his former colleagues on social media, charging tons of of {dollars} for movies on Cameo, an app the place customers pay celebrities for personalised messages, and attending President Biden’s State of the Union deal with in March. He additionally introduced he was leaving the Republican Social gathering and launching a congressional comeback bid as an unbiased, earlier than rapidly ending his marketing campaign. 

Santos informed CBS New York in December that he had a “lengthy highway of redemption” forward of him. 

When requested whether or not he was afraid of going to jail, he mentioned: “I believe all people must be afraid of going to jail. It is not a fairly place. I positively need to work very exhausting to keep away from that as greatest as potential.”

Santos famous in that interview {that a} plea deal was “not off the desk.” Prosecutors mentioned in a Dec. 11 court docket submitting that they had been in plea negotiations with Santos “with the aim of resolving this matter with out the necessity for a trial.” 

Jury choice was supposed to start Sept. 9 in his trial on 23 felony expenses, which included wire fraud, theft of public funds, cash laundering, aggravated identification theft and making false assertion to the Federal Election Fee. 

Prosecutors mentioned, had they gone to trial, they had been prepared with greater than 500 displays together with textual content messages, emails, monetary data and flight data, together with dozens of witnesses. 

Pat Milton

contributed to this report.