"Boy Scout Lives Matter," Says Legal-Bay Lawsuit Funding, as they Near 100K Sex Abuse Claims Filed Via Bankruptcy Process

Washington, D.C. - November 24, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- Legal-Bay, The Pre-Settlement Funding Company, announced that while they are still funding a limited number of Boy Scouts of America Cases, they are appalled at the final tally of over 92K claims of sexual abuse and harassment already filed. Legal-Bay's last estimate of cases filed over the summer was around 25K, however, with a deadline of November 16 to submit all claims, that number has soared. Unfortunately, the high number of claims is putting a major strain on the settlement amounts awarded to plaintiffs at the culmination of their trials.

While the country's focus throughout much of 2020 was on Black Lives Matter protests and Donald Trump campaign rallies occurring amidst a worldwide pandemic, it was easy to ignore an equally significant epidemic unfolding throughout our country: The sexual abuse of our nation's children. Between a presidential election, escalating racial unrest, and COVID, the country's priorities have shifted away from these kids over the course of this tumultuous year.

Legal-Bay has never wavered in its dedication to children's causes. They've been supporting victims of childhood sexual abuse for years; it's an issue that has affected thousands of innocent children within organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, the Catholic Church, or state-run group homes.

Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay commented, "Shame on America for turning their backs on the systemic sex abuse problem we have in this country in regards to children. Whether it be the Sandusky case at Penn State, the Larry Nassar assaults on our Olympic athletes, or the numerous BSA and Catholic Church abuse cases, these situations are horrific in nature and have caused life-long mental and emotional harm to almost every single victim. Our hearts go out to the survivors, and we hope that they'll see ample compensation along with more effective measures put in place to ensure that children are better protected in the future."

Due to the sheer number of claims being filed via bankruptcy courts, Legal-Bay predicts that the BSA cases and ultimate payments to victims could drag on for three years or longer. And due to BSA's limited assets and bankruptcy filings, plaintiffs may not see high settlement amounts or values. Cases will most likely be batched in tiers of categories ranging from the most severe to the least. However, certain Catholic dioceses that have substantial assets and fewer cases could see settlement values north of $1 million, even for individual lawsuits. Legal-Bay is constantly updating its underwriting criteria as the landscape changes with each new case and jurisdiction.

Legal-Bay remains committed to helping victims of sex abuse or sexual harassment by providing instant pre-settlement funding capital to pay bills as they wait out their court cases to settle. The company is also very active in funding all types of personal injury and accident cases, including car, boat, or truck accidents, as well as wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, wrongful conviction or imprisonment, police brutality, medical malpractice, commercial litigation, and more.

Aside from sexual abuse loans for settlements, Legal-Bay also provides pre settlement funding for all types of cases including personal injury, car accident, medical malpractice, judgment on appeal, commercial litigation, and more. Their loans for lawsuits have helped numerous plaintiffs through many a financial crisis.

Legal-Bay's loan settlement programs provide immediate cash in advance of a plaintiff's anticipated monetary award. The non-recourse case funding—sometimes referred to as loans for lawsuit or loans on settlement—are risk-free, as the money doesn't need to be repaid should the recipient lose their case. Therefore, the lawsuit loans aren't really loans, but rather a cash advance.

To apply now, please visit us HERE or call toll-free at: 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by

Jenna Quinn Law to Help Prevent Child Abuse Introduced

by: Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)

Washington, D.C. - March 29, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) has introduced the Jenna Quinn Law, which would allow current grant funds to be used to train and educate students, teachers, caregivers, and other adults who work with children in a professional or volunteer capacity on how to prevent, recognize, and report child sexual abuse. The bill is named for Jenna Quinn, a Texan and child abuse survivor, and is modeled after successful reforms passed in Texas.

“Child sexual abuse is a terrible crime that preys on the innocence of our most vulnerable, but it takes specialized training to identify and prevent the abuse,” Sen. Cornyn said. “Jenna’s Law has had a profound impact on the reporting of child sexual abuse in Texas, and I’m proud to introduce this successful law on a national level.”

“To better protect children from sexual abuse, we must ensure that teachers, caregivers, and other adults working with children are equipped with the tools and knowledge to prevent, recognize, and report sexual abuse and exploitation, and to ensure that children receive appropriate education on how to recognize and report these heinous acts,” Sen. Hassan said. “By encouraging states to provide training and education on child sexual abuse recognition and prevention, this bipartisan legislation will help keep our young people safe.”

Background:

Jenna Quinn has been an outspoken advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse and was the driving force behind what is now known as Jenna’s Law in Texas. Unanimously passed by the Texas State Senate and House, Jenna’s Law was the first child sexual abuse prevention law in the U.S. that mandates K-12 trainings for students and school staff and was amended in 2017 to include sex trafficking prevention education in schools. More than half of all states have adopted a form of Jenna’s Law.

After Jenna’s Law passed in Texas in 2009, a study found educators reported child sexual abuse at a rate almost four times greater after training than during their pre-training career.

The Jenna Quinn Law would:

Authorize grants to eligible entities for increasing evidence-based or informed training on sexual abuse prevention education and reporting to teachers and school employees, students, caregivers, and other adults who work with children.

Ensure states and CAPTA community-based grant recipients coordinate with local educational agencies to train professionals and volunteers who work with students on sexual abuse prevention, recognition and reporting.

Confirm states not only have provisions and procedures in place for an individual to report sexual abuse but also procedures for individuals to prevent sexual abuse and recognize the signs of that abuse.

Encourage states to provide operational support, technical assistance and training to community-based and prevention-focused entities in the state to train teachers, school employees, and others who work with children preventing, recognizing, and reporting sexual abuse and exploitation.

The Jenna Quinn Law is supported by the National Children’s Alliance, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Sheriff’s Association, Darkness to Light, and TexProtects.

Gardner, Bipartisan Senators Introduce Legislation to Combat Sexual Harassment in Congress

By Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO)

Washington, D.C. - December 18, 2017  (The Ponder News) --  U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), along with several of their colleagues, have introduced new bipartisan legislation that would overhaul the current process that victims of harassment in Congress must go through when reporting a claim, eliminate the use of taxpayer funds to pay out claims, and increase public disclosure of claims against Members.

The current process for victims of harassment in Congress lacks transparency and is difficult to navigate. This legislation, the Congressional Harassment Reform Act, would bring transparency and accountability to the current process by extending protections to interns and fellows, eliminating forced mediation, ending the current required secrecy in the process by allowing victims to speak publicly about their case, requiring Members of Congress found personally liable for harassment to pay settlements out of their own pockets, and improving systems to address harassment and discrimination in Congress.

“Over the past few months, our country has experienced a much-needed transformation when it comes to listening to courageous women share their stories about harassment. No one should be forced to work in an environment where they are made to feel uncomfortable or intimidated. Let me be extremely clear: sexual harassment and workplace misconduct has no place in America, and certainly has no place in the United States Congress,” said Senator Gardner. “I’m proud to join Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and my other colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to introduce this bipartisanlegislation that reforms the way Congress deals with harassment. This legislation ensures we have an open, transparent process that does not leave the taxpayers on the hook for Members of Congress’ misconduct. I’m proud to introduce this bill today and call on each of my colleagues to support this important proposal.”

“Congress should never be above the law or play by their own set of rules,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We should treat every person who works here with respect and dignity, and that means creating a climate where there is accountability, fairness, respect, and access to justice if sexual harassment takes place. There are real costs to sexual harassment in the workplace. We now know that many people quit their jobs because of it, or miss out on promotions or raises, all of which can throw off the entire trajectory in their careers. We must ensure that Congress handles complaints to create an environment where staffers can come forward if something happens to them, without having to fear that it will ruin their careers. This bipartisan legislation would bring us much closer to that goal.”

“Sexual harassment is wrong. Every person, man or woman, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace,” said Senator Cruz. “In recent months, we've seen wave after wave of appalling sexual harassment and assault allegations -- from Hollywood, to newsrooms, to the halls of Congress. And powerful men who have abused their positions have been held to account. Congress is not above the laws, and secret settlements with taxpayer money to cover up harassment should no longer be tolerated. This legislation seeks to empower victims of harassment to report those crimes and to hold the perpetrators accountable."

Specifically, the Congressional Harassment Reform Act would do the following:

1. Extends protections to interns and fellows.
2. Requires everyone working on Capitol Hill, including Members, to take the Office of Compliance training.
3. Changes the name of the Office of Compliance (OOC) to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.
4. Puts victims in the driver’s seat by allowing them to choose how to resolve their complaint (e.g. counseling and mediation are both no longer mandatory) and protecting their option to discuss their claim publicly
5. Establishes a Confidential Advisor to consult, on a confidential basis, with any employee who has alleged harassment or discrimination; and assist any employee who has an allegation under Title IV in understanding the procedures, and the significance of the procedures.
6. Gives OOC’s General Counsel the authority to conduct interviews and gather evidence regarding complaints of covered harassment and discrimination filed under this section, including interviews with former employees.
7. Allows individuals to work remotely without penalty throughout proceedings.
Improves tracking of complaints and procedures by implementing an online platform.
8. If a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, they will be responsible for the cost of any settlement.
9. If a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, any settlement must be approved by the appropriate Senate or House committee.
10. Requires settlements to be publicly disclosed unless the victims choose to keep them private or the Member of Congress is found to have not committed the harassment or discrimination.
11. Requires offices to post notices with information about employees’ rights and how to contact the Office of Compliance.
12. Provides for a climate survey to identify the pervasiveness of the problem and what gaps continue to exist in its resolution. 

Mario Batali is in Hot Water Again

By Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights




Washington, D.C. - December 14, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on Mario Batali's latest troubles:

When Pope Francis came to Washington in 2015, he met with Kim Davis, the brave Kentucky clerk who, on religious liberty grounds, refused a marriage license to homosexual couples. Chef Mario Batali objected to the meeting, calling out the pope. Now Batali is being called out for sexually abusing four women.

He has apologized and has taken a leave of absence from his work, including hosting a segment on "The Chew." This is not the first time the liberal superstar has been in trouble.

Five years ago, Batali and his partner agreed to pay $5.25 million to settle their cash-skimming schemes at eight high-scale restaurants. They took 4-5 percent of the tips from employees, ripping off the busboys to pay for the sommeliers' salaries. The money he paid out was shared by 1,100 employees; many were forced to work more than 40 hours a week without making minimum wage. In other words, he stole from the poor and gave to the rich.

Batali condemns the pope, and preys on the poor and women, all the while championing their cause. No matter, he remains a liberal in good standing—there will be no "SNL" skit lampooning him. If anything, look for him to run for office.


See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site

Franken Must Take His Own Medicine

by Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights

Sen. Al Franken broke his silence and did a media tour explaining away his sexual offenses. "I'm looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow," he said. He should instead take some of his own medicine and resign.

Five years ago, Franken co-sponsored a bill, the End Trafficking in Government Contracting Act, to strengthen federal legislation on human trafficking, which includes sexual exploitation. The bill, which was approved by the Senate in December 2012, was necessitated because of the failure of the existing "zero tolerance" policy.

In July 2013, Franken co-sponsored another bill, the Military Justice Improvement Act, to deal with the "epidemic of sexual assault in the military." It was necessitated because of the failure of the existing "zero tolerance" policy.

It was noble of Franken to support going beyond "zero tolerance" to combat sexual abuse by government contractors and subcontractors who operate overseas. Similarly, it was noble of him to support going beyond "zero tolerance" to combat sexual molestation in the armed forces.

It was ignoble of him to go back to work today. Does he think that his support for legislation combating sexual abuse should not extend to him? He has admitted to one act of sexual abuse, and is accused by three other women of violating them.

Ironically, it was the Catholic Church that first instituted a "zero tolerance" policy for abusers. And what did Franken do? He mocked it.

Now that Franken has proven that he has no integrity left, it is up to the Senate to show him the door. He is utterly shameless.

See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site

The Ponder News: Midwives, gun rights, Health Care, NASA, Veterans, Travel Ban, South Korea, Sexual Abuse, Planned Parenthood, Avian Flu

Vote is today on midwife regulation bill in Alabama
TimesDaily
March 7, 2017
Jessica Thompson is just weeks from delivering her fourth child, a son, and she wants a midwife-assisted birth at her Lauderdale County home.

But that would be against the law.

Alabama law does not allow certified professional midwives to practice in the state. The law has stipulations for nurse midwives to practice under an Alabama doctor, but there are few practicing in the state, and even those can't assist a woman desiring to delivery outside a hospital.
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Trump signs Abraham gun rights bill into law
Ralph Abraham (R-LA, 5th)
March 2, 2017
The law ends a regulation implemented in the midnight hours of the Obama administration that required the Social Security Administration to submit to the FBI the names of all beneficiaries who are assigned a representative payee to manage their financial affairs due to a mental disability. Their names would then be put in the National Instant Criminal Background Check system, which would effectively eliminate their Second Amendment right to buy and possess firearms without due process.
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Congresswoman Adams Statement on the American Healthcare Act
March 7, 2017
Alma Adams (D-NC, 12th)
Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) released the following statement after Congressional Republicans announced their healthcare plan intended to replace the Affordable Care Act.
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Allen on American Health Care Act
Rick Allen (R-GA, 12th)
March 7, 2017
House Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee and Energy and Commerce Committee recently introduced the American Health Care Act. This legislation is part of the House Republican agenda to bring Obamacare relief to Americans. Congressman Rick Allen (R-Ga.-12) released the following statement:
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House Approves NASA Transition Authorization Act
Brian Babin (R-TX, 36th)
March 7, 2017
The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (S.442), which cleared the Senate last month. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation reaffirms Congress’ commitment to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and directs NASA to pursue a balanced portfolio of activities. It now goes to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
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BANKS STATEMENT ON OBAMACARE REPLACEMENT PLAN
Jim Banks (R-IN, 3rd)
March 7, 2017
Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) today released the following statement regarding the Republican plan to replace Obamacare:
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BANKS INTRODUCES BILL TO ALLOW VETERANS TO BE BURIED CLOSER TO HOME
Jim Banks (R-IN, 3rd)
March 7, 2017
Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) today introduced a bill that would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for the transportation of a deceased veteran’s remains to a state-owned or tribal-owned veterans cemetery. The VA is currently only authorized to transport such remains to a national veterans cemetery.
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REP. BARLETTA’S STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER
Lou Barletta (R-PA, 11th)
March 6, 2017
Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today applauded President Trump’s latest executive order, which pauses the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days. It also suspends the issuance of new visas for 90 days for individuals from six countries that either are designated as state sponsors of terrorism, or have become terrorist hotbeds. The six countries are Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
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Rep. Bass Rips New Health Proposal
Karen Bass (D-CA, 37th)
March 7, 2017
On Tuesday, Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) issued the following statement in response to the House Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
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Beatty Statement on Affordable Care Act Repeal and Replace Bill
Joyce Beatty (D-OH, 3rd)
March 7, 2017
On March 6th, House Republicans released legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. In response, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement:
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Rep. Ami Bera Statement on Passage of NASA Transition Authorization Act
Amy Berra (D-CA, 7th)
Mar 7, 2017
Rep. Ami Bera, ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Space, released the following statement after the House voted to pass the NASA Transition Authorization Act, which establishes a funding range for the nation’s space program.
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Cotton Statement on China’s Criticism of Missile-Defense System in South Korea
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Mar 7, 2017
U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement in response to China's criticism of the THAAD missile-defense system recently deployed in South Korea:
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Congress Sends Bipartisan Cruz-Nelson NASA Transition Authorization Act to the President’s Desk
Senator Ted Cruz- (R - TX)
Mar 7, 2017
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed S. 442, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Transition Authorization Act of 2017, a bill originally introduced in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas). In the House, the chairmen with committees of jurisdiction for the bill are U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas), chairman of the House Space Subcommittee. The legislation provides stability for NASA to sustain and build upon existing national space investments designed to advance space exploration and science with an overall authorization level of $19.508 billion for fiscal year 2017. With the House’s passage of the bill today, the legislation now heads to the White House to await President Donald Trump’s signature.
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Donnelly Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators to Introduce Bill Requiring U.S. Amateur Athletic Organizations, Members to Report Sexual Abuse
Senator Joe Donnely - (D - IN)
March 6, 2017
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing legislation that would require amateur athletics governing bodies to immediately report sex-abuse allegations to local or federal law enforcement, or a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department. The bill stems from recent allegations of sexual abuse made against personnel involved with USA Gymnastics, USA Swimming and USA Taekwondo. The bill was led by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and also introduced by Susan Collins (R-ME), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Jeff Flake (R-AZ) Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Todd Young (R-IN.)
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Duckworth Statement on the President’s Newest Discriminatory Executive Order
Senator Tammy Ducksworth (D - IL)
March 6, 2017
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding the executive order signed by the President today restricting travel from six Muslim-majority countries:
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Planned Parenthood CEOs Raking in the Cash at Taxpayers' Expense
American Life League
March 8, 2017
American Life League’s Stop Planned Parenthood International (STOPP) completed and released its third report on the compensation of the chief executive officer of each of Planned Parenthood’s 56 affiliates across the country. The report showed a significant increase in CEO compensation since the last report released in 2015.
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APA Concerned About Proposed ACA Replacement Bill
American Psychiatric Association
March 7, 2017
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is deeply concerned that the proposed ACA replacement released last night will negatively impact care for people with mental illness and substance use disorders. The APA urges continued support and expanded access to quality, evidence-based mental health and substance use services.
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America’s Road Team Captains Complete Weight Loss Challenge, Meet Health Goals
American Trucking Association
March 7, 2017
American Trucking Associations and America’s Road Team are congratulating five America’s Road Team Captains for successfully meeting their team’s weight loss goals and leading the field in Healthy Fleet’s 10 Pound Challenge.
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What Guttmacher got wrong … again.
Americans United for Life
March 8, 2017
With all the talk about the “need” for more funds for Planned Parenthood, many in the media ignore the reality that nobody goes to the nation’s number one abortion provider for a flu shot. Full-service medical care is available in many locations nationwide, along with contraception if that is desired. But the lucrative and grisly product that Planned Parenthood sells, first and foremost, is abortion. Redirecting scarce taxpayer and healthcare dollars to full-service, actual medical facilities is the right thing to do for mothers and their unborn children.
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USDA Issues Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Tennessee
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Mar 7, 2017
USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed the full subtype for the highly pathogenic H7 avian influenza reported in Lincoln County, TN. The virus has been identified as North American wild bird lineage H7N9 HPAI based upon full genome sequence analysis of the samples at the NVSL. All eight gene segments of the virus are North American wild bird lineage. This is NOT the same as the China H7N9 virus that has impacted poultry and infected humans in Asia. While the subtype is the same as the China H7N9 lineage that emerged in 2013, this is a different virus and is genetically distinct from the China H7N9 lineage.
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