DENVER, USA: Taylor Swift’s mother said she didn’t call police to report allegations that a radio station DJ groped her daughter before a concert because she didn’t want the moment to define the pop star’s life. Likewise, a liaison for Taylor Swift who deals with radio stations across the country asked the DJ’s boss to keep a photo of the alleged assault confidential.
Wednesday’s testimony highlighted an initial attempt to keep the encounter in Denver out of the spotlight. Yet four years later, Swift and former DJ David Mueller are embroiled in a widely publicized federal court case.
“I did not want to make her relive this moment over and over again,” said a tearful Andrea Swift, who described her daughter as “humiliated” and “really shaken” after a meet-and-greet with Mueller.
“We absolutely wanted to keep it private, but we didn’t want him to get away with it,” she said.
Mueller sued Taylor Swift after her team told his bosses at a country music station that he had reached under her dress and touched her backside during a photo op in 2013. He is seeking at least $3 million, saying the allegation cost him his job and reputation.
Swift countersued Mueller, claiming sexual assault. She is seeking a symbolic $1, saying she wants to serve as an example to other women who have been assaulted.
Andrea Swift testified Wednesday that her daughter never urged any specific action against Mueller.
She also said the encounter changed their interactions with the public, explaining that Taylor Swift’s meet-and-greets are now smaller and her interaction with fans at concerts is more limited.
“It absolutely shattered our trust,” Andrea Swift said. “It scared us, scared us very badly.”
The final testimony of the day came from Frank Bell, Swift’s liaison.
He said he e-mailed the photo of Swift, Mueller and Mueller’s girlfriend to Robert Call, KYGO’s general manager, for use in Call’s investigation of Mueller. In the e-mail sent the morning after the concert, Bell asked Call to keep the photo confidential.
Bell, a longtime friend of the singer-songwriter’s father, also said he didn’t ask that Mueller be fired but that “appropriate action be taken.”
Earlier in the day, Mueller testified that the photo taken before the concert was “weird and awkward,” but he insisted that he touched Swift in the ribs, not in the rear, as she alleges in her lawsuit.
Swift’s attorney Douglas Baldridge repeatedly asked Mueller why his right hand was behind Swift in the picture.
Mueller said his hand was touching Swift’s skirt after he put his arm around her and their arms got crossed.
“My hand was at rib-cage level and apparently it went down,” Mueller said.
In the image, shown to jurors during opening statements but not publicly released, Mueller’s hand is behind Swift, just below her waist. Both are smiling.
McFarland told jurors that the photo does not show Mueller’s hand under Swift’s skirt and that the skirt was not rumpled.
Baldridge, however, said several people noticed the pop star was upset after meeting with Mueller.
Her bodyguard, Greg Dent, has testified in a deposition that he saw Mueller lift Swift’s skirt, Baldridge told jurors.
In addition, Baldridge quoted a deposition by Swift’s photographer Stephanie Simbeck, who said Swift uttered “that guy” had grabbed her behind.
Dent and Simbeck are listed as possible witnesses at the trial.
Baldridge told jurors in his opening statement that Swift is “absolutely certain” she was sexually assaulted by Mueller, and the photo is “damning” proof of it.
Taylor Swift’s mom wanted to keep groping allegation private
Taylor Swift’s mom wanted to keep groping allegation private
Some Warren Buffett wisdom on his last day leading Berkshire Hathaway
OMAHA, Nebraska: The advice that legendary investor Warren Buffett offered on investing and life over the years helped earn him legions of followers who eagerly read his annual letters and filled an arena in Omaha every year to listen to him at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meetings.
Buffett’s last day as CEO is Wednesday after six decades of building up the Berkshire conglomerate. He’ll remain chairman, but Greg Abel will take over leadership.
Here’s a collection of some of Buffett’s most famous quotes from over the years:
___
“Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”
That’s how Buffett summed up his investing approach of buying out-of-favor stocks and companies when they were selling for less than he estimated they were worth.
He also urged investors to stick with industries they understand that fall within their “circle of competence” and offered this classic maxim: “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1.”
___
“After they first obey all rules, I then want employees to ask themselves whether they are willing to have any contemplated act appear the next day on the front page of their local paper to be read by their spouses, children and friends with the reporting done by an informed and critical reporter.
“If they follow this test, they need not fear my other message to them: Lose money for the firm and I will be understanding; lose a shred of reputation for the firm and I will be ruthless.”
That’s the ethical standard Buffett explained to a Congressional committee in 1991 that he would apply as he cleaned up the Wall Street investment firm Salomon Brothers. He has reiterated the newspaper test many times since over the years.
___
“You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.”
Many companies might do well when times are good and the economy is growing, but Buffett told investors that a crisis always reveals whether businesses are making sound decisions.
___
“Who you associate with is just enormously important. Don’t expect that you’ll make every decision right on that. But you are going to have your life progress in the general direction of the people you work with, that you admire, that become your friends.”
Buffett always told young people that they should try to hang out with people who they feel are better than them because that will help improve their lives. He said that’s especially true when choosing a spouse, which might be the most important decision in life.
___
“Our unwavering conclusion: never bet against America.”
Buffett has always remained steadfast in his belief in the American capitalist system. He wrote in 2021 that “there has been no incubator for unleashing human potential like America. Despite some severe interruptions, our country’s economic progress has been breathtaking.”
