• The Tokyo Olympics organizing committee said Friday opera legend Placido Domingo won't be performing at pre-Olympics cultural events in Japan. In a statement, the committee said Domingo has decided not to perform at an event scheduled for April that was meant to bring together opera and traditional Japanese Kabuki theater, and officials accepted his decision. Neither Domingo nor the organizers mentioned sexual harassment allegations against him in relation to his withdrawal. "After thoughtful consideration, I have made the decision not to participate in the Kabuki-Opera event due to the complexity of the project," Domingo said in the statement. Domingo did not give further details about the reason. The Associated Press reported in August on sexual harassment allegations against Domingo from decades ago. Multiple women accused Domingo of using his power to pressure them into sexual relationships, including at the Los Angeles Opera, where he was the longtime general director. Domingo has called the allegations "deeply troubling" and "inaccurate," saying he believed all his relationships were welcomed and consensual.
• Jersey Shore star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro has pleaded innocent to domestic violence, child endangerment, false imprisonment and other misdemeanors after his arrest last month in the Hollywood Hills. The 33-year-old Ortiz-Magro entered the plea Friday in Los Angeles to seven misdemeanor counts that also included criminal threats, brandishing a weapon and resisting arrest. Police say Ortiz-Magro was uncooperative, and they had to use a stun gun to take him into custody on Oct. 4. Ortiz-Magro's attorney Scott Leemon said the facts around the arrest have been misreported and exaggerated, and they look forward to addressing the situation with the city attorney. Ortiz-Magro has had frequent disputes with Jennifer Harley, his on-and-off girlfriend and mother of his child. Harley has also been arrested involving scuffles with Ortiz-Magro, but charges were dismissed.
• Paris authorities say British singer Pete Doherty has been arrested in Paris on an accusation of buying cocaine. The Paris prosecutor's office said the 40-year old former Libertines and Babyshambles frontman was placed in detention Thursday-Friday after being stopped by police during a drug transaction. The office wouldn't confirm French media reports that Doherty was carrying 2 grams of cocaine and was arrested in Pigalle, an area known for its late-night bars. Since rising to fame, Doherty, the ex-boyfriend of model Kate Moss, has been repeatedly arrested for drug offenses.
A Section on 11/10/2019