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| Ex-Grateful Dead manager sentenced A former manager for the Grateful Dead has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for tax evasion, prosecutors said Tuesday. Ronald Leon Rakow, 69, was ordered to begin his prison term in June for evading payment of $2.2 million in taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. attorney's office said. Rakow was convicted in July of one count of tax evasion. During his two-week trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing Rakow hid his assets to prevent the IRS from collecting taxes dating back to 1985. Prosecutors said that from 1998 to 2003, Rakow transferred about $5.2 million in income from consulting fees, stock and assets under his control into accounts held in other names. They alleged Rakow directed accountholders to use the funds to pay his expenses. Rakow had asked for a lighter sentence, but U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Morrow rejected his request. She said he chose to break the law to support his "comfortable lifestyle." An after-hours call to Rakow was not immediately returned Tuesday. |
Aretha Franklin judges stage auditions Breanna Norman quietly walked up to the microphone, took a deep breath, closed her eyes and began singing "Amazing Grace." About a minute later, the 10-year-old thanked Aretha Franklin for listening to her. Norman, a fourth-grader from Detroit, was one of about 70 people who auditioned Tuesday for a panel of judges, including the "Queen of Soul," for a stage production of Franklin's life and career. "Aretha: From These Roots" is expected to open in Detroit next spring. Franklin said the major roles will be cast out of Hollywood. The three days of auditions that began Tuesday were to fill out the roles of musicians and others in Franklin's inner circle. "I'm not hard on anybody. I'm just here to listen," the 65-year-old Grammy-winning singer said during a break. "I try to make them comfortable coming in the door." Franklin said she was impressed by some of the would-be cast members. "I just heard someone who has come closest to Sam Cooke than I have ever heard," she said. "I was one of Sam Cooke's biggest fans, and this (singer) was very good." Those auditioning were judged on voice, singing ability, appearance and presentation, said Ron Moten, one of seven judges. However, only a few hopefuls received top scores. "If it's Aretha Franklin's life, you are talking about the best of the best," said judge Greg Dunmore. Ciara Roberts, 25, of Pasadena, Calif., received a top ranking from at least one judge. "I came here on a mission and I'm not leaving until I get what I came for, which is playing Aretha Franklin," said Roberts, who belted out a powerful version of "Since You've Been Gone." Singing styles varied from the opera-trained voice of Teresa Moore-Mitchell, who drove from Salisbury, N.C., to the gospel stylings of LaToya Turrentine, 22, of Detroit and Denise Stubbs of Wayne County's Redford Township. "I love Aretha Franklin, but I can't sing like her," Stubbs, 42, said after her version of "To God Be the Glory." |
Lindsay Lohan broke Lindsay Lohan is reportedly broke after spending her $7 million fortune on drugs and alcohol. The troubled Hollywood star - who left Utah's Cirque Lodge rehab clinic earlier this month after a two-month stay - is staying with movie producer Tom Gores in Los Angeles because her money has run out. Gores was the executive producer of the 21-year-old actress' recent flop film 'I Know Who Killed Me'. A source told Britain's News of the World newspaper: "Lindsay doesn't have much choice as she is totally broke. The only reason she's coming back to Los Angeles is to try and get some film work and earn some money fast. "The amount she has wasted putting cocaine up her nose is disgusting. Even she has lost count." Lindsay's extravagant spending spree reportedly includes $1 million on just one hotel bill. She has also spent more than $137,000 on three separate stints in rehab battling her drug and alcohol addictions, and thousands more in legal fees after her conviction for DUI (driving under the influence). Lindsay is also thought to have blown more than $1 million on clothes and $500,000 on partying, with another $70,000 spent in tanning and hair salons. She has been forced her to sell her $2.85 million apartment in Los Angeles and her $1 million New York property because she couldn't afford the mortgage payments. Last week, Lindsay's father Michael claimed she planned to stay away from Hollywood to avoid temptation. He said: "She told me, 'Dad, I don't feel ready to go back to Hollywood.' "That's how committed Lindsay is to her sobriety. She doesn't want to do anything to mess it up." |
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