Actor John Boyega Quits Jo Malone Role After Cut From Chinese Ad

Justice Department Watchdog Probing Handling of Stone Sentencing

The Justice Department has launched an internal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the handling of the criminal case of Roger Stone, former political adviser to President Donald Trump. The probe by the department’s inspector general will reportedly look into Attorney General William Barr’s February decision to override a sentencing recommendation for Stone made by rank-and-file prosecutors. The prosecutors recommended a sentence of seven to nine years in prison for Stone, but the department later filed another recommendation asking for a lighter sentence. The DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General would not “confirm or deny the existence of any ongoing investigation” to The Epoch Times. Meanwhile, DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told media outlets that they “welcome the review.” She did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment. The revelation…

LONDON鈥擝ritish actor John Boyega has quit his role as a global ambassador for the perfume and candle brand Jo Malone after the black star was cut from a promotional video in China.

The original version of the short film, called “London Gent”, followed Boyega spending time with friends and family in his home city of London but he was replaced by Chinese actor Liu Haoran and other black cast members removed in a reshot version.

Boyega, 28, best known for his role as Finn in “Star Wars”, said the decision to substitute a local actor for him without his consent or prior notice was wrong.

“The film celebrated my personal story鈥攕howcasing my hometown, including my friends and featuring my family,” the actor wrote on Twitter.

“While many brands understandably use a variety of global and local ambassadors, dismissively trading out one’s culture this way is not something I can condone.”

Boyega could not be reached for further comment.

Jo Malone, which is owned by New York-based Est茅e Lauder, apologized on Saturday for taking the ad created and directed by Boyega and replacing him with Liu, saying it was “a mistake”.

“While we immediately took action and removed the local version of the campaign, we recognize that this was painful and that offense was caused,” the company said in a statement issued exclusively to The Hollywood Reporter.

On Tuesday the company acknowledged Boyega’s decision to step down as the company’s first male global ambassador.

“John Boyega is an incredible talent, artist and person and we were proud to have him as part of our Jo Malone London family. We respect John’s decision and we wish him all the best,” Jo Malone wrote on Twitter.

Neither Jo Malone nor Estee Lauder replied to requests for further comment.

This isn’t the first time Boyega has been at the brunt of editing for the Chinese market. Disney’s recreated movie poster for the 2015 film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” saw Boyega’s character Finn reduced significantly in size.

By Christopher Johnson

Focus News: Actor John Boyega Quits Jo Malone Role After Cut From Chinese Ad

Daimler to Pay $2.2 Billion in Diesel Emissions Cheating Settlements

WASHINGTON—Daimler AG will pay $2.2 billion to resolve a U.S. government diesel emissions cheating investigation and claims from 250,000 U.S. vehicle owners, court documents show. The German automaker and its Mercedes-Benz USA LLC unit disclosed on Aug. 13 it had reached a settlement in principle resolving civil and environmental claims tied to 250,000 U.S. diesel cars and vans after the automaker used software to evade emissions rules. Daimler said in August expected costs of settlements with U.S. authorities would total $1.5 billion, settling with owners will cost another $700 million and also disclosed “further expenses of a mid three-digit-million EUR (euro) amount to fulfill requirements of the settlements. Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen said the settlements, which follow a nearly five-year investigation, will “serve to deter any others who may…