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Revealed: The real reason Prince Harry may be on a ‘golden ticket’ diplomatic visa in the U.S. and why getting a green card could be a financial ‘dagger to the heart’ for the Royal Family

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Revealed: The real reason Prince Harry may be on a 'golden ticket' diplomatic visa in the U.S. and why getting a green card could be a financial 'dagger to the heart' for the Royal Family

The Royal Family may want Prince Harry to remain on a diplomatic visa indefinitely so it does not have to reveal aspects of its finances to the U.S. Government.

 

 

If the Duke of Sussex was to become a U.S. citizen, or a permanent resident with a green card, it could be a financial ‘dagger in the heart’ for the royals, one tax expert told Dailymail.com.

 

 

It would mean the Duke having to report his entire worldwide income to America’s Internal Revenue Service, including details of any British bank accounts or trusts.

 

 

And documents relating to any joint finances involving the rest of the Royal Family would have to be disclosed.

 

 

It comes amid growing speculation about the Duke’s immigration status in the U.S.

Immigration experts have suggested to Dailymail.com that he may be on an extremely rare A-1 Head of State visa.
Meanwhile, a court case brought under the Freedom of Information Act, seeking to establish what visa the royal is on, appears to have stalled.

The case was brought by a Washington D.C.-based think tank, the Heritage Foundation, against the Department of Homeland Security,

In April, the judge in the case requested records from the Department of Homeland Security, but there has been no public hearing since then.

It also comes as the Duke is reportedly set to receive a multi-million pound payout in the U.K. on his 40rth birthday later this month from a trust set up by his great-grandmother, the late Queen Mother.

If he is on a diplomatic visa then he would be taxed, including on that windfall, under the U.K. system.

He would only be subject to U.S. income tax on his earnings in America, such as his deal with Netflix, which would have to be reported on an IRS Form 1099-NR.

‘The Royal Family wants him to stay on the A-1,’ international tax expert Clayton Cartwright told Dailymail.com. ‘I think they have common ground wanting him to stay on an A-1. If he’s consulted tax advisers then he will be staying on an A-1.
The A-1 is his golden ticket. If he’s on an A-1 he can sit here (in the U.S.) forever. The U.S. would not care.’

He added: ‘The US has a foreign policy interest in not triggering U.S. tax residency for diplomats. It is good diplomatic practice.

‘It keeps private to Great Britain, not just the foreign assets Prince Harry owns, but also other assets of the Royal Family on which he is listed.’

The Duke is entitled to apply for a green card through his marriage to U.S. citizen Meghan Markle.

It would make him a permanent resident in the U.S. for tax purposes, and his worldwide income would then be taxed in the U.S. rather than the U.K.

‘In that situation he would have to disclose the interest in the (Queen Mother’s) trust (to the IRS). He has to disclose the trust document,’ Cartwright said. ‘The Royal Family probably doesn’t want that to happen.

‘Doubtless they’re saying spare him from a green card, that’s a tax dagger in the heart of the Royal Family.

‘All that entanglement that probably exists between the Royal Family and his finances would be subject to disclosure. If you said you weren’t going to disclose it because its the Royal Family there would be huge blowback.’

Under America’s Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) law the Duke, if he becomes tax resident in the U.S., would also have to disclose any bank accounts in the U.K.

‘Over the last four-and-half years they have probably started to unwind him, some of the financial relationships, such as the Duchy of Cornwall,’ Cartwright added. ‘But it would take the Royal Family quite a long time to untangle it all. He could be divested from trusts.’
If he is on a diplomatic visa any windfall Harry receives from the Queen Mother’s trust on his birthday would be taxed in the U.K.

The U.S. would ‘not care’ about it and ‘would not have a dog in that fight.’

If he is on a green card it would count as worldwide income and he would have to pay the tax in the U.S.

Under a double taxation treaty he would not be taxed in both countries.

In February, the Duke said he had ‘considered’ applying to become a U.S. citizen.

Asked on ABC’s Good Morning America what was stopping him, he said: ‘I have no idea. It’s a thought that has crossed my mind but it’s not a high priority for me right now.’

Two months later the Duke indicated that he is ‘usually resident’ in the U.S.

The classification was made in a business filing at U.K. Companies House for British-based Travalyst Ltd, which he owns 75 percent of. The company advises travel brands on sustainable tourism.

In March, Donald Trump suggested he could deport the Duke, telling GB News: ‘We’ll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they’ll have to take appropriate action.’
Another possibility is that the Duke has an O-1 visa, a temporary nonimmigrant visa for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability.

If so, he would probably meet the ‘substantial presence’ test – meaning the amount of time he spends in the U.S. would make him resident there for tax purposes.

In the ongoing Freedom of Information case in Washington D.C. the Heritage Foundation wants to see if, given his admissions of drug use in his autobiography ‘Spare’, the Duke has been given preferential treatment by the Biden administration.

When applying for a non-diplomatic U.S. visa foreigners are asked on a form: ‘Are you or have you ever been a drug abuser or addict?’

They are also asked whether they have ever ‘violated any law relating to controlled substances’.

If they answer ‘yes’ they can still receive a waiver.

Sources close to the Duke have previously indicated that he answered truthfully on any visa application.

However, it has not been confirmed which type of visa he applied for.

London-based US Immigration lawyer Melissa Chavin has previously told Dailymail.com the Duke could have been on an A-1 Head of State visa, which is used by heads of state and royal family members, since he is fifth in line to the throne.

‘It’s just extremely special,’ she said. ‘And the security check is not the same. It’s a lower security check. It’s a visa especially for members of royal families.’

Such individuals are only vetted for espionage, terrorism and ‘activities contrary to US foreign policy,’ rather than drug use.
The A-1 ‘Head of State’ visa is distinguishable from the A-1 visa, which is for senior diplomats.

Holders of an A-1 visa, such as an ambassador, are supposed to come to the U.S. to work as a senior diplomat.

But an A-1 Head of State visa holder is free to come to the U.S. without working as a head of state or royal family member.

At a hearing in Washington D.C. in February, John Bardo, a lawyer for the Department of Homeland Security, told the court: ‘He (the Duke) could be on a Category A diplomatic visa. It’s possible. We would argue that it’s possible.’

Cartwright, the international taxation expert, said there would be financial downsides for the Duke if he is on a diplomatic visa.

The Duke would be sacrificing tax breaks he could have as a U.S. citizen.
He said: ‘Prince Harry will not be able to file jointly with his spouse and take advantage of “married filing jointly” tax rate brackets.’

(Armani)

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Kentucky sheriff’s shocking link to chambers where judge Kevin Mullins was allegedly gunned down by top cop

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Kentucky sheriff's shocking link to chambers where judge Kevin Mullins was allegedly gunned down by top cop

The Kentucky court chambers where Judge Kevin Mullins was allegedly gunned down by local sheriff Mickey Stines had a dark history of sex crimes with links to both the judge and the sheriff.

 

 

A former deputy of Stines is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence after being convicted of raping former inmate inside Mullins’ chamber – where he told her there were no cameras, according to WYMT Now.

 

The former inmate, Sabrina Adkins, claims in a federal lawsuit that she could not afford to pay for an ankle monitor and did not want to return to Letcher County Jail.

 

 

Deputy Ben Fields coerced her into performing sexual favors so she could remain under home incarceration, according to a federal lawsuit in 2022.

Sheriff Stines was named as a defendant in the case and was scheduled to make a deposition on Monday – four days before he allegedly murdered the judge.
The lawsuit claims Sheriff Stines did not ‘reasonably respond’ to reports or suspicions about the sexual abuse and had a ‘deliberate indifference in failing to adequately train and supervise’ Fields, the New York Times reports.

It is unclear from the court documents whether Mullins was aware of the sexual abuse in his office at the time or whether he was involved in any wrongdoing, but the court documents do list him as someone with information in the case.

It is also unclear whether the sexual abuse case may have been a motive in the shooting on Thursday, when Stines allegedly walked into Mullins’ chambers and told staff he needed to speak to the judge alone.

He and Mullins then entered the judge’s inner office, closed the door and those outside heard a number of gunshots, according to The Mountain Eagle.

Stines then walked out with his hands raised and surrendered to officers, who placed him in handcuffs at around 3pm as Kentucky State Police officers found Mullins, 54, with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead at the scene.

The sheriff is now facing first-degree murder charges, and is said to be cooperating with State Police investigating the incident, the New York Times report.
The shooting on Thursday temporarily put the local high school on lockdown, and rattled the rural community of Whitesburg.

‘This community is small in nature, and we’re all shook,’ State Trooper Matt Gayheart said at an evening news conference.
He added that there were cameras inside the courthouse, and all of the witnesses to the shooting will be interviewed by police as a motive for the shooting remains unclear.

Mullins had been appointed to serve as a judge in the state’s 47th district under former Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009.

He oversaw juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and domestic violence cases, according to a Letcher County website.

Mullins also gained recognition for his efforts to treat those with drug addiction rather than incarcerate them, starting a program in 2010 that allowed inmates with substance abuse disorders to enroll in inpatient treatment as a condition of pretrial release.

He was recently appointed to a state judicial commission on mental health and was previously an assistant commonwealth attorney for nine and a half years, focusing on drug-related offenses.

Stines, meanwhile, was elected sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman indicated Thursday his office will work with Jackie Steele, the commonwealth’s attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, as special prosecutors on the case.

‘We will fully investigate and pursue justice,’ he announced on social media.

The Kentucky Court of Justice has also said it is ‘in contact with law enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police, and are offering our full support during this difficult time.

‘While the investigation is ongoing, we are committed to providing assistance in any way we can,’ the court system said on social media.

‘Our deepest sympathies go out to all those impacted by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the community during this challenging time.’
Circuit and district courts, as well as the office of the circuit court clerk will remain closed on Friday following the shooting.

(Armani)

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Friends of Dave Grohl’s wife think she knew Foo Fighters frontman had been cheating before….see more

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Friends of Dave Grohl’s wife think she knew Foo Fighters frontman had been cheating before….see more

She may have known for an “Everlong” time.

 

 

Friends of Dave Grohl’s wife, Jordyn Blum, believe she may have been aware of the Foo Fighters frontman’s cheating long before he confessed to fathering a child outside of their marriage.

 

 

A source exclusively tells The Post that everyone feels “sorry” for Blum, 48, but that some people in their circles are convinced that she “knew” Grohl, 55, cheated on her.

 

However, the insider noted that she may not have been aware of how much he was stepping out on her.
She’s a nice, wonderful woman,” the source said of Blum, who has been married to Grohl since 2003.

The guitarist shocked fans when he announced that he had fathered a child outside of his marriage earlier this month.
I’ve recently become the father of a new baby daughter, born outside of my marriage,” he announced via Instagram on Sept. 10.

“I plan to be a loving and supportive parent to her,” He continued. “I love my wife and my children, and I am doing everything I can to regain their trust and earn their forgiveness.”

Grohl, who shares three children — Violet, 18, Harper, 15, and Ophelia, 10 — with Blum, has yet to reveal the identity of his newborn daughter’s mother.
There was reportedly tension in their 21-year marriage over Grohl’s flirtatious rockstar ways.

“Dave’s flirty behavior has been a hurdle in their marriage,” an insider told People Monday. “It’s been hurtful to Jordyn.”
But another source told the outlet that Blum “was shocked when she found out about the baby.”
Meanwhile, rumors swirled that Grohl was jealous of Blum’s “flirty” friendship with her “hot” tennis instructor, Christopher Crabb.

Page Six revealed, however, that the tennis pro has been happily married for a year.

Their relationship appears to be unraveling as Grohl reportedly hired a divorce attorney before announcing the baby news, and Blum has been spotted without her wedding ring.
Following the news of Grohl’s affair, the rock star’s close friendship with an “alt porn goddess” named Annaliese Nielson came to light, raising questions about his fidelity to Blum.

Grohl seems to have a history of cheating as his ex-wife Jennifer Youngblood, who was married to him from 1994 to 1997, previously said they ended their marriage over his unfaithful habits.

(Armani)

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Dwight Howard reveals how he thinks former teammate Kobe Bryant would have reacted to his….see more

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Dwight Howard reveals how he thinks former teammate Kobe Bryant would have reacted to his….see more

Dwight Howard believes Kobe Bryant would have been fully supportive of his new “Dancing With the Stars” gig.

 

 

After making his ballroom debut Tuesday night, the NBA star exclusively spoke to Page Six about what he thinks his former teammate would have made of him joining Season 33 of the dance competition series.

 

 

“I think he would love it,” Howard said of Bryant. “We’ve been competitors, we watched each other, we played against each other in the [NBA] Finals, played on the same team, we won Olympics together. Pretty sure he’d be very proud.”

 

Bryant died in January 2020 at the age of 41 following a tragic helicopter crash that also resulted in the death of his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and several others.

The NBA legend was Howard’s teammate during the 2012-2013 season when they both played for the Los Angeles Lakers. They also took home gold while representing Team USA in the 2008 Olympics.

While the two notoriously had their ups and downs on the court, they were seemingly on good terms at the time of Bryant’s untimely death. Per ESPN, they were even planning to reunite for a dunk contest during All-Star Weekend in February 2020.

Still to this day, Howard fondly remembers the advice Bryant gave him over the years.

He told Page Six that he plans to take those same words of encouragement with him into the ballroom.

“[He said], ‘Always keep the main thing, the main thing,’” Howard shared. “And right now, ‘Dancing With the Stars’ is the main thing. So with that being said, every day that we’re on the dance floor, we treat it as such. And we’re having fun doing it.”

While Bryant never competed on “Dancing With the Stars” himself, he showed plenty of love to the dance competition show over the years.

Back in 2010, the “Dear Basketball” filmmaker and then-Lakers coach Phil Jackson made an appearance on Season 11 when NBA superstar Rick Fox competed with Cheryl Burke.
“It was crazy, I’ll never forget it. It was difficult to get them and this was our one and only chance,” Burke recalled of that experience, while talking to Page Six via Zoom on Wednesday.

“Kobe was really sweet and I could see the way that Rick really looked up to him. He was the best at what he did,” she added. “I also admire athletes like that, that have really dedicated their lives to becoming experts in their craft.”
In 2015, Bryant notably skipped out on watching a big NBA Playoffs game – and the NBA Draft Lottery – to attend the live taping of the dance competition show’s Season 20 finale. He posed for several pics in the ballroom at the time, including a snap with Val Chmerkovskiy moments after he won the mirrorball trophy with Rumer Willis.

Bryant also showed his support for fellow teammates Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom when they competed during Season 25 and Season 28, respectively.

“On the list of all the teammates that we’ve played with, I gotta say, yours was not at the top of the list as far as guys that would be on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’” Bryant joked in a surprise message to Fisher that aired on “Good Morning America” in 2017.

“It kinda shocked the hell out of me … [but] that being said, I wish you nothing but luck. Do your thing, my man! Get another championship.”

(Armani)

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