Benjamin Goggin

A flood of filings came Friday evening, implicating former Trump attorney and fixer <a id="06600874-3f65-35b0-a006-338a786d10d8" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-avenatti-cohen-sentencing-memo-stormy-daniels-affair-trump-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Michael Cohen </a> , former Trump campaign manager <a id="5a604257-3dcf-3fd8-a612-4b2d31b790d8" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mueller-reveals-how-paul-manafort-breached-his-plea-agreement-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Paul Manafort, </a> former Trump national security adviser <a id="9d563835-2ebc-3df6-a83d-85ad16ce867a" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-flynn-vs-michael-cohen-sentencing-memos-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Michael Flynn </a> , and <a id="71377043-a8cd-3a11-ac41-f254a19461cd" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tweet-totally-cleared-mueller-filings-michael-cohen-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Trump himself </a> .

Despite the trove of new information on special counsel Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference, the beat of the news cycle kept on throughout the weekend, bringing more major headlines.

Here's what you might have missed.

<h1> Former FBI Director James Comeys testimony to the House committees was released on Saturday. </h1>

<ul><li> During Friday's testimony, Comey detailed his role in investigating Hillary Clinton's email server and the Trump campaign's potential ties to Russia. </li><li> Comey told House lawmakers that he's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comey-not-friends-with-mueller-despite-trump-claims-house-testimony-transcript-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">"not friends" with Mueller</a> , despite Trump's claims the pair are "best friends." Trump once even said that there are 100 pictures of Comey and Mueller "hugging and kissing each other." </li><li> Comey also said the Russia investigation <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comey-russia-investigation-initially-looked-at-4-americans-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">initially focused on four Americans</a> , but he declined to identify them. He said Trump was not one of them, but could not confirm the names because of an ongoing investigation. </li><li> Comey doubled down on his previous statements, saying anyone who thinks the FBI favored Clinton in its emails investigation is " <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comey-anyone-who-thinks-fbi-favored-hillary-clinton-is-smoking-something-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">smoking something</a> ." </li><li> But Trump was not happy with Comey's statements and lashed out on Twitter Sunday morning to call his testimony: " <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-lashes-out-on-twitter-after-james-comeys-testimony-all-lies-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">All lies!"</a> </li></ul>

<h1> Trump told reporters Saturday that his chief of staff John Kelly will leave the White House by the beginning of 2019. </h1>

<ul><li> Trump, told reporters on the South Lawn on Saturday that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-says-chief-of-staff-john-kelly-is-leaving-the-white-house-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Kelly would depart</a> by the end of the year. Trump added that he would announce a replacement in the next day or two. </li><li> Kelly's replacement was long-expected to be <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-nick-ayers-the-possible-next-white-house-chief-of-staff-john-kelly-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff Nick Ayers</a> . </li><li> Despite the rumors, which go back to 2017, Ayers tweeted to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nick-ayers-will-not-replace-john-kelly-as-suspected-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">confirm reports</a> that he would not be replacing Kelly, but would be leaving Washington to return to his native Georgia by the end of the year. </li><li> Kelly's replacement is still unclear — though <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-staff/ayers-will-not-become-trumps-chief-of-staff-mnuchin-meadows-considered-sources-idUSKBN1O80RD">sources told Reuters</a> that the president is considering current Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Republican Representative Mark Meadows, chairman of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus. </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-has-trump-fired-so-far-james-comey-sean-spicer-michael-flynn-2017-7?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Kelly joins a long list of staffers who have left Trump's White House.</a> </li></ul>

<h1> "Yellow Vest" protests continued to rock Paris over the weekend. </h1>

Associated Press/Rafael Yaghobzadeh

<ul><li> "Yellow Vest" anti-government protesters took to the streets across France on Saturday, in what quickly devolved into violent clashes with police. </li><li> More than <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-france-yellow-vest-anti-government-protests-arrests-injuries-2018-12/?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">1,300 people were arrested</a> and dozens more were injured as rioters gathered for the fourth week. </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-mocks-emmanuel-macron-over-paris-yellow-vest-riots-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump mocked French President Emmanuel Macron</a> over his Paris Climate Agreement, which the US has withdrawn from: "The Paris Agreement isn't working out so well for Paris," he tweeted, referring to the angry protests which have set Paris ablaze. </li><li> <a href="https://www.thisisinsider.com/uma-thurman-yellow-vest-protesters-paris-riots-photo-2018-12">Uma Thurman posted</a> a photo of herself on Instagram at the protests alongside smoke bombs and police officers in riot gear. She said in a comment that "99 percent of protesters were peaceful." </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-are-the-yellow-vests-gilets-jaunes-protesting-riot-france-macron-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Read more here</a> about who the protesters are and what they want from President Emmanuel Macron. </li></ul>

<h1> The US is caught in the middle after a senior Huawei executive was arrested in Canada. </h1>

<ul><li> Huawei's chief financial officer, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/canada-arrests-huawei-cfo-at-us-authorities-request-report-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Meng Wanzhou </a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/canada-arrests-huawei-cfo-at-us-authorities-request-report-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">was arrested in Canada earlier this month</a> and faces extradition to the United States, which alleges that she covered up her company's links to a firm that tried to sell equipment to Iran despite US sanctions. </li><li> A White House official <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-huawei-meng-wanzhou-arrest-xi-jinping-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">told Reuters</a> that Trump was not made aware of plans to arrest Huawei's CFO before he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. </li><li> China has upped the pressure on the US, saying the arrest warrant should be withdrawn and threatening " <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-china-says-us-should-withdraw-arrest-warrant-for-huawei-executive-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">further action</a> " if she is not freed. </li><li> Meng's arrest sent shockwaves through the global markets, with fears that her detainment could escalate the trade war between the US and China. </li><li> Huawei makes telecommunications kits and smartphones and recently overtook Apple as the world's second biggest smartphone seller behind Samsung. But despite its success, the company has been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/marco-rubio-mark-warner-tell-trudeau-ban-huawei-5g-security-risk-2018-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">scrutinized over security concerns</a> because of its ties to China's Communist Party. </li></ul>

<h1> North Carolina is experiencing a "mammoth" storm which has knocked out power for more than 300,000 people. </h1>

<ul><li> A <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/north-carolina-storm-knocks-out-power-roads-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">massive storm is pelting southern states with freezing rain, snow, and ice</a> across the Carolinas and Virginia. </li><li> <a href="https://flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today/clt">Airports across the region</a> have canceled thousands of flights as perilous conditions are expected to extend into Monday. </li><li> North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper warned: "We're preparing for days of impact, not hours." </li></ul>

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dumbest-reasons-people-called-police-year-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">The 12 most ridiculous and infuriating reasons people called the cops this year</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-politically-divisive-tv-shows-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">The 27 most politically divisive shows on TV</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/golden-globes-2019-nominees-winners-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Here are all the Golden Globes 2019 nominations</a> </li></ul>

Here's what you missed this weekend: Trump says Kelly's out, 'Yellow Vest' protests rock Europe, and China makes threats over Huawei

Over two years after the <a id="0125d9be-89a4-3d14-a3ca-0b3e22c3a1f1" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-the-panama-papers-2016-4?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> release of the Panama Papers </a> revealed that a coterie of powerful people (including some politicians) had hired a Panamanian law firm to avoid personal and business taxes, the US Department of Justice has <a id="9bace9bc-2ab4-32d8-ad56-103b5e63e659" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/four-defendants-charged-panama-papers-investigation-their-roles-panamanian-based-global-law"> revealed an indictment </a> against four individuals for charges that include wire fraud, tax fraud, money laundering, and other offenses.

Three of the four — Richard Gaffey of Massachusetts, Dirk Brauer of Germany, and Harald Joachim Von Der Goltz of Germany — have already been arrested. Ramses Owens of Panama is seemingly still at large.

Read more: <a id="d7d7686b-1574-35e5-addc-f452108da9d1" href="https://www.businessinsider.nl/son-of-slain-panama-papers-journalist-rages-against-politicians-2017-10/?international=true&amp;r=US"> Son of slain Panama Papers journalist rages against politicians: ‘This is what war looks like’ </a>

Gaffey of Medfield, Massachusetts (the lone American named) was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit tax evasion, one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and four counts of willful failure to file an FBAR (an IRS form required for high-value foreign accounts).

Brauer was reportedly an investment manager at Mossfon Asset Management, S.A., which the DOJ says worked closely with Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.

Information about Von Der Goltz and Owens was not immediately available.

"Law firms, asset managers, and accountants play key roles enabling entry into the global financial system," Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski said in a statement. "The charges announced today demonstrate our commitment to prosecute professionals who facilitate financial crime across international borders and the tax cheats who utilize their services."

According to the DOJ and the Panama Papers, the subjects of the suit used Mossack Fonseca to create a series of shell companies that were used to conceal their wealth and avoid taxes.

Owens and Brauer allegedly set up offshore accounts for clients of Mossack Fonseca to hide wealth.

Von Der Goltz was allegedly a client of Mossack Fonseca and reportedly used its services while living in the US and paying US taxes, making him vulnerable to the charges.

Gaffey, an accountant, allegedly helped connect Von Der Goltz and Owens, and assisted in connecting another client, called "client-1" in the DOJ release, to Mossack Fonseca.

The Panama Papers famously showed evidence that this strategy was used by leaders such as Iceland's former prime minister <a id="7f65582c-a88d-3f15-a01b-960bc2042863" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/06/world/europe/panama-papers-iceland.html"> Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson </a> .

NOW WATCH: <a id="f10e5b23-0626-388d-a555-cbd8d03497a0" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/economist-weighted-voting-could-help-save-us-democracy-2018-5?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> This top economist has a radical plan to change the way Americans vote </a>

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-battery-replacement-program-december-2018-9?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">If you own an iPhone 6 or later that isn't holding its charge, now is the time to get your battery replaced</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/theresa-may-government-has-been-found-in-contempt-of-parliament-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Theresa May's government found in contempt of Parliament</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/burger-king-debuts-mcdonalds-whopper-deal-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Burger King is giving away Whoppers for 1 cent — but you have to go to McDonald's to get them</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: How the super-wealthy hide billions using tax havens and shell companies

DOJ charges 4 with fraud in Panama Papers fallout, including a US accountant and a German banker

Ariana Grande's " <a id="bb874630-627a-3941-a4d7-049bb02b1823" href="https://www.thisisinsider.com/ariana-grande-thank-u-next-song-exes-meaning-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Thank U, Next </a> " broke the internet twice, with smash releases of the song itself and its '90s nostalgia-laden <a id="8f262363-67e4-32f4-a887-0dca671ebeda" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9qO0TxbDHE"> music video </a> — and now, a hot take critiquing the video is creating its own online buzz.

On Monday, LGBT-focused publication Into posted an <a id="db867f50-38e9-3d77-af08-f37df506a79b" href="https://www.intomore.com/culture/ariana-grandes-thank-you-next-music-video-is-surprisingly-anti-queer"> opinion piece </a> calling out the video for numerous "anti-queer" moments. The piece alleged that a man in drag was meant to mock trans women, called a reference made in a cameo by singer Troye Sivan (who is gay) homophobic, accused Grande of blackface, and suggested that Kris Jenner mocked her ex Caitlyn Jenner for being trans in her cameo appearance in the video:

She simply shouts "Thank you, next, bitch!" while holding a camera — the final line of the music video. As "bitch" is generally directed at women and "thank you, next" is in reference to relationships, this is likely aimed at Caitlyn Jenner... Perhaps this is in reference to <a id="bd79c109-06f6-373c-a484-fdc5370b5aae" href="https://www.intomore.com/impact/trans-women-of-color-continue-calling-caitlyn-jenner-out-on-her-selfish-pursuits/b156dabbcdeb4cc9"> Caitlyn’s far-right politics </a> . Perhaps it’s a jab at her trans identity. We can’t be sure unless Kris Jenner speaks out about the line.

The article quickly spread online, attracting massive amounts of criticism for what many called "reaching," or drawing unsupported conclusions. In less than 24 hours, Into's tweet had over 3,200 replies.

Hours after the piece was posted, Sivan, who has 8.71 million Twitter followers, replied to the article, writing on the social media platform, "This literally can't be real I'm scream."

Tatianna, of Ru Paul's Drag Race, <a id="6d6fef52-162e-34a1-aa39-312feafc3b95" href="https://twitter.com/TATIANNANOW/status/1069797411210608640"> echoed the sentiments </a> of most of those replying, writing, "I'm sorry but this is the farthest reaching article I've read in my whole entire life."

The pile-on quickly turned dark, according to the post's author andInto.

"I've received dozens of death threats [on Twitter and Tumblr] in the past 24 hours," wrote the author in an email to INSIDER. The threats, which the author says are coming from "almost exclusively Ari fans" have allegedly called for the author's "shooting, hanging, and burying alive." Several of the threats have been verified by INSIDER.

The author, who identifies as a fan of Grande's music, called the response "massively overblown," saying, "this was supposed to be a lighthearted thinkpiece/op-ed questioning the artistic choices of the production, not Ariana herself."

As a result of the alleged threats, Into removed the name of the author, writing: "INTO has historically been a place for varying opinions from LGBTQ people around the world, and will remain such a place — but these opinions never warrant violence. And when a writer's own life could potentially be at stake, we must take necessary steps to ensure their safety."

Read more: Ariana Grande revealed why Mac Miller isn't in the 'Burn Book' scene of her new music video

Despite the step, Twitter users proceeded to identify the author with posts and screenshots, expressing outrage at allegations of sexual assault previously made against the author.

Changing or removing names has been a controversial step in journalism. Many journalists believe that changing a byline is a form of deception, as senior vice president of journalist group Poynter <a id="f5bacde8-4ace-32dc-acd5-81c63a11a10a" href="https://www.poynter.org/news/are-pen-names-ever-ok-journalism"> said in 2014 </a> . The Washington Post has had a longstanding rule not to publish anonymous op-eds, as has been repeatedly <a id="07ac16a7-c9b8-372a-ad06-7364f65045bf" href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/28/media/new-york-times-anonymous-op-ed-trump/index.html"> confirmed </a> by editor Fred Hiatt.

But some digital outlets have become more flexible on the standard under the pressure of massive shaming and threats that sometimes occur on the internet.

Other users targeted the editors of the site, asking why the piece was published at all. Intoeditor Zach Stafford did not immediately respond for comment. On Twitter, writer Sydney Urbanek wrote, "Any editor that'd run something like this as is doesn't care about the writer."

The author of the piece seemed to agree, saying, "The piece could have been edited more heavily."

"I assumed mostly queer and trans people would be the ones to read it." wrote the writer. "I could certainly have done a better job explaining concepts like transmisogyny, anti-queer sentiment, and blackface had I known this would blow up."

NOW WATCH: <a id="c770c0f3-0049-31d3-a62c-436ec03e680e" href="https://www.thisisinsider.com/raffis-place-persian-food-2018-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> A Persian restaurant in LA serves thousands of diners a day </a>

Column calling 'Thank U, Next' video 'anti-queer' leads to 'dozens of death threats' and Twitter rage from fans

Milo Yiannopoulos, the alt-right provocateur that was largely disavowed by fellow conservatives following comments questioning the legal age of consent, is allegedly $2 million in debt, according to documents and a video posted online.

The allegations come from a video posted over the weekend by far-right Australian figure Neil Erikson, who is known for being openly anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim. Erikson says in the video that Yiannopoulos's Australian tour promoters,Ben and Dan Spiller of Australian Events Management, assembled documents showing numerous debts that Milo used in an attempt to extract payments from them for the collapsing tour that he was slated to take part in.

"I am less financially secure, more panicked and stressed, and more miserable than when we started," Yiannopoulos allegedly wrote in a message.

Scrolling through emails that Erikson claims were sent from Yiannopoulos along with chat records, Erickson describes over $2 million in alleged debts, which include $1.6m to his own company and employees (who were <a id="e674aa02-e3a2-382e-a5cf-51a58e0b3fe3" href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/27/yiannopoulos-business-implodes-after-death-of-crypto-billionaire-557456"> laid off </a> in April), $400,000 to the Mercers (who were <a id="d9af9d2e-2d07-3d0e-a6b7-0b94dcd4237f" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/11/bob-mercer-defunds-milo-yiannopoulos-sells-stake-in-breitbart"> providing funds </a> to Milo), $20,000 to Cartier jewelry (which he claims to have wiped out by returning his wedding ring), $153,000 in unpaid legal fees following the suit against his former publisher Simon &amp; Schuster, $50,000 to credit card companies, and $76,574 to former partner and Breitbart writer Allum Bokhari. Yiannopoulos reportedly owes thousands of dollars to several other writers as well, according to <a id="ce3e9ba1-615b-3b4f-afd5-12f072e54188" href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/03/milo-yiannopoulos-more-than-2m-in-debt-australian-promoters-documents-show"> The Guardian </a> .

Yiannopoulos told The Guardian that the debts listed were "company debts," and that he was doing fine, "bringing in $40k US a month."

The revelations come amid a feud between Yiannopoulos and the Spillers. On Friday, Yiannopoulos announced that he was joining the "Deplorables" tour being organized by the publisher of Penthouse Australia Damien Costas. He called the brothers "incompetent" and published their email addresses online.

On Friday, the Spillers <a id="174ee638-88bd-38af-a682-0fff9c16819c" href="https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/eb56e0_5bff2387478340c58e546d7ec205eb55.pdf"> announced </a> that they would pursue legal action against Yiannopoulos to recover the money that they gave Milo for the original tour.

NOW WATCH: <a id="cef6b60e-1466-3d4c-ab24-f20f23618183" href="https://www.thisisinsider.com/sephora-first-beauty-event-exclusive-products-2018-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> We went to Sephora's first-ever "interactive beauty event" in LA — here's what it was like </a>

Alt-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, allegedly $2 million in debt, returned wedding ring to settle debt

On Thursday, millennial-aimed publisher Mic <a id="a9f64584-553e-3fef-a979-98300d5b8024" href="https://www.recode.net/2018/11/29/18117787/mic-layoffs-staff-bustle-facebook"> laid off </a> most its 100-person staff ahead of its acquisition and relaunch <a id="4db72b86-e277-3674-a83a-0c0fde56a82a" href="https://twitter.com/maxwellstrachan/status/1068248391698784257"> plan </a> by Bustle Digital Group. <a id="829496e6-5ad9-3e72-a291-6bffbfdf4bc0" href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mic-audio-co-founder_us_5c00a5d9e4b0d04f48b2986f"> Mic cofounder and CEO Chris Altchek blamed </a> Facebook's cancelation of <a id="480a0359-e434-3a80-a2a3-b7a82bf80fa2" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-publisher-mic-was-a-victim-of-facebook-canceling-its-news-show-and-more-shows-could-be-next-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Mic's "Dispatch" show on Facebook Watch </a> for the company's declining finances.

The revelation sparked "outrage" among former staff who saw the layoffs as an attempt by Mic and Bustle, which both tout progressive editorial missions, to break Mic's editorial union, former employees said.

"It seems like it’s a pretty blatant way to keep the Mic brand while getting rid of the unionized members and also the members that hold the values that Mic has built their brand on," one employee said. "For me, it’s hard to see how that’s not obvious union-busting."

<a id="5c51a53e-326e-3853-ad6e-aaf7ccc5155f" href="http://www.law.cuny.edu/faculty/directory/lung.html"> Shirley Lung </a> , an expert in labor law at the City University of New York, said laying off staff ahead of being acquired or reopening is a way for companies to get rid of unions.

"If the majority of Bustle’s new employees consist of Mic’s employees, they could have a duty to recognize the union and be able to bargain with them," she said. "If Bustle decided that it would hire new employees and they’re going to structure their workforce so that less than a majority is comprised of former employees, then they would have effectively gotten rid of the union."

Chaumtoli Huq, who teaches labor law at the City University of New York and is editor-in-chief of social justice publication Law At The Margins, said the practice could be legal unless there is other evidence of "anti-union animus."

Read more: <a id="15647023-36cd-3284-ab7f-91ca3eb9e032" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bryan-goldberg-buys-gawker-hulk-hogan-2018-7?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> The 35-year-old founder of Bustle and Bleacher Report reportedly just bought Gawker.com for $1.35 million, and Hulk Hogan is entitled to a cut of the sale </a>

<h1> Bustles history with acquisitions </h1>

Bustle built its brand on producing highly searchable content produced by writers that were paid as little as <a id="b0901da9-a22f-3610-a88c-a62c3a729135" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bustle-wants-to-pay-its-writers-100-per-day-2013-8?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> $100 per day </a> . Some noted similarities between the Mic situation and what happened when Bustle acquired lifestyle site Elite Daily in 2017.

Elite Daily <a id="180baf15-dc6a-3b50-adee-c727ded41a3c" href="https://nypost.com/2017/04/27/elite-daily-axes-47-staffers-ahead-of-sale/"> laid off 47 of 94 staffers ahead of the sale. </a> Bustle offered some jobs as contract employees with less pay and no benefits, according to former employees. Editors were demoted while reporters with no management experience were promoted to editor positions with no pay increases, the former employees said. Ex-Elite Daily employee Anna Menta tweeted: "I'd keep an eye on what kind of 'rebuilding' goes on here."

In a statement, Bustle told Business Insider, "Following the acquisition of Mic, Bustle Digital Group will take a thoughtful approach on the company’s future plans. We have no further comment."

<h1> Whats next for former Mic employees </h1>

In February, Mic employees announced they planned to join the NewsGuild of New York, joining other digital newsrooms that have unionized in recent years. Mic recognized the union in March, but a union contract hadn't been secured by Thursday's layoffs.

Mic leadership told laid-off staff they would be given one month's severance and that their health insurance would continue through December but that because Mic's insurance contracts are terminating after that, COBRA will not be available for purchase.

In a <a id="345cfdd2-e708-372d-a071-570de662b4f8" href="https://twitter.com/mic_union/status/1068294622030561280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"> statement </a> Thursday, the union accused Mic's cofounders of "deception" and indicated its willingness "to fight for what is right and just" and continue "to pursue all options available to us."

Lung said that without a contract, Mic has little legal accountability to the union members. Huq and Lung said the employees could still seek unfair labor practice charges, claiming Mic violated its duty to bargain with them.

"Under the law, Mic had an obligation to make an effort to arrive at a contract — Mic and Bustle’s layoffs could be seen as an anti-union effort in retaliation for that," Huq said.

"The power that workers have is the power that they create through demands and through collective organizing; it doesn’t rest on them having a contract," Lung said.

NOW WATCH: <a id="31495584-c451-3b0c-a2d5-36d6e8cde2d7" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-barker-millionaires-bad-grades-gpa-2017-6?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Valedictorians rarely become rich and famous — here's why the average millionaire's college GPA is 2.9 </a>

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/george-hw-bush-dead-obituary-2018-4?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Former President George H.W. Bush dies at age 94</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-cheaper-flights-other-airline-secrets-2017-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">6 airline industry secrets that will help you fly like a pro this holiday season</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/candid-photos-of-prince-william-kate-middleton-prince-harry-in-2017-2017-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">The 85 most candid photos of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince William, and Kate Middleton from 2017 and 2018</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: Bustle acquires Elite Daily from Daily Mail and rebrands as Bustle Digital Group

Did Mic layoff their entire editorial staff ahead of their sale to Bustle Digital Group to break a union?

Politics

Local

Filla

World

News

Football

Ghana Premier League

Black Stars

Sports

Celebrities

Music

Movies

Entertainment

Fashion

Beauty & Health

Relationships & Weddings

Food & Travel

Lifestyle

Domestic

International 

Business

About

Highlights

Selection Criteria

Jury

Terms And Conditions

FAQs

Pulse Influencer Awards

Explore categories

Pulse Ghana is the most followed news and entertainment platform, informing and engaging young Ghanaians round the clock, providing updates by the hour.