Scandals and controversies of 2015(14 images)

The NFL's New England Patriots were accused of deflating the footballs for the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts to gain an advantage to win the game. Both the Patriots' head coach Bill Belichek and quarterback Tom Brady denied having known anything about the deflated footballs. An investigation has shown that the footballs were indeed deflated. The Patriots have been fined a million dollars and Brady has been suspended from starting in the first four games on the upcoming season. Above: Tom Brady supporters hold up signs before New England Patriots Tom Brady arrives to present his appeal to Commissioner Roger Goodell in the Deflategate controversy at NFL Headquarters in New York on June 23, 2015. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Donald Trump entered the 2016 presidential race with controversial comments regarding race, claiming that some undocumented immigrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border are "rapists" and "killers." Soon after his comments, Univision and Macy's ended their business deals with Trump. Above: Donald Trump delivers a speech where he announces that he will be running for President of the United States at Trump Tower on 5th Avenue in New York City on June 16, 2015. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Following a shooting that led to the deaths of 9 black members of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina many advocacy groups, politicians, and South Carolina citizens demanded the Confederate Flag be lowered from the Capitol grounds in Columbia, South Carolina. The accused shooter, Dylann Roof, took multiple photos with Confederate flag memorabilia. Above: South Carolina State Police honor guard begin lowering the Confederate flag at the State House for the final time as a ceremony begins to remove the symbol to a museum on July 10, 2015 in Columbia, South Carolina. Photo by Gillian Ellis/UPI

Since 2014, actor and comedian Bill Cosby has been in the spotlight over allegations that he drugged and later sexually assaulting multiple women. Although he has not been formally charged by authorities, a deposition from 2005 obtained this year shows that Cosby admitted to administering the drugs to the women and having sex them, claiming that both acts were consensual. Above: Bill Cosby performs in concert at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida on January 20, 2008. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI

E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic found herself in some trouble after making comments about actress Zendaya's dreadlock hairstyle on Fashion Police. Rancic had said that while she liked the dress Zendaya wore to the 2015 Academy Awards, she thought her hair was "too boho" and that it would smell like weed. After Zendaya called out Rancic for the comments, Rancic publicly apologized. Above: TV personality Giuliana Rancic arrives for the 41st annual People's Choice Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on January 7, 2015. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

Pop-star Ariana Grande and one of her backup dancers were caught on footage licking unsold doughnuts at a doughnut shop while employees were not paying attention. Grande is also heard saying "I hate America" in the clip. The 22-year-old singer came out with an apology statement shortly after the footage was made public claiming she is "sorry for not using more discretion" with her choice of words and stating she is "extremely proud to be an American." Above: Recording artists Ariana Grande performs on stage during Y100's Jingle Ball 2014 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, on December 21, 2014. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI

Early in the year Brian Williams, one of America's most beloved broadcast journalists, admitted to having exaggerated a story he reported on while in Iraq in 2003. On multiple occasions, Williams recalled the events of the time he was in a military helicopter that was shot, but soldiers on the same mission denied the fact. The anchor publicly recanted the story and apologized to viewers in February. As a result, Williams was suspended from NBC's Nightly News and will carry on with his career as a reporter for MSNBC. Above: Brian Williams arrives in the press room with his Emmy at the News and Documentary Emmy Awards at Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York on September 21, 2009. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI