Posted Nov 14th 2009 5:50PM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's homicide investigation is taking longer than expected because -- as one law enforcement source connected with the case said -- "We've had bad luck with big cases like OJ in the past, and we don't want to repeat those mistakes."
The source also pointed to the Robert Blake case, which some experts believe was also botched. But the source added, "There is not a problem with the case. Time is on our side. We want to do this right." The L.A. County D.A.'s office and the LAPD are working as a unit to "anticipate defense strategies and prepare for them." The D.A.'s office is actively involved, requesting lots of info from the LAPD.
One of the issues: authorities have keyed in on Applied Pharmacy in Las Vegas -- they want to make sure there are no other pharmacies that sent the Propofol in question to Dr. Conrad Murray.
Another issue: authorities have gone back to their medical experts for more input, as "strategies have changed" in a case they call "very complicated."
As for when the investigation will wrap: now authorities are saying they'd like to end it "before the Christmas holidays".... but that could get pushed to January.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, O.J., Exclusives
Tags: death, death investigation, DeathInvestigation, district attorney, DistrictAttorney, dr. conrad murray, Dr.ConradMurray, homicide, l.a. county d.a., L.a.CountyD.a., los angeles district attorney, LosAngelesDistrictAttorney, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, propofol
Posted Nov 14th 2009 11:18AM by TMZ Staff
The company that hawks all things related to Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Guns N' Roses, Led Zeppelin and Red Hot Chili Peppers is demanding untold millions from the businesses that are illegally cashing in -- allegedly.
Bravado International Group claims it has the exclusive right to the merchandise of these huge musicians -- dead and alive. Bravado claims Dollar Days International, Alan Shrem and Kennedy-Shrem International are illegally using the names and likenesses of Michael Jackson, Jim Morrison and the other musical luminaries in the sale of shirts, watches, posters, play money and other stuff.
The suit -- filed in federal court in Los Angeles and obtained by TMZ -- makes specific mention of Jackson's most memorable works, including "Thriller" and "Bad."
And speaking of bad, Bravado wants $2 million for each violation.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson
Tags: guns n roses, GunsNRoses, led zeppelin, LedZeppelin, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, red hot chili peppers, RedHotChiliPeppers, rolling stones, RollingStones, the doors, TheDoors
Posted Nov 14th 2009 7:15AM by TMZ Staff
Sigourney Weaver is named as a defendant in a lawsuit over a business deal gone bad -- even though she didn't do anything wrong ... and the plaintiff even knows it.
We'll spare you the details, but it goes something like this: According to a lawsuit filed yesterday in New York, a guy named Anthony Minuto is suing Vincent Longo and his cosmetics company over a bad investment Minuto made in Longo's company.
Weaver is a small partner in the company, and was named as a defendant -- but Minuto accuses Weaver of no wrongdoing, saying, "Weaver is named a party defendant herein for no reason other than ... she is a minority shareholder of the Corporation and this action seeks declaratory relief against the corporation."
Translation: she's famous.
Minuto wants 25% of the company and is seeking nearly $5 mil in damages.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Exclusives
Tags: lawsuit, minuto, sigourney weaver, SigourneyWeaver
Posted Nov 14th 2009 7:12AM by TMZ Staff
Marie Osmond has countersued her former agent, claiming he's made "extortionist demands" against her and defamed her as well.
TMZ has obtained the legal papers, filed in the arbitration case between Marie and former manager P. Karl Engemann. Marie wants $2 million from Engemann for the damages she claims he caused her.
The legal docs assert that Engemann "tried to extort Osmond to pay more compensation to him...by defaming and disparaging Osmond to third parties."
Osmond claims Engemann derailed her plan for a talk show by bungling the negotiations. She also says he screwed up her negotiations with "Dancing with the Stars" and her Nutrisystems commercials.
In addition to the $2 mil, Marie wants punitive damages.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Exclusives
Tags: dancing with the stars, DancingWithTheStars, marie osmond, MarieOsmond, nutrasystems, p. karl engemann, P.KarlEngemann
Posted Nov 13th 2009 5:21PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned the Gosselins' former nanny -- who once claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Jon -- is the next person TLC wants to testify in their breach of contract case against Jon.
TLC's lawyers have filed court papers in Maryland asking the judge for permission to serve Stephanie Santoro with a subpoena. They also want Stephanie's records.
If it's granted, Santoro will be forced to testify -- along with Michael Lohan, Hailey Glassman and Star Magazine reporter Kate Major.
Depositions are scheduled for December 10.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, TV, Jon & Kate, Exclusives
Tags: jon gosselin, jon gosseling, JonGosselin, JonGosseling, lawsuit, nanny, served, stephanie santoro, StephanieSantoro, subpoena, tlc
Posted Nov 13th 2009 4:30PM by TMZ Staff
Pro skater and MTV reality star Ryan Sheckler just found out he was missing $365,000 -- and cops think he may have been stabbed in the back big time.
Cops just arrested Matthew Mercuro today -- who was the Chief Financial Officer for Ryan's two companies -- and charged him with embezzling more than $365,000 from the 19-year-old skater ... which amounts to two felony counts of grand theft.
If convicted, Mercuro could spend more than 6 years in state prison.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice
Tags: life of ryan, LifeOfRyan, mtv, ryan sheckler, RyanSheckler, skateboard
Posted Nov 13th 2009 4:03PM by TMZ Staff
Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and the L.A. Lakers have been sued by a company that says they all used knockoffs of their big screen in concert.
Large Audience Display Systems claims in a federal lawsuit in Texas, obtained by TMZ, the concerts in question included a large audience display screen that was identical to their patented, gigantic monitors.
Britney uses the screen on her "Circus" tour. Justin used the monitors on his "FutureSex/LoveShow" tour.
Also sued: The Pussycat Dolls for using the screens as well.
The company wants an injunction prohibiting the defendants from using knockoffs in the future, as well as unspecified damages.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Talk Sports, Exclusives
Tags: bodyguard, britney spears, BritneySpears, justin timberlake, JustinTimberlake, l.a. lakers, L.a.Lakers, lawsuit, los angeles lakers, LosAngelesLakers, pussycat dolls, PussycatDolls, suit
Posted Nov 13th 2009 1:39PM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's former manager just filed a huge creditor's claim against the estate ... and it's mostly over the sale of Neverland Ranch in 2008.
In the documents, filed yesterday in L.A. County Superior Court, Dr. Tohme says he was promised a certain fee from Michael if he could locate a company to save Neverland Ranch from foreclosure last year.
Dr. Tohme claims he's the one who brought Colony Capital LLC to the table -- the company T says forked over $23 million to save Neverland. Dr. Tohme wants his cut of the deal -- which he claims is approximately $2.3 million.
In July of 2008, Dr. Tohme also says Michael promised him 15% of the singer's "gross compensation within the entertainment industry" -- but T has no clue how much he's owed for this one.
The doc wants in excess of $2.3 million.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: colony capital, ColonyCapital, Michael jackson, MichaelJackson, neverland ranch, NeverlandRanch
Posted Nov 13th 2009 1:38PM by TMZ Staff
Cindy Crawford's alleged extortionist had a brush with the law before the latest incident, but in that case the woman who asked for a restraining order ended up flaking out in court so Edis Kayalar skated.
Marissa Rukgaber -- Kayalar's girlfriend in 2008-09 -- claimed in a declaration that he pushed her and threatened to kill her if she called the police. She said, "He asked me to sleep with him at a friend's house, and when I refused he slapped me across my face and punched me 6-7 time (sic) all over body."
But she never showed up in court and, according to the docs obatined by TMZ, the judge took no action.
Kayalar is accused of trying to extort Crawford and her husband, Rande Gerber, for $100,000 -- over a picture of the couple's daughter.
By the way, in the legal docs, she says, "He's hard to find and slips through the system." That's a problem the feds are dealing with right now.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Exclusives
Tags: arrest, cindy crawford, CindyCrawford, extortionist, german, model
Posted Nov 13th 2009 1:01PM by TMZ Staff
An attorney for Stephanie Pratt just pled not guilty on her behalf to a charge of misdemeanor DUI -- and her lawyer says the "Hills" star will check in to rehab.
Pratt's lawyer said she will enroll in a 30-day residential facility.
As we first reported, Pratt was pulled over at 3:45 AM on October 18 after leaving Holly Montag's birthday party.
Pratt's two breathalyzer tests registered .08 and .09 -- the legal limit is .08 -- so she was arrested and held on $5,000 bail.
If convicted, Pratt could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, The Hills
Tags: dui, not guilty, NotGuilty, stephanie pratt, StephaniePratt
Posted Nov 13th 2009 12:14PM by TMZ Staff
Brandy will not be going to a civil trial over her December 2006 car crash -- she just settled with the last remaining plaintiffs.
The last plaintiffs standing were the parents of the woman who died in the accident. Brandy already settled with the couple's two kids ($300,000 each). She also settled with the other injured driver, Mallory Ham, back in July.
Terms of the latest settlement are secret.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Exclusives
Tags: brandy, car accident, CarAccident, crash, settlement, victim
Posted Nov 13th 2009 12:10PM by TMZ Staff
Cops just paid a visit to Paris Hilton's pad, to make sure she wasn't a burglary victim twice over.
We've learned the LAPD pulled a car over near the home where Paris Hilton and BF Doug Reinhardt live ... and the officers noticed Paris' gate was open. With the whole Hollywood Hills Burglar Bunch string of celeb break-ins, cops wanted to make sure history didn't repeat itself.
We're told police went up Paris' driveway, went into the yard and spoke with someone inside to make sure things were ok.
They were, and police just left the scene.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Paris Hilton, Exclusives
Tags: burglar bunch, BurglarBunch, doug reinhardt, DougReinhardt, paris hilton, ParisHilton, victim
Posted Nov 13th 2009 12:01PM by TMZ Staff
Jon Gosselin has fired off a countersuit against TLC -- claiming the network caused him "to suffer harm to his reputation." (insert joke here).
According to court docs, Kate's ex says he didn't breach his contract with the network -- and now he wants $175,000 he claims they owe him from the show.
Best line ever ... Jon says in legal docs, "because of the enormous Media interest ... and public interest it makes it impossible to carry on normal daily activities, let alone find, secure and maintain a job with an employer who is willing to be exposed to the daily Media intrusions that has impeded my life." Pleeeeeze!!!!
Gosselin claims TLC has been bad mouthing him all over town -- he wants $5 million in damages.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, TV, Jon & Kate
Tags: jon gosselin, JonGosselin, kate gosselin, KateGosselin, lawsuit, suit, tlc
