Posted Aug 7th 2008 8:40AM by TMZ Staff
Sources connected with the Heath Ledger investigation say the Drug Enforcement Administration set a new low for starf**king.
People who have talked to TMZ off the record are now willing to go on record -- still anonymously -- about one of the most bizarre DEA power grabs ever.
How's this for starters ... no one we've spoken with connected with the case can point to a single DEA case where a massive investigation was launched over an accidental death in which no criminality was even hinted at.
We know the DEA went all over the country, in one case tracking down a guy in California who smoked a joint with Ledger in the '90s, telling him he had to testify in a Grand Jury probe. And how's this for chutzpah ... the DEA told the guy he would have to pay his own way to NYC to testify before the Grand Jury!
In another case, the DEA was nosing around a film set in Arizona looking for people who had information about possible Ledger drug connections.
We know the NYPD was furious at the DEA for making an immediate power grab to control what should have been a simple case. NYPD cops felt "humiliated" by what one source called "utter disrespect" on the part of the DEA.
As for the U.S. Attorney's office, we're told officials say they were appalled at what they felt was a "bogus" investigation. Our sources say the U.S. Attorney finally had enough and shut down the entire investigation -- an investigation the DEA desperately wanted to go before a grand jury.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Heath Ledger
Posted Aug 4th 2008 6:55PM by TMZ Staff
After reports surfaced the Feds have repeatedly tried and failed to get Mary-Kate Olsen to spill what she knows about how Heath Ledger got the drug cocktail that eventually killed him, the tiny twin's attorney Michael Miller has issued the following statement:
"Despite tabloid speculation, Mary-Kate Olsen had nothing whatsoever to do with the drugs found in Heath Ledger's home or his body, and she does not know where he obtained them. Regarding the government's investigation, at Ms. Olsen's request, we have provided the government with relevant information including facts in the chronology of events surrounding Mr. Ledger's death and the fact that Ms. Olsen does not know the source of the drugs Mr. Ledger consumed. "
Cops say the masseuse who found Ledger's body last January spent nine minutes making three separate calls to Olsen before calling 911, then called her again after paramedics arrived. After getting the calls, cops say MK sent her bodyguard to go check on the situation .
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Olsen Twins, Heath Ledger
Posted Jul 18th 2008 8:51AM by TMZ Staff
The uncle of the late Heath Ledger was popped Wednesday for stealing tractors -- and a tomahawk -- in Heath's hometown of Perth, Australia.
Haydn Ledger -- brother of Heath's dad Kim -- was charged with receiving stolen goods when three bobcat tractors worth over $100K were found at his office. They'd been stolen from a building site and a contractor's yard.
Earlier this year, Uncle Haydn accused Heath's dad of mismanaging his late son's trust fund, a claim which Kim Ledger denied. Heath's "The Dark Knight" premieres today.
Filed under: Breaking News, Heath Ledger
Posted Jul 15th 2008 3:00PM by TMZ Staff
Heath's father Kim and wife Ines were outside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York yesterday where he showed praise to Heath's performance as the Joker.
Filed under: Heath Ledger
Tags: heath ledger, HeathLedger, iness ledger, InessLedger, kim ledger, KimLedger, premier, the dark knight, TheDarkKnight
Posted Jun 4th 2008 7:03PM by TMZ Staff
A chi-chi party that is being thrown one floor above the place Heath Ledger died has just been 86'd.
We're told the building owners weren't informed Calvin Klein was throwing a glitzy, tight-invite soiree tonight in the penthouse, one floor above the unit where Ledger lived and died.
Owners just shut down the shindig. Eva Mendes, who was the party's main attraction, was the only celeb who had arrived before the party was broken up. We're told a fleet of 25 BLS limos arrived to shuttle guests to a different location.
Filed under: Heath Ledger
Tags: Ava Mendes, AvaMendes, Calvin Klein, CalvinKlein, Heath Ledger, HeathLedger
Posted Apr 25th 2008 1:50PM by TMZ Staff
Former BFFs Heather Locklear and Denise Richards are both in Hawaii this week -- but that's clearly where the similarities end.
Heather's 46-year-old rockin' bikini bod proved she's still hotter than any husband-stealer 10 years younger.
Meanwhile, 37-year-old Denise will just have to be content with all the extras that come with being a wannabe reality TV star.
Filed under: Paparazzi Video, Paparazzi Photo, Celebrity Feuds, Denise Richards, Heath Ledger
Tags: Denise Richards, DeniseRichards, Heather Locklear, HeatherLocklear
Posted Apr 11th 2008 3:33PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has just obtained a copy of the bizarre lawsuit that was filed minutes ago in L.A. County Superior Court, alleging that Heath Ledger was set up by two photographers who allegedly fueled him with cocaine and secretly videotaped it for profit.
The suit was filed by a woman who called herself Jane Doe. At the time of the incident -- the 2006 SAG party at the Chateau Marmont hotel -- she was a freelance reporter for People magazine. Doe, who had booked a room at the Chateau, was dating Darren Banks, a photog. Banks and a photog friend met up with Heath on the outside patio and "shared a smoke." That's when the alleged trickery began.
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Heath Ledger
Posted Apr 11th 2008 2:10PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned a lawsuit is about to be filed, alleging two photogs and a photo agency set Heath Ledger up in a cocaine sting.
According to the as yet to be filed suit, Heath was at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in West Hollywood the night he lost the SAG award for "Brokeback Mountain." The plaintiff, listed as Jane Doe, was dating one of the photogs.
The photogs had befriended Heath and invited him up to the woman's room to party, never disclosing their true intentions. As Heath allegedly did coke, the photogs secretly videotaped the whole thing. When Heath realized what was happening, he went ballistic. A rep for Heath tells TMZ the video does not show the actor doing illegal drugs.
"E.T." bought and promoted the tape, but then decided not to air it.
Unclear why Jane Doe is suing.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Heath Ledger
Posted Apr 4th 2008 2:15PM by TMZ Staff
Heath Ledger's sudden passing on January 22 shocked his friends, family and fans across the planet. Today would have been the young father's 29th birthday.
Filed under: R.I.P., Heath Ledger
Tags: heath ledger, HeathLedger
Posted Mar 27th 2008 3:25PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has obtained a copy of the 2003 will of Heath Ledger. It leaves 50% to his sisters and the remainder to his parents.
The supporting docs list $145,000 in assets, though we've reported Heath had a lot more -- in the millions.
As previously reported, Heath's daughter, Matilda, was not mentioned in the original will. But we're told she'll be well taken care of.
Read it for yourself.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Heath Ledger
Posted Mar 25th 2008 4:05PM by TMZ Staff
There have been news reports that Heath Ledger left a grand total of $145,000 in his estate, and, as a result, his daughter might not be taken care of properly -- BOGUS!
True, we know the will lists $145,000 in assets. But here's the deal. The will was drafted in 2003. Since then, sources say, Heath accumulated lots of jack, from movies like "Lords of Dogtown," "The Brothers Grimm," "Brokeback Mountain," "Casanova," "Candy," "I'm Not There" and "The Dark Knight."
We're told Heath has considerably more assets than the $145k. On top of that, sources say he lived all over the world and was smart enough to know all of his money shouldn't sit in the U.S., where taxes are a bitch.
On the other hand, one of Heath's uncles has said the late actor's estate is valued at $60 mil. We're told that's absurd as well (on the high side), and the uncle doesn't know jack since he's been estranged from the family as well.
Bottom line -- Matilda will be fine, and there's a lot of $$$ on the line.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Movies, Heath Ledger
Posted Mar 23rd 2008 12:23PM by TMZ Staff
Could it be that one of the hottest actors in Hollywood barely had a pot to piss in when he died? If reports out of Australian papers are to be believed, Heath Ledger was only worth $145,000 at the time of his death.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the total value of Heath's estate is "$145,000, with furniture and fixtures worth $20,000, a Toyota Prius worth $25,000 and $100,000 in miscellaneous bank accounts." It also names Heath's father, mother and sisters as the only beneficiaries, but acknowledges his two-year-old daughter Matilda Rose as an interested party.
What this doesn't jibe with is family sources are telling TMZ that Matilda will be "well taken care of." So, where's the money?
Stay tuned ...
Filed under: Heath Ledger
Tags: heath ledger, HeathLedger, michell williams, MichellWilliams
Posted Mar 20th 2008 10:00PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned Michelle Williams had been desperately trying to help Heath Ledger battle his addictions before his shocking death in January.
Watch the story from TMZ TV and check local listings.
Filed under: Heath Ledger
Tags: heath ledger, HeathLedger, michelle williams, MichelleWilliams
Posted Mar 8th 2008 6:51PM by TMZ Staff
Heath Ledger's family was quick to speak out today to quash any ideas that his daughter, Matilda Rose, would not be provided for after his death.
Heath's dad, Kim, released a statement that said, "Matilda is our absolute priority and Michelle is an integral part of our family ... They will be taken care of and that's how Heath would want it to be."
Details of Ledger's will were made public today and it didn't specify anything for his ex-fianceé, Michelle Williams, or their daughter -- that's because it was drawn up back in 2003.
Filed under: Heath Ledger
Posted Mar 8th 2008 11:39AM by TMZ Staff
If it turns out that Michelle Williams and Matilda Rose get nothing from Heath Ledger's will, Michelle shouldn't expect her dad to provide much financial help -- since he's currently fighting the Feds.
Larry Williams is currently wanted in the U.S. for alleged tax evasion, but has been living in Australia and fighting off extradition since 2006. Just this week, he hired the same legal team that got Wesley Snipes off the hook.
Williams, who is considered by many to be a stock market guru, is wanted by the IRS on charges of willfully attempting to evade $1.5 mil in taxes from 1990 to 2001. He has denied all charges.
Details of Ledger's will were released today -- it was drawn up before he met Williams and before Matilda Rose was born. It dictates everything goes to Heath's parents and siblings.
Filed under: Heath Ledger
