Even in death, Michael Jackson generates lawsuits ... this time it involves a douchey clothing designer, a car museum and a phantom gun.


Photographer Stephen Winick claims he was brutally attacked by security guards hired by Christian Audigier of Ed Hardy fame during his 50th birthday party.  Michael Jackson attended the bash, which was thrown at the Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A.

In Winick's lawsuit, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, he claims he innocently snapped a pic of Jackson, but Audigier was upset and wanted to delete the photo.  So Winick claims Audigier unleashed his guards, who then allegedly beat the crap out of Winick.

Winick says one of the guards yelled "gun, gun" to amp up the attack.

In addition to Audigier, Winick is suing Ed Hardy, the museum and the guards.  He wants unspecified damages.

TLC honcho Edward Sabin is tearing into Jon Gosselin right now in a Maryland court -- claiming Jon's recent behavior has been downright "embarrassing."

Sabin just testified in TLC's breach of contract lawsuit against Jon.

Sabin scoffed at Jon's decision to host a pool party at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas a few months ago ... claiming the network ordered him not to do it because "Jon surrounded by scores of bikini-clad women is inconsistent with the image of our show."

Sabin also ripped Jon for hanging out by the fence outside of his house and chatting with paparazzi, taking his girlfriend on a trip to France with Christian Audigier, and telling people his children were going to model a new clothing line.

Sabin also called out Jon for allegedly breaking his exclusive contract with TLC by accepting money for interviews.

Jon wasn't in court this morning -- but he's expected to show up in about two hours. We'll be there.

Ed Hardy honcho Christian Audigier likes his big fence and wants to keep it around his big house -- his only problem ... the city of Los Angeles in standing in his way.

Christian is throwing a hissy fit over his fence by suing the city, because he's been told his precious has to be cut down from 6'2" to 3'6" -- the maximum height allowed in his swanky neighborhood.

Audigier has a point though ... because what the hell is the purpose of a 3-foot fence?

In the lawsuit, filed yesterday in L.A. County Superior Court, Christian also claims other houses in the neighborhood have tall fences, and that he's a victim of fence discrimination.

Christian claims he has somehow suffered economic damage over the fence fiasco -- he suing for $1 million.

Kari Ann Peniche -- the chick in the Eric Dane/Rebecca Gayheart naked tape -- just sealed the most ironic deal ever: She's gonna be designing clothes.


The lucky fashion house cashing in on her expertise: Christian Audigier, of course. According to the Ed Hardy maestro, Peniche arranged a meeting with him today and they'll be designing a line of swimwear.

We hear Peniche's line will be perfect for any water-based occasion ... especially videotaped bathtub parties.

His reality show may have ended his marriage, but it's also giving Jon Gosselin a douchey clothing line for kids.



Jon -- with his new 22-year-old GF Hailey Glassman by his side -- has been partying up in St. Tropez with bedazzler extraordinaire Christian Audigier and are going into the children's fashion biz together -- with a line that might even be featured at Kmart. The best part, Jon's eight rugrats will be used as models for the clothing line.

Those poor kids need more fame about as much as they do a tacky, rhinestoned dragon and skeleton t-shirt.

Jon Gosselin and his new +1, Hailey Glassman, enjoy a smoke while aboard Christian Audigier's yacht in Saint-Tropez.

Jon Gosselin doesn't have a relationship or a job -- but one of those things is about to change.

Christian Audigier, one of the head honchos over at the Ed Hardy clothing line, tells us he's offering Jonny boy a job -- and the two are meeting today in St. Tropez, France to go over their options.

No word on what the joint venture might be -- "Jon & Kate Plus 8 Million Rhinestones," anybody?