Lorenzen Wright Ex-Wife Guilty In Murder of NBA Player

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Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife has pled GUILTY to facilitating the murder of the former NBA player -- and she'll be locked away for at least 9 years.

Wright -- the 7th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft -- was shot to death in 2010. His body was discovered in a swampy field 10 days after he went missing.

Officials say his body was riddled with bullet wounds.

Investigators eventually pointed the finger at Lorenzen's ex-wife, Sherra Wright, and a male friend, Billy Turner. The two attended the same church.

But, officials say Sherra called the shots in a diabolical murder plot. Sherra initially planned to kill Lorenzen at his Atlanta home but when that plan failed, she conspired with Turner to murder him in Tennessee instead, prosecutors say.

Both Wright and Turner were charged with 1st-degree murder among other charges and she was facing up to 100 years behind bars.

But, Sherra cut a deal with prosecutors in which she agreed to plead guilty to facilitation of murder and facilitation to commit attempted 1st-degree murder.

In exchange for her plea, Sherra got 30 years in prison ... but will be eligible for parole after 9.

Outside court Thursday, Sherra's attorney told reporters she had planned to argue that Lorenzen was a violent man who beat her for years and she was pushed to the edge.

However, Lorenzen's family members have accused Sherra of offing the basketball player in hopes of collecting a $1 million life insurance policy.

Wright played in the NBA from 1996 to 2009 ... most famously playing for the Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers.

He was only 34 at the time of his death.

Prez Candidate Tulsi Gabbard Sues Google ... Stop Censoring Me!!!

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Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is outraged because she claims Google has silenced her ... so she says in a new lawsuit, but Google says not so fast.

Gabbard's campaign filed the lawsuit claiming in the hours after the first Democratic Presidential Debate last month, the tech giant suspended her Google ads without notice.

Gabbard says her campaign worked frantically to find out why, but she claims Google fed her BS answers and to date has "not provided a straight answer or let alone a credible one."

Gabbard -- an Iraq War veteran -- says the suspension came at the most crucial time in her campaign ... because immediately after her performance at the debate, Gabbard became the most searched candidate after entering relatively unknown.

Making matters worse ... Gabbard claims Google's sending campaign emails into people's spam folders. She says this is not happening with other candidates and calls it censorship.

Gabbard's suing because she says it's a violation of her First Amendment rights.

We've reached out to Google, and a spokeswoman tells TMZ ... the search engine has "automated systems that flag unusual activity on all advertiser accounts -- including large spending charges -- in order to prevent fraud and protect our customers."

The spokeswoman goes on to say, "In this case, our system triggered a suspension and the account was reinstated shortly thereafter."

Bill Cosby Janice Dickinson Defamation Suit Settled ... Over His Objections

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UPDATE

9:34 AM PT -- Dickinson just spoke about the settlement, calling it a victory and justice after a "rough road" that included years of insults and attacks for coming forward against Cosby.

UPDATE

Janice is celebrating, but says no cash amount can erase the memories and trauma of an assault. She urges women to never give up, know their rights, keep telling their stories and stop wielding power to perpetrators of sexual misconduct.

UPDATE

Lisa Bloom also spoke, thanking her legal team and several witnesses -- including Dr. Drew -- who came forward on Dickinson's behalf to help them achieve the legal victory. 

UPDATE

The attorney says Janice received a "very large settlement amount" that fully and fairly compensates her for the defamation, but the exact amount must remain confidential. However, she says Janice is free to tell her story ... nothing in the settlement can silence her.

UPDATE

She closed by saying Cosby and his team misjudged Dickinson, and hailed her as a victim turned survivor turned winner ... and an inspiration for other women.

Bill Cosby has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by Janice Dickinson ... and he's NOT happy about it.

Dickinson claimed Cosby's lawyer slandered her when he said her claims of sexual assault by the comedian were false. She also claimed the lawyer made his remarks at Cosby's behest.

Cosby fought the lawsuit, but now his insurance company, AIG, agreed to settle the lawsuit over Cosby's strong objections.

Cosby continues to maintain the lawsuit was without merit and he never authorized the statement made by his lawyer ... this according to his spokesperson, Andrew Wyatt.

We're told this is the third case in recent months AIG settled a case over Cosby's objections, and Cosby's side believes it's illustrative of the insurer's bad faith and is "robbing Mr. Cosby of the opportunity to clear his name in a court of law."

Cosby's legal team says he's confident if the case went to trial, a jury would have found the statements made by Cosby's former attorney -- which were allegedly never spoken by Cosby himself -- were not defamatory ... as Dickinson claims.

Dickinson's lawyer, Lisa Bloom, has called it a "major, final, legal victory."

Bloom will be holding a news conference with Dickinson Thursday at 9 AM PT ... and TMZ will live stream.

Originally Published -- 6:57 AM PT

Rapper Belly Fights Back Against Coachella ... Sues for Brutal Beatdown

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A big rapper says Coachella's to blame for an unprovoked attack by the music festival's security that left him with with some serious and lifelong injuries ... thus, a new lawsuit.

Belly just filed against the famous festival, claiming it caused the incident by hiring a security company that WAILED on him back in April 2018 while Belly's friend, The Weeknd, performed on the main stage. According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Belly claims approximately 25 security guards pummeled him without cause.

Belly -- who performed at the festival earlier that night -- says he had all the necessary credentials to access all areas on the grounds ... including the most exclusive and restricted VIP sections.

Belly -- who enlisted the firebrand of attorney Ben Meiselas -- says he was headed to a backstage VIP area, when out of nowhere, security bum rushed him and repeatedly grabbed, punched, kicked and choked him. The brutal attack was all caught on video.

Belly says the attack left him bruised, battered, concussed and nearly unconscious. He claims he suffered permanent physical and mental pain and trauma. Belly -- who is also suing Coachella's organizers and the security firm it hired -- wants a ton of money, but he wasn't specific.

We've reached out to Coachella's organizers. So far, no word back.

NFL's Arian Foster Takes On Tomi Lahren ... Over NFL Protests

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Arian Foster
TOO MANY INCONSISTENCIES

Arian Foster says the NFL was "logically inconsistent" for outlawing Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest ... and he's ripping Donald Trump for labeling protesting NFL players as "sons of bitches."

The progressive ex-Houston Texans RB faced off with Fox Nation conservative Tomi Lahren -- where Foster tee'd off on the idea that the NFL should be able to ban players from making political statements.

"It's a logically inconsistent stance on their part," Foster said.

"If you wanna say don't make political statements on the field, then don't have the military fly over at the beginning [of games] or don't have a deal with the Dept. of Justice that has millions of dollars advertising the military. It's a logically inconsistent stance."

Foster continued ... "That's my issue with people who take issue with the protests because it's not logically consistent and the NFL in general, they're emotionally driven. They're reactionary and not proactive."

Foster then brought up Trump's 2017 comments when he said NFL owners should fire any "sons of bitches" who don't stand for the anthem ... saying the comments are "demonstrably divisive to a nation that is already racially infused."

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YOU'RE FIRED!

"The President of the United States is calling an American citizen a son of a bitch for exercising his 1st Amendment right," Foster said ... "There's a citizen protesting how he sees fit to protest whatever issue he feels is important to him, very silently and very respectfully."

Lahren explained her side of the argument ... saying she believes the NFL has the right to discipline players who don't follow its rules.

She also told Arian, who hosts the "Now What?" podcast, why she feels police officers and military members are offended by the kneeling.

Don't get it twisted, this was no screaming match -- the conversation was respectful and both sides felt it was productive.

See, it can be done!!!

Diddy Matching Outfits with Steve Harvey's Daughter Fueling Dating Rumors

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Diddy and Steve Harvey's 22-year-old daughter were out and about in NYC again Wednesday night ... this time in matching outfits, further fueling dating rumors.

Diddy and Lori Harvey were strolling in SoHo around midnight ... and while Lori was all smiles, Diddy, who is 49, couldn't look more shocked running into paps.

As we reported ... sources close to Diddy shot down rumors back in March that they're not a couple, saying Lori's just a family friend and that's it.

These family friends have traveled the country ... showing up at Nobu in Malibu just last week, and a reggae festival in Miami back in March.

Lori famously dated and broke up with soccer superstar Memphis Depay last year, and it was pretty nasty. BTW, she also dated 25-year-old Justin Combs, Diddy's son.

No word on how Steve feels about the situation ... what an awesome "Family Feud" that would be!!!

A$AP Rocky Charged With Criminal Assault ... To Remain in Swedish Jail

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UPDATE

6:12 AM PT -- TMZ has obtained photos of the alleged victim's alleged injuries ... injuries that formed the basis of the assault charge against A$AP Rocky. You see a bloody arm, a bloody finger, blood on the back of an arm and a streak of blood on a bicep. There's also a gash on another body part and various cuts.

UPDATE

3:46 AM PT -- The prosecutor tells TMZ ... he will NOT recommend the full 2 year sentence if A$AP is convicted. He won't say what his recommendation will be -- he says it depends on how the trial unfolds. As for the trial, he's recommending it begin next Tuesday, and continue Thursday and Friday. BTW, a panel of 4 judges will hear the case, and at least 3 of them must decide an assault was committed for a conviction. If it's a tie, the prosecutor can ask for a new trial. If Rocky is convicted, a judge will decide the sentence a week later.

A$AP Rocky has just been charged with a crime after spending weeks in a Swedish jail ... prosecutors just hit him with Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm stemming from a street brawl in the country's capital ... and if convicted he could spend 2 years behind bars.

The prosecutor said A$AP will continue to be held in jail pending a trial ... and the trial date has not been set, although it could be today. A rep for the prosecutor tells TMZ the trial will be held within the next 2 weeks. The prosecutor expects the trial will last 3 days.

Two members of Rocky's crew have also been charged with the same crime and they will also be held pending trial.

The Swedish prosecutor just boasted he had access to more information than people on the internet. He said he's reviewed video and also talked to witnesses, and determined the claims by Rocky and his 2 crew members of self defense and provocation didn't hold water, despite the fact the alleged victim is the one who unrelentingly harassed and attacked Rocky and his crew first.

The prosecutor says he also considered the alleged victim's statement, which he says was supported by witness statements. We're told the alleged victim admits striking A$AP's bodyguard with a set of headphones, but only after the bodyguard lifted him off the ground by his neck, so the prosecutor viewed the headphones attack as self defense. BTW, the lifting by the neck is not on video, and interestingly, if the prosecutor really felt the bodyguard was the aggressor he would have been presumably charged ... and the bodyguard has already been cleared.

The charge has been 3 weeks in the making ... A$AP has been in jail alongside two of his associates since turning himself in to Swedish authorities earlier this month. Prosecutors inadvertently played their hand last week, announcing they were going to charge the Harlem rapper ... and on Thursday the hammer finally dropped.

The only good news for Rocky ... he and his crew will not be charged with Aggravated Assault, a more serious crime which carries a 6-year prison sentence.

070219_asap_rocky_kal_v3 JULY 2019
LET'S MAKE PEACE

As we reported ... the man who attacked A$AP's crew in the streets of Stockholm will NOT be prosecuted for any crime, even though he incited the violence and kept harassing Rocky until he eventually snapped.

In the initial video ... you hear A$AP attempting to diffuse the situation, playing peacemaker and saying no one wants to go to jail.

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BRUTALLY BEATEN

In video from the street brawl ... A$AP finally loses his cool, throwing his attacker to the ground and absolutely pummeling the guy.

The Swedish justice system is not bowing to pressure from the U.S. government ... with the Prime Minister essentially telling President Trump and the State Dept. to butt out after their attempts to free A$AP.

A$AP Rocky's mom believes the country of Sweden is trying to make an example of her son ... and there's very a good chance it's only because of the color of his skin. 7/22/19
BRING A$AP HOME

A$AP's mom thinks Sweden is out to get her son, and she believes it's because he's black ... even though A$AP himself says he won't make race an issue in his assault case.

Originally Published -- 12:50 AM PT

TMZ Live Meek Mill Victory in Court: Conviction Thrown Out

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HERE'S THE RUNDOWN:

  • BIG BROTHER: ANOTHER RACIST INCIDENT
  • ELIZABETH WARREN: PREPARING FOR THE DEBATE
  • TOP GUN MOVIE CRITICIZED BY LINDSEY GRAHAM
  • KANYE WEST: LOOKING TO CAPITALIZE ON SUNDAY SERVICE

LisaRaye McCoy Nicole Murphy Wrecked My Marriage ... Nicole Calls BS

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Nicole Murphy trying to steal away married men from their wives is nothing new -- so says LisaRaye McCoy, who claims to have personal experience with her ... but NM's calling BS, denying all of it.

We got the 'Players Club' actress Wednesday in L.A. -- shortly after Nicole issued her apology to Lela Rochon after being photographed kissing her hubby, Antoine Fuqua -- and she didn't hold back one bit -- she claims her then-husband and Nicole were hooking up.

LRM was married to Turks and Caicos politician Michael Misick from 2006 to 2008, during which rumors of alleged infidelity between Nicole and Michael surfaced. Well, LisaRaye says they were more than rumors ... she says they were FACTS.

A source directly connected to Nicole tells us, Nicole denies LisaRaye's allegation. According to the source, Nicole says, "It's not true. She's [LisaRaye's] been saying that for years. There's no truth to that."

LisaRaye is also outraged at Nicole for the Antoine Fuqua situation, calling BS on Nicole's initial comment that it was just a family-type kiss and then pivoting, saying she was sorry and didn't know he was still married. LisaRaye says Nicole full well knew Antoine was married, and it was a gross betrayal of trust.

And then there's the subject of homewrecker ... LisaRaye doesn't quite go there, but her accusations are mighty close.

LisaRaye commented on an article about Nicole and Antoine, saying ... "Gurl @nikimurphy you went after @iamlelarochon husband too?...smh So wrong....again!!!"

A$AP Rocky Alleged Victim Has Criminal Assault Record

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The man at the center of the A$AP Rocky assault case -- the man who provoked the rapper and even attacked him before A$AP reluctantly snapped back -- was convicted of criminal assault in Sweden 3 years ago.

Mustafa Jafari, Rocky's alleged victim, was convicted of striking a man in his forehead and beating the victim's face back in 2016, when Jafari was 16 years old. It happened on the streets of Stockholm, the very place Jafari harassed and assaulted A$AP and his crew earlier this month.

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BRUTALLY BEATEN

Jafari was prosecuted and convicted of assault, and his sentence ... 30 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay his victim around $500 in cash.

Jafari was also convicted of 2 minor drug offenses ... one in November 2017 and the other in May 2018. He was ordered to pay a fine for both, but served no jail time.

As we reported, Jafari was the instigator in the A$AP Rocky incident -- he's the guy in the white shirt. Prosecutors have cleared him, claiming he was acting in self-defense.

Rocky, who pled with Jafari to leave him and his crew alone before finally snapping, has now been charged with assault and could face 2 years in prison if convicted.

Jennifer Lopez Massive 50th Birthday Bash ... At Gloria Estefan's Mansion!

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Jennifer Lopez's 50th birthday party was insane -- with huge stars, a huge mansion, a huge cake ... and a 6-figure birthday present courtesy of her fiance, Alex Rodriguez!!!

It all went down Wednesday night at Gloria Estefan's waterfront mansion on Star Island in Miami ... where J Lo's famous friends like DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Ryan Seacrest and Ashanti rolled to party with Jenny from the Block.

43-year-old A-Rod gifted Jennifer a sick red Porsche 911 GTS convertible, worth around $140,000!!!

He also gave a big speech in front of the crowd, telling Jennifer that he loves her deeply and is so happy to be a part of her 50th birthday. It was sweet.

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NICE CAKES

And, speaking of sweet, the cake was lit too! It was 10 TIERS and it was taller than most of the guests and took 5 grown-ass dudes to carry it into the party!

We're also told it was covered with with 24-karat edible gold and featured her name and the number “50” in Swarovski crystals. And, it was delicious too -- a Divine Delicacies Custom vanilla rum cake with dulce de leche filling. The bakery had no comment.

We're told the total cake cost -- $10,000!!!

As for the party itself, everyone was turning up ... even her kids hopped onstage and serenaded J Lo with a birthday rap song. It was adorable!

Also, Fat Joe bumped his hit, "All the Way Up" ... and the place went NUTS!!!

Lopez was also gifted a huge portrait of herself that was also bigger than most of the guests!!

The big grand finale was an explosive fireworks display over the water -- it was like the 4th of July all over again!!!

By the way, Jennifer isn't taking too much time to recover ... she's got a concert in Miami on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, which will close out her tour.

Props to A-Rod for setting the whole thing up and everyone seemed to have a blast -- and now, we're all thinking the same thing in the office ... how are they gonna one-up this party for the wedding bash?!!

Lil Nas X Sued You Can't 'Carry On' Stealing Other People's Songs!!!

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Lil Nas X is using his popularity to jack old songs and rack up millions of views -- and dollars -- without rights to do so ... according to a new lawsuit.

The 20-year-old rapper -- who's been the hottest thing in hip-hop and possibly country this year -- is being sued, along with Sony, by a company called The Music Force for jacking the 1982 Bobby Caldwell song, "Carry On."

According to the suit ... X posted a track on YouTube, Spotify and Soundcloud that appropriated parts of "Carry On" without permission, and as of early July it had nearly 4 million YT views.

The Music Force alleges Lil Nas was "motivated by greed and malicious intent."

The company is also suing Sony because it recently signed the rapper to a record deal ... and it says it should made sure its artist got the song cleared.

The Music Force is asking for a whopping $25 million, claiming X has destroyed the value of its Bobby Caldwell song by jacking it.

We reached out to Lil Nas and Sony ... no word back so far.

WWE's Jimmy Uso Arrested for DUI

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UPDATE

10:28 AM PT -- WWE issued a statement on Uso's arrest, saying ... “Jonathan Fatu is responsible for his own personal actions.”

UPDATE

7:52 AM PT -- Law enforcement tells TMZ Sports ... Uso was speeding when an officer got behind him and noticed he was driving erratically and "swerving left and right."

UPDATE

We're told when the cop pulled the wrestler over, he reeked of alcohol ... and when the officer tried to administer DUI tests on Uso, he refused.

UPDATE

Uso was then arrested on a DUI charge and we're told he was also hit with a speeding citation.

WWE superstar Jimmy Uso was arrested for driving under the influence near Pensacola, Florida early Thursday morning ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Details surrounding the arrest are unclear but here's what we know so far -- the 33-year-old was booked at 3:04 AM and the charge on the police website says DUI -- driving with an unlawful blood alcohol level.

Unclear what cops say Uso's BAC was at the time of the arrest -- we're working on it.

Cops say Uso -- real name Jonathan Fatu -- is still behind bars. His bond was set at $1,000.

WWE has been in Florida this week -- 'Raw' was in Tampa on Monday, 'Smackdown' was in Miami on Tuesday.

Uso has a history with the law ... back in February, Jimmy was arrested after allegedly getting into a drunken dispute with cops in Detroit. They claim Jimmy "squared up" as if he was going to fight the police. He was arrested for disorderly conduct and obstruction.

In fact, just on Monday, John Cena clowned Uso's mug shot from his February arrest during 'Raw' ... and Uso was smiling about it.

Uso is WWE royalty -- he's the son of WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi and he's married to WWE superstar Naomi. He's also one half of the famous Uso Brothers tag team with his brother, Jey Uso.

The Uso Brothers are 6-time WWE tag team champs.

Originally Published -- 7:17 AM PT 

The Rock No Construction Atop Mauna Kea!!! ... Joins Growing Protests

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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wants Hawaii's tallest mountain to be left alone ... joining protests to halt construction of a giant telescope atop Mauna Kea.

The Rock was in Hawaii Wednesday on the 10th day of protests at the base of Mauna Kea ... as natives continue mounting pressure to block the construction of a 30-meter telescope. Dwayne -- who is Samoan but grew up in Honolulu as a child -- told the crowd, "I stand with you."

The issue ... Native Hawaiian groups are concerned the construction will harm a site they consider to be sacred. Construction of the $1.4 billion project was supposed to begin in 2015 but opposition to it was also intense back then ... and the project never broke ground.

The Rock -- who offered to be a liaison between protesters and state officials -- told KGMB, "What I realized today, and obviously I've been following this for years now, is that it's bigger than a telescope. It's humanity. It's culture."

Jeffrey Epstein Found Injured in Jail Cell Possible Suicide Attempt

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Jeffrey Epstein was found injured and semi-conscious in his jail cell, and officials are investigating the incident as a possible suicide attempt ... TMZ has confirmed.

Law enforcement sources say Epstein -- who is currently locked up in a Manhattan federal jail for sex trafficking -- was found by guards in his cell Wednesday night with marks around his neck. We're told the circumstances leading up to his injuries are currently unclear, but one possibility is Epstein tried to kill himself.

We're told Epstein is expected to survive.

NBC New York -- who first reported the story -- says one law enforcement source tells them it's possible he may have been attacked by another inmate. The report also says another source claims Epstein may have self-inflicted the wounds around his neck in order to get a jail transfer.

Epstein was denied bail on July 18 and is currently awaiting trial ... no trial date has been set.

The registered sex offender is accused of exploiting a multitude of underage girls in the early 2000s. Most recently, investigators found through a search warrant a fake passport and a massive stash of cash at one of Epstein's properties.

Our sources say Epstein is currently under suicide watch.

Seth MacFarlane Grants Wish for Young Fan ... Private Jet Ride to Boot!!!

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Seth MacFarlane just made a young fan's dream come true ... and the kid's whole family joined in on the Hollywood adventure.

Thanks to Seth and the Kids Wish Network ... Chance Yon -- who has cerebral palsy and suffers from ROHHAD -- got to spend the day with his hero at the animation studios of "Family Guy" in L.A.

We're told Chance and his family were flown out Tuesday and greeted with balloons, welcome signs and MacFarlane himself. They had lunch, and then Seth drew and signed sketches for Chance and even voiced some of his favorite characters for him. Mila Kunis and Seth Green -- voices of Meg and Chris -- also chatted with Chance on the phone.

That's not all -- he got to preview a future episode and spend time with director John Holmquist along with writers and animators, who transformed Chance into his own character to join the Griffins.

And, get this -- Chance and his mom even voiced Chris and Lois for a special video clip just for him.

To top it all off ... this was Chance's first time flying and was a bit overwhelming, so MacFarlane hooked the family up with his private jet for their trip back home.

Their luggage was loaded with "Family Guy," "American Dad!" and "The Orville" swag too!!!