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Todd and Julie Chrisley are adamant the feds' case against them is based on evidence the government should never have had, and they want it all tossed out of court and returned to them.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... the Chrisleys claim the Georgia Department of Revenue illegally seized 2 of their Atlanta storage units in 2017. The units had a trove of the Chrisleys' financial docs.

The Chrisleys claim the GA Dept. of Revenue seized the units based on a bum warrant. In docs, they say the warrant was based on a non-existent tax lien -- meaning, investigators cut corners and violated their rights.

The Chrisleys say that evidence was handed over to federal prosecutors ... who then indicted the reality stars on multiple counts of conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion.

Todd and Julie want their stuff back, and they want the judge to declare the ill-gotten records off-limits to prosecutors.

As we reported, a federal grand jury indicted the Chrisleys in August ... alleging they concocted a scheme from 2007 to 2012 to fabricate docs and provide false information to banks when applying for and receiving millions in loans ... money they allegedly used to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Pete Buttigieg isn't apologizing for raising some serious cash at a wine cave fundraiser, despite criticism from his Democrat opponents ... because he says it's vital in the fight against Donald Trump.

Mayor Pete appeared on "TMZ Live" Friday and noted the Prez and his allies have already raised hundreds of millions of dollars and in order to keep pace for the 2020 push ... so he's not going to turn down money from ultra-rich donors. Besides ... the max the donors can fork over is $2,800.

Buttigieg says he's proud more than 700,000 people have donated to his campaign, and with big-money donations included ... the average contribution is around 30 bucks.

As for the now-famous wine cave -- which is actually more of a fancy basement -- Buttigieg says it's as remarkable as advertised ... and he's happy to have the support of the billionaires who own it. BTW, many Democrats before him have felt the same.

Model Mama Cax has died at the age of 30 after surviving cancer and a brief stay in the hospital.

A rep for Cax -- born Cacsmy Brutus -- posted the sad news on her Instagram Friday, saying, "It is with deep regret and immense sadness that we announce the passing of Cacsmy Brutus (Mama Cax). Mama Cax spent the past week in the hospital, and unfortunately, on Monday, December 16, 2019, she left this world."

They continue, "To say Cax was a fighter would be an understatement. As a cancer survivor, she had grown accustomed to taking on life's several challenges head on and successfully. It is with that same grit (fervor) that she fought her last days on Earth."

Andrew Yang's done his research, and knows there's no way to completely stop foreign interference in elections, but says there's still a right way to respond ... and President Trump ain't cutting it.

In the wake of a strong showing in the latest Democratic Presidential debate ... Yang joined us Friday on "TMZ Live" to tell voters why he'll get tough with Vladimir Putin and any other foreign leader who tries to screw with our elections.

Yang said he views Russia's meddling in the 2016 election as an act of hostility and aggression, one he wouldn't take lightly if he's in the Oval.

He's already thinking about who he'll need by his side to get to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. -- as in, who's gonna be his running mate. It's clear Yang's working on a short list, and gave us the criteria for his Veep.

Best of all, Andrew gave us his best Rocky impression.

Something happened during Thursday night's debate that had him feeling very Stallone-esque.

Robert De Niro has a very interesting item at the top of his holiday wish list -- he'd very much like a bag of poo to hit President Trump right in his face.

He doesn't say what kind, though.

"The Irishman" star revealed his desire on Michael Moore's podcast Friday, telling the documentary filmmaker ... "I'd like to see a bag of s**t right in his face. Hit him right in the face like that and let the picture go all over the world."

De Niro added ... "And, that would be the most humiliating thing because he needs to be humiliated."

The famous actor's overall point, after sifting through all the s**t talk, is he believes whichever Dem ends up taking on the Prez in 2020 needs to stand up to him ... and embarrass him as much as possible.

De Niro says this person has to "confront him and put him in his place, because the people have to see that, to see him be humiliated."

This isn't the first time Robert's gone after Donald in an audacious way ... you'll recall he dropped a "F**k Trump" at the 2018 Tony Awards, ripped him during an American Icon Awards Speech, called him crazy on CNN and has mocked him multiple times on 'SNL.'

West Point says it does NOT believe 3 cadets were trying to promote white supremacy by flashing the "OK" hand gesture at the Army vs. Navy football game ... saying it was all a "misplaced joke."

Military officials launched an investigation after the cadets were spotted using the hand gesture multiple times during the ESPN broadcast of the Dec. 14 game.

As we previously reported, the Anti-Defamation League and other watchdog groups have said the hand symbol has been co-opted by white supremacy organizations ... which is why people were shocked to see the cadets flash the sign so proudly on-air.

But now, West Point has released the findings of their investigation -- and they insist the cadets were not trying to promote a racist agenda.

Ronnie Ortiz-Magro's baby mama, Jen Harley, has a powerful woman in her corner ... after hiring Lisa Bloom to rep her amid a tumultuous domestic violence case.

Lisa spoke with us Friday in L.A. after she and Jen attended a hearing in Ronnie's DV case. Not much happened in court ... the next hearing is scheduled February. Jen left the courthouse unnoticed, but Lisa made one thing clear ... Jen is a VERY fit parent.

Ronnie went on a tirade against Jen on Instagram last week, accusing her of abandoning their two-year-old-daughter. Lisa says she reached out to Ronnie, demanding he take down the post. Jen currently has a restraining order against Ronnie, and Lisa says any harassment -- even on social media -- will not be tolerated.

As we reported ... Ronnie pled not guilty last month to a laundry list of misdemeanors stemming from an October incident with Jen and their 20-month daughter, Ariana, in L.A. He's facing 7 misdemeanors -- domestic violence, child endangerment, brandishing a weapon, criminal threats, false imprisonment [of Jen] and 2 counts of resisting arrest.

Ronnie was initially arrested for kidnapping after allegedly hitting Jen, chasing her down with a knife, taking their kid from her and then locking himself inside an Airbnb they were renting. Ronnie allegedly refused to come out when police arrived ... and they had to bust the door and tase him before slapping cuffs on him and wheeling him out on a gurney.

Jen said she suffered bruises and scrapes from the altercation but Lisa tells us Jen's soldiering on.

It wouldn't be the holidays without sporting a Santa hat, popping on a hideous sweater and exchanging gifts with your coworkers ... and we here at TMZ are no different.

Check out our staff's collection of clashing colors as we merrily move around the office in goofy garb ... spreading Christmas cheer and Hanukkah happiness (the donuts provided certainly help).

The holiday tops feature a wide range of seasonal subject matter, pop culture references, adult-themed humor and, of course ... plenty of cats and dogs.

Carnival Cruise's insurance rates just went through the roof -- 2 of their massive ships collided, causing a huge panic on several ships ... including one where passengers were losing their minds.

The scary maritime accident went down Friday morning near the Port of Cozumel, Mexico -- the Carnival Glory, on the right, smashed into the pointed bow of the Carnival Legend. The video is pretty insane ... like a low-speed, but VERY high-priced, fender bender at sea.

The cruise line is reporting one minor injury to a Carnival Glory guest that happened while dining rooms were being evacuated.

But, someone might want to check on a passenger on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas -- which was dangerously close to the collision -- the guy aboard panicked they were about to be sunk.

"Mob Wives" star Drita D'Avanzo and her husband got one helluva surprise when NYPD raided their home and arrested them on a slew of guns and drug charges ... TMZ has confirmed.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Drita and her hubby, Lee, were arrested Thursday night in their Staten Island home after cops executed a search warrant that uncovered two loaded firearms, a Smith & Wesson 9mm and an S&W 38 caliber gun. Cops say they also found 120 pills of hydrocodone/acetaminophen, 22 Xanax pills and a large amount of weed.

The couple was booked on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

Drita and Lee were booked on 1 count of acting in a manner injurious to a child because law enforcement sources tell us one of the couple's kids was in the house at the time of the raid.

WHO'S A GOOD BOY?!?! YOU ARE!! YES, YOU ARE!!!

Check out this AMAZING video of a crazy athletic police dog JUMPING THROUGH A BROKEN GLASS WINDOW to apprehend a perp ... and man, wow.

Here's the deal ... cops in Fontana, CA were involved in a vehicular pursuit of a 31-year-old man suspected of stalking and attempting to injure his estranged wife.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the chase -- which eventually ended in Corona, CA ... where cops used a pit maneuver to stop the car.

A standoff ensues ... and this is where things got crazy!!!

Cops fired rubber bullets at the driver's side window -- and once they shattered the glass, SUPERDOG sprung into action ... flying through the glass and into the car to incapacitate the suspect.

The perp allegedly punched the dog, but the K9 wasn't fazed -- and cops were ultimately able to move in and take him into custody.

The suspect was hospitalized for minor injuries from a dog bite ... but hey, DON'T PUNCH DOGS!

We're trying to get info on the 4-legged hero ... stay tuned.

Pat Sajak's fortunate to be alive after suffering a blocked intestine, but says for a brief drug-induced moment ... his life flashed before his eyes and he thought he was for sure dying.

The "Wheel of Fortune" host turned up on 'GMA' and spoke for the first time about last month's health scare, which he says was intense ... and could have killed him if he didn't go under the knife STAT.

Sajak says one moment he was out for his daily morning walk with his daughter and the next ... he's curled up in the fetal position with "excruciating" pain in his stomach. Within 2 and a half hours, he was having emergency surgery.

The craziest part -- Pat says none of the pain meds he was given were working until all of a sudden one worked REALLY well ... and instead of thinking about pain, he was thinking about his death.

He says it wasn't a morbid thing really, he just felt bad for his wife and daughter and thought about how much their lives would change after he was gone ... but turns out, he was just really high.

Pat clearly didn't lose his sense of humor in surgery.

As we reported ... longtime 'Wheel' hostess, Vanna White, took over Sajak's hosting duties while he was recovering, and he commended her on 'GMA' for being a team player and having fun with it, and doing a great job.

Tekashi 6ix9ine could catch an even bigger break -- getting out of prison much sooner than the end of 2020, if a few small stars align for him.

Tekashi could be back on the streets by early August based on the good behavior guidelines established by the Bureau of Prisons ... according to his lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, who's taken a closer look at the numbers.

6ix9ine got 24 months, but with 13 months credit for time served ... leaving him with just 11 months remaining. That would get him out around November 2020, but then the BOP math kicks in, and the potential sentence starts shrinking.

BOP guidelines call for up to 54 days per year to be shaved off IF inmates show good behavior. So, with the 2-year sentence, he's eligible for up to a 108-day discount.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are doing just fine despite some bad optics making their relationship seem rocky ... at least that's the story our Royal sources are selling.

Sources directly connected to Will and Kate insist there's been no falling out between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ... this after signs of friction in their marriage.

As you know, Kate seemingly denied William's PDA attempt with a super-awkward shoulder shrug this week on TV, bringing comparisons to Donald Trump getting swatted away by Melania.

The sources insist the whole interaction was taken out of context from the rest of the TV special, and what most folks didn't see was Will and Kate being very affectionate and close-knit.

The bad optics didn't end there, because as we reported ... William and Kate showed up to the Royal Family's Christmas lunch in separate cars.

We're told the couple rode separately because Prince George and William needed to be at Buckingham Palace 30 minutes earlier for a special event -- which sources say will soon be made public, and explain the whole car situation.

The family certainly looks happy in their annual Christmas card. Still ... that's just a moment in time. Remember ... Princess Diana looked happy in her family Xmas card pics, and she was anything but.

Lil Pump is spreading holiday cheer for the people who need it most ... one corn dog at a time.

The rapper was out in Los Angeles Wednesday, hooking up the homeless with hot meals, cold drinks and warm clothes for the winter.

Lil Pump hit the streets of Skid Row, serving up corn dogs, turkey dogs, cheese dogs, french fries and lemonade ... and passing out jackets, pants and socks to 600 people.

Pump teamed up with a couple of companies for the good deed ... joining forces with My Friends House Foundation, Hot Dog on a Stick and his buddy, RD Whittington, the owner of luxury celeb car company Wires Only, who dropped $7,000 on the charity event.

If the carnival fare sounds different as far as givebacks go ... that's because we're told Lil Pump and RD wanted to pass out food that was nontraditional, so mission accomplished there.

This was no Mayweather vs. McGregor ...

UFC superstar Derrick Lewis told a boxer to PUT UP OR SHUT UP during an argument about MMA vs. boxing ... and the results did not go well for DL's opponent.

The 34-year-old heavyweight says he was working out in the gym on Wednesday, when the other man said, "He will knock me out because I’m a MMA fighter."

Lewis, not one for boring debates, told the guy to strap on the gloves and get in the ring ... and the rest -- well, just watch.

Lewis beats the guy up so badly, he almost punched him THROUGH THE ROPES!

Of course, Lewis -- aka "The Black Beast" -- is known as one of the toughest dudes in all of combat sports ... beating guys like Francis Ngannou, Alexander Volkov, Travis Browne and Roy Nelson.