TMZ.com Home

Ex-NFL star Chris Johnson is accused of funding murder-for-hire shootings that left two men dead in 2016 -- this according to explosive court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

FYI, Johnson has NOT been formally charged with a crime -- and ADAMANTLY DENIES THE ALLEGATIONS -- but officials are clearly laying out their case against the running back ... and it's compelling stuff.

Long story short, officials believe CJ2K rewarded a gang member with cash after the guy allegedly killed two men who were suspected of gunning down Johnson's friend in 2015.

Here's the backstory ... Johnson nearly died in a shooting in Orlando, Fla., back on March 8, 2015 ... when Orange County Sheriff officials say someone opened fire on a Jeep that Chris was in at around 4 AM.

Johnson suffered a bullet wound to his shoulder and made a full recovery ... but the driver of the vehicle, his friend, Dreekius Johnson, did not survive the attack.

In new court docs ... law enforcement officials say "intelligence gathered suggested [the shooting] was a gang related murder attempt on Chris Johnson."

Officials also say ... months later, a noted Florida gang member named Dominic Bolden shot and killed two men -- one on Jan. 19, 2016 and one on July 24, 2016 -- who were believed to be the shooters in the March 2015 incident.

In the court docs, officials claim an informant told them as a reward for Bolden's alleged actions ... Chris helped the guy become a leader of a famed drug trafficking organization (DTO) in Florida.

The informant told officials that Johnson supplied Bolden "with funds and an individual who could continually supply Dominic Bolden with as much narcotics as needed to supply the DTO."

The informant also told officials the "murder for hire elevated Dominic Bolden's rank, reputation and power within the DTO" -- eventually making Bolden the org's de facto leader.

At the time of the March 2015 shooting, Chris was tagged in a social media post that appeared to be a threat directed at the gunmen ... but Chris denied he was seeking revenge, saying, "I don't live that life."

In the docs, 34-year-old Johnson is also accused of helping with day-to-day operations of the DTO ... but court records show he has NOT been formally charged with any crimes.

We've reached out to prosecutors at both the state attorney's office and the attorney general's office in Florida for comment on the investigation ... but so far, no word back yet.

We also reached out to Chris -- and a rep for the former NFL star tells us he strongly denies the allegations ... saying, "There's no validity to any of these accusations."

Chris is considered one the NFL's most exciting players EVER -- recording 9,561 rushing yards in his 10-year career.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's potential website for their new foundation is now owned by an Internet troll, who's using a Kanye West hit to send a pretty nasty message.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced Tuesday they were planning a new nonprofit called Archewell Foundation, but apparently they didn't lock down at least one potential URL for a website. Instead, a cybersquatter scooped up archewellfoundation.com -- but there's nothing charitable about it now.

The anonymous owner linked it to Kanye's "Gold Digger" music video on YouTube. The troll's intent seems pretty clear ... passing judgment on Meghan's intent in marrying Harry.

It's a low blow ... especially considering Harry and Meghan plan to make their foundation a one-stop-shop educational and support site for a variety of charitable groups.

They still have other URL options -- such as a dot org -- so it's not a total lost cause -- but it's a hard lesson for the couple to learn as they venture out on their own without support from the Palace.

The Sussexes will have to step up their media game, especially if they come to Hollywood ... as many expect. You're swimming with sharks now, Harry!!!

Before this cool little kid was known as one of the hottest artists in the rap game, he was just another styling young man in a sensible sweater growing up in Ohio.

It may take a little closer look because this dark knight with his brunette braids has locked down a much more scarlet style to his hair.

Although this little guy's rap name has got the world tripping out ... he was known as Michael Lamar White IV for most of his life.

He has previously collaborated with other big-named rappers including Travis Scott and Swae Lee and XXXtentacion.

The Playboy Mansion doesn't look like your father's dream house anymore ... because it's completely unrecognizable these days, as a massive construction project ramps up.

Ya gotta check out these aerial shots of Hugh Hefner's former masterpiece ... the Playboy Mansion is covered in scaffolding and the roof is hidden under massive tarps.

The beautiful lawns are no more ... instead of lush green scenery, there's mounds and piles of brown dirt.

Perhaps the biggest change going on right now at the Playboy Mansion ... the world-famous grotto is looking like a shell of its former self, because the water's gone and the pool's been drained.

For context, here's a refresher on what the Playboy Mansion used to look like back in its heyday.

The luxury cars are all gone too ... now, the driveway is littered with cars from the construction crew.

Joe Exotic is officially on the White House's radar now -- thanks to a reporter asking President Trump if he plans to pardon the 'Tiger King' star and convicted felon.

The bizarre exchange went down Wednesday during, of all things, the coronavirus taskforce briefing. The reporter asked Trump if he's heard of the popular Netflix series, and, if so, might he consider commuting Joe's 22-year prison sentence.

The reporter told the Prez ... his son, Don Jr., joked during a radio interview he'd lobby POTUS to pardon Joe Exotic for the memes "and just for frankly watching the media reaction to this thing."

It's actually pretty hilarious ... Trump asked which son made that comment before answering in signature fashion, saying, "I know nothing about it." That didn't stop him from also saying he'd look into it. For good measure ... he also asked CNN's Jim Acosta -- a reporter Trump often feuds with -- if he thought a pardon was a good idea.

"5 championships. 5 NYT bestsellers. The Mamba strikes again."

Vanessa Bryant is celebrating Kobe's newest accomplishment -- his latest book in the Wizenard Series, "Season One" is a NYT Bestseller.

The book was released last week ... and follows the journey of a young hooper named Reggie, who faces incredible obstacles on his way to becoming a basketball star.

"My husband @kobebryant would have been so proud to see his work continuing on with The #Wizenard Series: Season One." Vanessa said on Wednesday.

Of course, it was a bittersweet day when the newest book was released after Kobe's tragic death, with the author, Wesley King, saying he was "grateful to see the words live on."

Bryant's other projects, "The Mamba Mentality: How I Play," "Training Camp," "The Legacy And The Queen" and "Epoca: The Tree of Ecrof" are all also received the honor of being NYT Bestsellers.

It's a Passover miracle for Julian Edelman -- the NFL superstar will NOT be prosecuted for drunkenly jumping on a car in Bev Hills back in January, TMZ Sports has learned.

Remember, the former Super Bowl MVP was arrested on January 11 after cops saw the Patriots WR jumping on the hood of a car (we're told a Mercedes) around 9 pm.

Cops say the car was leaving a parking lot -- and had stopped for pedestrian traffic -- when Edelman "slid across the hood" like he was Starsky and Hutch!

According to police, Edelman reeked of booze (duh) and he was busted for vandalism.

He was at dinner earlier in the evening in Bev Hills at Cantina FRIDA, along with Paul Pierce and Danny Amendola.

But that's all over now ... cops say the owner of the vehicle told prosecutors he does NOT want Edelman charged with a crime because "he has been fully compensated for the repair costs to the vehicle."

In other words, Edelman cut the dude a fat ass check and now it's all gooooooood!!!

Tiger Woods is being sued by a fan who says he tried to take a selfie with the golf superstar ... but claims all he got was a big shove and some serious injuries.

A golf fan named Brian Borruso filed a lawsuit in Florida this week ... where he claims he was a spectator at the Valspar Gold tournament in Palm Harbor, FL in March 2018.

Borruso claims he was on the green at the 13th hole when Tiger hit a ball near where he was standing. As Woods approached his ball, Borruso says he saw the moment as an opportunity to get a selfie with Tiger.

However, as he tried to snap the shot, Borruso says Woods' caddie, Joe LaCava, stepped in and "intentionally shoved" him ... pushing him back into other spectators, and injuring him.

As a result, Borruso's lawsuit claims he "suffered injury and damages" including "bodily and mental injury," "disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expenses of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of ability to earn income, and aggravation of a previously existing condition."

Borruso says his injuries haven't gotten better ... and he is still feeling the effects of the alleged attack.

He never claims Tiger touched him, but cites USGA rules that state a golfer is responsible for his caddies actions ... and because of that, Woods should be held financially responsible.

As for why the fan took over 2 years to file the lawsuit ... his attorney says he waited to get a better understanding of just how serious his injuries were.

There's video of the alleged incident ... where LaCava is seemingly heard telling a fan to "back it up." LaCava is seen extending his arm as Tiger attempts to practice his swing ... but it's difficult to tell if Joe ever makes contact with anyone.

Linda Tripp, whose recorded conversations with Monica Lewinsky led to President Clinton's impeachment -- is near death ... according to her daughter.

Allison Tripp Foley said late Tuesday, "My mommy is leaving this earth. I don't know myself if I can survive this heartache." In her FB post, Allison said she is at her mother's bedside, and she asked for prayers for "a painless process for the strongest woman I will ever know in my entire lifetime."

She has not revealed what illness, or medical crisis, 70-year-old Linda is battling. Allison did confirm to TMZ that it is NOT COVID-19.

Tripp is known as a whistleblower for turning over secretly-recorded conversations with Lewinsky to Ken Starr in January 1998. The recordings exposed Lewinsky's sexual relationship with Clinton.

Linda also told Starr about Lewinsky's infamous blue dress. She was working in the Pentagon when she befriended the 22-year-old White House intern and learned about her physical relationship with the POTUS. The rest is history.

Linda and her husband, Dieter Rausch, have 2 children -- Allison and Ryan.