Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren Pete Davidson Joins Broadcast Team ... With Snoop!!!
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Live from Atlanta ... it's Pete Davidson!!!
... who's officially signed on to join Snoop Dogg's commentary team for the Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren fight!!
TMZ Sports has confirmed the "Saturday Night Live" star will be a part of the broadcast team for the very first Triller Fight Club 2021 event on April 17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
We're told he'll be working the event alongside Snoop, Mario Lopez, supermodel Taylor Hill, and social media stars Dixie and Charli D’Amelio.
The play-by-play announcers are seasoned veterans when it comes to boxing -- Ray Flores, Al Bernstein and Mike Coppinger.
Snoop was the breakout star during the first Triller boxing event featuring Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. -- he was in the broadcast booth calling the action and was HILARIOUS!
Remember, he was busting out church hymns as Jake put a hurtin' on Nate Robinson on the undercard.
So, add Pete Davidson to the mix!?! That's gonna be awesome.
As we previously reported, the Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren already has a stacked musical lineup featuring superstars like Justin Bieber, The Black Keys, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Diplo, Major Lazer and the debut of Snoop's new rap supergroup Mt. Westmore (which features Snoop, Ice Cube, Too $hort and E-40).
The main event will be an 8-round sanctioned professional boxing match featuring undefeated 24-year-old Jake Paul (2-0) going up against decorated MMA star Ben Askren, who's 36.
Askren has guaranteed victory over Jake -- saying he's never stepped in the ring against a REAL accomplished fighter.
Jake vows to wipe the floor with Askren -- saying the guy's striking ability is straight trash.
We'll find out who's right in just a few weeks ...
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Johnny Depp Denied Appeal in 'Wife Beater' Case ... Leaves Career on Ropes
9:28 AM PT -- Depp's legal team's firing one last shot at the UK court, telling TMZ, the evidence it presented in his bid to appeal "further demonstrates that there are clear and objective reasons to seriously question the decision reached."
Johnny's lawyers add that they are looking forward to "presenting the complete, irrefutable evidence of the truth" in his other libel case against Heard here in the U.S., where "she will have to provide full disclosure."
Johnny Depp's suffered another blow in his libel lawsuit in the UK -- he lost his bid to appeal the trial judge's ruling in favor of The Sun, which means he can't shake that "wife beater" label the UK tabloid gave him.
As we told you, Depp was looking to overturn the judge's November 2020 decision stating that allegations he abused his ex-wife Amber Heard were "substantially true."
Heard was The Sun's key witness in the case after Depp sued the tab for running the headline, "Gone Potty: How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy' casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?" in 2018.
Depp's lawyers recently tried to argue that Amber had an unfair advantage and boosted credibility because she vowed to donate her entire $7 million divorce settlement ... something she still hasn't done.
Johnny's legal team hoped that would be enough to turn things around in his favor, but the UK Court of Appeal shut it down and upheld the November ruling. The court specifically highlighted parts of the original trial judge's opinion focused on Depp's text messages about being out of control from drugs and alcohol, and adding ... "the appeal has no real prospect of success and there is no other compelling reason for it to be heard."
The High Court's decision underscores what many close to Depp believed when he filed the defamation lawsuit -- there was very little upside for him to do it.
It seems now more than ever it was a huge mistake, because the A-list actor was still getting work following his divorce from Heard ... but then he brought the wife-beating allegations back to the forefront again by suing The Sun.
Now he's branded a wife-beater and there's yet another court ruling against him ... which could be a severe blow to his career.
Originally Published -- 7:21 AM PT
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Slain Boulder Cop Eric Talley Dad Says Don't Politicize His Death ... He Was Big Gun Rights Advocate
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Boulder PD Officer Eric Talley's father says his son was a staunch 2nd Amendment guy, and even owned a weapon similar to the one used to kill him -- and he believes Eric would hate to see his death used to promote gun control.
Homer Talley tells TMZ Eric, an 11-year vet for Boulder PD, was a strong advocate for gun rights, and had an AR-15 he often used for target practice. Homer's seen the debate erupt over reforming gun laws, and although this tragedy cost him his son, he doesn't blame gun access ... and doesn't think Eric would either.
He told us, "My son would have been deeply offended to know his death would be used to promote gun control. Before he was an officer, he enjoyed shooting."
President Joe Biden called for a ban on assault weapons and tighter gun-control measures after a mass shooting left 10 people dead in Colorado https://t.co/ssYjO9twsf pic.twitter.com/UJsJ9sBvOg
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 23, 2021 @Reuters
Of course, that's the big discussion now in Washington, D.C., as it usually is after a mass shooting. President Biden called for an outright ban on assault weapons Monday ... shortly after the Boulder massacre that killed Eric and 9 others.
While Biden, many lawmakers and a large majority of Americans feel banning AR-15's and similar weapons would deter these tragedies -- Eric's father isn't so sure. He calls Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa's alleged attack "a senseless act and that is just it. The situation [Eric] found himself in wasn't one that the government could protect him from."
He adds, "Just because some wacko goes around shooting people doesn't mean guns need to be taken away. You can't take away enough guns to protect this country."
Now, Homer also says he's all for common-sense gun laws, "but to take away that freedom completely is something I am against and my son was against." Of course, therein lies the debate ... what is "common sense" when it comes to guns?
Officer Talley's comrades paid their respects during a procession Wednesday, and interestingly ... Homer says he's already letting go of his anger over Eric's murder, telling us, "My family and my son are people of faith, we understand forgiveness and that is necessary for not just the shooter, but for ourselves."
An official GoFundMe has been created in Officer Talley's honor, he was a father of seven children. The GofundMe has already raised more than $500k.
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Brandi Glanville Denise Richards Ghosted Me ... After I Revealed Our Fling
Brandi Glanville says Denise Richards has completely cut her out of her life ever since Brandi revealed their hookup to the other 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.'
The reality TV star claims she has not seen or talked to Denise since she notoriously exposed their alleged tryst at Kyle Richards' house on Season 10 of 'RHOBH' ... and says Denise is ignoring her emails too.
If you don't recall ... Brandi shocked the Housewives, and viewers, when she told them she had an intimate affair with Denise. She also claimed Denise and her husband, Aaron Phypers, had an open relationship.
Denise denied the affair and the open marriage allegation, and then left the show after 2 seasons.
Regardless of who you believe, Brandi's clearly sticking to her story, and she isn't afraid to joke about the touchy subject either.
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Ja Rule Sells Fyre Festival Painting for $122k ... Thanks to NFT Craze!!!
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7:29 AM PT -- Ja Rule tells TMZ ... he's a "vibes kind of guy" and felt he needed to get it out of his house "so the fresh energy could grow." He tells us, "When I first had it made -- I was energized -- I had embarked on a new business -- but then it became a symbol of what could have been. For me, it's done and over with."
In the end, Ja says he didn't care how much the painting sold for because "it was NOT about the money."
Ja Rule is unloading some bad juju from the infamous disaster known as the Fyre Festival ... which is why he sold this painting for way less than his asking price.
The rapper who was tied to the dumpster fire of a festival sold the oil-paint portrait of the Fyre Festival logo for a cool $122k as a non-fungible token (NFT) -- meaning the buyer just gets a one-of-a-kind digital code linked to the image.
Ja originally wanted at least $600k for the physical painting, but a note Ja wrote -- and included in the sale -- shows his true feelings about the piece ... "F*** this painting."
Yeah, he wanted it gone, stat.
The image is 48" x 60" and was commissioned by Ja himself and created by Tripp Derrick Barnes. It once hung in the company's HQs in NYC before it was later moved to Ja's man cave at his NJ home.
But, when the Fyre Festival went to hell -- culminating with organizer Billy McFarland being sentenced to 6 years in prison -- Ja told Forbes last week he decided it was finally time to sell the painting because, "I just wanted that energy out."
Btw ... Ja sold the painting via his NFT exchange venture, FlipKick ... which will focus on selling NFTs that feature digital and physical objects.
The buyer is remaining anonymous, for now, but can also get Ja Rule's signature with the purchase. Pitiful cheese sandwich NOT included!
Originally published -- 7:02 AM PT
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H.S. Football Coach Fired For Using Anti-Semitic Play Calls ... During Game
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A high school football coach in Massachusetts has just been fired ... after investigators say they confirmed he used anti-Semitic play calls during a game this month.
Officials involved in the case at Duxbury HS say head man Dave Maimaron used terms such as "Auschwitz," "rabbi" and "dreidel" to describe plays for his players in a tilt with Plymouth North on March 12.
And, after days of parents, fans and civil rights leaders calling for action ... the school finally made the move to can the coach Wednesday, blasting him for the naming of the calls.
"The fact that members of our school community used such offensive language, including anti-Semitic language, is horrifying and disappointing," Duxbury HS officials said in a statement.
Officials added they did not believe the terms were directed at players or used to insult opponents ... but said, "The outrage is real, warranted, and we hear it."
The school announced it's cancelling its game against Hingham on Friday after cutting ties with the coach. It has yet to make a decision on its future schedule past that.
For his part, Maimaron released an apology in a statement earlier this week ... saying the anti-Semitic words were "careless, unnecessary and most importantly hurtful on its face -- inexcusable."
"On behalf of the staff and players of the Duxbury High School football team," the coach added, "I want to extend my apology for the insensitive, crass and inappropriate language used in the game on March 12th."
Duxbury -- which had been playing its football season this spring after the pandemic postponed its usual fall season -- is known as one of the better football programs in MA. The school has won five state titles in the last 16 years.
It's unclear who will take over the program in the wake of Maimaron's firing.
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Tiffany Haddish Her Painting Will Hit Auction Block Benefiting Inner-City Arts Students!!!
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Tiffany Haddish has ZERO art experience but that's entirely the point of partnering up with an org that'll auction off her painting ... with proceeds going to a great cause.
The comedian's hooking up with Painting with the Stars ... which raises money to help gain awareness and support for nonprofits that provide underprivileged youth access to the arts.
Painting with the Stars delivers art kits to celebrities with no art experience and asks them to paint something of their choosing that'll hit the auction block. Tiffany may not have legit art experience ... but she showed her true colors as one hell of an artist ... with her flowery, piano keys submission.
When the auction goes down this summer ... the L.A.-based nonprofit Inner-City Arts will be one of the beneficiaries. Inner-City Arts offers a safe and supportive environment where students can engage in a studio setting with help from teaching professionals.
Tiffany's just one of the celebs who've signed up. "American Ninja Warrior" alum Maggi Thorne is also on board. Thorne suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2019 while competing on the course. She'd later need physical therapy to regain her balance and speech therapy for cognitive learning skills.
Talk about inspiration.
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WWE's Drew McIntyre Khabib Could Be A WWE Superstar ... Team Up W/ Paul Heyman
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Khabib Nurmagomedov is unemployed ... but if the UFC legend is looking for a new gig, WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre says he'd be a helluva professional wrestler.
TMZ Sports talked to the former 2x WWE champ after the 32-year-old, 29-0 Khabib officially retired from the UFC last week.
Nurmagomedov is known for his fighting -- not his trash-talking -- so we asked the 'Monday Night Raw' star if Khabib would be any good in the WWE ring.
"[Khabib's] so talented that I reckon he could make some noise, and if he can't make the noise himself, we’ve got Paul Heyman. We’ve got a few talented people who can carry the load when it comes to talking," McIntyre says.
"MVP has done a heckuva job for [Bobby] Lashley. Maybe that's another name to throw in the hat. But, [Khabib's] such an amazing performer in the UFC, and if he can't quite figure out that part, we’ll make it work."
Drew continued ... "We’re about enhancing the positives and hiding the negatives. I think the fans would be very excited to see him."
Of course, Heyman is Brock Lesnar's legendary, longtime hype man.
We also asked Drew about a potential WWE matchup with Conor McGregor ... and McIntyre made it clear his previous beef with the Irish megastar definitely hasn't be squashed.
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Adam The Demonoid on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' 'Memba Him?!
New York native George Hertzberg is best known for playing the villain, Adam -- who is ultimately slain by Buffy after she rips out his uranium power core with her bare hands -- in the early 2000s season of the OG action drama "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
While Hertzberg may have been the tallest actor on set standing at 6 feet 5 inches ... he was joined on the small screen by some HUGE stars including Alyson Hannigan as the slayer's sidekick, Willow Rosenberg, Nicholas Brendon as the BFF Alexander "Xander" Harris ... and of course Sarah Michelle Gellar as the Buff herself.
More 'Memba Thems!
Buffalo Radio Host I Don't Like My Toast Like Serena ... Too Dark for Me
MARCH 2021
Radio hosts in New York compared their toast preferences to famous Black women's skin tones during a segment ... and yeah, it came off every bit as bad as you'd think.
The racially-charged convo aired Wednesday morning on Buffalo's 97 Rock, with Morning Bull Show co-host Rob Lederman comparing toasted bread to a trio of black celebs -- Serena Williams, Halle Berry and Gayle King.
Lederman says he toasts his bread in line with how attractive he finds certain Black women ... essentially saying Serena is too dark for his taste, Gayle's not even a thought and Halle is just right.
The fallout has been swift ... Cumulus Media, which owns the station, says it already fired Lederman and suspended the other co-hosts, including Rich "Bull" Gaenzler and Chris Klein.
In addition to his suspension, Gaenzler got canned from 2 other gigs as the in-arena host for the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team.
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Britney Spears Asks for Jodi Montgomery to be Permanent Conservator of her Person
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The woman who's been in charge of many of Britney Spears' personal choices for about 2 years now has done a fine job -- so says Britney herself, who's asking to bring her on permanently -- but her lawyer wants to reserve the right to end the conservatorship.
New court docs were just filed in Britney's conservatorship case, and they reveal the singer wants Jodi Montgomery to become the new full-time conservator of her person going forward ... while noting she asked for her father, Jamie Spears, to resign from the position for good.
According to the paperwork, obtained by TMZ, Britney notes Jamie relinquished that power temporarily in September of 2019 ... and Jodi was appointed a temporary conservator of her person at that time. Now it looks like Britney wants to keep Jodi in the position going forward. Sources connected to the case tell us ... Jamie has no objections to the change, and Britney really likes Jodi in that role. He's fine with it.
As for the difference between the conservator of Britney's person and Britney's estate -- the latter of which Jamie is still co-conservator alongside Bessemer Trust Company -- is that Jodi is basically in charge of Brit's personal decisions, which entails quite a bit in her day-to-day.
The docs lay out exactly what they want Jodi to continue running as it pertains to Britney's well-being -- which include powers to limit visitors (so long as she isn't restricted from access to counsel), retain caretakers and security guards for Britney, prosecute civil harassment restraining orders that may arise and the power to communicate with medical personnel with respect to any treatment for Britney.
As co-conservator of the estate, Jamie still plays a role in managing her finances and business decisions.
Here's another interesting line in the docs that Britney's team filed ... "Petitioner expressly reserves the right to petition for termination of this conservatorship under Probate Code section 1861. Nothing in the within petition shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of that right." Make of that what you will ... but it is underlined and in bold.
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Magic, Arsenio, Trejo We Got Vaccinated For COVID-19 ... Let's Get Back To Normal!!!
Magic Johnson just took another big shot -- this one off the court -- to get vaccinated for COVID-19 alongside his good friend, Arsenio Hall and another L.A. icon, Danny Trejo.
Magic got his first shot of the Pfizer vaccine Wednesday at the USC vaccination site. The NBA Hall of Famer says he's been looking forward to inoculation for a while, because he wants some peace of mind after a year of stringent handwashing and mask-wearing.
Danny's getting the first dose of the Moderna vaccine ... and he's got a message for the tough guys on the block who think they don't need a shot. Danny says anyone on the fence should take the plunge for their loved ones.
Arsenio's going one and done with the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine ... and he says his mother is the driving force behind his vaccination. The comedian says he doesn't know what's in the shot, but as his mom points out, he doesn't know what's in her cooking either. Advantage science.
Arsenio made another funny and interesting point before he got pricked ... Barack Obama and Donald Trump don't agree on anything, but they both got vaccinated.
Magic, Danny and Arsenio are the latest celebs to give the vaccines a ringing endorsement ... remember, Arnold Schwarzenegger got his shot on camera too, and even dropped a famous movie quote to mark the occasion.
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Village People Screw the Grammys ... Don't Induct Us in Your HOF!!!
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Village People founder Victor Willis is teeing off on the Grammys, saying it disrespects recording artists and has a Hall of Fame so lame ... the group's rejecting the recent induction of its biggest hit.
Willis tells TMZ ... his legendary disco group told Grammy Interim President Harvey Mason that it's declining induction into the 2021 Grammy Hall of Fame because the Hall is "lacking" and "not taken seriously by the recording academy."
Willis -- the cop in the Village People -- takes serious issue with the lack of attention Grammy Hall inductees get, saying there's no mention of them during the actual Grammy Awards ... and there's no induction ceremony.
For the record, the group's iconic track "Y.M.C.A." specifically was inducted into the Grammys Hall of Fame in December, because it's only for singles or albums, not the artists -- but Victor's not even down with them honoring the song.
He calls the whole thing an insult the Village People want no part of until the Grammys "get their act together." He adds that when the group releases an album later this year, it likely won't even submit it for Grammy consideration.
He goes on to say the Grammys should "show respect for classic artists who built the recording business."
Still, you can count Victor in among the musical acts who are very anti-Grammys these days ... with The Weeknd leading the charge.
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NFL's Chase Claypool In Bar Fight Caught on Video
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10:43 AM PT -- A rep for the Costa Mesa Police Department tells TMZ Sports cops have launched an investigation into the fight.
Pittsburgh Steelers star WR Chase Claypool was involved in a late-night bar fight in Southern California … and TMZ Sports has the footage.
The 22-year-old -- who just wrapped up a sensational rookie campaign for the Steelers -- was at the Wild Goose Tavern in Costa Mesa, CA with some friends on March 13 when things popped off with another group of patrons.
Sources tell us there was an issue involving someone throwing dollar bills at a woman inside the bar, which sparked an argument … and eventually, things moved outside.
We’re told Chase was NOT an instigator -- but as you can see in the video, things started to get out of control and Chase jumped into the action to help out one of his buddies.
At one point, the 6’4”, 238-pound NFL star gets in the middle of the action -- where one of the combatants was wrestling on the ground -- and Claypool delivers a swift kick to the face.
Eventually, Chase’s pals remove him from the fracas -- while people yelled at him to stand back and keep his distance.
We’re told both parties ultimately left the scene without further incident.
The Costa Mesa Police confirm they received a call for a fight at that location but when officers arrived, security told them the parties involved had already left. Nobody has been arrested or charged with a crime.
Unclear if the guy who got kicked plans on taking action -- but people close to Chase tell us he was just trying to protect his friend in a chaotic situation, like anyone would do.
We reached out to Claypool for comment, but so far, nothing back.
Claypool was a 2nd-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after a stellar career at Notre Dame.
He played in all 16 games for the Steelers as a rookie -- logging 62 catches for 873 yards and 11 total TDs.
Originally Published -- 12:20 AM PT
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Megan Rapinoe Calls For Equal Pay During W.H. Speech ... 'So Much Real Work To Be Done'
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"I've been devalued, I've been disrespected and dismissed because I am a woman and I've been told that I don't deserve any more than less because I am a woman."
U.S. soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe gave a powerful speech demanding equal pay at the White House on Wednesday ... calling out the blatant discrimination women face every day.
Rapinoe's visit to D.C. comes on "Equal Pay Day" ... which is meant to bring awareness to the pay gap that exists between men and women throughout the country -- not just sports.
Rapinoe and fellow USWNT star Margaret Purce spoke alongside President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden minutes ago ... describing what it's like to reach ultimate success in their field, but still make a fraction of what men make.
"I've helped, along with all my teammates virtually here, one teammate literally here today, win 4 World Cup championships and 4 Olympic gold medals for the United States," Rapinoe said.
"Despite all the wins, I'm still paid less than men who do the same job that I do."
She continued ... "I know there are millions of people who are marginalized by gender in the world and experience the same thing in their jobs ... and I and my teammates are here for them."
"We on the U.S. Women's National Team today are here because of them. We also know what it means to not only have allies but to be allies. We know what it means when people kneel, to kneel with them."
POTUS echoed their statements ... calling the players heroes for speaking out against the pay gap and fighting for equality.
"It doesn't matter if you're an electrician, an accountant or part of the best damn soccer team in the world -- the pay gap is real," Biden said.
"This team is living proof that you can be the very best at what you do and still have to fight for equal pay."
Rapinoe and Purce were also able to have some fun at the nation's capital -- they got an awesome tour of 1600 Penn. -- and even snapped some vids in the Oval Office with the Bidens!!
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NYC Bakery Woman Banned for Calling Black Employee N-Word ... Complaint Filed w/ Cops
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A white woman is now persona non grata at a NYC bakery after calling one of its Black employees the n-word -- and cops are aware of the situation too ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell us a harassment complaint was filed after an unidentified lady hurled the racial slur at Victor Kamara ... the Davidovich Bakery employee who was working the cash register on Sunday, when the ugly incident went down.
We're told an argument erupted between the woman and Victor after she was asked to put on a mask, but refused to do so ... only to call the guy a "bitch ass n*****" when he told her not to look at him a certain way. She left the scene shortly thereafter.
Our sources say the NYPD typically won't make arrests for harassment complaints like this ... unless they happen to occur in an officer's presence. It's unclear how the department may proceed if they find her and verify the claims. Still, we're told the cops are investigating.
Enraged NYers are also taking a closer look at the woman's social media, and there are several disturbing posts. Perhaps the worst is a Columbus Day post showing her kids -- whose father is Black -- because her caption celebrates the trans Atlantic slave trade.
As for the bakery ... management tells us this woman isn't just banned from this establishment, but from all of Essex Market in the Lower East Side, where the shop is located. We're told security guards have been alerted to be on the lookout for her.
When it comes to Victor himself, we're told his bosses are fully behind him -- and applaud him for how handled the situation ... especially as a relatively new employee, just about two months in.
We're told he's been approached by different attorneys in recent days to see if he needs representation over this -- no word yet on what legal action, if any, he plans to take.