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This is disgusting ...

Baylor University officials actively discouraged possible sexual assault victims from reporting incidents against athletes -- and in one case RETALIATED against a woman who did.

It's all part of an investigation by a law firm hired by Baylor to look into alleged misconduct by school officials regarding SEVERAL violent allegations against student athletes, primarily football players.

The report states clear as day ... investigators say University administrators directly discouraged complainants from reporting or participating in student conduct processes ... contributing to a hostile environment.

Baylor football head coach Art Briles has been fired -- in the midst of allegations that several of his football players were accused of sexual assault on his watch ... but essentially no action was taken by the school.

Baylor president Ken Starr has also been removed from his position -- and will instead serve as Chancellor "on terms that are still being discussed."

Additional members of the administration and athletics program have also been dismissed.

The school issued a statement saying an investigation by an independent law firm "revealed a lack of strong institutional management and control on a number of levels."

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" had reported that several Baylor officials, including coaches, knew about violent allegations against football players -- but essentially did nothing. ESPN points out that most of the accused players didn't miss a single second of playing time.

“We were horrified by the extent of these acts of sexual violence on our campus," said Richard Willis, chair of the Baylor Board of Regents.

"This investigation revealed the University's mishandling of reports in what should have been a supportive, responsive and caring environment for students."

The law firm, Pepper Hamilton, found "specific failings within both the football program and Athletics Department leadership, including a failure to identify and respond to a pattern of sexual violence by a football player, to take action in response to reports of a sexual assault by multiple football players, and to take action in response to a report of dating violence."

"Pepper’s findings also reflect significant concerns about the tone and culture within Baylor’s football program as it relates to accountability for all forms of athlete misconduct."

Talking about pressing your luck ...

Two Toronto Raptors players were spotted at a Cleveland casino -- AT 2 IN THE MORNING -- hours before they took the court against the Cavs in a pivotal Game 5, this according to the Toronto Sun.

To make matters worse, DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph played like crap after the 8 PM tipoff -- with the two hitting a combined 3 of 12 shots for 8 points.

The Raptors lost the game by 38 points ... leaving many wondering, what the hell were they thinking?!?!?

Toronto head coach Dwane Casey played down the alleged casino run when asked about it after the game. "This isn’t why we lost ... This is the NBA, they’re grown men."

This ain't the first time NBA players got ROCKED following a late-night before a game.

Earlier this year, a bunch of Milwaukee Bucks turnt up at an L.A. strip club ... hours before getting shellacked by the woeful Lakers.

Game 6 is Friday.

Two Boise State football players have been expelled from the school -- and another player has been suspended for a year -- in the wake of sexual assault allegations against them.

The school launched an investigation after the alleged victim claimed she was forced into performing oral sex on all three players during incidents last year, this according to the Idaho Statesman.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Marquis Hendrix and redshirt freshman corner Donzale Roddie were expelled. Redshirt freshman safety Darreon Jackson has been suspended.

The woman reportedly told investigators the men essentially trapped her (blocking doors) on different occasions, and intimidated her into performing oral sex.

All three men have denied wrongdoing -- with Jackson saying, "nobody forced her to do anything.”

BSU issued a statement saying, "Boise State is committed to thorough and fair investigations into all allegations of sexual misconduct -- and to holding parties accountable when they are found to be responsible for violating the student code of conduct."

So far, no criminal charges have been brought against any of the players.

Ex-NBA All-Star Kermit Washington faces 45 YEARS in prison for allegedly running a scheme where he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars that were SUPPOSED to help needy people in Africa ... officials say.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the 64-year-old was arrested at an L.A. supermarket on Tuesday for running a scheme to steal from an African charity he started to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Long story short ... officials say Washington would induce people, including several former pro athletes, to donate to Project Contact Africa, telling them 100% of the money would benefit a clinic in Africa for needy families.

Instead, the Dept. of Justice says he stole "hundreds of thousands of dollars" to pay for everything from rent to vacations, jewelry and entertainment.

Translation -- what a scumbag (allegedly).

He's been charged with several crimes including corrupt interference with tax laws, conspiring to commit wire fraud, obstruction and aggravated ID theft.

If convicted on all charges, Washington is looking at 45 years in prison -- though it's more likely he'd strike a plea deal and serve significantly less time (if any at all).

Nate Diaz got an official award from the People of California Tuesday night ... recognizing his bad assness for his "upset" victory over Conor McGregor back in March.

Assemblyman Jim Cooper signed a resolution ... declaring "the exploits of Nathan Diaz, a successful American mixed martial artist from Stockton, have been a source of great joy and pride to the people of the State of California."

The award also describes Nate's victory over Conor as "one of the biggest upsets in UFC history."

Diaz is also hailed for his work with children, teens and adults at the jiu-jitsu center he runs in Lodi, CA -- saying he instills the values of respect, sportsmanship and responsibility to his students.

So, the question ... if he fights McGregor again -- and wins again -- does he get another award?

Bill Cosby has been ordered to stand trial for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman.

A Pennsylvania judge just ruled, there is probable cause to believe the comedian drugged Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia mansion back in 2004 and stuck his hand down her pants and fondled her.

Cosby faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of aggravated indecent assault.

He'll be arraigned in July.

Nyquist -- the winner of the Kentucky Derby -- has been pulled from the Belmont Stakes ... after complications with his health, TMZ Sports has learned.

We spoke with Nyquist's assistant trainer, Jack Sisterson, who tells us ... Nyquist has an elevated white blood cell count, which can sometimes indicate an infection.

Nyquist was already battling a fever -- but Sisterson hoped Nyquist would overcome it in time for the Belmont Stakes next month.

Now, with this new complication, Sisterson says it's better to play it safe -- and not push Nyquist too hard.

"We just want to do right by Nyquist right now. We want to make sure he'll be back to 100% in the next few days."

As for his future -- "He's definitely going to race again this summer."

Bill Cosby had sexual contact with 2 teenage girls, and his agent paid off one of them so his wife wouldn't find out ... this according to a newly-released deposition.

The revelations came from Cosby's settled civil case with Andrea Constand. Cosby said, during filming of one of his sitcoms, an agency would send him "five or six" models every week, right to the studio where he was shooting.

He said under oath, his MO was to give young actresses a "very, very good meal."

Cosby was asked about Constand, and whether he had sexual relations with her when she was 17. Her lawyer asked, "Do you recall serving her amaretto?" He responded, "No."

The lawyer went on ... "That you told her to sit next to you on the couch and that you put your arm around her and began massaging her shoulder and arms suggestively. Did that occur?" His response: "I need clarification on time."

The attorney persisted ... "She's 17 and I believe throughout the time she knows you she becomes 18 or 19. On a later occasion you had her masturbate you with lotion. Did that ever happen?" Answer: "Yes."

He also admitted having sexual relations with Therese Serignese, who was 19 in 1976. He says he gave her money through her agent at the William Morris Agency so she wouldn't spill the beans to his wife.

The Associated Press, which obtained the transcript, called the agency that Cosby said paid the hush money but got no comment.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson told police he was reaching for a dropped cell phone when he lost control of his car and smashed into another vehicle head-on early Sunday morning ... cops say.

Shaq -- the team's 2015 1st round draft pick -- was behind the wheel of a 2016 Chevy SUV which slammed into a 2004 Lexus SUV driven by former Duke QB Anthony Boone at 7:45 AM.

When cops arrived to the crash scene near Shaq's Charlotte-area home, the NFL player was given a breathalyzer -- which turned up traces of alcohol ... but cops say it was well BELOW the legal limit.

"He had some residual left over from the night before, but nothing where it was impairing or anything like that,” Sgt. Ben Miller of the State Highway’s Union County told the Charlotte Observer.

TMZ Sports also spoke with law enforcement officials who say Shaq said he had been playing music off his cell phone but dropped it ... and that's when he made the ill-fated decision to reach down and pick it up.

Officials tell us Boone was not wearing a seat belt -- and was hospitalized for a broken pelvis and broken ribs.

Shaq told police he was not seriously injured. He was not arrested -- but was cited for crossing the center lane.

LSU's beloved Siberian-Bengal tiger mascot, Mike VI, has been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer ... and vets believe he only has 2 years to live ... school officials announced.

The 10-year-old tiger has been receiving treatment from a team of specialists ever since his caretakers noticed a tumor on his face earlier this month.

Officials say Mike has spindle cell sarcoma -- which is unlikely to spread to other areas of his body ... but it's a fatal condition nonetheless.

LSU says Mike is receiving the best care possible -- and they've already drawn up a battle plan to make sure Mike lives out his final days as comfortably as possible. Without treatment, officials say Mike would only have 1 to 2 months to live.

Mini Kim Kardashian died of chronic alcohol abuse ... according to the Clark County coroner.

The coroner also confirmed there was no evidence of foul play in Kim Tripp's death.

TMZ broke the story ... Kim's BF Mini Kanye West discovered her body on the front porch of her Vegas apartment back in March. Kim became famous as Mini Kim K at Beacher's Madhouse in Vegas and Hollywood.

She was 32.

Morley Safer, longtime correspondent for "60 Minutes" ... has died at the age of 84, according to CBS News.

Safer had just announced his retirement a week ago, after 46 years on "60 Minutes." He was the show's longest serving correspondent. He'd been with CBS News since 1964 and ran the network's Saigon bureau during the Vietnam War.

He made a name for himself with his intense reports from the war -- which frequently ticked off the White House. Morley went on to win 12 Emmys in his career.

The TV news magazine just aired a special send-off to Safer this past Sunday night.

He's survived by his wife of 47 years, Jane ... and his daughter Sarah, who is also a journalist.

Phil Mickelson made nearly $1 MILLION in the stock market off information stemming from insider trading ... this according to the Securities and Exchange Commission which just sued the golfer.

According to a lawsuit filed by the SEC, Mickelson got a tip about Dean Foods company in 2012 from famed sports gambler Billy Walters.

The SEC believes Walters got his information from a longtime friend who was a director at the company.

But since Phil allegedly took Billy's info -- and made roughly $931k in profits from subsequent trades -- the SEC believes Phil's money was ill-gotten and he should have to forfeit the money to the SEC.

The SEC believes Phil owed Walters money at the time of the trade -- the assumption is that he urged Phil to make the financial moves to make some money to pay him back.

Ray J is making serious accusations about Naomi Judd and grits -- namely, that she called the Southern dish ... "slave food."

Ray was on his way to the set of "My Kitchen Rules" when he described the alleged incident. Check out the video because what he has to say is incredibly shocking, if true.

As we reported ... Judd very openly said she didn't want to be on the cooking competition show once she found out her co-stars were people like Ray J, Brandi Glanville and Andrew "Dice" Clay.

Ray says he was disappointed to hear that's how Judd feels. As for the grits incident, he adds it definitely "smells like some racism."

For once, Katt Williams benefited from a courtroom no-show -- prosecutors have dropped an attempt to revoke his probation and lock him up immediately.

The D.A. in Hall County, GA filed a motion to revoke Katt's bond in one of his criminal cases -- an alleged assault on his bodyguard. The hearing went down Wednesday, but 3 subpoenaed witnesses for the prosecution failed to show up ... and as a result the motion was withdrawn.

Katt was not in court to celebrate his victory.