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Craig Carton is adamant he's not the scumbag con artist he's being made out to be -- claiming he's an innocent victim who was set up by a group of very bad people.

Carton was arrested by the FBI this week and accused of running a multi-million dollar concert ticket scam to pay back millions of dollars in debts to various casinos.

But a rep for the sports radio star says he's NOT A BAD GUY -- the feds simply have a "gross misunderstanding of what happened."

A rep for Carton didn't provide too many details about his defense -- but would only say he's not going down without a fight.

“The government’s allegations against Craig Carton demonstrate a gross misunderstanding of what happened."

"Craig is a victim who was deceived, manipulated and used by individuals seeking to gather assets for their own fraudulent schemes."

Country singer Don Williams -- a 2010 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame -- has died after a short illness ... according to his rep.

The Texas native began his music career in the 1960s, but went solo in 1971. He was known for his smooth voice and imposing stature, which scored him the nickname "Gentle Giant."

Williams had 17 number one country hits ... including "You're My Best Friend" and "Tulsa Time." His biggest hit came in 1981 -- "I Believe in You" reached the top of the country charts and #24 on the Hot 100.

Williams briefly retired in 2006, but made a return to touring in 2010 ... the same year he was inducted into the HOF. He played his final show in 2016.

Don's survived by his wife of 57 years, and his 2 sons. He was 78.

RIP

Troy Gentry -- one half of the country music group Montgomery Gentry -- was killed in a helicopter crash in New Jersey on Friday. He was 50 years old.

The helicopter crashed in a field in Medford around 1 PM ET. Eddie Montgomery was not onboard.

Troy Gentry is survived by his wife and 2 kids.

Montgomery Gentry's biggest hit is "Something to Be Proud Of" -- which topped the country music charts in 2005. They also had hits with "If You Ever Stop Loving Me" and "My Town."

The group was on tour, and they were scheduled to perform a concert Friday night at Flying W Airport and Resort.

It's unclear what caused the crash. Investigators are on the scene. The news was reported on the duo's Twitter account.

Story developing ...

Lonzo Ball's has finally released his first rap single -- and it's a 2-and-a-half minute tribute to his 16-year-old brother, Melo.

It's called "Melo Ball 1" -- portions of the song were used in the first promo spot for LaMelo Ball's new $395 shoes ... but now, the Lakers star has dropped the entire track.

He brags about how his family's "ready for war," how Melo is the youngest person on the planet to have his own signature shoe ... and how it's all part of his father's genius vision.

Here are some of the lyrics ...

"See my lil brother, he just doin' him. You can check the ‘gram, he got a million fans. Got his brothers, he don’t need no friends. He swagged out, he a walking gem."

"On the ball, that's just what it is. I'm a king, lil bro a prince. Throwin' racks and you throwin' fits. How you hatin' and you bangin' this?"

"Melo Ball 1, youngest in the game. Only 16 in the Lam' and he switchin' lanes."

By the way, Zo has another brother ... LiAngelo ... just in case he forgot.

A trade to the New Orleans Saints may have saved Jon Dorenbos' life -- because the longsnapper just learned he has a very serious heart condition that was discovered during a team physical.

Dorenbos -- who dominated as a magician on "America's Got Talent" -- was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Saints back in August and had to undergo a medical exam as part of the deal.

Saints coach Sean Payton just told the media ... doctors discovered the 2-time Pro Bowl player had an aortic aneurysm that will require immediate heart surgery.

Payton says, "It's a pretty serious condition."

Dorenbos is 37 years old -- and the news could signal the end of his NFL career -- but who cares as long as he gets healthy.

#GetWellSoon

Talk about timing ... just days after Ezekiel Elliott had his 6-game suspension upheld, the NFL has circled back to Josh Brown -- banning the admitted domestic abuser 6 more games.

The veteran kicker sat out 1 game in 2016 ... after a lengthy investigation ultimately led to his release from the NY Giants.

The big difference from Zeke -- Brown has accepted his punishment, the NFL told Adam Schefter.

"We reopened the investigation based on new info ... concluded there was a violation of our personal conduct policy and imposed 6-game suspension which he accepted without appeal," the league said.

"Timing has nothing to do with Zeke ... made no sense to hold this until Zeke was complete.”

Brown -- who's currently UNEMPLOYED -- maintains that he never hit his wife ... after being arrested in May 2015 on suspicion of domestic assault. Charges were never filed.

As for Elliott ... the Dallas Cowboys superstar is hoping to hear from a U.S. District Court judge today in Texas. The RB -- who is slated to play in Week 1 -- is seeking a temporary restraining order so he can keep suiting up.

LeBron James added another job to his resume -- RUNWAY MODEL.

The NBA superstar hit the catwalk for the Kith Fashion Show at the Classic Car Club during NY Fashion Week on Thursday ... and killed it.

Bron was showing off his Nike LeBron 15 kicks -- while working the runway like a champ.

Scottie Pippen also walked the same show -- rocking a tracksuit and a modernized version of his of his old Nike Air Pippens.

Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook were reportedly in the crowd. Those guys LOVE fashion.

Teresa Jo Burchfield, whose husband is an ethics attorney for President Trump's business, allegedly got caught banging a Virginia jail inmate.

53-year-old Burchfield was arrested Tuesday in a parking lot next to Fauquier County Jail. Deputies say she was in the backseat of a car having sex with a 23-year-old inmate. The inmate was a trustee, meaning he was allowed to do work outside the jail. Cops say he had cigarettes, clothing and "workout" supplements which he allegedly got from Burchfield.

Teresa's husband is Bobby R. Burchfield, who was retained in January as an ethics advisory for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust.

Lil Wayne's back grinding in the recording studio -- despite doctor's orders to cool out -- and he has an All-Star guest with him.

Damian Lillard was hanging with Weezy Thursday at a studio we believe to be in Los Angeles. Lillard captioned the pic "#Confirmed" ... letting fans know the rumors are true, they're doing a track together. This is also the first time we've seen Wayne since his hospitalization earlier this week.

TMZ broke the story ... Wayne suffered multiple seizures Sunday in Chicago. Doctors released him Tuesday, but recommended he chill at home for at least 2 weeks.

So much for that. He and the Portland Trail Blazers superstar clearly had work to do.

That's pretty much what mega-producer Scott Storch said when he posted his own shot with Wayne.

"America's Got Talent" champ Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. won't face charges at this time for allegedly hitting his baby mama with a golf club ... TMZ has learned.

The domestic violence case against the season 6 winner of 'AGT' was dismissed without prejudice Wednesday ... meaning the case could still be reopened pending further investigation and discussions with the victim.

As we reported ... Landau was arrested in July for misdemeanor domestic battery and assault after an alleged brawl with his GF at the time, and was accused of striking her under her eye with a club.

Murphy says he is no longer in a relationship with the woman, but the 2 have a child to raise and "we both want our son to realize that his parents love him."

Nevada's largest police interest group is calling out Michael Bennett -- demanding the NFL take immediate action against the NFL star for "falsely" claiming they racially profiled him.

The president of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association fired off a letter to NFL commish Roger Goodell -- saying:

"On behalf of the rank and file members of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, I request that you conduct an investigation, and take appropriate action, into Michael Bennett's obvious false allegations against our officers."

"While the NFL may condone Bennett's disrespect for our American Flag, and everything it symbolizes, we hope the League will not ignore Bennett's false accusations against our police officers."

The LVPPA insists the officers involved in the August 27 incident had "reasonable suspicion" to believe Bennett may have been involved in a possible shooting investigation ... and they acted appropriately.

The Org. says Bennett's claims that he was detained only because he's a "black man in the wrong place at the wrong time" is "offensive to the men and women of law enforcement."

Calvin Pryor's stint in Cleveland is over -- the former 1st-round draft pick has been CUT by the Browns after allegedly fighting one of his teammates before practice this week.

The Browns had traded for Pryor during the off-season -- grabbing him from the NY Jets in exchange for linebacker Demario Davis.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo says the fight was with WR Ricardo Louis. Coach Hue Jackson says the issue is an "internal matter." The story was first reported by Ian Rapoport.

Jackson says there are no plans to release Louis.

Boomer Esiason is backing Craig Carton after his longtime co-host's FBI arrest ... saying he's still got love for the sports radio personality despite the "shocking" news.

“I’ve loved my partner for 10 years and I still love my partner,” Boomer said on WFAN Thursday.

“I loved his family, loved his kids and I am praying every single day ... there’s nothing worse than having a family going through what they have to go through.”

Boomer added that he's been blown away by the support he's received since Carton's alleged ticket fraud scheme came to light ... but you can tell the NFL legend's still pretty emotional about it.

Esiason also confirmed that Carton's indefinitely suspended ... and says he'll continue bringing in different guests to fill his seat. On Thursday, Phil Simms was subbing in.

Remember that kid who singlehandedly sniffed out the SCUMBAG who stole Tom Brady's Super Bowl jersey??

Well, Robert Kraft definitely does ... and he just hooked that dude up with FRONT ROW TICKETS!!

Remember, 19-year-old Dylan Wagner was the guy who figured out it was Mauricio Ortega who jacked Tom's uniform and passed the tip to police ... which led to that raid in Mexico.

Well, Thursday morning Wagner got a personal visit from Pats owner Bob Kraft -- who came bearing some serious thank-you gifts.

Among the goods, Kraft presented Wagner with tix to NE's home opener against the Chiefs (seat #12, seriously) and an autographed (not stolen) Tom Brady Jersey.

He also got a pair of Robert Kraft Air Force 1s (which were released Thursday) -- which run $140 a pair.

As for Ortega ... anyone ever hear from that guy??

Oscar De La Hoya is addressing those infamous lingerie photos that have followed him around for years -- saying they were taken at a "bad time in my life" ... but he's a better person now.

The boxing legend was asked about the shots during an interview with "The Breakfast Club" -- when Charlamagne Tha God (of course) wanted to know the real story behind the pics of Oscar dressed up in fishnets.

"Just a bad time in my life," Oscar said ... "That's it."

Oscar didn't expand on why it was a bad time -- but noted the pics were taken 10 years ago ... before his 3 stints in rehab for substance abuse.

De La Hoya was asked if the pics have hurt his career as a boxing promoter -- but he shot that down saying he's only gotten "better" in his personal and professional life since the photos were taken.

It ain't over yet for Colin Kaepernick ... so says NFL commish Roger Goodell who says he thinks the QB will get another shot to make an NFL roster.

Goodell appeared on FS1's 'First Things First' and was asked straight-up if he was "troubled" by the fact Colin's not on a roster while other QB's like Joe Webb have jobs.

"I want to see everyone get an opportunity, including Colin," Goodell said ... "but those decisions are made by football people."

"I don't make those decisions. I'm not a football expert."