Tiger Banner Pilot: I Was Grounded by the FBI

The pilot who flew the "Tiger: Are You My Daddy?" banner over the US Open golf tournament last weekend was supposed to make a second run -- but dude claims the FBI shut down the flight.

TMZ obtained the post-flight report filed with the sky banner company, in which the pilot states that while en route to fly sign #2 -- which read, "Happy Father's Day Tiger LOL" -- he was contacted by a tower controller with a message from the FBI.

According to the pilot, the FBI had "strongly urged" him to "depart the area" over the golf course as soon as possible ... and, of course, the pilot obliged.

We spoke to the owner of the company hired to fly the planes – who told us he is looking into the incident and has no idea why the FBI would intervene on such a matter. We also spoke to the FAA – who tells us the FBI would only intervene if “criminal activity” was suspected.

As for the FBI, we called them for comment as well -- but we're still waiting to hear back. Apparently they have bigger things to worry about.

Batista's MMA Deal Hits Big, Green Speed Bump

Former WWE champ Batista may have jumped the gun when he told us he was joining the Strikeforce MMA league -- TMZ has learned dude hasn't signed a contract ... and the holdup is cold, hard cash.

Sources involved in the negotiations tell TMZ, Batista and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker have already hammered out most of the details in their contract -- but Batista's salary is still a major sticking point.

Coker and the former WWE star are also stuck on scheduling issues -- because according to sources close to the fighter, Batista's calendar has been jam-packed with TV and movie deals since his wrestling contract expired.

We're also told Batista's camp is pissed off over Booker T.'s comments yesterday that Batista would get beat down by fellow WWE-star-turned-MMA-fighter Bobby Lashley ... telling us Batista will fight anyone, Lashley included.

Hopefully, we'll get to see for ourselves ... if Batista can ever work out a deal.

Eddie Cibrian's Love Nest Emptied ... Officially

Eddie Cibrian just ditched the last tangible trace of his marriage to Brandi Glanville -- the multi-million dollar house they used to share just outside Los Angeles.

A private buyer snapped up the former Casa de Cibrian for about $2.2 million. Clearly, Brandi meant it when she told us Calabasas wasn't big enough for her, Eddie and his new GF LeAnn Rimes.

By the way, the title transfer -- filed last month with the L.A. County Recorder -- still lists Brandi and Eddie as husband and wife. Their divorce isn't final yet.

Great time for Eddie to sell though -- he just got dropped from "CSI: Miami."

Ramones Drummer -- Hey! Ho! Where's My Dough?

Marky Ramone -- the Ramones' longest-standing drummer -- claims he's getting screwed out his cut of the band's royalties ... and now he's trying to legally beat on the brats responsible ... with a big fat lawsuit.

According to docs filed yesterday in New York Supreme Court, Marky (real name Marc Bell) claims he inked a royalties deal in 2005 -- but in 2008, the payouts mysteriously stopped ... and it's all because of some allegedly shady business dealings.

Marky claims the people in charge of distributing royalties completely snubbed their 2005 contract -- pocketing huge cuts of Ramones money that didn't belong to them ... shafting Marky in the process.

The punk legend claims he's owed a $175,000 slice of Ramones pie -- plus over $1 million in punitive damages.

Vienna's Stepmom: She Gave The Ring Back

Vienna Girardi's stepmom tells us Vienna gave the ring back to Jake when she moved out of his place this weekend -- but TMZ has learned Jake won't get to keep the $50,000 diamond for himself.

Vienna's stepmom tells us when Vienna moved out of Jake's place this weekend -- she left a goodbye note ... and the 3 carat Neil Lane diamond ring that he used to pop the question on "The Bachelor."

But sources close to the show tell us Jake is required to give the ring back to the production company. The deal is -- they only get to keep the ring if they get married.

Playing the percentages ... the show usually wins.

'Bachelor' Jake Pavelka: No Hard Feelings

Jake Pavelka just flew back into L.A. -- solo, by the way -- and dropped a bombshell in the already explosive breakup of the century ... claiming he and Vienna Girardi will be friends!!!

"The Bachelor" must not have heard all the accusations that have been flying around while he was in the air.

Luckily, our camera guy broke one of 'em to Jake -- the whole he's just a "fame whore" thing. Check out his response...

Lindsay Lohan -- Don't Tell the Jury You're Poor!

The people suing Lindsay Lohan over her wild ride on Pacific Coast Highway in 2007 want the judge to prohibit Lindsay from telling the jury she's broke ... this according to documents obtained by TMZ.

The attorney for Tracie Rice -- the passenger in the car Lindsay was chasing -- wants the judge to "exclude all testimony about Lindsay Lohan not having money or currently being poor or in debt."

We're told Rice's lawyer is concerned ... a jury might get cheap in awarding damages if they believe Lindsay has no money.

TMZ broke the story that Lindsay is broke.

'Bachelor' Split Jake Broke It Off

Sources involved in the production of "The Bachelor" tell TMZ Jake Pavelka was the person who pulled the plug on his relationship with Vienna Girardi ... because he thought she was cheating.

We're told Jake believed Vienna was "stepping out" with Gregory Michael -- an actor on the ABC Family show "Greek."

The story had been out that the 2 were flirting at a recent event, but apparently Jake took it to heart.

Sources at "The Bachelor" say they don't know if Vienna was in fact doing the nasty with Greg -- but Jake was convinced enough to end the relationship in the last 24 to 48 hours.

UPDATE: Vienna just tweeted, "The accusations of me cheating are completely fabricated. 100% False." Our 'Bachelor' people say whether she cheated or not, Jake thought she did.

Jackson Estate Ready to Pounce on Profiteer

The lawyer for the Michael Jackson estate thinks the businessman who partnered with Katherine Jackson is hurting Michael's children -- and is threatening legal action if the dude doesn't stop.

Howard Mann -- whose business ventures include online nude gambling -- got Katherine Jackson to agree to publish the book, "Never Can Say Goodbye," scheduled for release this week.

Mann also told TMZ he and Katherine will make record deals for 273 unreleased Michael Jackson songs -- part of an MJ treasure trove he acquired in a fire sale after Joe Jackson failed to pay a storage bill.

But estate lawyer Howard Weitzman is ticked, claiming Mann "may be using his relationship with Mrs. Jackson to infringe upon Michael Jackson's copyrights ... to the detriment of, among others, Michael's 3 kids."

Weitzman says Mann has no right "to exploit any estate assets" and he will take "whatever action is necessary to prevent him from unlawfully profiting." TMZ translation -- the estate will sue his ass if Mann goes forward.

We're told Katherine Jackson is happy with the job the executors have done -- namely filling the coffers with hundreds of millions of dollars -- but sources say family members are in her ear, getting her to sign off on ventures that end up hurting the estate, MJ's kids, and Katherine herself.

Jay-Z Sued Over Private Jet Flight Time is Money

It costs Jay-Z roughly $250k to spend 55 hours on a private jet -- and that's with a celebrity discount -- but according to a new lawsuit, the rapper never paid the entire cost to fly like a boss.

Jay-Z -- aka Shawn Carter -- is being sued by Air Platinum Holding, a private jet company which claims Jigga spent 55 hours on their planes back in 2009 ... but only paid for 37 hours of service.

The suit also claims Jay-Z flaked out on some other payments as well -- here's how it all breaks down:

-- 18 hours of flight time at $4,500-per-hour (discounted from $6,000-per-hour) ... $81,000
-- Catering for 17 domestic flights ($500-per-flight) .... $8,500
-- Catering for 4 international flights ($750-per-flight) ... $3,000
-- International fees ... $8,500
-- Taxes ... $12,285
-- Luxury trip to England ... $24,200

It all adds up to $137,485.00 ... which is why most people just fly coach.

Calls to Jay-Z's reps have not been returned.

Reality Star Ruby -- Hiking Her Ass Off

Style Network's weight loss superstar Ruby Gettinger just conquered one of the most punishing mountains in L.A. ... on a scorching hot day ... not bad for someone who could barely walk for 5 mins in 2008.

Yesterday, a slimmer, trimmer Ruby -- who once weighed in at 750 pounds -- impressively hiked her way up to the top of Runyon Canyon ... where the reality star dished up some awesome advice on keeping the weight off.

Michael Jackson Anniversary Plans -- Denied!

Michael Jackson fans making extravagant plans for the anniversary of his death need a Plan B -- because Forest Lawn Cemetery and cops are putting the kibosh on most of the celebration.

A rep for Forest Lawn -- where MJ is buried -- tells TMZ fans will be allowed into the park on June 25, but not into the mausoleum itself. And the news ain't so good for these special requests:
- Releasing doves (DENIED)
- Releasing balloons (DENIED)
- Performing Jackson songs and dance routines (DENIED)

Sgt. Tom Lorenz says the Glendale PD has its own no-no list: no camping out the night before, no parking around Forest Lawn 24 hours prior, and no street vendor sales of anything ... including MJ merchandise.

The Forest Lawn rep says fans who behave will be allowed to pay their respects.

WWE Legend Rips Batista -- He'll Get Killed in MMA

Batista may have left the WWE, but his most hated rival is still talking trash -- claiming the former heavyweight wrestling champ is gonna get crushed when Batista starts fighting for real in MMA.

TMZ spoke with WWE legend Booker T. -- who famously clashed with Batista in a real-life throwdown in '06 -- and Booker tells us he doesn't think Batista can "match up" with some of the big boys in Strikeforce.

In fact, Booker claims the 40-something-year-old wouldn't "last 5 minutes" in the ring with another WWE-star-turned-MMA-powerhouse -- Bobby Lashley.

As we first reported, Batista claims the wheels may already be in motion for his first fight ... no word if he'll get in the ring with Lashley.

Katherine Jackson's MJ Book -- The Photos

TMZ has obtained photos from the book and calendar Katherine Jackson has released about her late son, Michael Jackson.

The book -- "Never Can Say Goodbye" on sale at www.jacksonsecretvault.com -- contains 150 pages of never-before-seen photos ... and Katherine's own anecdotes about Michael.

Conrad Murray -- Friday Will Be An Ordinary Day

TMZ has learned Dr. Conrad Murray will go about his normal business -- seeing patients -- on the anniversary of Michael Jackson's death.

We're told Murray will not visit MJ's mausoleum Friday, because it will cause a scene. He will, we're told, pay his respects around that time, when no one is there.

Miranda Sevcik, the PR rep for Murray's lawyer, Ed Chernoff, tells TMZ, "Dr. Murray will be mourning privately. He doesn't want to distract people by reminding them of Michael's death. He'd rather people remember his friend, Michael Jackson, as he was in life."

Friends Say Katherine Jackson is Joe's Puppet

People closely connected to the Jackson family tell TMZ they believe Joe Jackson is manipulating Katherine Jackson to make a quick buck -- to the point she's now in business with a dude who's in the erotic content business.

Katherine has partnered with Howard Mann for her new book, "Never Can Say Goodbye: The Katherine Jackson Archives," according to hollywoodnews.com. Mann has made a fortune on online gambling and erotic content, venturing into online nude gambling.

And Katherine has sold a story about Michael's kids to a tabloid and even helped Joe sell cheesy MJ belts. But here's the thing -- Katherine doesn't need the money. She's getting an allowance from Michael's estate and will have the use of untold millions of dollars generated by co-executors John Branca and John McClain.

Joe, on the other hand, isn't getting squat from the estate or from Michael's will, and he needs money stat.

As one insider put it, "Katherine is a strong woman who can stand up to pretty much anyone but Joe. There's too much history there. Joe has always controlled her and always will."

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