CELEBRITY JUSTICE ™

Fox News Channel has responded to Lindsay Lohan's lawsuit over a comment a guest made about Lindsay and cocaine -- truth is a defense.

FNC has come out swinging, referring to LiLo this way: "Admitted cocaine user and long-time addict Lindsay ..."

You may recall, a guest on Sean Hannity's show said, "Lindsay Lohan's mom is doing cocaine with her." Lindsay and her mom sued FNC for defamation, but the network now says it has 3 sold defenses:

-- Sean didn't say it ... a guest did.

-- The network has a Constitutional right of free speech, without fear of lawsuits.

-- Lindsay's an admitted coke user.

And you may recall this ... Lindsay made a frantic call to her dad in 2012, which he recorded, in which she claimed she was being held hostage by Dina in a car, adding, "Mom's on coke."

NY Jets star Brandon Marshall is counting on one of his ex-college teammates (turned NFL player) to go to bat for him in a lawsuit stemming over an alleged attack outside of an NYC club ... TMZ Sports has learned.

FYI -- Marshall is being sued by a woman who claims the WR punched her in the face during a violent situation outside of a nightclub back in 2012.

The NYPD investigated the incident at the time, but Marshall was never charged with a crime. Brandon has always maintained he did nothing wrong.

But as the civil case continues to move forward, Marshall has listed ex-NFL wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker as a witness who will help prove his innocence ... according to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

Sims-Walker and Marshall go way back ... they were teammates (and both WRs) at the University of Central Florida back in the day.

But the accuser has an ex-NFL witness of her own -- Raymond Edwards, a defensive end who last played with the Falcons in 2012.

It's unclear what Edwards and Sims-Walker are expected to contribute as far as their testimony goes -- but the case is expected to move forward later this year.

Dustin Diamond was convicted Friday in the case where he stabbed a guy in a bar, but in a way it's really a victory for him.

Diamond was convicted of 2 misdemeanors but acquitted of the far more serious felonies.

As TMZ reported, Diamond, who was with his girlfriend, stabbed a man in the Wisconsin bar last XMAS, but he claimed self defense. Diamond testified, "I felt like we were being set up for antagonistic purposes." The actor who famously played Screech claimed he was merely waiving a pocket knife around to fend off aggressors, never intending to stab anyone.

The guy he stabbed didn't even know he was cut until after he left the bar.

Diamond was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct. Worst case scenario is a 9 month jail sentence.

Rapper Joe Budden is so on top of his social media game ... he flat out forgot to show up to face charges that he allegedly attacked his gf -- which is why there's now a warrant for his arrest.

No joke ... Budden went A.W.O.L. for Thursday's hearing in NYC. Far as we can see ... he posted a few Instagram pics and tweeted some random crap that day, but just couldn't make it to court.

Budden is accused of allegedly beating and choking his girlfriend last summer. The judge in the case immediately issued the bench warrant when he skipped the hearing.

We reached out to Budden's lawyer, but much like the court ... we've gotten no response.

Ex-NBA player Chris Gatling -- a former All-Star -- was arrested in Scottsdale, AZ yesterday ... with cops saying he was the kingpin in a massive illegal credit card and I.D. theft scam.

TMZ Sports has learned ... one of Gatling's alleged victims is a woman he met on a dating website who owned a fitness studio -- who he allegedly screwed out of $90,000.

Long story short ... cops say Gatling set up Internet businesses to gather credit card information from people.

Once he got the numbers, he would take them to the fitness studio ... convinced the lady to run the cards for various dollar amounts (she believed they were legit) ... and asked her to front him 90% of the payment in cash.

For example ... if the woman ran a $100 credit card charge for Gatling, she would give him $90 in cash and keep $10 for herself.

But cops say the credit card holders never authorized the fitness studio payments and cancelled their transactions -- leaving the fitness studio owner in a $90,000 hole ... the amount she had given to Gatling in cash.

Officials eventually caught on to the scheme ... and arrested Gatling for fraud, aggravated identity theft and forgery.

And get this ... he was busted while meeting with his probation officer -- stemming from a forgery and theft CONVICTION back in 2013 when he attempted to rent out a home he didn't own.

An attorney for Gatling tells us she's still gathering information on the case.

FYI -- Gatling was a 1st round NBA Draft pick in 1991 ... and played in the league for 11 years.

"Gossip Girl" star Kelly Rutherford's victory in her child custody battle with her ex has proven to be short-lived ... because a judge undid the ruling ... leaving the kids in Monaco with their father.

A California judge sided with Rutherford last Friday, giving her the right to bring her 8-year-old son Hermes and 6-year-old daughter Helena back from Monaco, where they have been living with their father, Daniel Giersch, since 2012.

But now another judge just ruled that the judge who granted Rutherford custody may have been unaware that Monaco has jurisdiction in the case.

Giersch's attorneys argued that Rutherford's legal team tried to pull a fast one by filing for custody in California on the Friday before the Memorial Day holiday ... when they knew Monaco already had the authority to rule.

Plaxico Burress is NOT going to prison for tax evasion -- despite the fact he was facing an entire DECADE behind bars ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, officials in Mercer County, NJ charged the ex-NFL star with two tax crimes for failing to pay $48k in state taxes ... each count carried a maximum 5-year prison sentence under NJ's new ultra-strict tax laws.

Plaxico had maintained that it was all just a simple mistake and he had no intention of screwing the government out of its cash.

Now, sources connected to the case tell us ... the two sides have struck a deal to settle the matter -- and Plax won't have to spend a single minute behind bars.

Our sources say the biggest point in the deal is that Plax will cut a check for the money he owes.

We reached out to Plax's rep for comment ... who tells us, "A tentative agreement has been made to satisfy the tax obligations for Plaxico."

The rep adds, "We have been overwhelmed by the support and workability of all government agencies from the county all the way up to the state and federal offices."

Lil Wayne's tour bus was allegedly shot up by a guy who has very close ties to Wayne's rival, Young Thug ... TMZ has learned.

Atlanta PD got an arrest warrant for the suspect, Jimmy Carlton Winfrey, on May 21 ... and he's been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, possession of a firearm by a felon, and criminal gang activity.

We're told by multiple sources in Atlanta that Winfrey has been Young Thug's road manager -- which is incredibly relevant since Thug's been in a very public feud with Wayne for months.

Thug released a mixtape called "Tha Carter 6" -- mocking Wayne's long delayed album -- but changed it to "Barter 6" when he was threatened with a lawsuit.

TMZ broke the story ... Wayne's bus got blasted back in April as he was leaving a club gig in Atlanta. Police say Winfrey was trying to gain status in the Bloods by "committing a high profile shooting of a rival rap artist."

Winfrey's mug shot is from a previous arrest for drug possession in Florida.

Boxer Jermain Taylor is adamant he's NOT a criminal -- and blames his recent string of bizarre and troubling behavior on mental illness.

Taylor appeared in an Arkansas courtroom moments ago in connection with an incident at an MLK Day parade earlier this year in which he allegedly pulled a gun on a family and fired multiple shots.

The former IBF middleweight champ pled not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect ... and his attorney requested that the boxer undergo another mental evaluation.

But instead of returning to his rehab facility -- where he allegedly assaulted another man this month -- the judge ordered Taylor to go to jail because he violated his conditions of release.

Taylor's attorney tells TMZ Sports, "He’s in good spirits. I don’t think he’s upset about it. He wants to be out. He has kids."

TMZ Sports has obtained photos of the man who claims he was brutally attacked by ex-boxing champ Jermain Taylor in a rehab facility earlier this month ... and it's clear, dude got pummeled.

As we previously reported, officials in Arkansas issued a warrant for Taylor's arrest after the May 13th incident ... in which the alleged victim was sent to the ICU of a nearby hospital for treatment.

Sources close to the alleged victim tell us ... the man claims he was leaving dinner at the rehab center and was walking back to his sleeping area, when he encountered Taylor.

The man claims he extended his hand to greet Taylor -- but the boxer slapped his hand away and proceeded to beat the crap out of him.

The alleged victim underwent surgery to treat his injuries and is currently on the mend.

Taylor's attorney says the allegations are completely frivolous.

So far, we're told the victim doesn't plan to sue -- but is cooperating with police in the criminal investigation.

"Teen Mom 2" star Jenelle Evans has decided to face the music and turn herself in to police in South Carolina amid allegations she beat up her baby daddy.

Evans showed up to the Myrtle Beach Police Department -- with a few camera guys in tow -- Thursday afternoon after her ex-fiancé Nathan Griffith filed a police report claiming Evans punched, kicked, scratched and tried to choke him.

Evans was charged with domestic violence and is currently being processed. She got a shiny new mug shot to add to her collection.

Evan was released Thursday afternoon.

Former boxing champ Jermain Taylor is a wanted man -- TMZ Sports has learned an arrest warrant has been issued after JT allegedly attacked a man at a rehab center.

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Department in Arkansas tells us the warrant was issued this morning. Taylor is suspected of 2nd degree battery. So far, he is NOT in police custody.

As for the backstory ... law enforcement sources tell us Taylor allegedly attacked another patient at a rehab facility in Little Rock on May 13th ... knocking the man to the floor.

We're told the alleged victim was transported to a nearby hospital -- and was treated in the intensive care unit.

Taylor has been in rehab on a court order since March following a string of disturbing incidents -- including an altercation at a parade where Taylor allegedly pulled a gun on a family and another incident where he shot his cousin.

Taylor's attorney Christian Alexander says he believes the complaint is "frivolous" -- and says he's already spoken with witnesses who believe the whole thing is a shameless attempt to shake down a famous athlete.

Lindsay Lohan has dodged the orange jumpsuit ... because a judge has signed off on her community service hours, and for the first time in nearly 8 years, she's off probation!

Lilo’s lawyer, Shawn Holley, did the honors in court Thursday, getting the word from Hizzoner that Lindsay's in the clear.

As we first reported, Lindsay did what we thought was impossible ... completing 125 hours of community service in what looked like a probationary marathon ... every day, 8 hours a day, for more than 2 weeks.

The stakes were high ... if Lindsay didn't get the job done, she was probably going to jail.

If you’re trying to do the math: Lohan’s probation stemmed from a 2012 reckless driving case where she lied to police, but she’s been on probation since her 2007 run-in with the law for drug possession and DUI that landed her in a Lynwood, Calif. jail for 84 minutes.

With these charges cleared, Lohan can go back to being famous for ... you know, acting.

Check out Holley on her way into court -- huge sigh of relief for Lindsay. And also for herself.

Brittney Griner is getting SCREWED by the WNBA -- so says the WNBA Players Association, which claims Griner's 7 game suspension for domestic violence is "excessive and inappropriate."

We broke the story ... Griner and her wife Glory Johnson were each hit with 7 game suspensions after they were both arrested for attacking each other at their AZ home on April 22nd.

So far, neither woman has appealed the punishment -- but the WNBA strongly believes they should.

"There is a significant segment of the WNBA players who feel that, while a suspension may have been warranted, a suspension of seven games (20% of the season) is excessive and inappropriate," a WNBA P.A. rep tells TMZ Sports.

The P.A. says it's concerned that the punishment would set an unfair precedent for the league -- considering both women were first time offenders.

The P.A. also says a 7 game suspension would have a "significant economic impact" on the WNBA as a league.

But the biggest problem, according to the P.A., the organization says it can't formally fight the league without Griner and Johnson giving their blessing -- and so far, they've been mum.

Rick Ross is getting personal in his legal battle with 50 Cent ... saying the only reason 50 sued him is to cover up the fact he's just not as famous as he used to be.

As TMZ first reported, 50 sued Ross to cover his own ass in a lawsuit he's facing over a leaked sex tape ... claiming it is Ross' fault the video was posted in the first place ... so Ross should pay, not him.

But Ross -- through his lawyer, Xavier Donaldson -- says 50's only gunning for him in "another attempt to draw attention to his descending entertainment career and one of several desperate, last minute attempts he's made to avoid and deflect legal and financial responsibility for his own actions."

Damn.

So a rabbi and Ice Cube walk into a casino, and the rabbi catches an anti-Semitic fueled ass whuppin' -- at least that's what the rabbi's claiming, but Cube says that's a load of crap.

P. Taras, who says he's a rabbi ... tells TMZ he was at the MGM Detroit on May 24 when he literally bumped into Cube outside an elevator.

Taras claims he said something like ... hey, watch out -- and the rapper/actor responded by having his boys attack. While he was getting stomped, Taras claims he heard several epithets. He thinks that's because he was wearing a yarmulke.

Taras has filed a lawsuit against Cube for assault and battery, and wants $2 million for his troubles.