R. Kelly No Criminal Charges In NY Sexual Assault Case
R. Kelly won't face charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in a Long Island hotel room ... TMZ has learned.
We broke the story ... Faith Rodgers sued the singer last May, claiming he initiated "unwanted sexual contact" and had "abusive sex" with her in a Long Island hotel room after flying her to his concert in NY. She also reportedly filed a criminal report with Suffolk County PD in June.
But, according to an August 2018 supplemental police report -- obtained by TMZ -- Rodgers told cops that although they engaged in oral sex and sexual intercourse ... it was "without any verbal or physical resistance."
Cops say based on this -- along with the absence of any video or photo evidence of the incident from the hotel, law enforcement found the allegations to be "unprosecutable due to a lack of criminality."
R. Kelly's been off the hook for months, really ... we're told the case was never referred to the Suffolk County D.A.'s office for prosecution, so it had been closed last year.
As we reported, Rodgers secretly recorded R. Kelly in an attempt to get him to confess to sexually abusing her when she was 19 ... as well as plying her with drugs and alcohol and giving her an STD.
She also filed a criminal complaint in Dallas, but that case was recently closed for jurisdiction issues.
Rodgers' civil case against R. Kelly is still active.
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Bill Cosby Targeted by Drone Over Prison!!!
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EXCLUSIVE
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There's an eye in the sky over Bill Cosby, and Pennsylvania Prison officials are pissed about it ... TMZ has learned.
Cosby got an uninvited visitor last week when a drone was flown over his home away from home -- State Correctional Institute Phoenix. Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the drone made the pass while Cosby was being escorted around the yard. He gets an escort due to his blindness.
We're told prison security measures detected the drone and SCI Phoenix was immediately placed under lockdown for a full day. Prison officials believe a media outlet sent the drone to get a shot of 81-year-old Cosby ... who's doing 3 to 10 years for sexual assault.
It's unclear if the mission was a success. Our sources say Cosby's attorneys were notified of the breach.
For the record, all Pennsylvania prisons got drone detection systems last year as part of sweeping security upgrades.
The state's Dept. of Corrections tells us they don't discuss security matters.
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Ted Bundy Survivor I Don't Mind Zac Efron's Hot Take ... As Long as People Learn
Zac Efron starring as Ted Bundy is pissing off a lot of people who think a full-on heartthrob shouldn't be playing a serial killer -- but, one rare survivor of Bundy's killing spree thinks Zac's a perfect fit.
We spoke with Kathy Kleiner Rubin -- who was brutalized by Bundy at Florida State University's Chi Omega house in '78 -- and she tells us she doesn't really mind Efron's "hot take" as Bundy, or the trailer for "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile." It plays more like a fast-paced action flick than a dark portrayal of a serial killer.
Kathy concedes that the movie might treat its subject matter too lightly -- but, what's most important to her is that people realize Ted's true nature: charming and handsome on the outside, and a monster on the inside.
Kathy also has a warning for women everywhere ... BE AWARE!!!
She hopes Zac's Bundy movie and the new Netflix documentary teach people to be wary when dealing with a seemingly trustworthy face.
If 'Extremely Wicked' accomplishes that, Kathy says she'll be satisfied, even if it has to come with a little Hollywood flare.
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'Rock of Love' Star Lacey Sculls She & Hubby Sued Over Bar Brawl ... 1 Year Before Alleged Ear Bite
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EXCLUSIVE
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Former 'Rock of Love' star Lacey Sculls can't seem to avoid trouble in January -- and this month is no different, 'cause she's being sued again ... TMZ has learned.
A woman named Erin Skold just filed a suit against Lacey and her husband, Jonny, over an alleged brawl that broke out in January 2017 at the Hollywood bar, Boardner's -- during which Erin says she became a casualty as a result of Jonny and Lacey's conduct.
According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Erin claims she was minding her own business in the VIP section when all of a sudden Lacey and Jonny stormed in and started talking s**t to a separate lady who was nearby, and a fight broke out between them.
Erin says at one point, Jonny threw a drink, which happened to hit Erin. She also claims he charged the group as a whole, knocking Erin to the ground and landing on her. She claims she hit her head and suffered a concussion, a contusion and a twisted ankle while pinned to the floor.
Erin is suing both Jonny and Lacey for battery, claiming Lacey helped spark the melee -- although, it doesn't appear Lacey touched anyone. Erin's also suing the bar for allowing things to get so out of hand.
Remember, Lacey and Jonny are already facing another lawsuit from an alleged incident in January 2018 ... when a man says they both beat the crap out of him due to road rage, and that Lacey allegedly bit off a part of his ear.
They countersued and said the other guy was the one who was terrorizing them. Unclear what they'll say about this incident though.
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Blac Chyna, BF Kid Buu Violent Fight in Hawaii ... Cops Called
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EXCLUSIVE
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Blac Chyna's Hawaiian holiday went to hell fast, after paramedics and cops showed up at her hotel because of a physical fight between Chyna and her new boyfriend ... TMZ has learned.
We're told at around 5 AM, Chyna and Kid Buu were in their hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Honolulu when they got in a heated argument. We're told Chyna accused Kid Buu of cheating, and just before 7 AM it turned violent.
We're told Chyna scratched Kid Buu, and our sources say he then slammed her against the wall several times and choked her.
Someone called 911, and cops and paramedics arrived on scene.
Chyna was not taken to the hospital and, as far as we know, no one was seriously hurt.
As for Kid Buu, he left the hotel and posted in Spanish ... translation -- "Don't f**k with me, I'm a grown man." He followed it up with a homophobic slur.
It was a much different scene Sunday, when KB was grinding on Chyna by a pool in Hawaii.
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Tisha Campbell-Martin Accuses Duane of Physical Abuse I Won't 'Live in Fear' of Him
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Tisha Campbell-Martin claims her estranged husband has been abusive for years ... alleging he flew into a violent rage as recently as last month.
The "Martin" star filed for a restraining order against Duane Martin ... alleging he once punched her in the chest with a closed fist. In the docs, she says in December, Duane "grabbed me by my arm to try to get me in the bedroom." She claims she filed a police report in January about multiple alleged physical altercations.
According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Duane started physically, emotionally and mentally abusing Tisha at the start of their marriage in 1996. She says he berated her about her weight and inability to land roles because of it.
As for why she's speaking now ... Tisha says, "I can no longer live in fear of retaliation ... the need [to] press criminal charges for his acts overshadows the embarrassment of making his crimes against me public through this report."
A judge has now granted Tisha the temporary restraining order, which requires Duane to stay at least 100 yards away from her. As you know ... Tisha and Duane are in the middle of a bitter divorce.
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Roger Stone Sure, I Look Good in Stripes!!! But, Not the Ones Mueller Wants Me Wearing
Roger Stone touched down in D.C. looking fly ahead of his arraignment on federal charges, and he definitely had jumpsuit fashion on the brain -- but it ain't what you think.
We got President Trump's former campaign adviser at Reagan National Airport Monday, the day before he'll appear in front of a judge, and asked how he thought prison garb would suit him -- especially compared to his usual snazzy outfits.
Stone scoffed at the idea that he'd be wearing orange anytime soon, but he is embracing stripes.
As we reported ... Roger's homes in Florida and New York were raided by authorities last week when he was arrested and indicted on a slew of charges related to Robert Mueller's Russia investigation -- including false statements, witness tampering and obstruction.
He doesn't seem too concerned with those allegations, telling us he will plead not guilty and he has nothing to hide. As for whether he'll turn against Trump ... check out his answer.
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Kendall, Bella & Emily Model Agencies Facing Subpoenas for Fyre Festival Case
Kendall Jenner's company and modeling agencies for Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski could soon be slapped with subpoenas in a bankruptcy connected to the doomed Fyre Festival.
A judge gave the green light Monday for the companies repping the models to be subpoenaed ... potentially forcing them to fork over documents related to payments made by Fyre. As you know, festival organizer Billy McFarland hired a gang of models to hype up the event.
Emily, Bella, Hailey Bieber and other models appeared in the promo video, touting the festival as the place to be in spring 2017.
The subpoenas are part of an investigation as authorities try to unravel where approximately $26 million in investor money was spent before the festival came to a crashing halt, and Fyre Festival LLC went bankrupt. Specifically, the trustee wants answers on $5.2 million in payments made to agencies and artists.
According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, McFarland cut Kendall's Co. a check for $275k back in January 2017. Kendall then posted on Instagram, saying some of Kanye's artists would headline Fyre.
IMG Models -- which reps Bella Hadid, Bieber and Elsa Hosk -- received $1,214,976 from McFarland. DNA Modeling, which reps Emily, got $299k.
UTA -- another huge talent agency that received $90k --and Soulja Boy ($115k) could also be subpoenaed.
Of course, the Fyre Festival was a colossal disaster. Concertgoers plunked down thousands after they were promised a luxury oasis but instead were forced to sleep in tents. The food sucked too.
Didn't take long for authorities to pounce and make McFarland pay ... he got 6 years in prison. There's also a $100 million class-action lawsuit against McFarland and JaRule, his partner.
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R. Kelly Allegedly Threw Ex-GF into a Wall In Jealous Backstage Rage
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EXCLUSIVE
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R. Kelly chewed out his ex-girlfriend, Halle Calhoun, in a fit of jealousy, which allegedly sparked a physical attack after one of his concerts ... but R. Kelly's camp calls the accusation BS.
The sources connected to Halle say the attack went down sometime in 2017. Halle -- a Georgia woman who was 19 or 20 and living with the singer at the time -- was attending one of his concerts, and when he came backstage afterward, we're told he accused her of looking at another man.
We're told Halle took the first shot, shoving R. Kelly ... who retaliated by grabbing her by her clothes "around her neck" and tossing her like a rag doll into a wall. The alleged incident went down in front of multiple witnesses -- including Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary, we're told.
Halle was most upset R. Kelly had broken her necklace, a beloved cross that belonged to a family member. Our sources say there were at least 2 other violent incidents, including one where R. Kelly allegedly slapped Halle -- again, because he thought she had looked at a group of men as they entered a hotel.
A source close to R. Kelly denies the allegation and claims the singer is not violent. The source says if anything like that had happened, someone would have recorded video and sold it long ago.
Halle had been with R. Kelly for more than a year at the time of the alleged attack, but she ended up leaving him at the end of 2017. She's now back home in Georgia, and dating rapper Rocko.
One of our Halle sources said they all feel lucky she "got out in time."
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Trippie Redd Cops Plea Deal ... No Jail Time for ATL Fight Case!!!
Trippie Redd's striking a very sweet plea deal in his arrest for attacking a fellow rapper in Atlanta ... no jail time, and less than a year of probation ... TMZ has learned
Trippie entered a no contest plea to disorderly conduct and got 3 other charges dropped -- simple battery, fighting in public and criminal trespass ... never happened. He gets 6 months probation and has to pay $2,425 in restitution to the victim.
TMZ broke the story ... Trippie and his pal, Lil Wop, got busted last May for allegedly putting a beatdown on an ATL rapper named FDM Grady. FDM claimed the whole fight started because they dissed his GF.
He'll get a couple thousand for his troubles, but beyond that ... case closed.
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Jackson Family 'Leaving Neverland' is a Public Lynching ... MJ Was Found 'Innocent' in Court!!!
Michael Jackson's family is destroying the media and "vulture tweeters" who buy into the molestation claims put forward in "Leaving Neverland" -- a documentary they consider a "public lynching."
The family says "We are furious that the media, who without a shred of proof or single piece of physical evidence, chose to believe the word of two admitted liars over the word of hundreds of families and friends around the world who spent time with Michael, many at Neverland, and experienced his kindness and global generosity."
In the statement, the family never mentions the men featured in the documentary -- Wade Robson and James Safechuck -- by name, but only refers to them as "the two perjurers." That echoes statements from Jackson's estate which dismissed Robson and Safechuck as "admitted liars."
The family points out Michael's home was raided by cops, and when he went on trial he was "found to be COMPLETELY INNOCENT."
They add ... the documentary is not journalism because the filmmakers had an agenda and "were not interested in the truth."
As we reported, 'Neverland' drew standing ovations during its Sundance Film Festival debut last week.
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Rob Gronkowski Beefing Up Home Security ... After Last S.B. Burglary
Remember when a bunch of jerks burglarized Rob Gronkowski's home while he was playing in the Super Bowl last season??
His big bro says there's no way in hell that happens again next week ... 'cause Chris Gronkowski tells TMZ Sports the Pats superstar has beefed up his home security system!!!
Actually ... Chris says the reason Rob's Boston-area pad was broken into last year was because some of Gronk's roommates forgot to set the alarm.
But, Chris tells us that mistake won't happen again ... and even if it does -- Gronk's beefed up his security with a brand-new camera system.
"That place will be on lockdown for sure now."
FYI ... the 3 guys who broke into Rob's place last season and stole an Apple Watch, a Rolex, 2 rare coins and multiple firearms -- were all caught and arrested.
Now, Chris is warning the same thing will happen to anybody who tries it again, saying, "They're definitely going to get caught."
We also asked Chris about his Ice Shaker business -- the one A-Rod and Mark Cuban have famously invested in -- and ya gotta hear why he's banking on J. Lo to give the company a huge boost!!
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R. Kelly FBI Investigates Azriel Clary Flight When She Was a Minor
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EXCLUSIVE
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9:00 AM PT -- R. Kelly's attorney Steve Greenberg tells us, "Mr. Kelly has not violated the law. Certainly not the Mann Act. The story has flawed factual predicates. Beyond that, we remain unaware of any investigation, anywhere."
R. Kelly allegedly arranged a coast-to-coast trip for Azriel Clary when she was underage, and the FBI is now looking into the trip to see if R. Kelly committed a federal crime ... TMZ has learned.
Azriel, one of the women featured in "Surviving R. Kelly," was flown from Palm Springs to Phoenix to Orlando on May 25, 2015. She flew US Airways, leaving Cali at 6:57 AM and eventually landing in Florida at 4:09 PM.
A source connected to Azriel's family tells us the flights were arranged by a woman who was R. Kelly's assistant at the time.
Here's why it's potentially a big deal. Azriel was only 17 at that time and that means R. Kelly could have violated the Mann Act -- the federal act that makes it illegal to transport a minor across state lines for purposes of sex, debauchery or prostitution.
We're told the FBI just learned about the flights within the last week. As we reported ... the FBI has also been in touch with Joycelyn Savage's father multiple times in the last 18 months -- so it's clear the feds are taking the R. Kelly allegations seriously.
R. Kelly sources tell us the singer believes he did nothing wrong because he claims this signed note from Azriel's mom, Alice ... gave Kelly's assistant consent to care for Azriel.
It's not a great defense, because you can see it's dated Sept. 21, 2015 -- but Azriel made the trip back in May 2015. However, we're told R. Kelly's camp thinks the note shows her parents were generally willing to let Azriel travel with him.
He might end up having to make that point in court. Stay tuned.
Originally Published 1:00 AM
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Chris Hansen Got Cash for Bad Checks From N-Word Hurling Radio DJ
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EXCLUSIVE
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Well, this is random.
Turns out, when former "To Catch a Predator" host Chris Hansen came up with the money needed to get charges against him dropped for writing bad checks, he got a huge assist from a guy he never met ... with a troubling background.
Bob Romanik -- radio DJ for the St. Louis area station 1190 KQQZ-AM, best known for calling Waka Flocka the n-word -- tells TMZ ... he reached out to Hansen when he heard about his financial troubles and offered to help him out.
Romanik says he thinks Chris is a good guy who's done good work, so he gave him nearly $13,000 to square up with a mom-and-pop shop in Stamford, CT. We broke the story ... the cash got Hansen out of a jam with prosecutors, who decided to drop his larceny case.
Romanik isn't looking for Hansen to return him any favors either, but he does tell us if Chris starts another project busting predators and helping children ... he'd like to invest in the noble cause.
What's not noble ... is Romanik's history of dropping racial slurs on the air. As we told you, he went on a racist rant back in 2017 after Waka Flocka wiped his ass with a Trump jersey. Bob called the rapper a "greasy black n***** son of a bitch" -- and he hasn't stopped using the n-word since.
In fact, Romanik has responded to criticism for his racist comments by saying it's his First Amendment right ... and he'll stop saying the n-word when rappers stop saying it.
Missouri State Senator Jamilah Nasheed called for the FCC to remove Romanik's license last year for his hate speech, but as far as we know ... he's still on the air.
BTW -- Bob's station is billed as "Kool Killer Kountry" ... with 3 Ks for initials. Seriously.
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Chris Brown Back in the U.S. After Paris Rape Case Drama
Chris Brown's touched down in the USA, less than a week after being arrested overseas for allegedly raping a woman ... something he strongly denies, and led him to file a defamation suit.
CB landed in a private jet with his crew at the Van Nuys airport outside L.A. Saturday afternoon. Everyone looked pretty chill after the long flight ... and what was surely a turbulent week in Paris.
As we reported ... Brown was arrested by French police Monday after a woman claimed she was raped by the singer in his hotel suite. CB was released on his own recognizance without bail hours later, though, and free to leave France ... though he stuck around for work.
While the rape case hasn't been dismissed, we're told police had big problems with the accuser's version of events ... which factored into their decision to let Brown go.
Chris also has a problem with her accusations, and he's taken action by filing a defamation suit and criminal case against her Thursday morning.
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Charles Manson Follower I'm a Legit Artist ... Lady Gaga Film Used My Music!!!
Bobby Beausoleil -- one of Charles Manson's followers who's been in prison for murder for almost 49 years -- is on the verge of getting out, and he might have a Lady Gaga documentary to thank for helping his case.
If you don't know, Beausoleil's not considered part of the Manson "family," but he was an associate and was convicted of first-degree murder in 1970. Despite an initial life sentence, he was recommended for parole by a California parole panel earlier this month ... after being rejected 18 times before.
According to transcripts from his parole hearing, Beausoleil was asked several questions about his music and art in relation to his connection to Manson, and he made it clear ... his art stands alone.
To prove his point ... Beausoleil pointed out the soundtrack he provided for the 1972 short film "Lucifer Rising" was sampled in the 2017 documentary about Lady Gaga, "Gaga: Five Foot Two."
Beausoleil told the parole board ... "The Lady Gaga documentary used a portion of it ... and it has been used in other films." He added ... "It is respected on its own merits as art ... I think it is important to try to see it as something that is not representative of something that is related to Manson."
We looked into it, and his story checks out ... 2 tracks from "Lucifer Rising" were used in the Gaga doc, and Bobby is credited as the writer.
It's unclear if Lady Gaga had any input about the musical selections for the doc -- which was directed by Chris Moukarbel -- but we reached out to her rep ... no word back so far.
Either way, Beausoleil's overall pitch to the panel worked on the 19th try, because they found him suitable for parole. Next up ... the Board of Parole Hearings will review the case and if it approves, the case will go to recently elected Gov. Gavin Newsom, who can decide to approve or block his release.