NBA's Tyreke Evans Banned 2 Years Violating Anti-Drug Program
Tyreke Evans is getting the O.J. Mayo treatment ... 'cause the NBA vet has been BANNED from the league for violating the NBA's anti-drug program.
The details about Evans' violation is unclear -- we don't know what specific substance he's accused of using. The 29-year-old will be able to file for reinstatement in 2 years.
The bizarre part of the story is that Evans had ZERO previous public drug violations in his 10-year NBA career, before this situation.
Evans was the 4th overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in 2009 and was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2010.
The Indiana Pacers -- Evans' former team -- released a statement on Friday, saying, "We take these matters seriously and will reach out to Tyreke to offer our support."
As for O.J. Mayo, he was suspended for violating the NBA's anti-drug program back in July 2016 -- and he hasn't played in the NBA since.
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Kodak Black Too Risky for Bail ... So Say the Feds
Kodak Black is a danger to society and needs to be kept behind bars ... so say federal prosecutors who indicted him.
According to new legal docs ... the rapper's criminal history -- which typically involves firearms and drugs -- is a huge flag ... and prosecutors say he's never complied with the conditions of his probation in the past, so he'll do it again if he's released on bail.
They say Kodak's pattern of behavior is "to be arrested, get released, get arrested, get released, get arrested, get released, and so on and so on."
The docs point out that Kodak's crimes have also been "substantial and violent" ... including an armed carjacking and robbery in 2012 and possession of a weapon and fleeing police in 2016. They also tie him to a shooting in March.
Federal prosecutors argue there's no reason to believe Kodak can be trusted on the streets while he awaits trial for his latest case.
However, his attorney, Bradford Cohen, believes differently ... telling us, "If they were in such fear for the community as its being alleged, why didn't they pick him up soon after he filled out the paperwork in January? That's what this charge is about, paperwork, a non-violent crime."
As we reported ... the rapper was arrested at Rolling Loud last weekend for allegedly lying on 2 gun applications. He's also in the middle of a criminal case for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl in 2016.
The judge has yet to rule on Kodak's bail.
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'Step Up Revolution' Director Pleads Not Guilty Arson, Domestic Violence
11:10 AM PT -- Speer just entered a not guilty plea to all charges. His lawyer, Shawn Holley, said during Friday's arraignment, he's been sober now for 29 days and is currently in a Utah rehab facility. Sources connected to Speer tell TMZ, he's never had such an incident occur before and is "distraught and devastated." Holley tells TMZ, "Scott is doing everything in his power to address the issues which led to this incident."
Scott Speer's been hit with 5 felony charges for an alleged domestic violence incident that culminated with him trying to set fire to his family's home.
The L.A. County District Attorney's Office charged the "Step Up Revolution" filmmaker with arson and domestic violence as expected, but tacked on 3 more felony counts -- one each for child abuse, criminal threats and resisting arrest.
The details of the alleged child abuse are unclear, but he's looking at some serious prison time if he's convicted on all counts. On the arson charge alone he faces up to 8 years.
We broke the story ... Speer was arrested at his San Fernando Valley home last month after he allegedly roughed up his wife in a drunken rage and tried to burn the house down by igniting a broom.
Fortunately, he was unsuccessful, but he still got hauled off to jail when cops and firefighters showed up.
Originally Published -- 12:20 AM PT
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NBA YoungBoy Back Behind Bars ... For Probation Violation After Miami Shooting
1:40 PM PT -- NBA's attorney, Jimmy Manasseh, tells us the rapper was only taken into custody because of his social media post ... and says NBA was the victim of an assassination attempt. Manasseh says NBA didn't have a weapon and didn't commit any crimes ... calling the whole thing a terrible and tragic incident.
NBA YoungBoy has been playing with fire on social media, and now -- in the wake of his Miami shooting incident -- he got burned, because cops arrested him for violating his probation.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the rapper was taken into custody immediately following a hearing in East Baton Rouge Friday, and he'll be detained for at least 30 days.
District Judge Bonnie Jackson ruled his involvement in the Miami fatal shooting last weekend, along with a social media post about it, constituted a probation violation -- even though he was the target, not the shooter.
As we reported, YoungBoy and his crew were shot at on Mother's Day outside the Trump Beach Resort near Miami, and at least one person was killed. We obtained video of the wild scene inside the hotel following the gunfire, in which the rapper rushes to the side of his GF, Kay Marie, who was hit by a bullet.
In the vid, YoungBoy's seen applying pressure to her wound as he and others try to get her to the hospital. She was eventually taken by ambulance after authorities pulled over the SUV they got in to leave the hotel.
The judge ordered the rapper detained Friday, citing the shooting and a social media post in which it appears YoungBoy talks about the shooting and threatens retaliation.
The post violates his probation from an August 2017 sentence for aggravated assault with a firearm. The judge put him on probation for 3 years after giving him a suspended 10-year prison term, and one of the conditions was that he stays off social media.
The thing is, YoungBoy's been all over social media prior to the shooting ... so, it doesn't appear he's been sticking the rules, anyway.
He's been arrested twice since then -- in Florida in 2018 and in Georgia earlier this year for weed and disorderly conduct.
We reached out to the rapper's team ... no word back so far.
Originally Published -- 9:38 AM PT
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Kanye West Former Associate Sued Allegedly Forged Signature for Millions
Kanye West's former friend and G.O.O.D. Music associate, Malik Yusef, is being sued for allegedly forging Ye's signature and making millions of dollars in the process.
Gentle Monster -- a Korean-based fashion brand known for its eyewear -- claims Yusef scammed the company out of $2.5 million by promising Kanye would create a video for the company. GM says Yusef even set up a meeting between Kanye and a rep for the brand, making it seem like Ye was on board for the whole thing. Kanye allegedly had no clue there was any type of business deal in place.
According to the lawsuit -- obtained by TMZ -- Kanye wasn't the only celeb Yusef promised to deliver ... he also claimed Pharrell, Jaden Smith and others would help out with the project.
GM says Yusef's scam was elaborate -- spanning over 9 months -- and included forged signatures from Kanye and phony invoices made to appear like they were sent from legit talent agencies.
The lawsuit claims GM became suspicious of Yusef's plan when he finally submitted a video to them in February 2019 that barely reflected any of the brand's wishes. The ending credits allegedly said both Kanye and Pharrell wrote and produced the music.
This is not true. Kanye is not involved and did not produce this song. https://t.co/Y2PcdK9uV9
@KimKardashian
Gentle Monster released the project -- touting Kanye's involvement -- and to the brand's horror, Kim Kardashian tweeted her hubby had nothing to do with it ... causing GM to pull the video.
It's not the first time Yusef has used Kanye's name for his own personal gain ... it was back in February when he allegedly forged Kanye's signature for a deal to perform at Philipp Plein's NYFW show. The performance never happened, and Yusef made off with a ton of money, which he later returned.
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UFC's Rachael Ostovich Husband Sentenced In Dom. Violence Case
The estranged husband of UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich just got 4 years probation in his domestic violence case ... stemming from a violent attack back in November.
Arnold Berdon -- who's also an MMA fighter -- was initially arrested for attempted murder after Ostovich claimed he beat the hell out of her and fractured her eye socket.
Ostovich initially pulled out of a high-profile UFC fight with Paige VanZant due to the injury -- but was later cleared by a different doctor. Ostovich ultimately lost the fight.
As for Berdon ... after his initial arrest, prosecutors downgraded the charge to 2nd-degree assault -- and he pled no contest back in March.
Berdon was sentenced on Thursday to 4 years probation -- which appears to be a good deal for Berdon considering he was facing up to 5 years in prison.
Ostovich filed for divorce from Berdon after the attack -- and that case is still pending.
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Logan Paul Sued by Flobots for 'No Handlebars' ... Ya Know Us Now, Logan?!?
Logan Paul's musical feud with the hip-hop band Flobots is now coming to a courtroom -- the band's had enough of Logan's sense of humor, so it's suing his ass.
The Flobots and Logan have been going back and forth ever since the YouTube star decided to parody their song, "Handlebars" with his cheeky take entitled, "No Handlebars." Based on the lawsuit, it seems it was all fun and games until Logan told one of our photogs he's "not really sure" who the Flobots are.
Burn.
So now, the band is letting them know who they are. In their lawsuit, the Flobots rip Logan for jacking their song. Parody is one thing, but the band says he crossed the line by copying way too many elements of "Handlebars."
In the docs, obtained by TMZ, they say Logan's song deliberately emulated their trumpet riff, their melody ... and "the lyrics are nearly identical for four successive bars."
Flobots are suing to get an injunction shutting Logan's song, and to get the profits he made off his parody. According to the suit, Forbes estimated in 2017 that Logan made $150k per Facebook post and $80k for his sponsored IG posts.
Their point ... dude's got money by the buckets, and we want our cut.
For what it's worth, it appears Logan's already deleted his "No Handlebars" music video.
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Julio Urias Investigation 'No Intent to Injure'
Multiple law enforcement sources tell TMZ Sports ... the domestic violence case against Dodgers star pitcher Julio Urias is "weak" based on the evidence.
We're told the video of the incident does show Urias making physical contact with the woman during the March 13 altercation in the Beverly Center parking lot -- but as one source puts it, "It doesn't appear there's criminal intent to injure her."
One source says it appears Urias used his hands in an attempt to stop her from leaving the area during a heated argument.
In other words, it seems as though he was trying to restrain her, not strike her ... though the woman DID go to the ground at some point during the argument.
We're not trying to minimize the seriousness of the situation -- but rather, this is what we're being told by people who are involved in the case.
We're told both parties have been very cooperative with investigators and are telling consistent stories about what happened.
Urias was arrested for misdemeanor battery and spent the night in jail. He was released Tuesday morning on $20,000 bond.
Major League Baseball has placed Urias on administrative leave while they gather evidence.
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Kareem Hunt Wants to Apologize to Victim 'Haven't Had the Chance'
Kareem Hunt says he has NOT directly apologized to the victim in the 2018 hotel hallway attack -- but he wants to.
"I have not, but if I was to see her, I would apologize to her face," the Cleveland Browns running back told the media Wednesday.
"But, I have not had the chance to do that. I don't know any ways of contacting her. I have not."
Hunt was asked a bunch of questions about the incident -- and how he's been trying to improve as a person since TMZ Sports published the video of the attack.
Hunt says he's been going to counseling and has leaned into religion -- he's being baptized this Sunday and looks forward to the feeling of "being reborn."
The 23-year-old says he understands he's on thin ice with the Browns and feels grateful for his 2nd chance ... and vows to make the most of the opportunity.
Hunt insists he's grown as a person and has learned how to deal with his anger in a better way -- and will NOT make the same mistakes that got him in trouble in the first place.
MMA's Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson Pleads Not Guilty In Domestic Violence Case
Ex-UFC star Anthony "Rumble" Johnson is fighting back in his domestic violence case -- pleading not guilty to allegations he roughed up his girlfriend during a dispute earlier this month.
TMZ Sports broke the story ... the 35-year-old fighter was arrested in Palm Beach County, Florida on May 6 after his girlfriend told cops Johnson got physical with her during an argument.
According to the police report, Johnson told cops at the time he DID pick up the woman to carry her to another room because he was sick of arguing ... but insists he never intended to hurt her.
Johnson was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery -- and his attorney just submitted a not guilty plea on the fighter's behalf.
If he's convicted, Johnson faces up to 1 year in jail.
Johnson already has a domestic violence conviction on his record from 2009 -- when he pled no contest in an incident involving an ex-girlfriend.
He's due back in court for the current case next month.
Johnson -- who retired from fighting in 2017 -- was 22-6 as a pro with wins over stars like Glover Teixeira, Ryan Bader and Alexander Gustafsson.
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Alec Baldwin No Punch in Parking Spot Fight ... Check the Tapes!!!
Alec Baldwin's foe in a bitter battle over a parking spot lied when he said Alec punched him ... and the actor says he has video to prove it.
In new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Baldwin's attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, say there's video surveillance footage proving he didn't punch or attempt to punch Wojciech Cieszkowski during their parking squabble in November ... squarely contradicting the man's story.
Instead, Baldwin claims the footage shows both men standing face-to-face during their argument before Alec "lightly taps" the other guy's chest. Baldwin is adamant ... claiming he never threw a punch, and now says the video irrefutably backs him up.
In the docs, Baldwin also claims Cieszkowski's own medical records prove he didn't suffer any injuries ... and get this, Baldwin claims the guy's doctor recommended he take a SINGLE Tylenol and that's it.
11/2/18
As we reported ... Baldwin was arrested for assault after the incident, but cut a deal in January to plead guilty to a lesser charge of harassment in the 2nd degree and accept anger management classes as punishment.
But, that wasn't the end of it. Cieszkowski sued Baldwin last month for assault and slander, maintaining the actor punched, shoved and ruined his reputation by going on 'The Ellen Show' and saying he thought Cieszkowski was going to run over his wife with the car.
As for the slander allegations ... Baldwin's calling BS and says his comments to Ellen were just opinion.
Bottom line ... Alec's lawyers are asking the judge to toss the case.
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Fugees' Pras Obama Donations Were Legal!!! And Yes, I Have a New 'Elon Musk' Record
Fugees rapper Pras wants to set the record straight about the feds claiming he illegally sunk millions into President Obama's coffers, or as he'd put it ... check out my new music!!!
Seriously, it really went down that way when Pras joined us Tuesday on "TMZ Live." He addressed the indictment head-on ... revealing federal agents nearly raided him during a recording session. But, when we asked point blank if he'd had any financial dealings with Malaysian financer Jho Low -- who the feds claim funneled illegal donations through Pras -- things got weird.
Pras says he plans to respond directly to the federal indictment -- but only on his upcoming EP, which he's entitled, "Elon Musk." Apparently, it's dropping next month ... as he mentioned at least half a dozen times.
He also copped to making donations to Obama, but says they were fully on the up and up. Just as importantly, Pras would say, he has an EP coming out!!!
Can't recall the name of it.
Pras has been pretty consistent with denying any nefarious activity with Jho Low, whom he acknowledges he's met, but shoots down any type of relationship.
He told us at LAX a few months back he thought the government was coming after him because he's black. Still, Pras says he'll beat the rap because, unlike many others, he can afford a great attorney.
In closing, we think he'd like to say ... ELONMUSKELONMUSKELONMUSKELONMU...
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Paul Pierce Sued Over Altercation At Conor vs. Khabib Fight
10/6/18
NBA legend Paul Pierce is being sued over an altercation with a security guard in the stands at the Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov fight ... TMZ Sports has learned.
The man behind the suit is Christopher Mostello -- who was working security at the T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 6, 2018, for UFC 229 when he got called over by a supervisor to respond to an incident involving Pierce.
Mostello claims he rushed over and was told Pierce had gotten aggressive and physical with the security supervisor -- a woman -- because she had asked for his ticket before allowing him back to his seat.
Mostello claims he was told Pierce grabbed the woman by the arms and pushed her to the side -- so he stepped in front of Paul to try and stop him.
But, Mostello claims Paul didn't stop -- instead Paul screamed "F*ck you" and accused Mostello of being a racist.
Footage of the altercation was captured by other fans in the stands and posted on TMZ Sports -- where you can clearly hear Pierce call the man a racist.
Mostello claims he's NOT a racist -- and he only engaged Pierce in the capacity of doing his job.
Now, Mostello claims his reputation has taken a serious hit and he's been subjected to public embarrassment, harassment and ridicule.
In the suit, filed by attorney Jesse Sbaih, Mostello accuses Pierce of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He's demanding more than $15,000 in damages plus attorney's fees and other costs.
We reached out to Pierce for comment -- so far, no word back.
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Boxer Kubrat Pulev Must Complete Sexual Harassment Course ... For Kissing Reporter
Heavyweight boxer Kubrat Pulev -- who kissed a female reporter without consent -- has been ordered to complete a sexual harassment course in order to be licensed to fight in California again.
Pulev appeared in front of the California State Athletic Commission on Tuesday to address the March 23 incident when he kissed reporter Jenny Sushe during a post-fight interview.
Bruh wtf is this interview man lmao! Pulev is alpha af. (Watch until end) pic.twitter.com/sUoiqFprhi
@BoxingNbt
Sushe claimed she did NOT give permission for Pulev to kiss her -- and hired attorney Gloria Allred to go after the 38-year-old fighter.
CSAC had suspended Pulev indefinitely following the incident -- but when the boxer faced the Commission in person on Tuesday, they agreed to reinstate him on July 22 if he completes a sexual harassment training course.
Pulev must also pay a $2,500 fine within 6 months from the incident -- and if he commits any similar offenses in the future, he could face a lifetime ban in California.
During the hearing, the CSAC commissioner lectured Pulev about the incident -- telling him he needs to understand why his actions are unacceptable and dangerous.
Pulev said he understood and wants to get back to work fighting as soon as possible.
Pulev is 27-1 as a pro -- with his only loss coming at the hands of Wladimir Klitschko.
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Nipsey Hussle Baby Mama Breaks Down in Tears At Daughter's Guardianship Hearing
Nipsey Hussle's family and the woman who gave birth to his daughter had an emotional showdown in court ... which left his baby mama in tears.
Nipsey's sister, Samantha Smith, and his brother, Blacc Sam, appeared in L.A. County Superior Court Tuesday for a hearing on the guardianship of the rapper's 10-year-old daughter, Emani Asghedom. Emani's mother, Tanisha, was at the hearing as well and broke down crying when she saw her daughter for the first time in what she said was months.
The courtroom was cleared for 20 minutes while Tanisha and Emani spent some time together. However, the hearing was pushed until Friday when a final decision is to be made on custody and finances.
We broke the story ... Samantha filed legal docs requesting guardianship last month because our sources say she believes the child's biological mother is unable to care for her.
Nipsey took care of Emani before he was killed, but Samantha says she's helped raise her too and is seeking legal guardianship "to ensure the continued stability for Emani and ensure that she will be able to maintain her current and ongoing relationship" with their family.
Nipsey's brother, Blacc Sam, has also filed a declaration in support of Samantha getting guardianship of their niece. Meanwhile, Sam's in a legal fight of his own to take control of his brother's estate ... including $2 million worth of assets.
As you know ... Nipsey was gunned down on March 31 outside his Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles. The suspected murderer, Eric Holder, pled not guilty in April ... but he needs a new lawyer after Christopher Darden quit the case.
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Britney Spears' Mom My Daughter's Doing 'Wonderful'
Britney Spears has had a rough go of it in 2019, but her mom says despite the problem, her kid is doing great.
Lynne was in Thousand Oaks Monday -- near where Britney lives -- and a photog asked if her famous daughter was being held against her will. As you know, there's been a social media campaign to "Free Britney," and both Lynne and Britney are down with the concept, but Lynne is mum.
As for how she's doing ... Lynne says "wonderful."
Lynne, who was leaving an iPhone repair shop, has been staying with Britney for more than a week, and is squarely at odds with Jamie Spears, who has been his daughter's conservator for more than 11 years.
As we reported, Britney has not been doing well. Her meds stopped working earlier this year -- meds that have put symptoms of her mental illness in check -- and doctors have had a hard time finding a new combination that works.
Britney recently completed a 30-day stint at an L.A. mental health facility. She now says she was being held against her will. As we reported, Jamie Spears does not have the power to involuntarily commit her, and a mental health facility that would hold someone against their will under such circumstances would be guilty of a crime. Also, Britney had day passes where she could have bolted, but didn't.
The judge in the conservatorship case has ordered a complete evaluation of Britney to determine if the conservatorship should continue. We're told the judge will make her decision in September.