CELEBRITY JUSTICE ™

5:25 PM PT -- TMZ has just obtained a demand letter written by Meek's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, to the Cosmopolitan. Tacopina writes, "... we have learned that the Cosmopolitan maintains a list of African American recording artists who should be denied access for no other reason than than their culture and skin color. Such course of conduct constitutes discrimination per se, in violation of state and federal law, and exposes you to significant monetary damages."

The letter goes on -- "...we urge you to promptly issue an apology to Mr. Williams and grant him immediate access. In the event you fail to heed this one and only warning, we intend to pursue all legal recourse against you."

Meek Mill was just told to get the hell away from the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas -- and that if he didn't leave ... he'd be arrested and locked up.

The Philly rapper and 2 members of his security rolled up to the Cosmo at around 3:30 PM PT Saturday when they were stopped by security. You see in this video ... security was not about to let Meek inside the hotel.

Our sources say Meek asked the guard why he couldn't come in, saying he didn't do anything untoward in the past -- he had only been there once before, with Nicki Minaj for a Jay-Z event 5 years ago.

Security made it clear ... if Meek got out of the car, he'd be arrested. Meek, who was there to see a DJ Mustard show, continued to ask why he was being denied, but the guard said, "I don't know why."

Meek's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, tells TMZ, the head of security made it clear -- the decision to ban Meek came from above ... the security chief said, "This comes from way higher up than me."

Tacopina says he spoke with someone whom he says is "a well-placed person inside the hotel" ... whom Tacopina says told him a group of hotels have tried to keep rappers out of the hotels. Tacopina claims it's racially motivated, saying, "They wouldn't ban Vanilla Ice."

Meek himself addressed the altercation on social media, writing in part ... "Cosmopolitan hotel/casino going to extreme racist levels to keep too many black entertainers and black people .... they said they gone lock me up."

He added, "Some of these casinos have a bunch of Tatics to keep the level of blacks down .... but love to take our money!!!! This happens to a lot of black entertainers not just me either!!"

We've reached out to the Cosmopolitan for clarification on why Meek was denied entry ... so far, no word back.

President Trump is back to bashing Jussie Smollett and his criminal case in Chicago -- this time insinuating the real hate crime was against him and his supporters.

DT took to Twitter Saturday, and seemingly out of nowhere ... he brought up the Smollett case again, saying that on top of great incompetence and corruption, the Smollett case "is also about a Hate Crime." Doesn't sound like he's referring to the crime Jussie reported either.

The Prez went on to write, "Remember, 'MAGA COUNTRY DID IT!' That turned out to be a total lie, had nothing to do with 'MAGA COUNTRY.'" Trump ended his tweet by saying, "Serious stuff, and not even an apology to millions of people!"

At first glance, it would appear 45 could be referring to the alleged hate crime Jussie claimed to be a victim of -- but on a second read, it kinda sounds like Trump believes the true hate crime was against "MAGA COUNTRY" ... and, in effect, himself too.

You'll recall ... Jussie's criminal case was dismissed, which only cost him a few thousand dollars and some community service. Although the Cook County State Attorney's Office insisted their decision wasn't an exoneration, Jussie doubled down and maintained his innocence.

This ain't the first time Trump has brought up Jussie's case -- it's actually the third. He tweeted about it soon after Cook County cut him loose, and then used the "Empire" actor as a rallying cry in Wisconsin later the same day.

Brandon Browner is now being accused of much more than attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend -- 'cause she's suing him, and claiming multiple instances of domestic violence.

The former Seattle Seahawks star was just sued by his ex for multiple alleged attacks that she says occurred between 2016 and 2018 -- including the attempted murder case last year, for which he was convicted and is currently serving 8 years in prison.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, the woman says she'd suffered numerous acts of violence at the hands of Browner dating back to July 2016, when she says they were still a couple. Three alleged incidents she details from that year include him hitting her across the face on one occasion, making her lose consciousness on another, and inflicting a carpet burn on her face on yet another.

In 2017, Browner's ex claims he attacked her two different times while she slept -- once, allegedly picking her up by the neck, slamming her onto the bed and then chasing her through the street in her undergarments. During a separate incident, she says he punched her repeatedly in the thigh while she slept, leaving severe pain and bruising.

Come 2018, the woman alleges Browner broke into her home one month before the attempted murder and pinned her down to a couch for 15 minutes, threatening to hurt her and eventually making off with her phone and keys. In July, she says he broke in again ... and tried killing her in front of their kids.

The details are harrowing -- Browner's ex claims he broke into her place through a window, dragged her back into the house, smothered her face into the carpet to the point she almost lost consciousness ... and then brought her and their two kids out to the living room to petrify them further.

Stan Lee's former business partner was just picked up by cops after being charged for elder abuse ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us Keya Morgan was taken into custody Saturday morning in Scottsdale, AZ -- this after a warrant was issued for his arrest last week. The circumstances surrounding his arrest remain unclear for now.

As we reported ... a judge issued the warrant after Morgan was charged with 5 separate counts of elder abuse out of LA County. The docs stated that the alleged misconduct took place in June 2018, but Stan himself wasn't named as an alleged victim.

It ain't hard to connect the dots here though -- Stan's team filed a restraining order against Morgan a month later, July 2018, claiming the guy had mishandled more than $5 million of the Marvel legend's money ... and that Stan had suffered physical and emotional injuries at the hands of Morgan, who was looking over him around that time.

Keya issued a statement to us last year, completely denying the allegations against him and vowing to clear his name. He said, "This is a witchhunt by his daughter and her lawyer against me because she cannot stand the fact Stan likes me so much. I will 100% prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the allegations against me are false. The truth will come out."

One of the prisoners Kim Kardashian helped free is now in global demand ... job offers are pouring in everyday ... such is the power of the Princess of Prison Reform.

The freed inmate, Paul Algarin, tells TMZ ... he's been getting hit up by people all over the world -- from Nigeria, the UK and beyond -- who want to team up with him in some fashion. Among the offers -- modeling and work in a tattoo parlor.

Paul's also been approached to help with prison reform. He benefited immensely after writing a letter to Kim after learning about her prison reform work. To his surprise, she responded and he was freed April 19 ... after serving 7 years at Central Prison in North Carolina.

As we reported ... Kim and Kanye West visited Paul and his family earlier this month in Charlotte. Kimye also brought a doctor to help start the face tattoo removal process so he can have a fresh start post-incarceration. Kim and Kanye are covering costs for the procedure.

Paul says the visit alone proved incredibly inspiring to one day get to Kim and Kanye's level.

Hip-hop artist Sosamann was allegedly involved in cajoling 2 young women to come to California with promises of living the Hollywood dream ... then forcing them to turn tricks instead.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the women were arrested in a prostitution sting in L.A. earlier this month, and during police questioning they claimed the rapper and others lured them to the West Coast, then forced them into selling themselves for sex.

The women also claim they were unable to escape.

We're told cops investigated and arrested a group of people for human trafficking ... including the rapper.

Sosamann was arrested and booked on a felony charge on May 11, but was released the next day after posting a $100k bail. He's due in court next month.

No further details are available, but we're told the investigation is ongoing.

Sosamann's been around for a few years, but recently released a track featuring NBA YoungBoy titled "Who I Am."

Dennis Rodman says he doesn't hit people -- and never has in his life -- so the latest claim that he randomly smacked a guy at a bar is total BS.

TMZ Sports got Rodman in Orange County, CA Friday and asked about what allegedly went down last week in Delray Beach, Florida ... he didn't want to divulge much, but he clearly denies any sort of assault.

We broke the story ... 30-year-old Jeff Soulouque claims the former NBA rebound king slapped him at the Buddha Sky Bar on May 17 "unprovokedly," which injured his eye. He filed a police report the next day.

Cops investigated, and found a witness named David Lee Roth -- but not THE David Lee Roth -- who corroborated Soulouque's story.

Rodman's been listed as an official suspect in an alleged battery as police continue their investigation, but he doesn't seem too worried about it. He insists "nothing happened" ... and his lawyers are dealing with it.

Rodman's attorney, Lorne Berkeley, already told us Dennis denies the allegations and adds that he was sober the entire night in question and nobody he was with saw a slapping incident.

Remy Ma's been hit with a new criminal complaint for allegedly punching Brittney Taylor ... and there are some very significant updates.

Prosecutors filed 4 charges against the rapper Friday -- 2 counts of assault in the third degree, 1 count of aggravated harassment in the second degree, and 1 count of harassment in the second degree ... all of which are misdemeanors.

The charges stem from an incident in April, in which Remy allegedly punched the "Love & Hip Hop: New York" star in the right eye while backstage at the Pretty Lou Benefit Concert at Irving Plaza in NYC. She was initially booked for misdemeanor assault after turning herself in ... but prosecutors have now made the multiple charges official.

Here's what's interesting ... Remy's attorney, Dawn Florio, tells TMZ that prosecutors have updated the time in which they claim the attack went down, from 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM. We're told they still do not have any video of the alleged attack.

However, the timing is important because as we told you ... Remy claimed she had visual proof she was nowhere near the venue or Taylor at the time she was accused of punching her, which was 9:30. Now that's been updated to an hour later to match up with the rapper being present at the concert.

Though she's facing 4 charges, we're told Remy has been offered a deal to plead guilty to just the top charge -- assault in the third degree -- and the rest will be dropped. She'd also have to enter a long-term anger management program.

5/24 9:30 AM PT -- Batali appeared in court and pled not guilty. He was released on his own recognizance but ordered to stay away from and have no contact with the alleged victim. His next court date's in July, but he does not have to be there.

Mario Batali allegedly forced himself on a woman in a Boston restaurant -- kissing and groping her without consent -- and now prosecutors are charging him.

The disgraced chef and restaurateur was hit with indecent assault and battery charges for the alleged incident in March 2017. He's expected to be arraigned in a Boston courthouse Friday.

As we've reported ... several women came forward last year and accused Batali of sexual harassment and other misconduct. He's already had three other cases dropped in NYC due to insufficient evidence.

Batali's denied claims of sexual assault, but the series of allegations led to him getting cut from his business group and surrendering all of his restaurants. He was also axed from the show "The Chew."

Along with the new criminal charge, he's facing a sexual assault lawsuit from a woman named Natali Tene who claims Batali kissed and groped her against her will in a Boston bar.

It's unclear if Tene is also the alleged victim in the criminal case -- the name has been redacted in court docs. However, there are reports she is.

Luann de Lesseps felt the cold steel of handcuffs Thursday, but she's NOT going back to jail for violating her probation by downing a couple of mimosas.

The 'Real Housewives of New York' star went before a Florida judge and during the hearing they put her in cuffs ... but the State's Attorney for Palm Beach County State tells TMZ ... she was not taken to jail ... contrary to several reports.

As we've reported ... Luann recently told her probation officer she had "2 glasses of mimosas after a performance" in Chicago. That's a major no-no because she's supposed to stay away from booze for a whole year under the plea deal she struck in her drunken arrest case.

We're told the court didn't believe she was taking her probation seriously -- so the judge ordered additional probation conditions for Luann. They include keeping a breathalyzer in her car, weekly telephone counseling, monthly in-person meetings with a psychiatrist and taking the prescription drug Antabuse ... which treats alcoholism.

Mama June needs help -- and her family recognized as much when they confronted her in an intervention, which features MJ in a decrepit state ... busted teeth and all.

June was sat down by a roomful of family members earlier this month in a staged intervention that went down at her sister's home. With the help of Dr. Ish Major, her family pled with her to straighten out her life ... which appears to mostly be falling on deaf ears here.

One of the more heartbreaking moments ... June's youngest daughter, Alana -- aka Honey Boo Boo -- breaks down crying at one point, saying she wants to move back home.

Check it out ... Mama June has become a shell of herself since she got arrested for possession of crack cocaine in March with boyfriend Geno Doak. Her teeth -- which she'd recently gotten fixed up -- are literally falling apart. She also collapses on camera.

We've also obtained a clip -- that will air this week -- of June's daughter, Pumpkin, and her sister discussing June's arrest from earlier this year.

Rather than stay away from Geno -- like her family has suggested, and a judge ordered -- she's been shacking up with him since the arrest ... and has been hitting the slots on and off a lot as well. BTW ... we're told Geno wasn't present for the intervention.

As we've reported ... HBB has had to move in with her older sister, Pumpkin, while MJ has allegedly moved into a casino. The preview addresses that issue as well, and a suggestion that could affect June's child for years to come ... if her ma doesn't get it together.

10:20 AM PT -- Hickerson appeared in court this morning and pled not guilty to the charge. His bail was set at $50k. The judge also issued a protective order that prohibits Hickerson from being 100 yards near Panettiere or contacting her. He'll be back in court next month.

Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend is in serious trouble following his arrest for domestic violence ... 'cause TMZ's learned he's now facing a charge that could land him in prison.

The L.A. County District Attorney's Office has charged Hayden's BF, Brian Hickerson, with 1 count of felony domestic violence. If he's convicted, Brian faces up to 4 years in prison.

TMZ broke the story ... Brian was arrested earlier this month after an argument with Hayden allegedly turned physical. As we told you ... the couple had been out drinking before an argument ensued at their pad. Law enforcement sources initially said the injuries were marks and redness, but we're now told the injuries were far more serious.

Cops arrested Brian almost immediately after the altercation after determining he started the fight. Hayden and Brian have been dating since last summer.

11:02 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Wendy's son, Kevin, was arrested for assault. Now it makes sense why Kevin Sr. said he was not interested in pursuing the matter legally.

10:49 AM PT -- Sources with knowledge of the argument say Kevin Sr. has urged his son for a long time to carve his own path to success. We're told things bubbled over Tuesday night when the conversation continued, and Sr. told Jr. he needed to work hard on his own and without Wendy's handouts.

10:15 AM PT-- Kevin Hunter tells TMZ, "I love my son very much and I will not be pursuing this matter legally. Things are not always how they appear."

Wendy Williams' estranged husband, Kevin Hunter, and their son, Kevin Jr., got in a fight early Wednesday morning and police were called ... sources tell TMZ.

We're told the incident went down at a store parking lot near the family home in New Jersey. Sources connected to the family tell TMZ, Wendy took 18-year-old Kevin Jr. to the home ... he was there to pick something up. Wendy left and was coming back a short time later to pick him up.

We're told Kevin Jr. did not know his dad was in the house, but we're told everything was cool between them and they ended up going to a store together just after midnight.

We're told ... in the store parking lot, they got into an argument over Kevin's demand for spousal support. Kevin Sr. then launched and claimed Wendy was "brainwashing" their son against him.

Our sources say it got physical when Kevin Sr. allegedly put his son in a headlock, and we're told Kevin Jr. punched him in the nose to break the hold.

Cops have confirmed to TMZ they are investigating "an incident" between Kevin and Kevin Jr.

As you know, Wendy filed for divorce in April after it came to light Kevin Hunter had a baby with another woman. He was later fired from her talk show.

A second woman just testified that ex-NFL star Kellen Winslow Jr. threatened to murder her while raping her in 2018 ... echoing allegations from another woman who testified Tuesday.

The 58-year-old woman -- identified as Jane Doe #2 in court -- alleges Winslow picked her up on May 18, 2018 in the San Diego area in order to take her on a coffee date.

But, instead of getting drinks at a nearby cafe ... she says Winslow pulled over on the side of the road in a remote area and raped her.

She claims during the act, he put his hands around her neck and said, "'If you scream,' I don't know if it was, 'I'll choke you to death' or 'I'll murder you.'"

The woman says after Kellen was finished ... he drove her away from the area and again threatened to kill her "if you tell anyone."

The woman says she thought she was going to die multiple times during the encounter, telling the court Wednesday, "I was very afraid. The whole time I thought I was never going to get out alive."

Remember, on Tuesday, another woman using the alias Jane Doe #1 told a similar story -- claiming Winslow picked her up while hitchhiking in 2018 and violently raped her before threatening to kill her if she told anyone.

Winslow has been in court all week facing his accusers -- he's been charged with multiple felonies including kidnapping and forcible rape. If convicted on all counts, he faces life in prison.

Michael Avenatti has just been indicted on new charges ... alleging he stole money from a former client ... and sources tell TMZ it's Stormy Daniels.

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York has charged the disgraced attorney with 1 count of wire fraud and 1 count of aggravated identity theft charges. The feds say he fraudulently diverted money the client -- Stormy -- was owed on a book deal to an account he controlled.

According to prosecutors, he did this by sending a fraudulent letter purporting to contain his client's signature to Stormy's literary agent. According to the complaint ... Stormy didn't know the letter existed much less sign off on it.

He allegedly used the money from that account to pay for airfare, hotels, restaurants, meal deliveries and meet payroll for his businesses. In total, he allegedly diverted around $300k ... and although he sent her around half that, prosecutors say he hasn't paid her the balance.

Avenatti just denied the charges, tweeting, "At no time was any money misappropriated or mishandled." He went on to explain how he was entitled to some of the money as part of his fee.

If convicted on the new charges, Avenatti faces up to 20 years for the wire fraud count and a mandatory term of 2 years on the aggravated identity theft charge.

Ricky Schroder won't be prosecuted for allegedly hitting his girlfriend a second time ... TMZ has learned.

According to legal docs, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office won't be pursuing charges against Ricky after the alleged victim told cops it was an accident.

The D.A. states Ricky's girlfriend first implied he hit her on purpose and later said it was an accident that she might've caused. The D.A.'s Office says Schroder's GF was interviewed the next day after initially calling cops and told officers that he struck her when she startled him while he was sleeping and under the influence of alcohol and Ambien.

Per the interview she gave cops, she said Ricky flailed his arms and accidentally hit her. Prosecutors also say the case was difficult to prove because she too was under the influence at the time.

Moreover, the D.A.'s Office notes that Schroder's girlfriend was initially uncooperative when cops arrived on the scene and attempted to take a video of her alleged injuries the day she made the call.

As we reported ... Schroder's business team bailed on him after his second arrest related to domestic violence allegations. He was arrested back in April for another incident related to his GF, but that case was also declined by the D.A.'s Office.