CELEBRITY JUSTICE ™

Todd Chrisley believes he's being treated differently from the rest of his fellow inmates in federal prison ... and he thinks his fame has everything to do with it.

Chrisley's attorney, Jay Surgent, tells TMZ ... Todd believes his celebrity status has resulted in some odd occurrences while locked up at FPC Pensacola in Florida -- even telling us Todd thinks someone took his photo while he was sleeping.

He also claims he hasn't been receiving any mail and thinks it's getting destroyed ... though, he has no clue what the motive would be for someone doing that.

Jay tells us Todd's living conditions are terrible, too, claiming the place is plagued by bad plumbing, possible mold, and no A.C. to help combat the brutal heat. He also claims his wife Julie's struggling with similarly bad conditions over at FMC Lexington, KY, where she's doing her time.

For what it's worth, a rep for the Bureau of Prisons tells us the safety of inmates is a top priority, and both prisons have "contingency plans to address a large range of concerns ... including ventilation temperatures."

Regardless, Jay says Todd submitted an application to try to get switched over to home confinement. Worth a shot, but that seems unlikely, considering the fact the Chrisleys are doing hard time.

TMZ broke the story, Todd and Julie reported to their prisons in January -- Todd got a 12-year sentence, while Julie got 7 ... after the couple was convicted in their bank fraud and tax evasion case.

We're told the plan moving forward is to explore all legal avenues to address the prison conditions.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are finally in agreement on one thing -- they both want to try squashing their legal war over the winery they once owned together ... and their willing to do it out of court.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Brad and Angelina have agreed to mediation as a means to settle their dispute over French vineyard Chateau Miraval ... which is potentially a big development in this bitter legal battle.

The wine dispute's been brewing for a while ... as we first reported, Brad claims Angelina double-crossed him by secretly selling her interest in the winery to a Russian oligarch in 2021, and now Brad's suing her to undo the deal.

Remember ... Brad and Angelina bought Chateau Miraval in Correns, France way back in 2008, when they were still happily married.

Brad's claimed he invested a ton of time and money in the vineyard over the years, though also acknowledging Angelina ponied up 40% of the original $28.4 million purchase price, and he's claimed they always had an understanding neither could sell off their interest without the other's consent.

As we've reported, Angelina went to court in July 2021 and told a judge she had reached an agreement to sell her interest to an unnamed person ... and Brad says in September 2021 he agreed to allow Angela to move forward with a potential sale, while making it clear he would still reserve the right to give a thumbs up or down to the proposed buyer.

Cut to a few months later, when Brad says he was shocked to learn a subsidiary of the famous vodka company Stoli Group, controlled by Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler, bought Angelina's interest in the vineyard -- so, he sued in an attempt to get a judge to undo the deal.

With all the nastiness between Brad and Angelina over the years, it will be interesting to see what comes out of the mediation.

Maybe we can all get along, but also ... maybe don't hold your breath.

The Oscar-winning actor was back in Southwark Crown Court Monday to listen to a pre-recorded interview police conducted with Spacey's accuser, which was presented as evidence to the jury.

In the recording, the accuser, identified only as a man since British law prohibits the release of his name, described in graphic detail how Spacey touched his private parts a dozen times while slapping his butt.

The man told cops, “[Spacey's] character in "Se7en," he’s a bit like that. A bit creepy. Maybe not quite as bad.”

"Se7en" was one of Spacey's most famous -- and freakiest -- flicks. The 1995 movie, also starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, follows the police manhunt for a demented serial killer, played by Spacey, who's obsessed with the seven deadly sins.

Kevin Spacey was a 'sexual bully,' according to prosecutors in his sexual assault trial.

Spacey's trial began Wednesday in London, and prosecutors laid out their allegations, including one where a man claims he passed out while drinking and smoking with Spacey, only to wake up hours later with Spacey allegedly on his knees, performing oral sex on him.

They also say one of Spacey's drivers complained about him being very "touchy-feely" while sitting in the passenger seat.

The driver claimed Spacey got more inappropriate over time, touching his leg and rubbing his neck and eventually groping him "in an aggressive way."

The jury was also told Spacey allegedly manhandled a man backstage at the Haymarket Theater in the West End ... adding he was grabbed "with such force it was painful."

Spacey has denied committing any of the 12 sexual assaults with which he's charged involving 4 men.

Michael Jackson will effectively be tried for allegedly molesting choreographer Wade Robson when he was a child ... TMZ has learned.

The California Court of Appeal just cleared the way for Robson to make his case -- alleging MJ molested him at the Neverland Ranch when Robson was between the ages of 7 and 14.

The issue -- Robson is suing Michael Jackson's corporation -- MJJ Productions, Inc. Jackson's company lawyers argued the company had no legal duty to protect Robson or anyone else from MJ because it had no ability to control him.

The trial court bought the Estate's argument, but the Court of Appeal begged to differ, and according to a tentative ruling -- which almost always becomes final -- the case will be sent back down for trial.

Robson claims when he came to the U.S. from Australia as a young boy, Jackson befriended him and sexually abused him.

In 2005, when Jackson was on trial for molesting another boy, Robson testified that he slept in MJ's bed with the singer but nothing happened.  He changed his story in 2013, filing a lawsuit against the company. He said he had testified falsely on behalf of Jackson due to "complete manipulation and brainwashing."

Another man, James Safechuck, filed a similar lawsuit against MJJ Productions and it too is before the Court of Appeal. Given today's tentative ruling, it appears Safechuck will also have his day in court.

Sources close to the MJJ Productions legal team tell TMZ ... the ruling has nothing to do with the merits of the case and they fully expect to prevail at trial.

Kesha and Dr. Luke are no longer beefing in court ... because they just announced a settlement in their defamation battle after years of nasty back and forth.

The singer says she and the famous music producer agreed to a resolution of the lengthy legal battle ... though the terms of the settlement are unclear.

It's the end of the road for a long legal war that's been winding through the courts for nearly a decade ... remember, Kesha accused Dr. Luke of an alleged 2005 rape back in 2014 and he denied her claims and sued her for defamation.

In a statement, Kesha says ... "Only God knows what happened that night. As I have always said, I cannot recount everything that happened."

She adds ... "I am looking forward to closing the door on this chapter of my life and beginning a new one. I wish nothing but peace to all parties involved."

Dr. Luke says he appreciates Kesha acknowledging she cannot recount what happened on the night she claimed he drugged and raped her, and he still denies it ever happened.

Luke says ... "I never drugged or assaulted her and would never do that to anyone. For the sake of my family, I have vigorously fought to clear my name for nearly 10 years. It is time for me to put this difficult matter behind me and move on with my life. I wish Kesha well."

Casanova is begging a judge for mercy ahead of his sentencing after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and RICO charges ... and he wants the court to know he's no longer associated with the gang that got him into trouble in the first place.

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, the embattled Roc Nation rapper lays it all out in an emotional letter to the judge ... in which he fully renounces his gang ties to the Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods and promises to continue speaking out against gang life.

Casanova says he's not denying he's made some bad decisions, after all, he did plead guilty to the drug trafficking charge ... saying he used the gang life to build an image in the rap community and sell music but insisting he no longer wants to live that life.

The 36-year-old Brooklyn native also pointed to his hard upbringing and lack of a father figure as catalysts for his dip into the crime world but says music created a positive outlet for him.

Casanova thinks the government painted his raps as predominately violent ... but says that doesn't accurately reflect all his material.

He plans to speak out against gangs while locked up and says he's made new acquaintances to assist with his mission.

Casanova also submitted dozens of letters from family, friends, and colleagues vouching for his character and is hoping the judge takes it into account during his sentencing so he can serve his sentence and get back to his normal life and family.

Tiger Woods has just notched a big victory in court over his ex ... a judge has ruled Erica Herman's gripes with the golfing legend must go to a behind-closed-doors arbitrator -- something Woods has been wanting for months.

Herman initially sued Woods back in early March ... alleging he wrongly kicked her out of their Florida home following their split in 2022. She argued at the time her disputes should play out in public court -- not private arbitration -- claiming an NDA that he made her sign in 2017 should be nullified on the grounds that Woods allegedly conditioned her job and right to live their home on their romantic relationship -- which she says constitutes "sexual harassment" under Florida law.

Woods countered that she couldn't bring him to court, saying the NDA required any qualms between the two to be meted out in arbitration. He added that he had never been sexually inappropriate with her.

Martin County, Fla. judge Elizabeth A. Metzger ruled in Woods' favor late Wednesday, saying Herman must abide by the NDA's arbitration provision.

She also said in her ruling Herman's sexual harassment claims were "vague and threadbare" and "implausibly pled" ... writing, "Herman has had the opportunity [to] provide factual specificity for any claim relating to sexual assault or sexual harassment, however, she has not done so."

It's unclear if Herman has plans to appeal.

Woods and Herman began dating around six years ago, shortly after she had been hired to work at his Florida restaurant. She alleged in court filings that once they became romantic, he "forced her to sign an NDA ... or else be fired from her job."

The couple dated until the fall of '22 ... when Herman claimed Woods concocted a scheme involving false promises of a spontaneous vacation to throw her out of their home. She argued it all violated an oral agreement they had -- and she sued his trust for $30 mil.

Britney Spears drinks caffeine drinks by the gallon, something experts say is not great but unsurprising for people with mental illnesses.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, which has produced a documentary that will air Monday, Britney guzzles Red Bull, Celsius, coffee, and dandelion tea almost nonstop. We're told she consumes so much caffeine, she'll sometimes stay awake for 3 consecutive days.

Experts, including Dr. Drew, tell TMZ, people with mental illnesses crave the high from these drinks, but it's not particularly healthy.

The documentary -- "TMZ Investigates: Britney Spears: The Price of Freedom" -- chronicles her life in the last 1 1/2 years since the conservatorship ended. The documentary details her relationships with her family, husband, and kids, in addition to other struggles that have caused concern among those closest to her.

The documentary reveals some of the recommendations people who were caring for Britney made at the end of the conservatorship.  One of the recommendations -- keep knives away from her.

Britney Spears has had a fascination with knives, and as the conservatorship came to an end, those caring for her prepared a list of recommendations, including this one -- keep knives away from her.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... there were a number of recommendations as the conservatorship wound down, including not driving alone. But the one that sticks out involves knives.

We're told Britney viewed knives as a means of protection ... she has a constant fear of being re-institutionalized, something she's referenced in the past.

Given her mental struggles that sometimes resulted in manic and volatile behavior, the recommendation was cautionary.

TMZ has prepared a documentary on Britney's life in the year-and-a-half after the conservatorship ended. The documentary -- "TMZ Investigates: Britney Spears: The Price of Freedom" -- will air on FOX network Monday, May 15 at 9 PM ET.

Ed Sheeran is sharing his good vibes with fans on the heels of winning his Marvin Gaye legal case ... belting out tunes and giving fans a show outside of his NYC pop-up shop.

The "Perfect" singer put on an impromptu show on top of a car Friday outside his Wooster Street shop in SoHo, New York.

Of course, Ed's fans were more than pleased with the moment, crowding around Sheeran with their phones and singing along to each word with him.

As we reported, the mini concert comes a day after a jury found him not liable for allegedly ripping off Marvin Gaye's classic, "Let's Get It On."

Remember, the estate of Ed Townsend, co-writer of "Let's Get it On," sued Sheeran ... alleging the 2014 hit "Thinking Out Loud" stole key elements of the '73 Marvin Gaye classic -- claiming several aspects like the melody and even harmony were the same.

After the legal victory, ES stood his ground about his song while also taking jabs at the Townsend's estate.

The jury has spoken in Ed Sheeran's copyright trial -- he's been found not liable for ripping off one of Marvin Gaye's classics, "Let's Get It On."

The singer received the verdict on Thursday in a Manhattan federal court after a jury made the decision.

As we reported, the estate of Ed Townsend, co-writer of "Let's Get it On," slapped the lawsuit on Sheeran ... alleging the 2014 hit "Thinking Out Loud" ripped key elements of the 1973 Marvin Gaye classic -- claiming several aspects like the melody and even harmony were a match.

Sheeran was present in court for the legal battle, and even testified during the trial ... part of it in the form of a song! He pulled out his guitar and played the tune in question during his time on the stand as a way to show them his creative process.

He testified Marvin's song was nowhere near his or his co-writer Amy Wadge's minds when they brought his track to life ... claiming he doesn't really put a ton of time into crafting his tracks and just pulls inspiration from whatever's going down in his life at the time.

It was a move that some thought could go a long way -- having a star play for the super small crowd for sure had the potential to sway the jury. He also testified he'd be "quite an idiot to stand on a stage in front of 20,000 people" after ripping off a classic.

Sheeran claimed he'd quit music forever if he lost ... so the decision is good news for Ed's fans.

Trey Songz is now off the hook for his alleged bowling alley beatdown last year -- because we've learned the most serious charges have been dropped.

Songz pled guilty Tuesday to a single disorderly conduct violation in connection with the incident ... while prosecutors agreed to dismiss the 10 original charges against him, which included assault and aggravated harassment.

As part of the plea deal, Trey now has to complete 12 anger management classes by August, and sources close to the case tell us he's already gotten a head start on them.

As we reported, Trey was accused in October of punching a woman repeatedly in the face in a NY bowling alley bathroom, with the woman claiming he also dragged her by her hair.

Another man also claimed the singer punched him in the eye during the incident. Songz turned himself in to police a few weeks later.

Trey’s attorney, Mitchell Schuster, tells TMZ, “We appreciate the New York law enforcement and the District Attorney's office for their comprehensive investigation and careful consideration of all evidence, which ultimately confirmed what we had known all along and resulted in the District Attorney’s office choosing not to pursue any of the original charges against our client.”

A Southern California police officer beat an unarmed Black man with a baton during an arrest -- which has echoes of Rodney King ... but cops say this guy instigated it.

Check out this video, obtained by TMZ, which shows an older gentleman retreating with his hands up while being pursued by a Barstow PD officer Friday afternoon in the desert community. The cop has his baton raised as he inches closer, and eventually swings on him.

You can see the officer appear to give an order -- which looks like he might've been saying get on the ground -- before manhandling the older guy and subduing him. However, as the photog who took this noted, the cop starts to wail on the dude even after he's down.

He gets about 4 good swings on him before other officers arrive to the scene and help contain the situation. The man is then handcuffed and led over to EMTs, who briefly check him ... and he's then led to a police cruiser and taken away. The man can be seen limping.

Barstow PD tells TMZ the man who took the beating is 43-year-old Gary Christian -- whom they say was wanted on an open felony warrant for a probation violation ... and who this officer recognized on Main Street. BPD says the officer attempted to make contact and place Christian under arrest, but claim Christian assaulted the officer not once ... but twice.

BPD says the officer deployed his taser unsuccessfully, at which point ... the baton came out. They say Christian was treated at a hospital for minor contusions to his leg ... and was then booked into the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dept. High Desert Detention Center.

Barstow PD also says this ... "The department has a copy of that video and would like the community to know that a comprehensive administrative investigation will be conducted into this incident to determine if the force used by the officer was within Barstow Police Department policy and current law." In other words, they'll look into this internally.

Of course, the comparison to the beating Rodney King received in the '90s will undoubtedly be made. That incident led to destructive riots in and around Los Angeles -- and ultimately came to affect lots of other LA-based events in the years that followed.

The more concerning part about this, though, is that Barstow PD had another race-related police incident a few years ago ... when their officers shot and killed an unarmed Black in a parking lot as they felt an apparent threat. His name was Diante Yarber, a 26-year-old.

His family said the killing was unjustified ... but after a review by the authorities, they found the officers had a reasonable belief that their lives were in danger, and that deadly force was warranted. They fired around 30 bullets at his parked car, which was in a Walmart lot.

Considering the history in that town already, something tells us the community isn't going to take this latest incident very well. Fact is, it certainly looks to be excessive force on its face.

Kanye West says he never screwed his ex-business manager out of a payday in a new countersuit ... firing back with claims their arrangement came about when he was stressed out and in the middle of his divorce.

TMZ Hip Hop obtained docs filed by Kanye and his Yeezy brand ... where he claims the deal he struck with Thomas St. John isn't enforceable because he signed it without help from a lawyer when he was "sleep-deprived, stressed, anxious, and under duress."

According to the lawsuit, Ye says he met St. John around March 2022 -- and they sketched out a deal that would place him on a $300k monthly retainer.

Kanye admits the two met during one of his many social media meltdowns -- and St. John swooped in as a respected biz manager who could steer the ship back on course.

Although Ye admits to signing a document with St. John in May 2022 ... he claims he did so without the presence and counsel of his lawyers, and as his high-profile divorce with Kim Kardashian was taking a serious toll.

Ye also says the increased volume of paparazzi encounters amid the divorce was causing sleep deprivation, stress and anxiousness.

Ye is also complaining about a clause in the "barebones" agreement that prevented St. John from being terminated for at least the first 18 months ... essentially guaranteeing his bank account stayed stacked with Ye's funds.

Imagine if jury duty always included a live performance from Ed Sheeran -- that's what jurors got during his trial for allegedly ripping off Marvin Gaye's classic, "Let's Get It On."

Ed took the stand Thursday in a Manhattan federal courtroom, and at one point had his guitar with him to show the jury exactly how he writes songs, in general, and in particular ... his 2014 smash hit, "Thinking Out Loud."

He strummed the song's chords and sang the opening line ... "When your legs don't work like they used to before," and then testified he and co-writer Amy Wadge had nothing like Marvin's sexy times tune in mind when they wrote 'Thinking Out Loud.' Instead, he said their song was about maintaining love into old age.

He also explained, "When I write vocal melodies, it’s like phonetics." For instance, he says he first sang the song's hook as, "I'm singing out now" ... before it later became, "I'm thinking out loud."

The fact Sheeran was allowed to sit on the stand and give a live, although brief, performance could go a long way in swaying the jury. They're only human, so there's always potential for a "star-struck" factor -- and, sadly, Marvin Gaye isn't alive to sing in support of the plaintiffs.

As we reported, the estate of Ed Townsend -- co-writer of "Let's Get It On" -- is suing Sheeran, claiming his song copies the melody, harmony and other elements of Marvin's 1973 #1 hit.

During his testimony, Sheeran admitted he doesn't pour a heck of a lot of time into writing any of his songs ... saying he draws inspiration from whatever's happening in his life, and rarely takes more than one day to complete a song.