Controversial S#!T

If Robert Kraft would have paid for sex acts in Nevada instead of Florida (allegedly), he wouldn't be facing criminal charges ... and now one of the biggest legal brothels in the country is inviting him over.

The women at Sheri's Ranch Brothel in Pahrump, Nevada are offering to work with Kraft -- because they don't think prostitution is a bad thing ... when it's done legally.

The brothel says ... because the sex industry is regulated in Nevada, human trafficking isn't an issue with the working girls -- unlike in Florida.

By the way, the Ranch spokesperson is Jeremy Lemur -- a former NFL Films staffer who was a previous member of the NFL's Diversity Council.

A rep for Sheri's also says, "Legal prostitutes are tested weekly for sexually transmitted diseases. No customer of Sheri’s Ranch has ever contracted an STD or HIV as a result of an encounter."

And, with officials in Florida saying they have surveillance footage of Kraft inside the illegal parlor -- Sheri's says there's no risk of being captured on police video at their place because "none of our patrons are committing a crime."

Sheri's is also offering prostitution consultation services to NFL owners and players -- essentially educating them on how to legally pay for sex.

The Jussie Smollett "attack" has enraged millions of Americans, but for Killer Mike, it's no big deal.

We got the rapper Friday at LAX, and his take is very different from most. He says, after all, Jussie's an actor and actors assume roles. Here, he just allegedly assumed the role of a liar.

Killer Mike acknowledges Jussie screwed up but says a mea culpa will do, and after that, we all need to get a life and move on.

Robert Kraft's bad day might have just gotten a little better because he has a brand new ally in Bishop Don "Magic" Juan, who's telling the NFL to take it easy on the embattled Pats owner.

A warrant has been issued for Kraft's arrest in Florida on charges stemming from the bust of an illegal massage parlor where authorities alleged Kraft paid for sexual favors ... which he's denied.

We ran into the Bishop, a former "gentleman of leisure" (look it up) and he says the NFL should cut Bob a break.

"He definitely got a pass."

That's not all ... the Bishop says if Kraft wants a good time he should hit him up, as long as it's in Nevada, where paying for a little loving is legal some places.

We should say, Kraft's situation is no laughing matter, he faces a misdemeanor charge down in Florida, and a potential suspension by the NFL.

7:25 AM PT-- Fox just announced it's scratching Smollett from the end of the current season. The statement says, "The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our EMPIRE family for the past five years and we care about him deeply. While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out."

The statement continues, "We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of ‘Jamal’ from the final two episodes of the season.”

Fox says Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer all signed off on the decision to remove Jussie.

It's clear they heard the complaints of Smollett's cast members.

Jussie Smollett betrayed the trust of his "Empire" coworkers and damaged the show's image, and now several cast members want him written off immediately ... according to our sources.

We're told many of the "Empire" actors are "f**king furious" and feel if FOX honchos don't fire Jussie, he should quit on his own ... because he doesn't deserve a spot on the hit show.

The feelings of animosity stem from the fact everyone on set had Jussie's back after the "attack," but in light of the new evidence police have laid out ... many of them feel hurt and embarrassed.

We're told almost everyone on set is worried about how Smollett's damaged the show's reputation ... and could continue to do so if he remains part of the cast.

Now, our sources say there are still some cast and crew members who believe Jussie's telling the truth because they can't fathom him pulling off a hoax like this. We're told arguments have erupted over how best to handle the situation.

It seems Smollett is well aware of the dissension on set. TMZ broke the story ... Jussie showed up on set Thursday after the madness outside the court and apologized to everyone, but insisted he's innocent.

We're told he's changed his number because certain pissed off cast members were blowing up his phone. He's only given his new number to the people still in his corner.

Jussie was arrested Thursday and is facing a felony charge of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. He was released from custody after posting a $10k bond and has been ordered to have no contact with the Osundairo brothers.

Chicago PD Superintendent Eddie Johnson says Jussie's dissatisfaction with his "Empire" salary motivated the ruse and claims Smollett was also responsible for the hate letter sent to Fox Studios.

A grand jury in Chicago has heard the testimony from 2 women who allege R. Kelly had sex with minors ... and we've learned one of them also turned over physical evidence.

Sources familiar with the hearing tell TMZ ... one alleged victim testified she was underage when she had sex with the singer in Illinois between 2008 and 2010. We're told she provided prosecutors with physical evidence to back her allegations. We do not know the nature of that evidence.

Our sources say the second woman told the grand jury she had knowledge of sexual encounters between R. Kelly and underage girls, and also corroborated details revealed in "Surviving R. Kelly."

We're told as many as a dozen accusers have come forward and testified before the grand jury since it convened, on the heels of attorney Michael Avenatti unearthing a new sex tape.

The tape allegedly shows R. Kelly engaging in multiple sex acts with a 14-year-old girl.

Charles Barkley WENT OFF on Jussie Smollett on "Inside the NBA" on Thursday -- saying if the actor really wanted to be a hate crime victim, he shoulda just gone to Liam Neeson's neighborhood.

It's just one of SEVERAL shots Barkley took at the "Empire" actor during the show -- but it was definitely the strongest.

Remember, Liam Neeson recently revealed that he once grabbed a weapon and went hunting for a "black bastard" in Northern Ireland after a friend of his claimed she was raped by a black man.

People RIPPED Neeson for the comments -- because it's racist as hell -- but now he's become the punchline for Barkley's Jussie Smollett jokes.

"Jussie ... you wasted all that damn time and money! You know what you shoulda did? Just went out into Liam Neeson's neighborhood! Coulda solved all your damn problems."

The guys also aired a fake $3,500 check -- like the one Jussie supposedly gave to two brothers to beat him up. Barkley laughed wildly while that one aired.

There's more ... Charles addressed the viewers:

"America, let me just tell you something. Do not commit crimes with checks! If you're gonna break the law, do not write a check! Get cash man!!

That's when Shaq finally stepped in and told Barkley to shut it down.

Dr. Drew -- like the rest of the world -- is having trouble processing why Jussie Smollett would stage an "attack" ... but one thing's clear to the doc ... it's more about character than mental health.

The doc was out and about Thursday in NYC and raised the issue of Jussie going to a rehab facility, in light of the actor confessing in court documents he has a drug problem. Fact is ... criminal defense lawyers often put their clients in rehab to mitigate the possibility of a harsh sentence in the event they're convicted. It wouldn't be surprising if Jussie enters such a facility sooner rather than later.

Jussie Smollett is begging his "Empire" family to believe he's innocent and continue supporting him -- even as the drama of his arrest postponed a scene Thursday in Chicago.

Sources on the "Empire" set tell us the cast and crew were waiting at least 30 minutes for Jussie to begin the scheduled scene. When he eventually showed his face he was very emotional, and surrounded by his family.

We're told he addressed everyone on set, saying ..."I’m sorry I’ve put you all through this and not answered any calls. I wanted to say I’m sorry and, you know me, I would never do this to any of you, you are my family. I swear to God, I did not do this.”

After that, he left the set. We're told it was obvious Jussie had been crying a lot, so producers said he would have to come back later. He did, and we're told he is currently shooting the scene.

As we reported, Smollett bolted from the mob scene outside court, and headed straight to Chicago's Cinespace Studio ... after his bail was set at $100k. News choppers and trucks followed him most of the way as he crossed town.

Jerry Springer says there's a simple solution Jussie Smollett could've pursued if he wanted a bump in salary from "Empire" brass -- get on the grind ... and lay off the alleged lies.

The famed daytime TV host -- who's obviously seen plenty of crazy scenarios -- told us Thursday at LAX that Jussie's story truly has him dumbfounded.

He says he doesn't understand why Jussie might've done this, and in such an inflammatory way -- invoking racism, homophobia and politics at a time when the country is at a boiling point.

Chicago PD's superintendent said they believe Jussie orchestrated the staged attack because he was dissatisfied with his salary.

If that's indeed the case ... Jerry says Smollett should've put in some good old-fashioned hard work to get the dough he thinks he deserves.

2:10 PM PT -- Jussie told police, during his arrest, he has a drug problem ... one for which he's never been treated. That could become relevant later in the case because, as we reported, cops say Jussie bought ecstasy from Abel. IF he were convicted, a drug issue could be a mitigating factor that gets his sentenced reduced.

According to docs, Smollett also answered "no" to alcohol or mental health problems.

One of the conditions of his bail calls for him to have no contact with Ola and Abel Osundairo or their family members.

1:45 PM PT -- Jussie has just been released from custody into a mob of reporters, security and police officers. He got in a black SUV and quickly left the courthouse.

12:04 PM PT -- Jussie's bail was just set by a judge at $100k. He has to surrender his passport as part of his bail conditions and post 10% of his total bail to be released from custody. He's also subject to pre-trial monitoring.

8:12 AM PT -- Trump has now weighed in on the situation, calling Jussie's allegations "racist and dangerous."

7:10 AM PT -- The Police Superintendent just expressed his outrage at Jussie Smollett for allegedly betraying the African American and LGBT communities to further his career in a "publicity stunt." The superintendent said Smollett created the ruse because "he was dissatisfied with his salary" on "Empire."

The Superintendent also said the wounds on Smollett were most likely "self-inflicted."

The Superintendent added that Jussie sent a "false letter" -- presumably the letter that was sent to Fox Studios 8 days before the incident.

4:15 AM PT -- Jussie has turned himself in and is under arrest. He's been booked and will be taken in custody to the courthouse where he will be going to bond court at 1:30 PM CT. He will either post bond or be released on his own recognizance. He will not enter a plea.

Jussie Smollett has just been charged for a felony ... disorderly conduct for filing a false police report, and the stakes are 3 years in prison.

1:01 PM PT -- HBO has responded to the lawsuit, telling TMZ, "Despite the desperate lengths taken to undermine the film, our plans remain unchanged. HBO will move forward with the airing of LEAVING NEVERLAND, the two-part documentary, on March 3rd and 4th."

They continue, "This will allow everyone the opportunity to assess the film and the claims in it for themselves."

Michael Jackson's Estate has just sued HBO, claiming the network screwed them over after promising not to take shots at MJ which they did in the upcoming documentary, "Leaving Neverland" ... and the suit claims damages could exceed $100 million.

The Estate alleges HBO signed a contract that included a non-disparagement agreement with Jackson in 1992 when the network aired "Michael Jackson Live in Concert in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour."

In the contract, there was a non-disparagement provision, which includes this ... "HBO shall not make any disparaging remarks concerning Performer or any of his representatives, agents, or business practices or do any act that may harm or disparage or cause to lower in esteem the reputation or public image of performer."

As you know, "Leaving Neverland" showcases 2 accusers -- James Safechuck and Wade Robson -- who say MJ molested them when they were children. The Estate claims the 2 are perjurers with no credibility since they have testified under oath no such molestation occurred.

We reached out to HBO ... so far, no word back.

Michael Jackson is a lot like the pedophile neighbor featured in "Abducted in Plain Sight" ... at least according to the victim who spoke out in the Netflix documentary.

If you haven't seen it ... Jan Broberg Felt tells the horrific tale of being kidnapped TWICE and raped multiple times by her neighbor, Robert 'B' Berchtold. She was a pre-teen and teenager during her ordeal, and she sees obvious similarities between how Berchtold got away with molesting her and what Jackson's alleged victims describe in "Leaving Neverland."

Jan says B and Jackson were both beloved -- MJ on a much larger scale, obviously.

She says no one in her Idaho community wanted to believe that someone so charismatic could commit such despicable crimes -- and admits she personally thought the exact same thing about Jackson.

Jan thinks all of these new documentaries shedding light on celebs and non-celebs accused of pedophilia are long overdue, adding that no one should be able to get away with harming kids.

The Jackson estate has repeatedly dismissed Wade Robson and James Safechuck -- the accusers in 'Neverland' -- as proven liars.

4:45 PM PT -- Jussie has been indicted for a felony ... filing a false police report. He's now facing a possible 3 years in prison.

The Cook County grand jury just handed up the indictment after hearing testimony and examining the evidence.

4:37 PM PT -- Gloria Schmidt, the lawyer for Ola and Abel Osundairo, just said her clients testified before the Grand Jury for 2 and a half hours and laid out their story that Jussie put them up to a fake assault. Schmidt said the brothers testified separately and they have no criminal exposure.

She added Jussie's conscience "won't let him sleep so he should come clean."

Jussie Smollett is now officially in the crosshairs of law enforcement, because Chicago PD said he's now "officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation ... for filing a false police report."

The cops say detectives are currently presenting evidence to a Cook County Grand Jury.

If Smollett is charged the felony carries a maximum 3-year prison sentence.

We're told the 2 brothers are at the courthouse now and are expected to testify ... most likely today.

The 2 brothers who claim Jussie Smollett staged the "attack" say he paid them $3,500 before the attack, but the reason for the payment is muddled.

Sources tell TMZ, Jussie wrote a check for the $3,500, but he wrote on the memo line on the check it was for training.

Sources connected to Jussie tell TMZ, the money -- paid shortly before the incident -- was for workout sessions and a dietary regimen.

Sources connected to the brothers tell TMZ, Jussie was indeed paying for training, but he threw in more money than they were owed. When pressed, our sources admit Jussie did not say any additional money was for participation in the alleged scheme, but they say it was clear to all.

Originally Published -- 2:24 PM PT

Larsa Pippen's weighing in on the Tristan Thompson cheating scandal, saying if she was Kylie Jenner ... she'd put an eviction notice on Jordyn Woods' door pronto.

One of Kim Kardashian's best friends was leaving Bev Hills beauty salon Blown on Canon Wednesday, and we asked her about Jordyn's current status with the fam after she allegedly hooked up with Tristan.

As you know ... Jordyn is Kylie's BFF and Kylie said last year that Jordyn lives with her. Well ... she used to. She's reportedly getting the boot as of Wednesday. Soooo ... Larsa's prediction here about Jordyn's future seems absolutely dead-on.

As we reported, Kim unfollowed both Tristan and Jordyn on social media, and some of her sisters followed suit. The big question has been how Kylie is going to handle the situation moving forward.

Larsa says ... consider it handled.

3:21 PM PT -- More footage has emerged of the brothers reportedly leaving a store after buying items allegedly used in the attack.

2:20 PM PT -- Chicago PD says Jussie is now "officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation" ... and detectives began presenting evidence Wednesday afternoon to the grand jury.

The brothers who say Jussie Smollett hired them to stage the alleged attack were caught on surveillance camera buying a bunch of items they used during the incident.

The video -- first posted by CBS2 in Chicago -- shows Ola and Abel Osundairo at the checkout counter as they pile up the items, which include ski masks, gloves, bandanas, sunglasses and red hats.

At one point Abel pulls his hoodie over his head, perhaps attempting to hide his face, but he'd already been seen clearly on the video.

CBS2 says the brothers bought these items the day before the "attack" on Jussie.

The items are interesting ... we know Jussie said his attackers were wearing ski masks, and we also know police seized red hats when they raided the brothers' home in Chicago. The surveillance image police had released last month appears to show Abel and Ola with their faces still concealed under the ski masks.

As we first reported, the brothers were at court Tuesday, ready to testify for the grand jury -- but were called off at the last minute because Jussie's attorneys are going to speak to police.

We're told they will go before the grand jury when it finally convenes.

2:45 PM PT -- Looks like the party's over, or at least this stage of it. We got Meghan's friends -- including Amal Clooney and Gayle King -- pouring out of the Mark Hotel where they held the baby shower.

They walked out into some crappy winter weather, but still ... smiles all around.

Priyanka Chopra couldn't make it to Meghan Markle's baby shower -- a sure sign there's trouble in paradise for close pals ... normally, anyway, but these 2 are a different breed o' BFF.

Sources close to Priyanka tell TMZ ... the actress did NOT make it to Meghan's NYC baby shower -- despite reports to the contrary -- and it's because she was stuck working in Los Angeles.

We're told Priyanka was bogged down on the left coast with meetings for a book she's writing.

Although, Meghan's pal Serena Williams made it to NYC ... it's been a while since she and Priyanka and have been able to find time for each other.

Priyanka crossed the pond for Meghan and Prince Harry's wedding last summer, but Meghan wasn't there when Priyanka and Nick Jonas tied the knot in India.

We're told Meghan's December schedule simply didn't align with Priyanka and Nick's nearly endless stream of wedding receptions. The Duchess of Sussex has a ton of obligations ... and being pregnant further complicates her social schedule.

Despite the missed connections ... we're told Priyanka and Meghan's friendship hasn't changed, and they still talk regularly. No issues here!