Crime

Shakira may soon have her day in court ... because a judge in Spain has given the green light for the singer to stand trial on tax fraud charges.

According to reports, the judge ruled Tuesday prosecutors can move forward with a trial for the singer on 6 counts of tax fraud -- Shakira is accused of not coughing up 14.5 million euros -- or about $13.9 million -- in taxes for income she earned between 2012 and 2014.

Prosecutors believe Shakira was spending more than half her time in Spain during those years -- meaning authorities believe she should've paid up, even though her official residence was in the Bahamas.

As we reported, prosecutors are hoping to get an 8-year prison sentence and a large fine if she's found guilty of the charges.

Shakira's denying having to pay up, though ... recently telling ELLE, "I've paid everything they claimed I owed even before they filed a lawsuit. So as of today, I owe zero to them."

She goes on to say she's confident she has enough evidence to prove she's innocent.

Shakira's also dealing with the fallout from her split with her ex, Gerard Piqué ... the exes recently went to their son's baseball game, but kept their distance from each other the entire game.

A rep for Shakira tells TMZ ... "Shakira has always cooperated and abided by the law, demonstrating impeccable conduct as individual and a taxpayer, and faithfully following the counsel of PriceWaterhouse Coopers, a prestigious and globally recognized tax firm."

A Michigan radio host was murdered Friday after he and his family were savagely attacked in their home by a guest who then tried to kill himself, this according to local reports.

WWJ 950 overnight anchor Jim Matthews was with his girlfriend and 2 children in their Detroit-area condo around noon when they allegedly invited over a man who lives across the street. Neighbors had seen the man with Matthews' girlfriend in the past.

What happened next was still under investigation ... but Matthew's girlfriend and his 5-year-old daughter made it out of the condo alive and flagged down someone driving by. His girlfriend had been stabbed several times and his daughter was injured as well.

After the driver called 911, Chesterfield Township officers responded to the apartment and had to force their way inside, finding Matthews dead. His 10-year-old boy was discovered bound and beaten inside a closet.

What's more ... police went to the basement where they encountered the suspect -- who was overdosing on heroin after sustaining self-inflicted wounds.

Matthews' girlfriend and son were listed in critical condition at the hospital. His daughter was in stable condition.

The suspect was given Narcan to save his life. He, too, was hospitalized in stable condition.

As for Matthews, WWJ Newsradio 950 issued a statement ... “There have been many tears shed in our newsroom today and Jim will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jim’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Authorities did not release a motive and were weighing criminal charges.

Brett Favre's alleged involvement in a multi-million dollar welfare scandal may have just gone from bad to worse ... 'cause a key figure in a criminal case has just made a deal to cooperate with the feds that could put the NFL legend in the crosshairs of the Justice Department.

Former Mississippi Department of Human Services director John Davis pled guilty on Thursday to conspiring to defraud the State of Mississippi out of more than $70 million in federal funds, which he was accused of misdirecting from the state's poorest people.

As part of his agreement with prosecutors, officials say Davis agreed to tell everything he knows about the massive scheme ... which could be problematic for Favre.

The former Green Bay QB has been under fire after he allegedly worked with Davis and other government officials to obtain $5 million from Mississippi welfare funds to help his alma mater, the Univ. of Southern Miss., build a new volleyball facility. Favre's daughter played the sport at the Univ. at the time Favre was accused of getting the money for the project.

Favre sent a text in 2017 to the woman who ran the nonprofit, seemingly acknowledging it was wrong to take the money ... "If you were to pay me is there any way the media can find out where it came from and how much?"  She responded, "No we never have had that information publicized."

A few hours later, the woman who runs the nonprofit texted Favre back, saying "Wow, just got off the phone with [then Mississippi Governor] Phil Bryant! He is on board with us! We will get this done!" Favre responded, "Awesome. I needed to hear that for sure."

Despite facing 15 years behind bars, Davis is being seen as an essential component in the ongoing federal investigation into the misdirection of the funds, as well as a corresponding state case. Prosecutors on both sides are eager to obtain information on other possible co-conspirators, including those connected to Davis.

Donald Trump's legal headaches keep piling up and now he has another one ... the special master in his classified documents case just ordered 45 to prove his assertion FBI agents may have planted evidence at Mar-a-Lago.

Court-appointed Special Master Raymond Dearie has requested that DT put his money where his mouth is. In a filing Thursday, Judge Dearie ordered Trump to submit a sworn declaration itemizing “inventory” of materials seized from his Palm Beach, FL estate that were NOT actually recovered during the FBI search. In other words, Dearie is calling DT's bluff about the FBI's alleged shenanigans.

You may recall Trump went ballistic after the feds raided Mar-a-Lago on August 8 and carted off more than 11,000 sensitive government docs the former president had allegedly swiped from the White House.

Trump fired off a message on his social media platform, suggesting FBI agents did something sketchy during their Mar-a-Lago search. "Planting information anyone?," Trump asked. He also went on Sean Hannity's show this week and insinuated the feds had dropped evidence "into those piles" of secret documents taken from his resort. Even his lawyers have gotten into the action by hinting the feds were up to no good that day.

But, not one of them has coughed up a shred of evidence to support their incendiary claims.

Speaking of unsubstantiated claims ... Trump told Hannity that as President he had the ability to declassify the sensitive docs just by thinking about it -- and that's just plain ridiculous.

Ten Pennsylvania H.S. students have been charged ... after a month-long investigation into hazing and sexual assault allegations involving the school's football team.

As we previously reported, Middletown Area High School's football season was canceled in August after several cell phone videos surfaced that appeared to show serious hazing incidents at the school.

The Superintendent of MAHS said the footage was "disturbing and upsetting." Other officials said one of the videos showed two players restraining a group of students while poking two boys with a muscle therapy gun and other athletic equipment in the turf room.

Lower Swatara Township Police and the Criminal Investigation Division of the District Attorney’s Office in Dauphin County opened an investigation ... and on Wednesday, Dauphin County District Attorney Francis T. Chardo announced they're charging 10 students in the case.

"Two students, both seventeen years of age, have been charged with multiple counts of criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, unlawful restraint, simple assault, and hazing," Chardo said in a statement.

The other students were charged with various offenses from unlawful restraint, simple assault, hazing, and violating hazing statute.

Officials say the cases will be handled through the juvenile system.

According to officials, the investigation revealed that six student-athletes -- ages ranging from 14 to 17 -- were victims in the case ... but there could be more.

"As many as six other students may have been assaulted but they have been reluctant to cooperate with the police," Chardo said.

Ludacris' manager, Chaka Zulu, has been arrested for murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a man outside his restaurant -- but new video from the incident shows Zulu getting beaten by a group of men before he fired -- giving way to a self-defense argument.

We've obtained surveillance footage recorded June 26 outside Zulu's Atlanta restaurant Apt4B. A group of men, including Artez Benton -- who was killed in the melee -- arrive to Apt4B, park in the valet area and make their way inside. 10 minutes later, the men leave the restaurant after some sort of dispute.

That's where the video starts. Zulu, who was previously in the parking lot speaking to a friend, starts making his way back toward the restaurant ... when he gets into a heated exchange with Tre'mon Robinson, one of the guys who was told to leave the restaurant.

During the argument, a man named Corey Crawford is seen retrieving something out of a vehicle. A source directly connected to the case tells us Zulu's legal team believes Crawford was getting a gun.

Robinson motions to his friends to come over and then appears to chest bump Zulu ... and that's when all hell breaks loose.

Chaka grabs Robinson, but Crawford and Benton jump in and they all begin pummeling Chaka. At one point, Chaka's female assistant (in the orange shirt) attempts to help Chaka, but Robinson punches her in the face ... knocking her to the ground.

Crawford ducks for cover behind two vehicles, and that's when shots ring out. It appears Chaka is the first to fire, striking Benton ... a plume of smoke is visible from Chaka's gun. Another plume of smoke appears to emanate from Crawford's gun. It appears he fired several shots and one hits Chaka in the back.

Benton was hit in the chest ... you see him crawl away. He later died from his injuries.

As we reported, Chaka's been arrested for murder, aggravated assault, simple battery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He turned himself into authorities last week, but from the beginning, he's maintained he acted in self-defense.

The grocery store clerk charged with smacking Rudy Giuliani on the back won't even receive a slap on the wrist ... if he keeps his nose clean for the next 6 months.

Daniel Gill appeared in an NYC courtroom Wednesday for allegedly roughing up ol' Rudy in a ShopRite on Staten Island, where Gill was working at the time in June. He was charged with felony assault, menacing and harassment.

Prosecutors recommended an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, and Gill gladly took it. The ACD only requires him to stay out of trouble for 6 months for his case to be dismissed and expunged from his record. Gill must also steer clear of Rudy per a protection order issued by the judge, but he will NOT have to plead guilty to a crime as a part of a deal.

The D.A.'s Office said they would have had a tough time proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Gill had intended to physically harm Rudy, so the ACD was their best option.

As we reported, Gill spotted Rudy milling about the ShopRite and came up behind him, calling him a "scumbag" and slapping him on the back. Video of the alleged assault surfaced, sparking an online debate over whether Donald Trump's former attorney was really smacked.

Rudy complained he was almost knocked over by the blow and could have been killed, but many were skeptical, including some in law enforcement.

Kyler Murray appears to be doing a 180 when it comes to the altercation he had with a fan in Vegas on Sunday ... because he's now saying he has "no hard feelings" toward his alleged attacker.

The Cardinals star clearly felt differently just three days ago -- when a man appeared to take a swipe at the quarterback's face while he was celebrating Arizona's thrilling overtime win against the Raiders.

Murray was apparently so upset with situation, Las Vegas police ended up launching an investigation into the incident ... telling TMZ Sports they received "a battery call alleging a spectator at the stadium struck a professional football player."

But in addressing the incident with reporters on Wednesday, Murray seemed now to be ready to let the whole thing go.

"I know every person that I've hit in the face, I did it for a reason," the 25-year-old said. "I don't know if he didn't know where he was. I don't know -- it was a pretty live game, Vegas is Vegas, I'm sure he was having fun. But, again, I don't know."

"I don't think any player should be getting touched in that manner, but, no hard feelings toward the guy," he continued. "I mean, if I see him, I'd shake his hand. It is what it is."

It's unclear if Vegas police are now considering dropping the probe.

As for celebrations with fans going forward, Murray said those will continue if the situation calls for it ... saying he would "do it all over again if I could."

New Orleans having America's highest murder rate in 2022 makes veteran NOLA rapper/activist Dee-1 sick to his stomach, and it's also why he's taking issue with Fat Joe's recent remarks about robberies.

TMZ Hip Hop linked with Dee-1 following the new report about murders rising 46% in NOLA since last year. The city is close to passing the 2021 total of 221 slayings, and it's only September.

Dee -- who's currently at Harvard University -- says it doesn't take a 4.0 student to see hip hop has been amplifying street activity across the board, and Joe Crack's street-influenced commentary following PnB Rock's murder has him extremely frustrated.

Joe recently appeared on Charlamagne's "Hell Of A Week" and said he's fine with someone robbing PnB, but not the murder -- but Dee says that mentality ignores the root problem.

Dee says Joe and other OG's should know better and thinks artists have been hiding behind the "freedom of speech" rights for too long ... highlighting bad stuff to sound good.

As for his hometown, he says too many in NOLA were competing to have the hardest 'hoods in America, and tragically they've succeeded.

Dee is at Harvard via the hip hop fellowship Nas started years ago, and as part of his studies, he's examining hip hop culture at its core ... in addition to its influence on the youth.

Talk show host and "Coming to America" star Arsenio Hall didn't have much to laugh about recently ... because cops say his L.A. home was the target of not 1, but 2 break-ins.

LAPD sources tell TMZ ... Arsenio was home Saturday at 11 AM when he heard a loud noise coming from downstairs. We're told he came down to discover someone had broken the glass on his sliding door ... attempting to get in. But, an incident last month was even scarier.

Cops say 2 people broke a window at his place back in August and entered the home. Arsenio was home when they broke in. We're told the burglars got spooked and took off before stealing anything.

Police responded both times, but the suspects beat it before they arrived. Detectives are now looking at surveillance video from the home and neighborhood to ID the suspects. They also want to know if Arsenio is being targeted. Specifically, they want to know if the same people were involved in both incidents.

The Brooklyn pastor who went viral for manhandling a woman during his church service says he and his family are the real victims ... and he's released security footage to prove his case.

Bishop Lamor Whitehead joined "TMZ Live" to explain his side of things after he came under fire for shoving a woman on Sunday, and removing her from the church. Previously, the only angle we'd seen was the live stream cam directed at the pulpit.

Whitehead says this new video shows the woman -- who appeared to be protesting the Bishop -- heading directly for his wife and 10-month-old baby while cursing at them.

We can't hear what she's saying on the security footage, Pastor Whitehead is insisting he felt the woman was a threat to his family ... and he adds the whole incident was set up by bloggers who take issue with the fact he's been known to hang with celebs.

In other words, he feels completely justified for getting physical especially because he feared she might have a weapon in a small purse that was under her arm.

He also says he never choked or scratched her, but he did grab her shoulder in order to escort her out to police ... despite her posting a huge scratch mark on her neck.

Adnan Syed, whose murder conviction was featured on the "Serial" podcast, is about to go free after spending more than 22 years of a life sentence.

A Baltimore Circuit Court judge overturned Adnan's conviction ... after prosecutors called for it, in light of new information there might have been 2 other possible suspects. The judge said Adnan should be released from prison immediately, and prosecutors now have 30 days to decide whether to file new charges.

Syed was a 17-year-old high school student when he got arrested in February 1999 for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. He was convicted a year later. The podcast first shed light on Adnan's case in 2014, and raised a lot of questions about the case and his guilt.

Although, he had filed multiple appeals -- even attempting to get the case before the U.S. Supreme Court -- Adnan had been rejected every time. It wasn't until prosecutors poked holes in the case last month that he got what he would call justice.

Lee's brother, Young Lee, says he feels betrayed by prosecutors, and although he's not against further investigation into his sister's death, he adds ... "Everyday when I think it's over, or it's ended, it always comes back. It's killing me. It's really tough."

The "Serial" podcast Twitter account said there will be a new episode of the series released tomorrow.

August Alsina isn't denying he left Tory Lanez hanging during an attempted handshake -- but this new video shows the diss happening, and Tory's immediate and angry reaction.

You can see August strolling through a backstage hallway in the Chicago venue ... when Tory extends his hand out for a shake, AA hit him with a fierce side step to avoid all contact.

A perplexed Tory was left standing in the hallway with his hand out ... until an onlooking fan dapped him up. After shaking off the embarrassment, Tory and his security team regrouped before squaring up with August again where the alleged assault took place.

As he's prancing through the hall, you can hear a woman pleading for Tory not to "do it" because of his pending case against Megan Thee Stallion.

According to August, Tory "did it" anyway ... as the video shows his security rushing him from the area and later on, giving high fives as the cameraman talks about him knocking out AA.

As we reported, August later hit social media to post pics of his bloody mouth and scraped skin, accusing Tory and his team of the brutal beatdown while also daring them to release footage he says they have of the whole thing.

Charlamagne Tha God is highlighting what he sees as hip hop hypocrisy in the wake of PnB Rock's murder last week.

As The Breakfast Club crew was discussing the home invasion/robbery of Tee Grizzley, Charlamagne spoke on how rappers tend to get sad when their fellow artists get killed and flood social media with 'RIP' messages -- but then continue supporting the same lifestyle and culture that got their homie killed in the first place.

Charlamagne says the unfortunate trend of murdered rappers should have made artists smarten up by now, and he's confused why that's not more apparent by now.

TMZ broke the story ... Tee's Los Angeles suburban home was broken into a couple of weeks ago and suspects made off with more than $1 million in jewelry -- in addition to the cash they stole.

Following the report, the Detroit-born rapper took to Instagram to reassure fans he was safe but urged rappers to be careful of the content of their music ... noting how bad juju could be spoken into existence on wax. He also advised rappers to speak in third-person or from the arc of a storyteller instead of making their lyrics direct with dirt.

Tee's recently released single "Robbery Part 4" plays out just like that ... it's a fictional tale that's more cinematic than reality.

He also asked the fans to pray for King Von and PnB's families ... the latter of who say they're having a hard time getting PnB's body back to Philly due to the open homicide investigation.

Von died in 2020 after being shot and killed in Atlanta and PnB was gunned down last week while eating with his girlfriend inside a Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles restaurant.

Justin and Hailey Bieber's home had an unwanted visitor ... the security team spotted a guy who broke into the backyard and it ended in a mad foot chase.

LAPD sources tell TMZ ... cops were called to the couple's home in an exclusive gated Los Angeles community last Saturday ... after Justin's security said they saw a guy in the backyard, hanging out by the couple's BBQ.

We're told when security approached the man, he took off running ... jumping over one of the walls and into the neighborhood. Security gave chase but the guy disappeared.

Justin and Hailey were not home ... they were away on vacation.

Once police arrived, they searched the area, but came up empty-handed.

It's unclear how the guy got into the gated community, but it's not the first time this has happened. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill previously had their home burglarized and Lisa Vanderpump's car was stolen a few years back.

This also is not the first time Justin has had to deal with unwanted visitors either. He's had some really disturbing run-ins in the past with folks showing up to his property ... like the time a lady got into his hotel room.

Superstar hip hop producer Honorable C.N.O.T.E. isn't bowing down amid the surging crime wave in the U.S. -- he's literally fighting back when it comes to his own belongings!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked with the veteran soundman following his viral moment this week ... where he was filmed in Los Angeles catching a carjacker breaking his window, with his luggage still inside the whip.

C.N.O.T.E. says he hopped off the plane, fresh from LAX, and hit up a grocery store ... but noticed a suspicious BMW near his rental car.

Soon after, he heard the car alarm buzzing and spotted the thief -- who had busted a rear door window -- trying to yank stuff outta his ride. C.N.O.T.E. ran up on him and proceeded to lay the smackdown!!!

It might not look like it from the beating -- which someone in the neighborhood recorded -- but C.N.O.T.E. tells us he actually dialed back his 350 lb-frame punches after realizing the thief was just a kid, and showed him mercy.

He says they even exchanged words, which he wants to keep between them. Now, here's the plot twist -- C.N.O.T.E. wants to reconnect with the kid in order to mentor him. He's also thankful the issue didn't result in gunplay.

C.N.O.T.E. slammed social media commenters who said he should've taken fatal action ... explaining how everyone is a victim of the same struggle.

The altercation happened a couple of days before the tragic PnB Rock murder, and the Georgia-based artist says hip-hop culture's been steered down the wrong path for too long.

Moving forward, C.N.O.T.E. is gearing up for his "Signs 3" project ... which he's really excited about, thanks to a mix of old and new school flavor from artists such as current XXL Freshman Cochise and No Limit Records soldier Fiend.

The album drops October 7 and C.N.O.T.E. thinks hip hop is the best way to get through to the youth in today's climate.