Deadline

The extortion investigation was launched in connection to the $15 million deal she signed -- and then rejected -- during child custody mediation with Mel Gibson in May, 2010.

In the deal, Oksana was promised a house, assets and other goodies ... plus the guarantee she wouldn't release the infamous audio tapes.

A rep for Grigorieva released a statement saying in part, "Ms. Grigorieva will now concentrate on co-parenting Lucia, resuming her charitable work for the children of Chernobyl and moving forward with her life."

The misdemeanor specifically targets someone who either cohabits or has a child with the alleged victim.

TMZ broke the story, Mel will plead no contest today to the charge and will not receive jail time ... but will undergo continued counseling.

The no contest plea is not an admission of guilt.

Wilde filed the papers last week in L.A. County Superior Court -- citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the divorce.

The 27-year-old "House" actress and her husband Tao Ruspoli have been married for eight years. They separated last month.

The couple has no children.

TMZ broke the story ... Mel has cut a deal, in which he will plead no contest to the misdemeanor battery charge.

The D.A. had the option of filing a more serious charge -- felony domestic violence, but the D.A. is filing the lesser charge which is the basis of the plea bargain.

The actual charge will be California Penal Code, Section 243(e)(1), which is battery "against a person with whom the defendant is cohabiting, a person who is the parent of the defendant's child, or a person with whom the defendant currently has, or has previously had, a dating or engagement relationship."

And, as we reported, Mel will NOT be sentenced to any jail time. He will be ordered to continue his counseling and that's about it.

People familiar with the case -- and the L.A. County District Attorney's filing decisions -- tell TMZ the charge and the plea are appropriate and fit within D.A. guidelines. Remember, Chris Brown beat the crap out of Rihanna, and he was not sentenced to a day in jail.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... cops raided Charlie Sheen's house after receiving a call earlier today that Charlie threatened to harm himself with a firearm.

Under the restraining order obtained by Brooke Mueller, Charlie is prohibited from possessing weapons.

Cops are inside the house right now, searching for firearms and ammunition.

And law enforcement tell us cops are not trying to place Charlie on a 5150 psychiatric hold.

Charlie, his lawyers, and several friends are sitting at a table in the backyard eating hamburgers. KTLA shot video of the surreal scene from their helicopter.

We are told the LAPD has been conducting several investigations involving Charlie, including the possible violation of the TRO.

UPDATE 10:18 PM PT -- Sheen just tweeted: "#fastball; the LAPD were AWESOME. Absolute pros! they can protect and serve this Warlock anytime!!! c"

Story developing

Multiple sources familiar with the probation report tell TMZ ... the report -- drafted after Lindsay allegedly took the necklace in January -- contains something "shocking" and "devastating" against Lindsay. The info has never been made public and our sources would not divulge specifics -- only to say any judge who uses it to determine sentencing would probably throw the book at Lindsay.

The stakes are high if Lindsay doesn't accept Judge Keith Schwartz' proposed sentence -- which we're told is 3 months in jail. If Lindsay decides to fight the charge, Judge Stephanie Sautner would use the report to determine sentencing if she decides Lindsay violated her probation. Lindsay faces more than a year in jail for the probation violation.

And even worse for Lindsay ... if Lindsay is convicted of felony grand theft, the judge in that case would also consider the scathing probation report. The maximum sentence Lindsay would get for felony grand theft is 1 year in state prison.

Mind you Judge Schwartz' job is to try and settle cases, which is why he's willing to go pretty easy on Lindsay.

Short story -- Lindsay is crazy not to accept Judge Schwartz' offer.

Lindsay's lawyer, Shawn Holley, tells TMZ, "Judge Schwartz made it abundantly clear Thursday, on the record, that the probation violation, if proven, would be based on the theft allegation and nothing more. If there was such 'devastating' information in the Probation Report, wouldn't the allegations be based on that?"

According to sources, Lindsay told friends after Thursday's court hearing that she is STILL NOT considering copping a plea ... because she doesn't want any jail time.

As TMZ first reported, Judge Keith Schwartz offered LiLo and her attorney Shawn Holley a deal that includes as little as three months in jail ... which due to overcrowding would amount to 19 days behind bars.

We're told Lindsay maintains ... why should she go to jail for something she didn't do.

But considering the possible alternatives -- 6 months jail time PLUS prison time for a theft conviction -- the smart bet for Linds is to TAKE THE DEAL!

A rep for the former "21 Jump Street" actor tells us that Grieco's team is "actively pitching Richard to WB and Chuck Lorre to take over now that Charlie's gone."

We're told Grieco feels he's perfect for the role because he has a lot in common with Sheen's character ... including the fact they both let their siblings stay with them after a divorce.

Grieco's people also point out he doesn't have any substance abuse issues ... and insists he would be a reliable employee.

Sources tell us the LAPD has been conducting an investigation into criminal activity -- possibly drugs or weapons. And someone who is at the house tells us cops may be attempting to put Charlie on an involuntary -- 5150 -- psychiatric hold.

UPDATE: Someone at the house tells us, one of the reasons the cops are there is because Charlie allegedly violated the temporary restraining order Brooke Mueller obtained ... which prohibits Charlie from possessing weapons.

It's kicking off in less than a month -- blowing through Detroit on April 2 ... and hitting Chicago the very next day.

No details about the performance have been released yet -- but given Charlie's numerous theatrical diatribes in recent weeks ... everyone should have a good idea of what to expect.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday. Duh.

Lorre's lawyer, Howard Weitzman, tells TMZ, "The allegations in the complaint against Mr. Lorre are as recklessly false and unwarranted as Mr. Sheen's rantings in the media."

Weitzman continues, "These accusations are simply imaginary. This lawsuit is about a fantasy 'lottery' pay-day for Charlie Sheen."

In a scathing preamble, legal pit bull Marty Singer writes in the lawsuit, "Chuck Lorre, one of the richest men in television who is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, believes himself to be so wealthy and powerful that he can unilaterally decide to take money away from the dedicated cast and crew of the popular television series, 'Two and a Half Men,' in order to serve his own ego and self-interest, and make the star of the Series the scapegoat for Lorre's own conduct."

Singer alleges the cancellation is based on "Warner Bros. capitulating to Lorre's egotistical desire to punish Mr. Sheen ..."

Singer alleges there was a conspiracy between Lorre and Warner Bros. to blame Charlie for the cancellation.

Singer tells TMZ, the suit is also filed on behalf of the cast and crew, based on what's called a "private attorney general's statute." To view this in the lawsuit, see page 21, paragraphs 70 - 75.

And this is interesting ... Singer alleges the decision to cancel the 8 episodes was made BEFORE Sheen criticized Lorre, because Lorre allegedly wanted out so he could work on his other shows -- and because he hated Sheen.

The suit points out Warner Bros. renegotiated Charlie's contract when he was facing felony charges in Aspen -- charges Warner Bros. thought would land Charlie in jail.

Singer claims they fired Charlie when he was sick, and that's a violation of State and federal law.

TMZ spoke with multiple members from the "Men" production crew ... who tell us the set has been "dead" for more than a month ... with white sheets covering the furniture while the fate of the show hangs in limbo.

But, the studio isn't letting the space go to waste -- we're told the unit, located on the Warner Brothers lot, is also being used as a waiting room for lowly extras working on "The Big Bang Theory" ... another Chuck Lorre production.

Our sources say Mel will appear in court Friday and will plead no contest to simple battery -- a lesser charge than corporal injury on a spouse.

As we first reported, Mel had been agonizing over the impending criminal charge -- related to the January 6, 2010 blowout with Oksana Grigorieva -- worried that a prolonged court fight would be a strain on his family, particularly his children. We're told ... even though Mel believed he could win the case -- he struck the deal to protect his loved ones.

We're told the deal involves counseling but NO JAIL TIME.

When contacted for a response, Mel's lawyer, Blair Berk, released the following statement to TMZ: "I know from almost 20 years as a criminal defense lawyer that sometimes justice can come for a client at too high a personal price. That is particularly so for Mel, whose right to due process can only be exercised in this case with an enormous media circus attached."

Berk goes on, "Mel's priority throughout all of this has been that the best interests of his young daughter Lucia and the rest of his children be put first in any decisions made. It is with only that in mind that he asked me to approach the District Attorney with a proposal that would bring all of this to an immediate end."