Developing Stories

Tony -- famous for his roles in "Spartacus" (1960) and "Some Like It Hot" (1959) -- passed away last week after suffering a heart attack in his Nevada home.

Sources tell TMZ ... a camera crew from the "Oprah" show rolled over to Oksana's home in Sherman Oaks on Friday to shoot some footage for Oksana's upcoming appearance ... but there was a secret agenda.

As we previously reported, Oksana agreed to do an exclusive sit-down with Oprah and spill her guts about Mel -- but in return, Oksana wanted to showcase her musical "talents" on TV ... and Oprah caved.

As for the sit-down part of the interview -- we're told "Oprah" producers are trying to push it to happen ASAP ... but so far no firm date has been set.

No comment from Team Oprah.

Kristian Otto Herzog has been working as Oksana's bodyguard for months, but multiple sources in the case say he has become so involved in the custody war, he is calling the shots. Herzog is the reason Oksana has changed lawyers so frequently -- when he doesn't like them, they go.

Herzog -- who now has what is described as a "deep relationship" with Oksana -- is constantly around 11-month-old Lucia, and Gibson is worried.

For starters, Herzog has repeatedly impersonated a police officer with loaded firearms.

In 2009 alone, he was arrested twice and each case involved firearms. According to court records, in April, Herzog chased two men who were driving in Hollywood, confronted them and accused them of cutting him off. Authorities say Herzog impersonated a cop in his Crown Victoria, with a placard on the dash which read "Police Interceptor." Herzog was carrying a loaded semiautomatic firearm.

In May 2009, Herzog followed a woman out of a Ralph's supermarket, turned on lights and a siren he rigged on his car ... and after she stopped, he began asking her personal questions. She freaked out, drove away and found a nearby cop, who arrested Herzog. At the time of his arrest, Herzog had a knife in his boot as well as a loaded semiautomatic handgun which was not registered to him.

Herzog was charged with multiple crimes and pled no contest in October, 2009 to two counts of impersonating an officer -- both felonies. He was sentenced to one year in jail but was given credit for time served -- he was in jail for 255 days after his second arrest in May. He is on three years probation and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

But recently, two people accused Herzog of making death threats against them for not testifying against Mel Gibson in the ongoing war.

Herzog, who has an explosive temper and uses it frequently with the players in the current case, including Oksana's lawyers, has been convicted of two other crimes.

It's ironic -- since their mediation, Oksana has claimed Mel Gibson is a danger to his children, yet she is allowing a man with a history of firearms abuse and a nuclear temper to essentially live at her home, where he is constantly around the baby.

Sources tell us ... Mel's people have asked Oksana to keep Herzog away from the baby, but she refuses.

While cameras rolled, Jermaine performed a series of Michael Jackson's classics to a packed house at the concert hall at the Planet Hollywood Resort.

Here's the rub -- Jermaine is legally allowed to cover the MJ songs in concert, but if he uses the recorded footage to create and then sell a DVD, album or TV special -- he would need to go through the Michael Jackson Estate to secure permission.

So far, it's unclear if Jermaine did get the green light -- but if not, the MJ Estate could bring legal action against Jermaine to protect its most valuable asset ... Michael's music.

May was busted for weed last week, but only had to pay a small fine because he was carrying less than an ounce. The comedian tells us he didn't realize the pot was in his bag when, on his way through customs, he went up to the dog and started petting it.

May, who has a medical marijuana card, explains: "When I got to baggage claim, I actually walked up to the dog. I love dogs and petted Nickey, the beautiful shepherd mix, and she sat down. That indicates to the handler that I had marijuana on me. I didn't know that, I just thought that dog loved me. Then another dog came over and it sat down as well and I petted that dog too. I was thinking these dogs love me they can tell I'm a dog person."

Sources close to Oksana tell TMZ ... Mel's baby mama gave her younger sister, Natalie, recordings of an irate Mel Gibson on February 19 ... hours after Mel went on his secretly-recorded rants. The reason Oksana forked over the goods -- she says she thought Mel was going to kill her and wanted someone to have evidence.

But our sources say of the 10 recordings, Natalie received only nine. Oksana claims Natalie never had the tape where Mel explodes and says, "You look like a f**king pig in heat and if you get raped by a pack of ni**ers it will be your fault."

Dog was taken to UCLA Medical Center where he was treated for internal bleeding. His wife posted a statement on Dog's official website, saying, "He was admitted for tests for a possible blood clot following an injury he suffered on a bounty hunt. Duane is in very capable hands and and we thank everyone for their prayers."

He was released and is expected to make a scheduled appearance at at the Cathedral of Faith Church in San Jose, CA.

Attorney Dan Horowitz is upset about a TMZ story in which multiple sources told us Oksana once accused baby daddy Timothy Dalton of abuse.

Horowitz tells: "Faceless cowards who leak half-truths and lies are pathetic little Gollums who thrive in gossipy nastiness and who shrivel if they are forced to say their name. Tim Dalton is a loving father and good friend to Oksana. Mel Gibson is not half the man Tim Dalton is."

Michael Lohan is eyeing Dana Cole, a prominent Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, to serve as the conservator for Lindsay Lohan.

The two met on Thursday, though we're told Cole did not sign on -- but he listened.

As we first reported, Michael wants to file for a conservatorship, but he knows the judge would never appoint him as a conservator ... for numerous reasons.

As we first reported, the dress is being put up for auction by The Potomack Company, an all-female owned auction house, with a percentage of the sale to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund.

Allegedly.

TMZ has learned a new box set called "Vision" will be released on the 47th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination -- November 22. A source close to the estate tells TMZ the three DVDs feature a vast collection of previously released Michael Jackson videos ... and one new video that has never been seen. Yes, just one.

As we previously reported, Heidi called off her divorce from Spencer -- and as a symbol of their (unfortunately) undying love, Speidi fed each other s'mores that they'd cooked over an inferno of legal docs.

Heidi tells TMZ she was waiting for Spencer to make her his top priority: "All I ever wanted was to know that Spencer loved me more than he loved all this other nonsense."

For his part, Spencer tells us, "Through everything it's been Heidi's love that kept me grounded. Realizing my behavior was pushing her away was a terrifying wake-up call. I've still got a long way to go to repair the trust, but I hope with continued self improvement, our relationship will be stronger than ever."

Sources connected with Oksana tell TMZ ... she has five reasons for needing 20k every 30 days:

-- Lucia is Mel's daughter, so she needs round-the-clock security
-- Oksana is in debt for more than $100,000 -- for legal fees, PR costs, etc -- and she needs to dig out of the hole
-- Oksana says Mel promised to take care of her and his daughter
-- They got accustomed to the Mel Gibson lifestyle
-- The baby costs a lot, with medical costs, food, clothing, gas for the car, etc.

So, we ask ...

Our sources -- who were privy to the allegations when Oksana made them -- say Oksana complained to Mel and later to her lawyers that she was the victim of Dalton's "rages." We're also told she complained to Mel and her lawyers that Dalton had allegedly abused her physically.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the L.A. County Sheriff's Department is in possession of at least one email from Oksana to Mel in which she claims Dalton physically abused her.

As far as we can tell, Oksana never went to law enforcement to complain about Dalton and absolutely no action was ever taken against the actor. There has never been any evidence presented of abuse on Dalton's part.

We're told ... L.A. County Sheriff's Department investigators in the Mel Gibson matter were made aware of Oksana's claims regarding Dalton ... partly because it could show an M.O. on Oksana's part.

We called Dalton for comment and Dalton called Daniel Horowitz, Oksana's lawyer. Horowitz says, "Dalton said that he spoke with Oksana and they both agreed that anyone claiming there was abusiveness in the relationship is a liar and it is a complete fabrication." Horowitz says Dalton told him, "Oksana and I are still friends to this day."

As for Oksana telling Mel and lawyers that Dalton was abusive, Horowitz says, "That is a complete lie. I challenge anyone making this claim to show their face." And Horowitz says, "This is an attack on Oksana and Tim's son, because this is going to hurt him by false allegations that his father is a loser the way Mel Gibson is a loser. Tim Dalton is not Mel Gibson. He's a fine human being."

According to police, Mario's mother Shawntia Hardaway -- a former heroin addict -- told cops the former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant had been "throwing and damaging property" ... and pushed her around with his hands and forearms.

Cops say they found several broken items inside the apartment -- including a broken china cabinet, a busted mirror and a hole in the closet door.

Mario's mother also told police the 24-year-old singer had attacked her earlier in the week -- in which he pushed her "eight feet into a living room wall, where Ms. Hardaway hit her head on the wall."

Mario -- real name Mario Dewar Barrett -- was eventually arrested this morning for 2nd degree assault. He was released on $50,000 bond.