Drugs & Alcohol

Jussie Smollett's legal troubles are far from over ... but it looks as though he's working overtime to get his career back on track.

The troubled actor was seen reuniting with "Empire" showrunner Brett Mahoney ... with the duo sharing a hug Thursday outside Crossroads Kitchen in Los Angeles.

The sighting triggered speculation of a possible future collab ... though any TV comeback is realistically a long way off for Jussie as he deals with his personal and legal worries.

Sources told us just before Xmas ... Jussie was still in the midst of a rehab stint for substance abuse ... after checking himself into an outpatient facility in back in October.

He recently lost his appeal after being convicted for lying to cops about the fake Chicago hate crime attack back in 2019.

Jussie's lawyers say they'll continue their fight in the Illinois Supreme Court, although there's no guarantee the Court will hear the case.

If the Court turns thumbs down on hearing the case, Jussie could return to jail as soon as January to complete his 150 day sentence ... he's only served 6 days.

Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rashaan Evans was arrested on Tuesday ... and on Friday, cops released his mug shot -- and you can see, he was not thrilled to have been thrown behind bars.

The 28-year-old -- who was cut by America's Team on Wednesday following the arrest -- took the photo hours after cops placed him in handcuffs after officers say he reeked of weed in his 2021 Ram 1500 near the Cowboys' practice facility in Frisco, Texas.

According to police documents, cops say at around 10:46 PM they drove by Evans, who was in the driver's seat of his car ... and smelled a strong odor of marijuana.

They claim when they eventually questioned the football player, he told them there was "just a nugget" in the ride.

Cops say, however, that when they searched the Ram, they found burnt marijuana residue, marijuana cigarettes, rolling papers and a vacuum-sealable bag containing three separate baggies of marijuana.

They say the baggies weighed a total of 2.240 ounces.

Evans was ultimately booked on a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession. And, hours later, the Cowboys moved on from him.

Evans had just joined Dallas' roster in October. He had played in nine games so far this season -- including the Cowboys' loss to Miami on Sunday -- tallying nine total tackles.

The death of "Parasite" star Lee Sun-kyun is hitting his family and friends hard as they lay the South Korean actor to rest.

Lee's funeral was held Friday in Seoul, where a large congregation followed as his coffin was placed in the hearse. His wife broke down in tears during the ceremony and the procession.

As we reported, Lee was found dead in his car Wednesday ... after an apparent suicide -- and his attorney says he'd been under an intense police investigation for a drug blackmail plot. He claimed he'd been tricked into smoking marijuana, and then extorted by the man and woman who allegedly tricked him.

Detectives in the Seoul suburb of Incheon had questioned him last week after detaining the actor for 19 hours. His attorney says Lee begged police not to go public with the investigation.

Lee was best known in America for his role as the father in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite."

The 2 suspects in the plot were arrested the day before Lee was found dead.

La muerte de la estrella de "Parásito" Lee Sun-kyun está golpeando duramente a su familia y amigos mientras el actor surcoreano es velado.

El funeral de Lee se celebró el viernes en Seúl y reunió a una gran congregación que siguió su ataúd mientras avanzaba en el coche fúnebre. Su esposa rompió en llanto durante la ceremonia y la procesión.

Como informamos, Lee fue encontrado sin vida en su carro el miércoles, después de un aparente suicidio, y su abogado dice que había estado bajo una intensa investigación policial por una trama de chantaje de drogas. Afirmó que había sido engañado para fumar marihuana y luego extorsionado por el hombre y la mujer que supuestamente lo engañó.

Los detectives del suburbio de Incheon, en Seúl, lo habían interrogado la semana pasada tras haber detenido al actor por 19 horas. Su abogado dice que Lee le rogó a la policía que no hiciera pública la investigación.

Lee era conocido en Estados Unidos por su papel de padre en la película ganadora del Oscar "Parásito".

Los dos sospechosos de la trama fueron detenidos el día antes de que Lee fuera encontrado muerto.

Mama June está acallando los rumores de que estaba tomando drogas mientras hacía un video en vivo en TikTok, ya que según ella ha estado sobria durante años.

June hizo una transmisión en vivo, en la que divagaba mientras hablaba de la gente que la critica. En el video, repetidamente se la ve por debajo de la línea de visión de la cámara.

La gente empezó a especular que esto era una señal de que estaba de vuelta en las drogas, pero Mama June le dice a TMZ: "He estado sobria desde el 27 de enero de 2020", y agregó: "No tomo drogas, no fumo cigarrillos y ni siquiera bebo".

June nos dice que estaba cocinando durante la transmisión en vivo y se agachaba para poder leer los comentarios que le llegaban. También señaló que está ciega del ojo derecho, lo que hace que sea un desafío para ella leer.

June nos dice que se hace pruebas de drogas semanalmente, algo necesario para la producción de su programa "Mama June: From Not to Hot". Dice que nunca ha fallado una prueba y agrega: "Eso no me mantiene limpia, yo me mantengo limpia".

Mama June is shutting down rumors she was doing drugs while live on TikTok ... because according to her, she's been sober for years.

June was on a live stream, where she rambles while talking about people trashing her. She repeatedly ducks down below the camera's line of sight.

Folks speculated it was a sign she was back on drugs, but Mama June tells TMZ ... "I have been straight sober since Jan 27, 2020," adding, "I don't do drugs, I don't smoke cigarettes and I don't even drink."

June tells us she was cooking food during the live stream, and was bending down so she could read the comments coming her way ... noting she's blind in her right eye, making reading a challenge.

June tells us she takes weekly drug tests ... something required for the production of her show, "Mama June: From Not to Hot." She says she never failed a test, adding, "That doesn’t keep me clean, I keep me clean."

La estrella de "Parásito", Lee Sun-kyun, le había suplicado a la policía que no anunciara públicamente que estaba siendo investigado por consumir drogas ilegales, solo cuatro días antes de su aparente suicidio.

Funcionarios de la policía confirmaron el jueves que el abogado de Sun-kyun le pidió a los policías que cerraran la última ronda de preguntas de la prensa el sábado, pero se negaron.

Un día antes de que se encontrara el cuerpo de Sun-kyun, su abogado añadió que el actor esperaba que cualquier interrogatorio futuro se realizara en privado, ya que estaba agobiado de hablar de las acusaciones en público, pues la cobertura mediática había sido intensa.

Aunque el jefe de la policía metropolitana de Incheon, Kim Hui-jung, expresó su profundo pesar por el fallecimiento de Sun-kyun, se mantuvo firme respecto a la línea de interrogatorio, añadiendo que se había hecho con su consentimiento.

Como ya informamos, el actor surcoreano fue encontrado sin vida, a los 48 años, en su carro el miércoles en la capital, Seúl. Esto, después de que su representante denunciara su desaparición a la policía.

Estaba siendo investigado por una trama de chantaje con drogas. Estaba acusado de consumir marihuana y otras sustancias en casa de una azafata de un bar local, aunque él decía que ella lo había engañado para que consumiera las drogas e intentó chantajearlo.

Fue interrogado por última vez por la policía el 23 de diciembre y fue detenido durante 19 horas antes de ser puesto en libertad.

Dos sospechosos, un hombre y una mujer, fueron detenidos en relación con la investigación de narcóticos y un día antes de que Lee fuera encontrado muerto, pidió a través de su abogado que la policía le hiciera una prueba del detector de mentiras a él y a los otros dos.

'Parasite' star Lee Sun-kyun had begged police not to publicly announce he was under investigation for using illegal drugs ... 4 days before his apparent suicide.

Police officials confirmed Thursday that Sun-kyun's lawyer requested cops to close the latest questioning round to the press on Saturday ... but they declined.

A day before Sun-kyun's body was found, his lawyer added the actor was hopeful any future interrogation would be in private ... explaining he felt burdened discussing the allegations in a public setting as the media coverage had been intense.

While the Incheon Metropolitan Police Chief, Kim Hui-jung, expressed deep regret over Sun-kyun's passing ... he stuck by their tough line of questioning -- adding it had been done with his consent.

As we reported, the South Korean actor was found dead, aged 48, in his car Wednesday in the capital city of Seoul ... after his manager reported him missing to the police.

He was under investigation for a drug blackmail plot ... accused of using marijuana and other substances at the home of a hostess from the local bar -- though he claimed she deceived him into taking the drugs and tried to blackmail him.

He was last questioned by police on Dec 23 ... and was detained for 19 hours before being released.

Two suspects – a man and a woman – were arrested in connection with the narcotics investigation ... and a day before Lee was found dead, he requested through his attorney that police administer a lie detector test to him and the two others.

It's not clear if they were given the polygraph exam.

Kodak Black está apoyando a Israel como solo él puede, con algunas joyas nuevas y un video incoherente.

TMZ obtuvo un video que hizo Kodak antes de su más reciente viaje tras las rejas. En el video le pide a Hamás que libere a los rehenes israelíes en Gaza y prometiéndole apoyo a sus "homies hebreos" mientras la guerra hace estragos en el Oriente Medio.

Nuestras fuentes dicen que Kodak grabó el video en su casa de Florida, sentándose delante de la cámara en algún momento entre su arresto por drogas en diciembre y su posterior regreso a la cárcel federal.

Kodak está mostrando nuevo bling en el video, un anillo personalizado con el símbolo del pueblo judío, la estrella de David.

Nos informan que la nueva joya del rapero cuenta con 7.8 quilates de diamantes VVS1 y 14 quilates de oro blanco, además es de diseñador y viene con una etiqueta de precio de $20.000.

Kodak es básicamente el anti-Kanye West en esta situación, dándole su apoyo a Israel y el pueblo judío en la guerra contra los terroristas de Hamás.

Kodak Black is supporting Israel as only he can ... with some new jewelry and a rambling video message.

TMZ obtained a video Kodak filmed before his most recent trip behind bars, and he's calling for Hamas to release Israeli hostages in Gaza and pledging his support for his "Hebrew homies" as war rages in the Middle East.

Our sources say Kodak shot the video at his home in Florida, sitting down in front of the camera sometime between his December drug bust and subsequent return to federal lockup.

Kodak's showing off some new bling in the video ... a custom ring with the symbol of the Jewish people ... the Star of David.

We're told KB's new bling features 7.8 carats of VVS1 clarity diamonds and 14-karat white gold ... it was purchased from NYC Luxury and it comes with a $20,000 price tag.

Kodak's basically the anti-Kanye West here ... supporting Israel and the Jewish people in the war against Hamas terrorists.

La hermana de Nick y Aaron Carter, Bobbie Jean Carter, fue encontrada sin respuesta en un baño el día que murió, al igual que su difunto hermano Aaron.

La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Hillsborough le dice TMZ que los primeros auxilios fueron enviados a la casa de Bobbie en Tampa, Florida, el sábado por la mañana. Allí la encontraron y la llevaron a un hospital cercano, donde fue declarada muerta.

El sheriff dice que los oficiales se enteraron de que Bobbie Jean estaba en libertad condicional por posesión de cocaína cuando murió, pero sus compañeros de cuarto dijeron que no había consumido ningún estupefaciente desde que salió de la cárcel.

Más aún, nos dicen que los oficiales no encontraron ningún narcótico o equipamiento de drogas en el dormitorio de Bobbie Jean o en el baño, y que no había signos de crimen violento.

El sheriff dice que la muerte de Bobbie Jean está bajo investigación y que su causa oficial de muerte será determinada en última instancia por la Oficina del Médico Forense, a la espera de los resultados de toxicología.

Es bastante inquietante saber que Bobbie fue encontrada sin respuesta en un baño, al igual que le pasó a su hermano Aaron.

Recuerden, Aaron murió el año pasado después de ahogarse en su bañera. El informe de la autopsia dijo que el artista quedó incapacitado debido a los efectos de las píldoras de prescripción e inhalar antes de deslizarse bajo el agua y ahogarse.

Nick and Aaron Carter's sister, Bobbie Jean Carter, was found unresponsive in a bathroom the day she died ... just like her late brother Aaron.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ ... first responders were dispatched to Bobbie's Tampa, FL home Saturday morning, they found her and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was declared dead.

The sheriff says deputies learned Bobbie Jean was on probation for cocaine possession when she died, but her roommates told police she had not used any narcotics since being released from prison.

What's more, we're told deputies did not find any narcotics or drug paraphernalia in Bobbie Jean's bedroom or bathroom ... and there were no signs of foul play.

The sheriff says Bobbie Jean's death is under investigation ... and her official cause of death will be ultimately determined by the Medical Examiner's Office, pending toxicology results.

It's pretty eerie to learn Bobbie was found unresponsive in a bathroom ... because the same thing happened with Aaron.

Remember ... Aaron died last year after drowning in his bathtub. The autopsy report said Aaron became incapacitated due to the effects of prescription pills and huffing before slipping under the water and drowning.

A North Dakota politician put his foot square in his mouth after he went on a xenophobic and homophobic rant while he was being arrested – and filmed! – for driving drunk.

Republican lawmaker Nico Rios was cruising around the district he represents in Williston the night of December 15, when police on patrol saw his car swerving and pulled him over.

The officers walked up to Rios behind the wheel and turned on their bodyworn cameras, leading to the shocking 21-minute encounter that has now gone viral.

Check out the footage ... the cops ask a series of questions to Rios who is slurring his words and getting caught in lies, falsely claiming at one point that he doesn't have an open beer bottle in his car.

Rios also gives an expired registration to the officers, who order him out of his vehicle for a field sobriety exam.

During the test, Rios becomes agitated and starts hurling threats at the officers, accusing them of "f—king picking on me" and promising they will regret it because of who he is.

Rios then rejects a request to take a breathalyzer from one of the officers, who promptly arrests him, placing him in handcuffs.

On the ride to the police station, Rios starts antagonizing the British-born officer, poking fun at his accent and claiming his country is being overrun by "f---king migrants and refugees."

In the stationhouse, Rios makes a homophobic remark to the officer, who informs his supervisor about the litany of derogatory comments from the lawmaker.

Tiffany Haddish se ha declarado inocente en su caso de conducción bajo estado de ebriedad en Los Ángeles, reflejando su declaración por el mismo cargo en Georgia.

La comediante fue procesada el miércoles, donde se declaró "no culpable" de dos cargos presentados por la Oficina del Fiscal del Distrito del Condado de Los Ángeles, conducir bajo la influencia del alcohol y conducir con un 0,08% BAC.

TMZ publicó la historia, Tiffany fue detenida en Beverly Hills el mes pasado cuando los policías afirman que la encontraron dormida al volante con su carro bloqueando parcialmente la carretera.

Tiffany bromeó al respecto el día después en su stand-up comedy, pero ahora parece que las cosas se están poniendo serias, porque se declaró inocente de los cargos aquí y en Georgia, aparentemente señalando que ella va a luchar.

El caso de Georgia en realidad se suponía que iba a juicio este mes, pero se ha pospuesto. En los documentos de la corte para ese caso, Tiff ha informado alegó que la policía allí en GA llevó a cabo una búsqueda ilegal de su vehículo y ella también ha pedido que su resultado de la prueba de sangre no se permita como prueba.

Tiffany Haddish has pleaded not guilty in her L.A. DUI case -- mirroring her plea to the same charge out in Georgia.

The comedian was arraigned Wednesday, where she entered "not guilty" pleas to two counts brought by the L.A. County District Attorney's Office -- driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a .08% BAC.

TMZ broke the story ... TH was arrested in Beverly Hills last month, when cops claim they found her asleep at the wheel -- with her car partially blocking the road.

Tiffany joked about it the day after in a stand-up comedy set, but now it looks like things are getting serious ... 'cause she pleaded not guilty to the charges here AND in Georgia, apparently signaling that she's gonna fight.

The Georgia case was actually supposed to go trial this month, but it's been postponed. In court docs for that case, Tiff has reportedly alleged the cops there in GA conducted an unlawful search of her vehicle ... and she's also asked that her blood test result not be allowed as evidence.

Jussie Smollett is taking in Matthew Perry's memoir while he continues to seek help for substance abuse ... some interesting reading material during a rocky time in his life.

The former "Empire" star was photographed Monday in Studio City, CA -- where he was sitting by himself and perusing the pages of Perry's 2022 NYT Bestseller, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir" ... which detailed the late actor's struggles with addiction.

Jussie had a laptop with him as well, and he was also spotted using his phone during this outing ... but it seems like he was mostly preoccupied with going through the memoir.

Of course, Jussie himself is in rehab at the moment ... this after checking himself into an outpatient treatment facility in October.

His substance use was touched on quite a bit throughout his criminal trial in Chicago -- which, BTW, has come back to rear its ugly head.

Remember, he recently lost his appeal after being convicted for lying to cops about the hate crime attack he claimed was carried out on him ... and the rest of his jail sentence looms.