Urgent Care Targeted by Corey Haim's Mom
The L.A. County Coroner's Office may investigate several urgent care facilities that prescribed meds to Corey Haim ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.
Sources say Corey's mom, Judy Haim, told Coroner's investigators that her son had been going to numerous urgent care facilities to score prescriptions.
Judy told investigators she was so frustrated in the last months of his life that she called several of the urgent care facilities herself, inquiring why they would give her son so many pills. She said Corey would often get 60 to 90 pills per visit.
We're told Judy and a friend told investigators they would provide the Coroner's Office with a list of facilities.
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U.S. Gov't Makes $33 Mil Mistake with Joe Francis
Hey Joe Francis, it's me Uncle Sam.
So remember when I filed that $33 million tax lien against you in November 2009? And remember how I filed papers last month saying it was all forgotten and you owed me nothing?
Um, yeah, about that ... my bad! Turns out you still really do owe me a huge chunk of change. I had the Department of Treasury file papers last week saying we released you from that tax lien ... by mistake. Whoopsies!!!
But there is some good news ... you don't owe me the full $33 million -- I only want $29,393,681.45. So if you can just write me a check, that would be awesome.
Thanks,
Uncle Sam
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Burglar Bunch Targeted Even More Celebs
The Burglar Bunch targeted way more celebs than we first thought ... this according to legal docs just obtained by TMZ.
According to a search warrant affidavit, alleged Burglar Bunch member Nick Prugo says his crew "door-knocked and conducted surveillance on the following celebrity residences:"
- Zac Efron
- Vanessa Hudgens
- Miley Cyrus
- Hilary Duff
- Spencer Pratt
- Channing Tatum
- Brittny Gastineau
- Ashley Tisdale
- Jacqueline Bisset
- Adam Goldstein aka DJ AM
The Burglar Bunch allegedly hit the homes of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Audrina Patridge, Orlando Bloom, Rachel Bilson, Brian Austin Green and Megan Fox.
The affidavit we obtained was filed in support of a search warrant that was executed just yesterday at Nick Prugo's home. According to legal docs, nothing was seized.
Erin Andrews -- No Mercy for Peeping Tom
Erin Andrews is outraged that her convicted stalker, Michael David Barrett, will ask the court on Monday for probation after his creepy peeping tour of Erin's hotel rooms.
The "Dancing With the Stars" beauty tells TMZ, "He is seeking the mercy of the court. He did not show me or any of the other victims any mercy."
Erin's lawyer, Marshall Grossman, was even stronger, saying, "I think it would be a travesty of justice for this man to walk free. It would be a license for others to engage in similar predatory activity."
Grossman goes on ... "It would send a terrible message to the other 16 women known to be victimized by him in the same manner."
Prosecutors are asking the judge to sentence Barrett to 27 months behind bars.
The sentencing hearing is set for Monday. Erin says she'll be in court and she'll ask the judge to throw the book at Barrett.
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James Brown Did Not Continue His World Tour
There are reports that James Brown's body is missing from his crypt -- as in, stolen -- but TMZ has learned the Godfather of Soul never left the building.
The morbid dispute arose when one of Brown's illegitimate daughters, LaRhonda Pettit, told a UK newspaper that the singer's body was mysteriously moved from the temporary crypt in South Carolina in an attempt to keep her from having another autopsy performed on the body.
Brown died in 2006 -- and Pettit had suggested foul play.
But a lawyer who represents 5 of Brown's children tells TMZ James is right where he should be -- in his crypt -- still dressed to the nines in one of his famously awesome "farewell" outfits.
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Ben Roethlisberger Hires High Profile Private Dick
Ben Roethlisberger just added another elite member to his defense team -- a famous private investigator who's handled several high profile celebrity cases before.
TMZ has learned the P.I. is Charles Mittelstadt -- who has worked as a lead investigator on behalf of NFL stars like Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis. Mittelstadt has also worked for rapper T.I. and convicted Olympic bomber Eric Rudolph.
Hiring a private investigator is a sign that the alleged victim is fair game. In this case, as we already reported, law enforcement tells us alcohol was a factor.
It's a safe bet the P.I. will go down that road ... as well as others.
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Charlie Sheen -- Ready to Cop a Plea
With his arraignment looming and his show on the line, Charlie Sheen is ready to plea bargain his felony case in Aspen, sources tell TMZ. But we're told prosecutors are not that eager to deal, at least not right now.
Sources tell us Sheen would plead no contest to a misdemeanor, provided he would not do any jail time. He'd agree to probation and also agree to take anger management classes.
Sheen's biggest bargaining chip is the accuser herself, wife Brooke Mueller, who was under the influence during the alleged Christmas Day assault and is currently in rehab.
And there's something else. People from Brooke's camp tell us she would rather walk on hot coals than testify against Charlie and wants this case to go away, stat.
The fly in the ointment: We're told prosecutors feel they have enough physical evidence to convince a jury that Brooke's original allegations against Charlie are truthful, even if she's shaky on the stand.
Charlie's arraignment in Aspen is set for Monday. He'll be on the "Two and a Half Men" set -- with a sober coach -- beginning Tuesday to film the last 4 episodes of the season.
See also
Haim's Ex -- What We Can Learn from His Death ...
Former "Baywatch" star Nicole Eggert dated Corey Haim back in the day -- and last night, she said the only "good message" people should take from his death is "say no" when it comes to drugs.
Eggert, who says she spoke with Haim's mother yesterday, echoed Corey Feldman's words from "Larry King" -- saying "don't assume" it was an overdose.
As we previously reported, Haim had pulmonary congestion, an enlarged heart and water in his lungs -- but the Coroner has not determined that any of those conditions caused Haim's death.
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Big Ben -- Cop Photos Not From Capital City
The photos of Ben Roethlisberger smiling with the cop who first investigated the alleged sexual assault incident were not taken at the club where the drama unfolded. They were taken much earlier in the evening.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the two pics featuring Ben and Sgt. Jerry Blash were taken "at a different location" -- 90 minutes before the alleged Roethlisberger incident went down at the Capital City nightclub in Milledgeville, Georgia.
As we previously reported, Big Ben and his party crew hit several locations in the hours before the alleged incident -- though it's unclear exactly where these controversial pics were snapped.
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Tiger Woods Major Clue in Golf Comeback
Tiger Woods has still not announced when he's returning to golf -- but TMZ has learned one upcoming tournament is beginning to make several mysterious arrangements ... arrangements that have Tiger's tracks all over them.
It's all connected to the Tavistock Cup -- an exclusive golf tournament scheduled to begin on March 22nd, which pits the Lake Nona Country Club against the Isleworth Country Club ... where Tiger is a member.
The famously private event is known for allowing fans to get up close and personal with the golfers -- but sources close to the tournament tell us management for the Isleworth Country Club, this year's home course, has suddenly decided to cut down on the number of passes given to Lake Nona employees.
We're told several staff members are being told the move is being orchestrated by Tiger's camp in an effort to control who will have access to the golfer when he makes his return.
We'll see if they're right in t-minus 10 days ...
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Lil Wayne in Jail Keep Your Hancock to Yourself
Lil Wayne's signature move in jail won't have anything to do with his actual signature -- TMZ has learned he's been instructed not to sign a single autograph during his stint at Rikers Island.
A rep for the Correction Officer's Benevolent Association tells us officials issued the no autograph mandate because "Lil Wayne is not a celebrity in here."
The rep also tells us Wayne isn't getting any special treatment while at Rikers -- but we're told the rapper really hasn't requested anything out of the ordinary.
Weezy is nearly a week into the yearlong jail sentence he received for a gun-related crime -- but he could get out after 8 months if he stays on his best behavior.
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'Celebrity Rehab' Wants a Piece of DMX
DMX is the #1 draft pick to appear on the next season of "Celebrity Rehab" -- that is, if the rehab people can somehow find a way to keep him from being locked up.
DMX's attorney, Gary Jenkins, tells TMZ reps for "Rehab" contacted him after X was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly violating his probation by using drugs.
Jenkins says the "Rehab" team is considering sending someone to DMX's next court hearing to speak with the judge -- just like Dr. Drew did with Jessica Sierra from "American Idol" -- to try and get X placed in their care instead of being locked up.
The rapper is currently being held on no bond and is expected back in court March 16.
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Ikki Twin Making 'Slow Improvements'
Erica "Rikki" Mongeon was released from the ICU on Tuesday -- but doctors have told the "Double Shot of Love" star's family that she's looking at a lengthy hospital stay.
According to her manager, Erica is making slow improvements after coming out of her medically induced coma earlier this week.
We're told a family member has been staying with her around the clock.
Erica and her sister Victoria were passengers in a car that collided with a semi-truck in Bakersfield last week. There were no other serious injuries.
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Carmelo Anthony and LaLa's $2 Mil Wedding Pad
Carmelo Anthony and his fiancee LaLa Vazquez are heading to the land of purple and gold -- because we've learned the soon-to-be married couple just scored a swanky Los Angeles love nest.
Even though the Denver Nuggets superstar and LaLa still hang their hats in Colorado -- we've learned they bought the 6,500 sq. ft. Spanish-style house in L.A. as well because, well, they can.
The house -- valued at nearly $2 million -- has 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, a gorgeous infinity edge pool and a cabana in the back yard.
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Linkin Park's 'My Back Is Killing Me' Lawsuit
Linkin Park endures the same pain millions cope with daily -- a bad back. But the band will not take the pain lying down -- especially when millions of bucks are on the line.
Backstory: Linkin Park's lead singer, Chester Bennington, injures his back ... back in 2008 ...while putting a toy together for his son. The band was forced to back out of 6 concerts.
Backstab: The band filed a claim with Lloyds, London insurance company for lost profits from the concerts. The insurance company refused to pay, claiming Bennington's injury was preexisting at the time the insurance policy was issued. Bennington begs to differ.
Comeback: Linkin Park has filed a lawsuit against Lloyds, asking for millions of bucks.
Coroner: Corey Haim Had a Heart Problem
Corey Haim had pulmonary congestion, an enlarged heart and water in his lungs, according to the L.A. County Coroner's Office, but the Coroner has not determined that any of those conditions caused Haim's death.
Law enforcement sources tell us someone from the Coroner's Office called Corey's mom, Judy Haim, today and told her they found these conditions during the autopsy but that they could not say if the maladies caused Corey's death.
Our sources say the Coroner will not determine a cause of death until the toxicology report is in.
As we first reported, law enforcement found 4 prescription meds -- including Valium, Vicodin and Soma -- in the apartment.