Exclusives

When our TMZ cameraman found the Republican Rep for Michigan and member of the House Committee on Financial Services in DC yesterday, dude blasted Northern's decision to throw a big bailout burning fiesta last week.

His quick fixes for the corrupt system: Hire back the 450 workers Northern Trust laid off in December and have the government stop giving "our" money to banks that clearly don't need it.

Congressman Barney Frank just told TMZ he is sending a letter to Northern Trust, demanding that the bank pay the government the equivalent of what it spent last week on lavish parties and concerts in L.A.

Frank, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, is sending the letter on behalf of the Committee.

Frank is also asking Northern Trust to return the $1.6 billion in bailout money to the government. Northern Trust didn't ask for the money when Former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson doled it out. The new law actually allows banks that didn't need the money to return it.

Frank also scoffed at the boondoggle, saying Northern Trust should have spent that money making loans and stimulating the economy. He called the Northern Trust Open an "ego thing" that has nothing to do with good business.

Senator John Kerry also weighed in on TMZ's story, calling Northern Trust's L.A. extravaganza "disgusting and stupid
and pathetic."

UPDATE: Congressman Brad Sherman said, "Wall Street is laughing at us saying, 'we got to keep your money and our lifestyle is unchanged.'"

Senator Sherrod Brown said, "A lot of banks seem to be talking out of both sides of their mouths. When we ask what they are doing with taxpayer funds, they claim it's impossible to track the money because it is fungible. But when it comes to paying for parties, all of a sudden an enormous wall divides the TARP money from everything else. They cannot have it both ways."

See what other congresspeople have to say... after the jump.

Cops tell TMZ they were called at around 5:45 PM, but the man brandishing the weapon -- meaning he wasn't pointing at anyone -- was no longer there. When cops returned later, they found the man and a brandishing report was filled out.

We've learned Nicky Hilton was an alleged battery victim yesterday and the suspect was arrested.

It happened at 5:00 AM outside the IHOP in West Hollywood. Law enforcement sources tell us a male transient pushed her to the ground. Nicky got up and promptly made a citizen's arrest. Someone called the cops and the suspect was arrested.

She was not injured.

UPDATE: We just found out Nicky herself held the assailant at bay while the cops came. So Nicky is an enforcer! And, when the cops came, the delusional dude claimed he was her BF.

The woman who brought you the Paula Deen Egg Mold has just been sued over the Paula Deen Egg Mold.

The kitchen queen allegedly inked a deal with Nitches, Inc., a company claiming exclusive rights to peddle Paula's knick knacks. Nitches alleges in a lawsuit filed yesterday in L.A. County Superior Court, Paula's company -- Paula Deen Enterprises -- negotiated in bad faith, turning around and using another company to hawk her stuff.

Nitches is laying claim to a variety of products, including pancake molds, potpourri, barbecue materials, clocks, sleepwear, baking timers, egg molds and aprons. The kitchen sink is not included, presumably because Paula couldn't figure out a way to stamp her name on it.

Nitches wants unspecified damages and an injunction prohibiting Paula from selling the gadgets.

It's the unkindest cut of all. A man as big as Quincy Jones getting hauled into small claims court.

An audio production dude claims he did $3,100 worth of work for Q over a two week period last summer and got nada.

To put this in its proper context, Q has reportedly pulled in $220,000,000. Is this further evidence of a deep recession or just another bogus suit against a rich celeb?

For the record, we believe Quincy spends more than $3,100 on the person who lights his cigars.

Slade Smiley from "The Real Housewives of Orange County" -- yes, there are guys on that show -- was picked up by Costa Mesa PD today on a civil contempt warrant.

We're told Smiley was popped this afternoon and is currently being held on $10,000 bail.

It's unclear what the warrant is for ... there's a buzz it involves unpaid child support, but so far we haven't confirmed it.

UPDATE -- Slade's people are saying he was "unaware" that the warrant existed until he was arrested. The warrant had to do with money he owed his baby mama for their son who has been suffering from a rare form of brain cancer for several years. He says, "This is an unfortunate situation that has occurred. My son is very ill and we have been working on resolving the issue of support vs. his enormous medical bills with the appropriate agencies for several months now. It is sad that individuals would take advantage of the situation in an attempt to defame and discredit me in such a public manner. For those who know me, there is nothing more important than my children."

One of the most famous screenwriters in Hollywood is accused of a campaign of terror and violence against his former girlfriend...the allegations include kicking, punching, choking, crushing and throwing her, and that's just the beginning.

Shane Black, who wrote "Lethal Weapon," "The Last Boy Scout," and "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," has been sued by Sonya Popovich, who claims among many things, in 2006, a cocaine-fueled Shane put a gun in his mouth, threatened to blow his head off and then pointed it in her direction -- it discharged, hitting a wall.

She also claims he crushed and tried suffocating her during another incident during the same year. She says she was hospitalized for a hairline split in her esophagus that Shane allegedly inflicted. While in the hospital, Popovich alleges he visited her and on one occasion "crawled into [her] bed, removed a vial of cocaine from his pocket, sniffed some cocaine from the vial, and proceeded to masturbate in Plaintiff's hospital bed."

In her lawsuit for assault, battery, and emotional distress filed yesterday in L.A. County Superior Court, Popovich is asking for more than $5 million.

Octo is there right now ... the house is in Whittier, California. It has 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms and a pool with no safety gates. Perfect for 14 kids.

A real estate source tells TMZ the owner canceled showings today specifically because Octo wanted to see it. She needs it because the house she's living in now may be on its way to the auction block -- as in foreclosure.

How is she getting the money? Put it this way -- this chick works the media better than Obama.

Scott Siegel was already under DEA surveillance in Westchester County, NY last night when officers spotted him picking up a package. Feds in four cars moved in, and the raging beefcake allegedly rammed three of their cars -- then took off on foot.

Officers caught up with Scott and arrested him for steroid distribution and assaulting a federal officer.

So looks like the Governator took some heat after the producer of Sylvester Stallone's new movie told us Arnold would leave Sacramento to shoot a scene for "The Expendables." Now Sly himself is telling us Arnold will not shoot the scene, at least not now.

Arnold's people and Sly say the Guv only has one thing on his mind right now and that's the budget crisis. Sly says things could change once Arnold solves California's woes. Read between the lines and it's pretty clear Arnold had a big PR problem by putting the Legislature on lockdown and then agreeing to go off and shoot a movie.

So -- Will Ahnold rescue Caleeefornia so he can do Sly's movie next month?

Stay tuned ...

The attorney for Robert Carnes, Jr. -- the guy from Akon's camp who broke Suge Knight's face in Arizona last weekend -- has a thing or two to say about his client socking Suge:

"Robert Carnes, Jr. is a well respected executive within the entertainment community and currently serves as one of the management consultants for artist/producer Akon. Mr. Carnes will be entering a plea of not guilty and looks forward to his day in court where he will have the opportunity to tell his side of the story."

And we'll be there ... the recesses should be great!

Once again, our TMZ mole has successfully infiltrated the set of "American Idol", where the first twelve contestants were rehearsing for tonight's live performance.

The big scoop: Two wannabes are busting out Aretha Franklin jams -- it's on!!! No word if they're rocking an over-sized hat to match.

According to our mole, Anoop had to restart his song 4-5 times because the band kept messing up. Danny Gokey was the best (the crowd loved him) and Casey Carlson was the worst, with a "Sarah Palin-esque type performance full of winks and poses."

Here's the final rundown for tonight's ep:

Jackie Tohn: "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis Presley

Ricky Braddy: "A Song For You" by Leon Russell

Alexis Grace: "I Never Loved a Man" by Aretha Franklin

Brent Keith: "Hicktown" by Jason Aldean

Casey Carlson: "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by the Police

For the second time in 9 months, Suge Knight got his face punched in -- and the alleged ass-beater claims to be Akon's business manager.

It all went down in a private party at the W Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ where Suge was attending a private party for NBA All-Star weekend. Cops say they were called to the scene by hotel security who warned about a brewing fight between two groups in the VIP area.

According to the Scottsdale PD website, when cops arrived, they saw a man punch the victim -- aka Suge -- two times in the head." Officers had to break out the tasers to "quell the fight."

The suspect, Robert Carnes, Jr., was charged with one count of felony aggravated assault -- they ruled it a felony "due to the severity of the victim's injuries." Another man was also arrested and charged with one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

According to the Scottsdale PD, "Carnes reported to officers that he is employed as the business manager for singer 'Akon.'"

Suge was transported to a local hospital and treated for facial injuries.

UPDATE: Akon's people tell us, "Akon had already left the party and was in his hotel room at The W when the incident occurred."

UPDATE: Akon's publicist released the following statement about Robert Carnes Jr., the guy accused of beating Suge's ass: "He is not Akon's business manager, David Bolno is. He is with Akon's camp."

CLICK BELOW to read the Scottsdale PD arrest report.

So Suge Knight got the you-know-what beat out of him this morning. Scottsdale cops now tell us Suge fractured several bones in his face -- the result of a beating at the W Hotel early this morning, allegedly at the hands of Akon's business manager.

The suspect -- Robert Carnes, Jr. -- is being held for felony aggravated assault.

As far as we know, Suge has been released from the hospital.

UPDATE: Akon's publicist released the following statement about Robert Carnes Jr., the guy accused of beating Suge's ass: "He is not Akon's business manager, David Bolno is. He is with Akon's camp."

UPDATE: TMZ has also learned Akon was the host of the party at the W last night -- a 944 Magazine All-Star Weekend wrap-up celebration. We're told the incident happened "after the conclusion of the party."

There are now 1.3 million reasons why Lil' Wayne shouldn't have ducked out of his scheduled concerts in Rochester, NY.

The promoter who was left holding the bag 3 times over the last 4 months filed suit against the rapper Friday in NYC.

Edward Strickland, GM of RMF Productions, is suing Wayne, his manager and others for $1.3 mil. Strickland says he advanced Lil' $100K back in October and got nothin'.

Strickland claims the last he heard from Wayne was via email canceling the third concert... which Lil' said was due to "logistics of his band." Translation: Lil' blew him off.

Calls to Wayne have not been returned.