Another Mass Shooting 4 Dead in Orange, CA ... Cops Drag Out Suspect on Video

CAPTURING THE SUSPECT
Moe Reyes/Facebook
UPDATE

10:26 AM PT -- According to the Orange PD, the alleged shooter's been identified as 44-year-old Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez. Police say Gonzalez's motive for the mass shooting was linked to a relationship with the business and the people in it ... it was not a random act.

UPDATE

The victims' identities have not been released, but cops say the child who was killed was a 9-year-old at work with his mother.

The alleged gunman who killed 4 people, including a child, in America's latest tragic mass shooting was apprehended by several cops after getting shot ... and the dramatic moment was caught on video.

Witnesses across the street from the office building in Orange, CA -- where the suspect allegedly opened fire around 5:30 PM Wednesday -- were recording as police officers swarmed and dragged the alleged shooter out.

The suspect sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital, though it's unclear if the wound was self-inflicted or at the hand of a responding officer.

In the video, the witnesses describe seeing a lot of blood and assume the suspect is dead. As the suspect's apprehended, it appears one officer kicks away a firearm.

Four people were killed in the shooting, including a child, and a fifth was critically injured. The identities of the victims have not been released. The suspect is also reportedly in critical condition.

The complex where the shooting went down houses multiple businesses, including an insurance company and a counseling center.

This is the 20th mass shooting in the U.S. since the Atlanta area spa attacks just 2 weeks ago, in which 8 people were killed.

Originally Published -- 6:56 AM PT

North Carolina Cop Resigns to Avoid Firing After Choking Police Dog

3/4/21
K-9 ABUSE

The North Carolina cop seen on video hanging and choking a K-9 with its leash is off the force ... he just resigned after an investigation determined he should be fired.

The Salisbury Police Department says an independent investigation found officer James Hampton engaged in "inappropriate discipline" of the police dog, Zuul ... in full violation of department policies.

SPD says while Hampton was recommended to be fired, he was allowed a due process hearing ... and before he could be canned, he tendered his resignation, effective immediately.

As we reported ... Hampton came under fire earlier this month when video surfaced showing him manhandling the crap out of the police dog he was supposed to be training.

PETA got involved too ... with demonstrators protesting outside Salisbury PD HQ and demanding justice for the K-9. BTW, Zuul was ok, at least physically, after the brutal encounter.

Salisbury PD also says it will continue reviewing its K-9 training operations, policies and procedures with potential changes on the horizon.

YouTube Stars Stokes Twins Plead Guilty In Bank Robbery Video Prank

10/15/19
BAD JOKE

YouTube stars Alan and Alex Stokes are gonna dodge jail time for faking, and recording, a series of bank robberies in SoCal ... now that they've both entered guilty pleas.

The twin brothers pled Wednesday to false imprisonment and reporting false emergencies, both misdemeanors, in their fake bank robberies case. In exchange for the guilty plea, the Orange County judge reduced their original felony false imprisonment charges to a misdemeanor.

The 24-year-old twins, who had been facing a maximum of 5 years in jail if convicted, were each sentenced to one year probation and 160 hours of community service.

As we reported ... the YouTube stars were charged in August for staging the 2019 heists in Irvine, CA in order to produce a prank vid for their YouTube channel. One of the pranks led to cops holding an unsuspecting Uber driver at gunpoint.

The judge also ordered the twins to steer clear of the University of Irvine, where they shot one of the "robbery" videos.

Derek Chauvin Trial Murder Suspect Explains His Actions ... To Witness in Bodycam Vid

BREAKING DOWN
Fox 9
UPDATE

3:30 PM PT -- Derek Chauvin told the man who called him a "maggot" that he did what he did because he felt it was necessary to keep George Floyd under control ... considering the circumstances.

UPDATE

Part of Chauvin's bodycam video was played in court Wednesday during McMillian's testimony, showing the moments after Floyd was taken away in a stretcher and Chauvin was getting ready to leave in a squad car. McMillian had some parting words for him before he left, letting him know how displeased he was with how Chauvin handled things.

UPDATE
"THAT'S JUST ONE PERSON'S OPINION"
Fox 9
UPDATE

Listen to how Chauvin explains away his actions -- first off, he says that McMillians' grievances are just "one person's opinion" and that he stayed put on top of GF because they (the cops) had to "control this guy" (Floyd) whom Chauvin described as a "sizable guy."

UPDATE

Chauvin also goes on to say it appeared Floyd was "probably on something." McMillian ends the convo by walking away ... wishing Chauvin a good, safe night with him and his family at home, saying he's going to continue respecting him as long he gets respect back.

A witness who watched George Floyd die in the street was left sobbing on the stand after having to relive the nightmare moment again in court.

Charles McMillian broke down while giving testimony Wednesday about the events he says he witnessed on May 25, 2020 ... as one of the early bystanders who watched Chauvin pin George down just feet away while standing on a curb.

As prosecutors played back body cam video from one of the officers on top of George -- as he shouted out repeatedly he couldn't breathe and calling for his mother -- McMillian started bawling ... which prompted the court to recess as he collected himself.

WITNESSES REACT

The prosecution asked what he was feeling right then watching it anew, and McMillian gave a telling response ... saying he felt helpless and sympathized with George's call for his mom. It was pretty heartbreaking to watch ... and made for a compelling moment in the trial, which is on its third day.

Like we said, McMillian was one of the first civilians on the scene as police began to struggle with George while trying to get him into their squad car. He told George before the man was laid down on his stomach that he should stop fighting, and that he couldn't win.

IN THE STORE
FOX 9

Also in court Wednesday, surveillance footage from inside the Cup Foods store was played showing the minutes leading up to Floyd's death. Floyd can be seen using the alleged fake $20 bill at the root of police being called.

face to face
Fox 9

In other video played during his testimony, you can hear McMillian talk directly to Chauvin at the time ... whom he called a "maggot" as the police finally dispersed. McMillian confirmed the "maggot" remark to prosecutors ... and was excused without cross-examination.

Originally Published -- 1:47 PM PT

Asian Hate Crime Suspect Charged With Hate Crimes For Brutal Assault Of 65-Year-Old Woman

3/29/21
ASSAULTED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
NYPD
UPDATE

5:22 PM PT -- The suspect, Brandon Elliot, has just been charged with two counts of assault in the second degree as a hate crime and one count of attempted assault in the first degree as a hate crime ... according to Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr.

The guy cops say was caught on camera viciously beating an elderly Asian woman to the ground and kicking her in the head has been arrested ... and he's facing several hate crime and assault charges.

According to law enforcement ... cops arrested 38-year-old Brandon Elliot shortly after midnight Wednesday, and he's been booked on 2 counts of assault as a hate crime.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... during questioning Elliot identified himself as the man in the still image police released. We're told he repeatedly asked investigators if he was being questioned for an assault or a homicide, because he didn't know if the victim had died.

He's also been charged with attempted assault as a hate crime, assault and attempted assault for Monday's vicious attack in Midtown Manhattan on the 65-year-old woman who was walking to church.

According to police, Elliot was ID'd and investigators determined where he lived thanks to multiple tips to the NYPD CrimeStoppers Unit. Turns out he has a serious record ... we're told Elliot's already on lifetime parole for the 2002 murder of his mother. He was released in November 2019.

As we reported ... the attack on the woman was witnessed by building staff members nearby, who can be seen on video failing to help her. Cops say the attacker made anti-Asian statements like "F*** you, you don't belong here," and then left the scene like nothing happened.

We're told the victim suffered a broken pelvis and head and leg injuries.

The workers who did nothing to help her were suspended, according to the company that manages the building, while an investigation into their conduct is underway.

Originally Published -- 6:49 AM PT

Ice Cube Sues Robinhood ... Check Yo Self, I Ain't With Ya!!!

UPDATE

6:45 PM PT -- A source close to Ice Cube tells TMZ ... “This is Robinhood exhibiting lack of respect for the law or the people they hurt. Ice Cube did NOT license his image nor his lyrics printed next to his picture, and would never endorse Robinhood. When asked to take it down because he was offended, Robinhood refused. In addition, calling blatant propaganda for Robinhood's trading app and online services merely 'editorial use' shows someone needs to send their lawyer back to school.”

UPDATE

3:08 PM PT -- It might be Ice Cube who needs to check HIMSELF -- because Robinhood is setting the record straight on how they came to use that photo of him in their Snacks newsletter ... telling TMZ, "No, we didn't use his image without permission. The image was licensed and used for non-commercial, editorial purposes in connection with a blog article."

Ice Cube is about to melt -- the dude is heated because he says Robinhood used his face to plug their services without his permission ... so now he's taking them to court over it.

The rapper just filed suit against the financial services company -- which a lot of people use to buy and trade stocks -- for allegedly using a photo of him in an ad featured in their news service, Robinhood Snacks, just this past month.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Cube claims Robinhood took an image of him from another project he'd worked on ... and slapped it into a newsletter update talking about stock/market corrections -- and captioned it with a riff on a famous lyric from one of his songs.

The quote ... "Correct yourself, before you wreck yourself" -- which is obviously a play on his famous track "Check Yo Self." Cube says that by the company inserting his image and likeness into their Snacks service, they falsely associated him with their brand ... making it seem like he endorses them, which he makes more than clear here -- he does NOT.

Cube goes so far as to say Robinhood is the "antithesis of everything that Ice Cube stands for" and refers to their products and services as "horrible." He goes on to claim Robinhood has a habit of doing this ... namely, linking celebs and other rappers -- like Jay-Z and Nas -- to endorse its products and services ... but Cube makes it clear he wants no part of that.

IC's also got a theory on why he believes Robinhood roped him in here -- he says his biz partner, Jeff Kwatinetz, has been railing on the company (both in public and in his own lawsuit against them) ... and suggests this is Robinhood's way of sticking it to both of 'em.

Originally Published -- 1:41 PM PT

Baltimore City State's Attorney Violent Crimes Rapidly Dropping ... COVID Paved The New Way

A NEW APPROACH
TMZ.com

The coronavirus pandemic's actually helping Baltimore curb violent crimes, thanks to a change in policy ... according to the city's top prosecutor.

Marilyn Mosby, the State's Attorney for the city of Baltimore, joined us on "TMZ Live" Wednesday and told us how an experimental approach to limiting the spread of the virus is paying big dividends.

Under Mosby, Baltimore stopped prosecuting low-level offenses like drug possession and prostitution when the pandemic first hit ... and ever since, she says violent crime is down a whopping 20 percent.

Marilyn tells us there are other benefits, like fewer folks entering the criminal justice system and less crowded jails, and that's why Baltimore is making the changes permanent.

Now, the city's blazing a new trail ... Baltimore's partnering with a local behavioral health service to help folks in need seek treatment, instead of placing them in handcuffs.

It's a pretty interesting conversation ... and Marilyn tells us why her city's policies could've saved the lives of folks like George Floyd and Eric Garner.

'RHOSLC' Star Jen Shah Strict Credit Card, Travel Limits After Wire Fraud Arrest

UPDATE

11:49 AM PT -- Shah's arraignment has been pushed to Friday.

'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star Jen Shah is out on bond from federal custody following her arrest for wire fraud ... but there are some big strings attached.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Shah is banned from traveling outside of Utah without permission, had to forfeit her passport so she can't leave the U.S. and she can't use her credit cards without prior permission either.

In addition, she's prohibited from transferring any assets worth more than $10k, and of course ... can't engage in any telemarketing activities while out on bond.

As we reported ... the 'Housewife' was busted by the feds Tuesday in Salt Lake City and is facing a conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge and a conspiracy to commit money laundering charge.

Shah is accused of participating in a nationwide telemarketing scheme with her assistant, Stuart Smith, in which they allegedly targeted many elderly people.

She's scheduled to appear before a federal judge Wednesday afternoon for her arraignment.

Originally Published -- 11:29 AM PT

Deshaun Watson Case 18 Masseuses Issue Statements Supporting QB 'He Was Never inappropriate'

Deshaun Watson's attorney says 18 professional female massage therapists are going to bat for the QB -- saying they had nothing but positive experiences with him over the years.

Rusty Hardin says the women all worked with the Houston Texans QB at some point over the past 5 years -- completing more than 130 sessions without any sort of incident.

Hardin issued a statement saying, "These women say they are deeply troubled by the accusations made against Deshaun and that these claims are wholly inconsistent with their experiences with him and who they believe him to be."

"All of them stated that Deshaun never made them feel uncomfortable or demanded anything outside the scope of a professional massage."

"None of them experienced any of the behavior alleged by anonymous plaintiffs in the numerous lawsuits filed by the same Houston attorney."

Hardin says the 18 women he's been in contact with agreed to issue on-the-record statements supporting Watson.

"These statements show the other side to this story that has been so lacking in the flurry of anonymous complaints filed by opposing counsel.," Hardin says.

The first masseuse is Myah Roberson -- described as "a licensed massage therapist, who has been working in Houston for 10 years, primarily on athletes."

"I started working with Deshaun in December 2019 after being referred to him by another therapist. He sent me a screenshot of a diagram that the head trainer of the Texans gave him, highlighting the muscles that needed to be worked on, which included the groin and hamstrings. He asked if I felt comfortable working on those areas and I said yes, because I am used to working on athletes."

"During the massage, Deshaun was more comfortable using a towel than draping sheets over the table; this isn’t unusual at all. I have several clients that prefer using a towel over sheet. We began using a towel, and that became the norm. When I saw that the first lawsuit mentioned a towel, I chuckled because I gave him that idea. And it’s not inappropriate because they teach you in massage school that using a towel is okay. Some of these accusations are so ludicrous. I just can’t see him doing any of those things. He was never inappropriate with me. I never felt threatened in any way."

Most of the statements from the other 17 share similar experiences --Watson is described as a "professional and polite" client who's been "respectful."

Multiple therapists also point out that sometimes male clients will become aroused during a treatment -- but they're trained on how to handle that situation appropriately.

Norma Reyna -- described as board-certified in therapeutic massage and body work -- put it this way:

"When working the adductors and groin/pelvic area, it is not uncommon to accidentally graze the penis, but you don’t engage it. I teach my students to use a firmer touch or to move to a different area if a client gets aroused during a session, which sometimes happens."

Reyna did NOT say if that ever happened with Watson -- she was speaking in generalities.

As we previously reported, 21 women have filed lawsuits against Watson accusing the QB of sexual misconduct. All of the accusers have used a pseudonym to protect their identity.

Watson has denied any wrongdoing and claimed the accusers are liars looking to publicly shame him into a payout.

Story developing ...

Kendall Jenner I'm Done with This Place ... Leaves Home After Scary Incidents

Kendall Jenner's had it with trespassers, stalkers and death threats ... so she's packing up and leaving her Bev Hills home, with no plans to return.

Sources close to Kendall tell TMZ ... after the latest scary incident Sunday, she's moved out of her house because the possible risk is too much to stay -- even though her armed security team has been increased.

We're told she's moved to a safe location with armed security ... and has no plans to return to her home. It's unclear if she will decide to sell the house.

TMZ broke the story ... an alleged trespasser showed up at her place at 2 AM Sunday and attempted a naked swim in her pool. Kendall also got a temporary restraining order Monday against another guy who told police he planned to shoot and kill her and then himself.

That man's currently in a mental health facility but could be released at any time ... and the alleged trespasser from Sunday was arrested but is already back on the streets.

Kendall also had to deal with an alleged stalker getting onto her property twice in 2018 before getting a restraining order against him.

And, keep in mind, she moved to her current home after selling her WeHo home in 2017 following another string of scary incidents, including a burglary.

As for where Kendall might move ... the neighborhood she's in now is touted as being one of the most secure places in the city, so it's a tough situation.

Chet Hanks Violent Split with Ex Caught on Video

GORY BREAKUP
TMZ.com

Chet Hanks and an ex-girlfriend are at war over a volatile relationship that recently ended -- with both of them slinging allegations of violence, and there's video of a bloodied Hanks.

TMZ has obtained video of what Chet says is the end of an altercation between him and his ex, Kiana Parker, that turned violent back on January 8 at Chet's place in Sugarland, TX. Chet turns the camera on Kiana when she appears to swipe at him as she holds a pot, with a bloodied Chet reappearing in the next frame, saying she charged at him with the knife ... something Kiana denies.

Chet's not the only one to claim violence ... Kiana got a restraining order against Chet in January, alleging he roughed her up on multiple occasions between Oct. 2020 and Jan. 2021.

During one incident, while the couple was in New Orleans for Chet to shoot "Your Honor," Kiana claims he became enraged when she said she was going to leave their room at the Windsor Court hotel to get food ... grabbing her wrists and arms and flinging her around to keep her in the room. Chet denies the allegations and says he never even knew she went to court for a TRO.

She says tables were knocked over and he chucked a bottle at her ... even claiming he chased her down the hallway in his boxers. She also alleges he told her that no one would believe her, because she was "just a ghetto Black bitch" and he was "Chet Hanks."

For his part ... Chet recently filed a lawsuit against Kiana over January's bloody face incident. He says it started when he broke things off with Kiana after learning she'd allegedly been stealing from him, racking up thousands of dollars on his credit cards ... and making off with a ton of his property too.

Chet goes on to claim Kiana showed up that day with three men, one of whom he says flashed a gun at him. He's suing her for assault and battery, theft and return of the money she allegedly stole from him.

As for Kiana's version of the January 8 incident ... she says in docs she came by Chet's place to get her stuff with movers in tow. She says Chet was antagonizing her, and he grabbed a knife in a menacing way. That's when she says she grabbed a pot in self-defense and swung it ... making a run for it shortly thereafter. She claims he chased her out to the street, where she says he attacked her right there in the open ... until others came to her aid.

3/28/21
WHITE BOY SUMMER

Chet shares a child with another Black woman named Tiffany -- and just recently ... he alluded to the fact he's really into Black women, this as he offered a follow-up explainer to his controversial "white boy summer" clip ... which went viral.

Kiana's attorney, D'Angelo Lowe, tells TMZ ... Kiana is under a doctor's care at the moment, and that she's tried serving Chet to no avail ... even having gone so far as to reach out to his parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, over the TRO she's trying to make permanent.

Hanks' lawyer, Marty Singer, tells TMZ, "The day after Chet Hanks confronted Kiana Parker about stealing money from his credit card, while Ms. Parker was accompanied by a huge male carrying a gun she viciously attacked Chet with a knife, which caused him to profusely bleed. It is all on video and the undisputed video tells the whole story. Her claims are completely false, fabricated and fictional."

Rep. Matt Gaetz Investigated for Sex Trafficking ... Says It's Extortion

IT'S A SETUP!!!
Fox News

Rep. Matt Gaetz is under investigation for sex trafficking, allegedly with a 17-year-old girl, but Gaetz says he's not only innocent ... he suggests there's foul play afoot.

The U.S. congressman from Florida came on Tucker Carlson's show Tuesday to explain his side after the NYT published a story that Gaetz was being investigated by the DOJ over an alleged sexual relationship he had with a 17-year-old girl, whom he supposedly paid to travel with him a couple years ago. There's a bizarre exchange, where Gaetz tries to remind Carlson of a dinner they had -- Carlson, his wife, Gaetz and an unnamed woman -- almost like it was an alibi. Carlson said he didn't know what Gaetz was talking about.

THAT WAS WEIRD
Fox News

The Times says the investigation is part of a broader case involving local politician Joel Greenberg, who's pled not guilty to charges of sex trafficking a minor. The outlet says the probe was opened late in Trump's final months at the behest of AG William Barr.

As for Gaetz ... he's flat-out denying any wrongdoing, while also insisting what's happening is actually a lot more sinister behind the scenes. Long story short, Gaetz says a former DOJ official named David McGee is trying to blackmail him and his family ... having allegedly demanded $25 million to make the allegations "go away."

MG even says he and his family went to the FBI to tell them about this, and he claims they set his father up with a wire to help expose the alleged plot. It's all very bizarre.

You can tell this whole story is a doozy, because the FOX News host himself said as much after his airtime with Gaetz, calling their discussion one of the weirdest interviews he'd ever done.

Deshaun Watson Hit With 21st Sexual Misconduct Suit ... Newest Accuser From AZ

Deshaun Watson's alleged sexual misconduct against female masseuses now spans over FOUR states ... a new accuser in Arizona is claiming the NFL star was inappropriate with her during a session in 2020.

The woman -- using the pseudonym "Jane Doe" -- spelled out her accusations in a new lawsuit filed against the Texans QB late Tuesday ... claiming Watson has "a disturbing pattern of preying on vulnerable women."

In the suit -- which is now the 21st levied against Watson in the last two weeks -- the woman says Deshaun reached out to her over Instagram in July 2020.

Doe says the two eventually agreed to a Swedish massage in Scottsdale, but she claims just minutes into the session ... Watson became inappropriate.

In the suit, the woman says Watson asked her to massage him in a sexual way ... and after she declined his advances -- she says the quarterback put an end to the session.

The woman claims she felt "extremely uncomfortable and intimidated" by Watson ... and also felt "violated, degraded and disgusted."

In her suit, Doe is suing Watson for unspecified damages.

Watson has now been accused by female massage therapists of inappropriate behavior in Georgia, Texas, California and Arizona.

And, the attorney representing the accusers, Tony Buzbee, has intimated more suits could be on the way.

For his part, Deshaun has denied any wrongdoing ... with his attorney, Rusty Hardin, saying earlier this month, "I believe that any allegation that Deshaun forced a woman to commit a sexual act is completely false."

Tamar Braxton Ex-Boyfriend Fires Back ... I'm No Cheater!!!

Tamar Braxton needs to shut the hell up about her ex-boyfriend's alleged infidelity, because he never cheated on her ... at least that's his story, and he wants her to get on board with it.

The singer's ex, David Adefeso, claims Tamar is straight-up lying when she says he was cheating on her with his former assistant ... and he wants her to take back her statement.

David's lawyers fired off a cease and desist letter to Tamar, claiming she damaged his reputation by recently tweeting false statements about his cheating ways, which led to several news articles he found unflattering.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, David says Tamar knew she was lying when she tweeted, and he wants her to delete it, issue a retraction and stop dragging his name through the mud.

As you know, Tamar and David are having a pretty bad breakup ... he claimed she beat the crap out of him and threatened to kill him when he was granted a temporary restraining order last September. That order was recently dissolved when neither side showed up in court and Tamar denied the allegations.

911 AUDIO

Things weren't much better when they were together ... David called 911 in July and reported Tamar's alleged suicide attempt. At the time, he claimed her WeTV beef was the reason she wanted to take her own life.

Now, David tells us he's disappointed she "continues to make fabricated accusations about our relationship and has now created a false narrative of an affair that never occurred." He also says he never gave another woman a second look when they were dating.

We reached out to Tamar ... so far, no word back.

Donald Trump Sued You Incited Jan. 6 Insurrection ... Claim 2 U.S. Capitol Cops

Donald Trump's being sued by 2 U.S. Capitol Police Officers who claim the ex-Prez "inflamed" the insurrectionist mob, which they say nearly led to their deaths on January 6.

James Blassingame, a 17-year veteran, and Sidney Hemby, an 11-year veteran, just filed a lawsuit against Trump claiming they suffered horrific injuries and they're laying the blame squarely at his feet.

In the suit, the cops claim Trump incited the January 6 riot by getting his followers riled up about trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

1/6/21
CAPITOL CLASH
Storyful

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Hemby says the riot resulted in him being "crushed against the doors on the east side" while "trying to hold the insurrectionists back." He claims he suffered cuts and abrasions on his face, hands and body while the mob attacked.

Blassingame claims he was slammed against a stone column, injuring his spine and the back of his head. In addition to the physical attack, he says people were yelling and repeatedly calling him a n****r.

In the suit, Blassingame also says he's "haunted by the memory of being attacked, and of the sensory impacts – the sights, sounds, smells and even tastes of the attack remain close to the surface." He adds that he has survivor's guilt because he was unable to help some of his fellow officers ... some of whom lost their lives due to the insurrection.

As for Trump's responsibility for the attack ... both officers point to his December 19 tweet where he said, "Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there. Will be wild!" They assert that was a battle cry ... "taken by many of [Trump's] supporters as a literal call to arms.”

The officers are suing for unspecified damages for their physical injuries and emotional distress.

'Tiger King' Star Jeff Lowe Pressing On With Joe Exotic NFT Sale ... Legal Battle Brewing

Jeff Lowe is moving forward with his plans to auction off an "official" Joe Exotic NFT collection ... despite legal pushback from the 'Tiger King' himself.

Here's the deal ... Jeff and his wife, Lauren Lowe, recently announced an auction of non-fungible tokens featuring Exotic and the rest of the 'Tiger King' stars and it seems to have caught the attention of Joe's legal team.

Exotic's attorneys fired off a legal letter to Jeff and Lauren, obtained by TMZ, claiming the couple does not have legal standing to sell the NFTs ... and demanding they call off the auction or risk financial and legal ramifications.

Lauren tells TMZ ... she and Jeff are still pressing on with the auction despite Exotic's legal threats.

She says they will defend their position that they're the only entity in the U.S. that holds the 'Tiger King' trademark, which Lauren claims Joe signed over to them way back in 2016.

The auction goes live Thursday at 5 PM ET with the bidding running through 5 PM ET Sunday ... so the clock is ticking for either side to blink.

Stay tuned.

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