Legal

Ricky Garcia -- an ex-member of the boy band "Forever In Your Mind" -- claims his former manager is a pedophile who groomed and seduced him before raping him ... this according to a new lawsuit.

Garcia is suing Joby Harte and his company, Hot Rock Media, claiming Harte raped and sexually assaulted him dozens of times throughout his teenage years ... beginning when he was just 12.

The singer, now 20, claims Harte used the "well-worn pedophile playbook of grooming and seduction." Garcia claims it started with Harte promising him the world ... before showing him porn and then allegedly sexually assaulting him.

In the docs, filed by attorney Ben Meiselas of Geragos and Geragos, Garcia -- who auditioned for season 3 of "The X Factor" and joined the boy band at Simon Cowell's invitation -- claims on multiple occasions Harte got him blackout drunk. Garcia claims he'd wake up naked the following mornings next to Harte.

Specifically, Garcia alleges Harte organized a 2-night "songwriting session" back in 2014 for the band without parents at Catalina Island. Garcia says Harte got him drunk on tequila and vodka before he blacked out. Again, Garcia says he woke up naked on Harte's bed.

When Garcia asked what happened, he says Harte told him he undressed him and bathed him because he was covered in vomit after blacking out.

For his 17th birthday, Garcia claims Harte got in his shower stall at a hotel resort and forced him to masturbate Harte until he ejaculated. Garcia says he never told anyone about the alleged sexual assaults because he was afraid of losing his career.

Garcia is also suing two other men, claiming one former agent sucked his toes after a 2014 hangout with Harte ... and accuses a manager/producer of grabbing his penis during a 2016 concert in WeHo.

Garcia -- who also costarred in over 30 episodes on Disney Channel's "Best Friends Whenever" -- says he and his mother finally confronted Harte ... claiming the ex-manager had no visible reaction but did not deny it. Garcia claims Harte admitted he "did not behave like an adult."

It's been widely, widely reported Jamie Spears is temporarily out as Britney's conservator, but we've learned that's not entirely true.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us Jamie is still ensconced as the conservator of Britney's estate, meaning he has total control over her investments, business deals, check-writing, etc, etc ... all things money.

What Jamie temporarily relinquished -- the conservatorship over Britney's "person." Yep, there are actually 2 conservatorships -- one for the estate and one for the person. The latter is taking care of Britney, making sure she gets proper medical care and on and on.

Jamie said he was relinquishing temporary control because of a medical condition. We've learned he's having ankle surgery that will bench him for 10 weeks. It's undeniable, however, that there was a big problem ... Jamie is prohibited from having any contact with Britney's kids after he allegedly put his hands on 13-year-old Sean.

The company that owns Comedy Central, which produces David Spade's new late-night show, is being sued after one of the staffers allegedly left the launch party drunk, and killed a pedestrian.

Here's what happened, according to a new lawsuit. Viacom was hosting the party at Nightingale Plaza nightclub in WeHo back in August, celebrating the premiere of "Lights out with David Spade."

The suit claims Jacob Gralitzer, who worked on the show, got drunk at the party and no one stopped him from driving. The suit characterizes Gralitzer as "severely intoxicated." It says he got drunk "with the permission and knowledge of one or more of his supervisors at Viacom."

According to the lawsuit, Gralitzer went to the valet, provided by Viacom, and the valet gave him the keys and he drove away.

The suit claims Gralitzer was driving on Melrose at excessive speeds and ran into another car which careened onto the sidewalk, striking and killing 24-year-old Noah Benardout.

Gralitzer was arrested and booked for gross vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence.

According to the lawsuit filed by Benardout's estate, Viacom is responsible because it had authority over Gralitzer and could have stopped him from excessively drinking and driving. The suit claims by providing valet service the company was encouraging employees to drive to and from the party.

David Spade is NOT being sued.

MC Lyte hired an artist to work with her on a project, but never paid him for his contributions ... this according to a lawsuit.

In legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Christopher Smith claims he was hired as an artist, animator and writer on a project for MC Lyte's entertainment management and production firm, Sunni Gyrl, but he says he was never paid for his 1,228 hours on the job. He claims he's owed a total of $38,375.

In the docs, Christopher claims after he was let go from the project, MC Lyte and her biz partner Lynn Richardson sent him a check for $11,250 ... but he says it bounced.

Now, Christopher is suing MC Lyte, Richardson and Sunni Gyrl ... and he wants the cash he claims he's owed.

We reached out to MC Lyte for comment ... no word back, so far.

Britney Spears now has a new temporary conservator ... and, as expected, it's Jodi Montgomery.

The appointment was made official Monday in an L.A. courtroom where a judge appointed Jodi after Britney's father, Jamie Spears, formally requested to relinquish his powers of conservatorship due to personal health reasons. As we first reported ... Jamie filed the docs last week to step down at least through January 20, 2020 -- and handpicked Jodi, Brit's care manager, to be his replacement, temporarily.

We know no one involved opposed Jodi's appointment, but the bigger issue will come within the next week ... once a court appointed evaluator files a report about Britney's care and medications she was given. TMZ broke the story ... Dr. Timothy Benson -- who was responsible for her treatment -- died from an aneurysm.

The evaluation could be critical of Jamie's stewardship and, if so, could open the door for Kevin Federline and/or Lynne Spears to launch a challenge to Jamie returning to the conservatorship.

As you know, Jamie is currently under criminal investigation for allegedly getting physical with Britney's 13-year-old son, Sean.

Jamie's asking the judge to give Montgomery the same powers he has, including:

1. The power to restrict or limit visitors by any means.
2. The power to retain caretakers and security for Britney on a 24-hour basis.
3. The power to prosecute civil harassment restraining orders.
4. The power to communicate with expert medical personnel regarding Britney and to have full access to her medical and psychiatric records.

Jamie Spears wants a judge to let him take a breather for a few months as Britney's conservator and put one of his people in his place -- temporarily -- but we've learned Britney's mom appears to have different ideas ... TMZ has learned.

Lynne's lawyer, Gladstone Jones, tells us he and Lynne will be in court next week for Jamie's hearing. Gladstone will not say if they will challenge Jamie, but it's not hard to read the tea leaves.

Lynne was on board with the "Free Britney" social media campaign against Jamie earlier this year -- that escalated into real-life protests, and even celeb shout-outs onstage. Some people online accused Jamie of forcing Britney into a mental health facility against her will. BTW ... that didn't happen -- it would be a crime for a facility to allow that, and Britney was coming and going as she wished during her stay.

Nevertheless ... as we reported, Lynne asked the judge in the conservatorship case to involve her in the process -- especially with respect to medical issues. She also reconnected with Britney and stayed at her home during the whole social media campaign.

Jones would not say if Lynne will challenge Jamie's latest move, and even ask the judge to appoint her conservator. If that were to happen, Lynne would almost certainly have to move from her home in Louisiana to SoCal. It's a 24/7 job.

Bruce Dickinson was so pissed off after a fan got the crap kicked out of him at an Iron Maiden show, he stopped the concert to rip into the venue and its security force ... and the video is wild!

The Iron Maiden frontman passionately addressed the crowd over the bloody incident Thursday night at the Tacoma Dome ... saying, "I hope that kid is getting hospital treatment now because he's bleeding from head wounds. I hope that kid takes this building to the f***ing cleaners!!!"

Bruce says the band has been playing to hundreds of thousands of people on tour, and they've never seen anything like the beatdown this guy received. He wondered out loud to the crowd if this kinda thing happens frequently at the venue. Either way, Bruce says it's "f***ing madness!!"

The singer asks the crowd if they have any video of the beating, saying the band would be happy to help find the "bullies and the f***ing criminals who are responsible."

Then in a perfect segue, the band starts playing, "The Evil That Men Do."

It's unclear if the injured fan is still receiving medical treatment, or if he's planning to press charges.

Story developing ...

Britney Spears has been under a conservatorship with Jamie Spears at the helm for 11 years, but sources connected with the singer believe Kevin Federline could make a move to get Jamie removed ... in the wake of the incident between Jamie and Britney's 13-year-old son.

As we reported, Jamie is now under criminal investigation for allegedly breaking a door down and putting his hands on Sean. A temporary restraining order is now in place prohibiting Jamie from having contact with Jayden and Sean.

Certain members of Britney's team believe Kevin might go to the judge overseeing the conservatorship and ask to remove Jamie because he's ultimately responsible for the welfare of the children -- since he oversees their mom -- children with whom he's temporarily prohibited from having any contact.

Our Britney sources believe Jamie is secure in his role for one reason ... there's really no one else who can handle it. The judges associated with the conservatorship over the years have acknowledged Jamie righted the ship when Britney was at her worst -- in danger of losing custody, bleeding money and extremely unstable. Britney is now flush with cash, has joint custody and by all rights is considered a good parent.

As one Britney source put it ... "Jamie certainly has his flaws, but everyone knows he's done a good job and there's no one else who can do it."

The wild card -- will Britney's mom, Lynne Spears, make a move to wrestle the conservatorship away from Jamie? As we reported, Lynne expressed an interest to become involved in the conservatorship earlier this year, after a social media campaign went after Jamie. She spent time with Britney in L.A., reconnecting after years of estrangement, but she's been in the background ever since.

R. Kelly's so-called girlfriends will be visiting him frequently now that he's in his prison's general population, but their visits will be strictly cordial ... NOT conjugal.

The singer's attorney, Steven Greenberg tells TMZ ... Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary plan to go see him soon at the federal prison in Chicago where he's being held. While Kelly's gen pop move came with a bunch of new allowances ... sex with visitors is not one of 'em.

Still, Greenberg says Joycelyn and Azriel will make the trip to see Kelly on a "regular basis" ... just to keep him company. Besides the sex ban, the GFs also can't bring Kelly food or treats from the outside. We're told his only consolation is a hug hello and a hug goodbye will be permitted with each woman.

We broke the story ... Kelly's feeling safe and at ease in federal lockup because he doesn't think he'll have any issues with his hometown inmates, who he believes still consider him a music legend.

Just in case, though ... Greenberg says there are security measures in place to keep Kelly safe.

Nipsey Hussle's estate owes a singer her fair cut of the money the rapper made off his hit song, "Hussle & Motivate" ... according to a claim she just filed.

Tasleema Yasin says she wrote and performed a vocal phrase used throughout the track ... according to the docs filed Thursday in L.A. Superior Court. Tasleema also says her voice is prominently featured in a countermelody, which she sang in her higher register ... and she says can be heard throughout the song's chorus.

She claims she's a coauthor of "Hussle & Motivate" ... which means she's entitled to a big cut of any dough the song earns.

Tasleema doesn't list a specific amount she's due, and wants the estate to provide a proper accounting ... so she can figure out how much.

Aaron Carter is no longer getting court-ordered protection from his ex-girlfriend ... and her attorneys say he blew off a court hearing because he knew his allegations were false!!!

The singer failed to show up in court Tuesday for a hearing to make his temporary restraining order against Lina Valentina permanent and as a result, the TRO has been dismissed.

We broke the story ... Aaron got a TRO against his ex after claiming she threatened to stab him with a knife. He also alleged she physically abused him during their relationship and carried a blade.

Lina and her attorney, Michael Malak, were at Tuesday's hearing, but Aaron was not, and they say he's full of it. Malak says Lina does NOT carry a knife and never threatened Aaron.

Sources close to Aaron tell TMZ ... he didn't plan on following up with the restraining order because he's just over it and wants to move on with his life. We're told Aaron still stands by his allegations in the TRO.

Lina wants to move on too, and her attorney says she's hopeful Aaron will "get the help he needs."

We're guessing Aaron might have a bone to pick with that, because as he continues stockpiling firearms ... Aaron insists his mental stability is just fine.

Ric Flair believes the WWE is ripping him off -- using the phrase The Man without his permission ... and now he's threatening legal action.

Flair says he's been referring to himself as The Man since 1981 -- and even holds the trademark for his famous catchphrase, "To be the man, you gotta beat the man."

The problem ... one of WWE's biggest stars -- Becky Lynch -- has been referring to herself as The Man over the past year and the nickname has become a huge hit with fans.

Ric tells TMZ Sports ... he was trying to work out an amicable, private agreement with WWE where they would pay him to allow Becky to continue to use the name, but WWE blew him off.

In fact, Ric says he escalated the situation to WWE executive, Triple H ... but they still couldn't reach an agreement. So, on August 26, he filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to own the term, The Man, specifically as it relates to pro wrestling.

Now, Ric says the WWE is pissed at him for making the move -- and it's caused a rift between himself and his daughter Charlotte Flair, a current WWE superstar herself.

Flair says he has NO beef with Becky Lynch -- and supports the WWE's women's division -- but business is business and he wants what he believes he's rightfully owed.

Ric says if the USPTO grants him the trademark, he'll happily let Becky use it ... as long as WWE pays him -- because "I want it to take care of my family."

And, if he doesn't get paid, Ric says he's willing to explore his legal options to force WWE's hand.

During our conversation, Ric emotionally explains why the most important thing to him is making sure the people he loves -- especially his wife, Wendy Barlow -- are financially secure after he dies ... and that's why he's willing to fight for The Man.

"When I almost died two years ago, one person stayed by me [Wendy]. The whole time -- 31 days in the ICU, 12 days while I was dying on a respirator -- and I'm gonna take care of her, and her family, and my family that has taken care of me no matter what."

Judge Mathis won't face criminal charges for allegedly spitting on a parking valet, and the alleged victim is clamming up ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the situation tell us ... the valet, who claimed the judge actually spit on him twice during a heated confrontation, will not press charges against Judge Mathis.

The Detroit Police Department tells TMZ ... just after last month's incident at Flood's Bar and Grille, police contacted the valet and asked if he wanted to press charges, and the valet told cops he needed to consult his attorney.

Since then, we're told police have made several attempts to follow up with the valet, but have not been able to make contact ... and, without cooperation from the valet, police can't make a case against Judge Mathis.

We obtained security cam footage of the incident, which shows Judge Mathis berating the valet as he sits in a Jeep. Mathis lunges his head forward into the car window -- the moment the valet claims the judge hocked a loogie right in his grill.

Judge Mathis denies spitting on the valet, who he claims kept him waiting outside the restaurant for 40 minutes. The guy accidentally left Mathis' keys in his pocket while he was parking another car.

The valet clamming up is an abrupt change of course ... as we reported, he initially wanted a DNA test to prove Mathis spit on him, filed a police report for assault and his legal team claimed there were at least 2 witnesses who can back up his story.

The Motown Historical Museum is giving Vegas show producers the blues ... slapping them with a lawsuit for allegedly stealing its iconic name.

The museum's suing the folks behind a Las Vegas show called "Hitzville the Show: Motown Revue" ... claiming the name is too similar to its Detroit museum, Hitsville U.S.A. -- the iconic home of the Motown sound.

According to docs, the museum -- the original site of Berry Gordy's Motown record studio -- claims producers originally created the one-night show as a Hurricane Katrina fundraiser.

But, the museum's pissed producers brought the show to Vegas ... where the museum alleges producers have been cashing in on its name and the Motown sound for 6 nights a week.

Motown Museum -- which has owned the trademark for decades and licenses the "Hitsville" name to films and stage musicals -- says producers blew them off when they sent them a cease and desist letter in January, and the show continued.

It's now suing Jennifer Reeves and William Shack -- as well as their production company, Jabara Records, and the theater at which they perform -- demanding they drop the act and turn over profits producers have made while using the "Hitsville" name.

Antonio Brown is firing back at the celebrity chef who claims the receiver stiffed him out of $38,000 ... calling the cook a fraud who's only suing AB to try to get famous.

Stefano Tedeschi alleged in a lawsuit earlier this summer that Brown agreed to pay him $38,521.20 at the 2018 Pro Bowl in Florida for three days worth of cooking.

But, Tedeschi says things went haywire after he put a fish head in Brown's fridge, intending to make soup with it the next day.

He claims Brown flipped out when he saw it in the freezer, kicking him out ... and never paying him a dime after that.

In court docs just filed by Brown ... the receiver went scorched-earth on the guy, calling him a liar -- and accusing the chef of using him to pump up his brand.

"[Tedeschi's] complaint is nothing more than a fledgling action to promote the career of a chef who will use any attempt or frivolous claim to seek fame and/or fortune," Brown said in the lawsuit.

"It is plainly obvious that [Tedeschi] ... is simply wishing to force himself into the public eye through the filing of baseless claims against a notable celebrity."

In the docs -- filed in Florida by Brown's attorney, Darren Heitner -- Brown is asking a judge to throw out the case completely.

AB claims the alleged oral agreement is totally unenforceable ... and he doesn't owe the guy a single penny.

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline are making changes to their child custody arrangement official in court docs.

TMZ has learned that they have formally agreed Kevin will gets custody of their 2 boys 70% of the time. We're told this has actually been the arrangement since August of last year but wanted to see how it worked before formalizing it -- and they made it official last week in docs filed on Aug. 28.

This is a shift from the previous agreement where they each had 50-50 custody. It's been that way ever since Britney stabilized following her mental health struggles that began in 2007.

Sources with knowledge tell us under the new arrangement Britney's 30% custodial rights with 12-year-old Jayden and 13-year-old Sean are not supervised.

TMZ has been reporting ... Britney has struggled over the past year with her mental health, in no small part because the medicines she was taking for her mental health condition stopped working. She entered a facility earlier this year to stabilize herself ... however, our sources say doctors were having trouble finding the right mix of medications.

Britney's been out and about in public, but privately ... we're told she still struggles to get back on an even keel. Her career remains on ice while she tries to get better.