Legal

The wife of "Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary has been charged with driving their boat carelessly in the fatal boating accident last month, but the other driver was also charged with a crime.

TMZ has learned the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) charged Linda O'Leary with "careless operation of a vessel." TMZ broke the story ... O'Leary's boat was on Lake Joseph August 24 when it slammed into another boat, killing 2 passengers.

Our sources say the OPP obtained 5 videos from cameras trained on the lake and they concluded she was driving 17 MPH at around 11:30 PM ... which police say was not a safe speed.

But, the OPP also charged the driver of the other boat, Richard Ruh. The OPP says he was driving without navigation lights. As we reported, this seemed to be the core of the case -- and our sources say the driver had insisted the lights were on, but police say the video shows otherwise.

We're told Linda is going to "vigorously fight the charge." OPP spokeswoman Carolle Dionne tells us Linda's alleged crime carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in jail or a $1 million fine.

Kevin was not charged with any offense, but he told us through his agent, UTA honcho Jay Sures, "Now that the authorities have concluded their thorough investigation, I have no further comment other than to say that our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those who lost loved ones in this awful tragedy. Our hearts go out to them."

Former 'Bachelor' contestant Amanda Stanton is blowing it as a social media influencer ... so claims the luxury boutique that's suing her for failing to do the simplest task.

According to new legal docs ... Moonstone Vintage LA says it gave Amanda a very pricey gift -- a Chanel purse worth $3,249 -- and in exchange, she would pimp the store out to her 1.2 million Instagram followers. Pretty standard social media quid pro quo.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Moonstone claims Amanda failed on the pimping part. As they say, it ain't easy. The boutique says not only did Amanda fail to tag them in her post from Coachella ... but she kept the purse.

As a result, it's suing Amanda for $4,996 ... the cost of the purse, plus shipping and handling expenses.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Amanda requested the rare, vintage, black leather quilted mini backpack as a last-minute accessory for her Coachella trip earlier this year.

Our sources say the store personally delivered it from Santa Monica to the desert. And, while Amanda did post with the purse ... she tagged several other companies, but NOT Moonstone.

Adding insult to injury ... Amanda posted a second pic with the mini backpack and again didn't tag the company. Two days after her initial post, Amanda did finally tag Moonstone ... but the boutique's now saying too little, too late.

Former 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Peter Thomas is pulling the plug on his North Carolina sports bar ... and it's all because the place is dealing with some tax issues.

According to federal records, Peter's Sports One Bar and Lounge in Charlotte was hit with a tax lien for nearly $237,000 ... and now the establishment is closing its doors after racking up a huge debt.

Sources close to Peter tell TMZ ... the bar didn't have enough money to stay afloat after committing funds to other projects, and the place fell behind on its taxes. We're told Sports One Bar and Lounge will be shuttered for 3 to 6 months while Peter and the bar's legal team clear everything up and pay down the debt.

It's been a rough year for Peter ... as we first reported, he was arrested in Miami back in March on an out of state warrant for allegedly writing a $4,000 check that bounced.

The elderly man who was seriously injured after getting hit by Laila Ali's SUV in 2018 has lawyered up and filed a lawsuit ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported ... Ali accidentally hit a man with her Land Rover while backing out of a Calabasas shopping center in December '18 ... causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground. The man claims he went unconscious for a brief amount of time.

Paramedics and L.A. County Sheriff's deputies quickly responded to the scene ... and Ali cooperated with law enforcement. She was not arrested.

In court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, the man -- Robert Ise -- says he suffered a left orbital blowout fracture, a concussion and lacerations and contusions across his body.

Ise claims he still suffers from pain and emotional distress due to Ali's negligence ... and now he wants her to pay for all past and future medical expenses.

Ali released a statement after the accident ... saying she was praying for the man's recovery.

The real-life stripper who inspired Jennifer Lopez's character in "Hustlers" wants the studio to ante up some serious cash ... or else.

Samantha Barbash's legal team just fired off a letter to STX Entertainment -- the studio behind the hit film -- demanding it pay up for its use of Barbash's likeness, personality, biography and identity in connection with the promotion of the film.

According to the letter, obtained by TMZ, Samantha's lawyer Bruno Gioffre reminds the studio Barbash "unequivocally rejected all offers to be included in the film." Barbash wants STX to resolve "the flagrant violation of her rights."

Damon Dash says he's not the cash register he used to be -- not by a long shot -- so he's asking a judge to pull the plug on his child support obligations.

Dash filed legal docs saying enough's enough, and he no longer wants to pay support to 19-year-old Ava. Apparently, he struck a deal with ex-wife Rachel Roy that he would pay $6,000 a month total for both kids, and the obligation didn't stop at 18.

As for why, Dash says things are lean in the financial department, claiming his adjusted gross income in 2018 was a skosh over $56,000. Damon says Rachel makes way more than him ... approximately $500k a year. He also says she lives a lavish lifestyle with trips to Europe, Greece and India.

Damon says he's stepped up plenty ... he pays $3,666 a month for 11-year-old Tallulah's private school.

Kevin Hart and the 2 people in his car that crashed Sept. 1 have all lawyered up, TMZ has learned, and everyone's expecting a big lawsuit.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us, the driver, who sustained serious back and chest injuries has an attorney, as does the passenger in the backseat, who sustained only minor injuries. Kevin has a lawyer as well.

We're told Kevin is in the crosshairs of the other 2 people in the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda because the car did not have safety harnesses or airbags. The argument is ... Kevin should have worried less about keeping the car authentic and more about safety -- and not doing so constitutes negligence.

The driver could also be on the hook for Kevin and the backseat passenger, but it's a little premature since the CHP is still investigating the cause of the crash.

The big issue ... we're told the company that customized the car could be looking at a lawsuit. The argument goes like this ... the company is the expert and even if Kevin wanted a custom job without safety harnesses, the company should have refused the job because it wasn't safe ... especially with a powerful, 720 horsepower engine.

We contacted 10 custom car companies around the country and asked if Kevin's crash has opened their eyes and changed their minds about customizing classic cars without installing safety harnesses. 8 out of the 10 said they would if that's what the customer wanted. Only 2 said they would not.

It's interesting because it opens these companies up to a lawsuit, especially if there are passengers in the car who get injured.

Tekashi 6ix9ine was rat material from the start, and now he's going to get what's coming to him ... so says Rap-A-Lot Records honcho J. Prince.

Prince claims "clown" Tekashi's recent testimony -- specifically the part about an attempted robbery of Rap-A-Lot reps last year in NYC -- is a bunch of lies.

The rap boss says he's been warning everyone for awhile ...  that if Tekashi "keeps campaigning with dumb sh*t that he was gonna get elected! Election Day has come and now I’m hearing lies he’s telling under oath about robbing me or representatives of #Rapalot."

J. Prince adds ... "If him or any of those clowns were to try to rob me or anyone from the #Rapalot family bad news would’ve beat them home."

In case you missed it ... during day 2 of 6ix9ine's snitch-fest, he detailed how his relationship with his former gang, the Nine Trey Bloods, began to sour.

He claims he was denied entry to a Houston gig in March 2018 by Rap-A-Lot peeps because he didn't "check in," and it cost him money. As revenge for the diss, the Nine Treys planned to rob J. Prince's people a month later in New York ... and Tekashi says they pulled off an armed robbery on Rap-A-Lot reps in the lobby of a building.

J. Prince says Tekashi's version of events isn't how it went down, and the gig he got turned away from was his son's party ... because they simply didn't want him there.

He says ... "Let this be a lesson to those who know better to do better because there was never a question mark in my mind that this kid #takashi69  was rat material that’s why my sons didn’t allow him to come into their party. It was never about a rat checking in with us."

As for that robbery ... Tekashi testified he was outside in a parked car while his former manager, Shotti, and other members did it. Surveillance footage of the incident was played in court.

Ex-Cincinnati Bengals safety Chinedum Ndukwe is suing a woman and her attorney claiming they threatened to lie and go public with a false sexual assault claim unless he paid her $10 million.

But, the woman's attorney says the allegation against Ndukwe is 100% real ... and he was the one who tried to buy her off in the first place.

Here's the deal ... Ndukwe -- who played in the NFL from 2007 to 2011 -- filed a lawsuit against attorney James Walker and his client, Jane Doe claiming extortion and coercion.

In his suit, the 34-year-old -- who now runs a real estate and development firm -- says the woman and her attorney sent him a demand letter earlier this month seeking $10 million or else she would file a civil suit against him and pursue criminal charges.

In his suit, Ndukwe does not specify the accusations against him -- but insists the accuser is lying.

The accuser's attorney James Walker, however, is firing back in a big way ... telling Cincinnati.com the ex-NFL player is twisting the facts.

The accuser and her attorney have filed a lawsuit of their own. Here's what they are alleging ...

Jane Doe claims she was an intern at Ndukwe's real estate business over the summer -- and says Ndukwe sexually assaulted her.

She also claims Ndukwe slipped her an envelope with $1,000 in cash after the incident in the hopes of buying her silence.

Ndukwe has issued a statement saying he will "vigorously fight these false claims to prove my innocence."

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have a lot to learn about living in Wyoming -- where the deer and the antelope play ... but they can't play with Ye.

The couple was issued a slight scolding over a video Kim posted last weekend, in which it appears Kanye's taking them for an ATV ride across the range ... as he chases some pronghorns, AKA American antelope.

At one point it sounds like Kim shouts, "I think you're scaring them!!!" ... and she's probably right ... which is why there are laws against it.

A spokesperson for the Wyoming Game & Fish Dept. tells TMZ ... State laws prohibit this type of animal harassment. We're told the department was made aware of Kim's video and paid a visit to the manager of Kanye's new ranch to make sure everyone is aware of the rules pertaining to wildlife.

We spoke with a source close to the couple who tell us they were simply cruising along when the animals came running by ... Kim and Kanye came to a slow soon after the vid and let the pronghorns on their way. We're told it wasn't a chase ... and they never disturbed the animals.

The good news for Kanye and Kim ... this can simply be considered a lesson learned. We're told no formal complaint was filed against them -- only angry calls -- so there's currently no investigation into the incident.

If there were, the couple could get slapped with a citation and a $435 fine.

We broke the story ... Kanye plunked down some serious cash for the property just outside Cody, Wyoming -- called Monster Lake Ranch -- which includes 8 lodging units, 2 fresh water lakes, a restaurant, an event center, and lots of barns, corrals and horses.

The asking price was $14 million for 4,500 acres, and while we know he didn't pay full price ... it's still a lot of money.

Aaron Carter's family thinks they have the perfect plan in place to get their brother some serious help, but the truth is ... they don't.

Carter family sources tell TMZ ... their hope is that the protective order recently filed by Aaron's brother, Nick, is the ticket they need to get an appointment with a judge. From there, they hope to convince the judge to force Aaron into treatment.

Thing is ... there's no way legally a judge can do anything other than order Aaron to stay clear of Nick. Aaron is an adult and the decision to get help is vested in him and him alone. If he doesn't want help, there's almost nothing the family can do.

There is one thing ... in extreme, extreme cases, the family could go to court and ask for a conservatorship, where a conservator could essentially force treatment and remove any dangers from the home, like firearms. As we've extensively reported, that was the case with Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes, but in order for this to happen, there must be compelling proof the person in question can't care for themselves.

That said, our sources say Aaron's erratic behavior has set off alarm bells within his family, and they believe he's in the grip of a mental psychosis. Aaron's been publicly shaming his brother and dead sister, and his fam thinks it's a huge red flag.

Sources say Aaron's family members were behind the attempts to place him on several psychiatric holds ... something he hinted at on "TMZ Live." We're told they've also reported him to the ATF in hopes of getting his guns taken away. So far, no dice.

We broke the story ... Aaron says he's giving up his assault rifles, but not his pistol and shotgun.

As you know ... Aaron was on "The Doctors" recently, rattling off a laundry list of what he's been diagnosed with -- bipolar disorder and schizophrenia -- and showing off his medications. However, he's since walked back those claims.

Our sources say Aaron's family reached back out to "The Doctors" to see if they could get him help, but we're told Aaron refused an offer to meet with a psychologist. Fact is ... the show can't force AC to accept any kind of help.

TMZ broke the story, Nick Carter and his wife got a restraining order against Aaron earlier this week. Nick says he needed court-ordered protection from his little bro because he claimed Aaron told their sister, "I have thoughts of killing babies."

Donald Trump wouldn't stand a chance in Elizabeth Warren's Harvard Law School class ... so says Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who calls Liz the best teacher he's ever had.

We got Joe on Capitol Hill Thursday and asked about his first professor at Harvard Law back in the day, and he gives Warren an A+ when it comes to teaching.

Joe is effusive in his praise for Elizabeth, telling us why she was so great at explaining law and its impact in the real world. He says Warren's the same in the classroom as she is on the campaign trail -- she brings out the best in people.

But, there's one person Joe thinks even Elizabeth couldn't prop up ... Trump.

Joe's mum on his grades under Professor Warren, who he calls a tough grader, but he did graduate ... and ya gotta hear what Joe says about Trump's ability to handle one of Liz's classes.

BTW ... Kennedy is set to make a big announcement Saturday. Looks like he's making a run for the U.S. Senate ... just like his famous grandfather, Bobby, and great uncles, John and Ted.

Phoenix Suns stud Kelly Oubre Jr. claims his ex-girlfriend stole his two dogs after they broke up in May ... and now, he's suing her.

It's all in a new lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports, in which the NBA player claims he's having a miserable time breaking things off with his ex, Makena Spooner LeDuff.

Oubre says the two began dating back in mid-2017 when he was a member of the Washington Wizards ... and things were going so well, they stayed together when he was traded to Phoenix in 2018.

In fact, Oubre claims when he rented a place in Beverly Hills shortly after the deal with the Suns ... he allowed her to live there with him.

But, Oubre says things took a terrible turn when the two broke things off in May ... alleging 27-year-old Makena has been a nightmare.

In the lawsuit, Oubre claims she's refused to leave his Bev Hills spot, slashed the tires on his car, stolen some of his stuff ... and worst of all, taken his two beloved dogs.

Oubre says he got the pups -- Saint and Soul -- before he met Makena ... and claims she is now "holding them hostage" in an effort to try to get money from the NBA player.

Oubre says he tried like hell to get them back from her -- even getting the LAPD involved in August -- but says she's successfully avoided returning them to him.

Now, Oubre -- who's in the middle of a 2-year, $30 MILLION contract -- is suing her for damages.

Moon Zappa says a "delusional" fan of her famous dad is harassing and threatening her so badly ... she's had to run to court for protection.

Frank Zappa's daughter filed for a restraining order Thursday in L.A. County against a man who's allegedly been stalking and threatening her since 2000. She says way back then the FBI got involved because the man made a death threat against her.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Moon says the written death threat said, "I have made plans to murder Moon Zappa. If you want to stop me, contact me now. I know where she is. I know how to get at her. Pumpkins will be barking at that time. I have time on my hands. And soon blood as well."

Moon says she got a restraining order back in 2001 and changed her address -- but her fears were reignited last week when the man showed up on her doorstep on 9/11. She says he handed her a $50 million lawsuit involving a "delusional vendetta" against her.

According to the docs, Moon says the "delusional fanatic" believes she and her father stole lyrics from him way back in the late 1970s. Moon now fears not only for herself, but also for her daughter's safety.

The woman suing Chris Brown over eye injuries she allegedly suffered on a music video shoot has a photo of her puffy peepers ... and it'll make you go, "ewwwww."

In the photo -- obtained by TMZ -- Danielle Griffin's eyes appear red, swollen and caked in a gross, greenish goop. We're told that's pus discharging from her eyes, so like we said ... eww.

Griffin claims in legal docs ... she was hired as a backup dancer in September 2017 to perform in a CB music video, which was shooting in Downtown L.A.

According to the suit ... sometime during the shoot, a wardrobe and makeup artist poured fake liquid blood on her head without eye protection and told her it was safe. Griffin claims it wasn't ... and the "dangerous substance" caused direct injuries to both of her eyes.

Griffin's attorney -- Arshia Mardasi of Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie -- tells us she had to go to 3 different hospitals in 24 hours to tend to her eye injuries. Mardasi says Griffin was also holed up for months while she recovered, which caused her to drop out of her master's degree program and miss several job opportunities.

We are told the music vid she was hired for was "High End," which features Future and Young Thug.

Britney Spears is expected to show up in court Wednesday for a conservatorship battle that multiple sources have described as "a fireworks show."

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Britney's mom, Lynne, will ask the judge to terminate Jamie as Britney's conservator. Currently, Britney's care manager, Jodi Montgomery, is the temporary conservator per Jamie's wishes, and he's expected to retake the reins on January 20. But, we're told Lynne thinks Jamie is no longer fit to continue in that role.

A critical piece of evidence is expected to be unveiled during the hearing -- the report by a court-appointed evaluator who spent months gathering evidence on the care Britney has received. The evaluator looked at Britney's primary doctor, Dr. Timothy Benson, who died unexpectedly on August 24, suddenly at age 48. We're told the evaluator put Dr. Benson and Jamie under a microscope, but so far it appears only the judge knows what's in the report.

The good news for Jamie ... the D.A. just rejected a child abuse case against him for the August 24 altercation he had with Britney's eldest son, 14-year-old Sean.

The bad news for Jamie ... he's still under a restraining order that prohibits him from having any contact with either of Britney's 2 children.

And, there's more bad news for Jamie ... we're told Britney's furious at him over his confrontation with Sean where he allegedly laid hands on him. Our sources say Britney hasn't spoken to Jamie since the incident. And, we're told there's a "strong likelihood" Britney will show up in court and support Lynne, with whom she's gotten close with over the last 6 months.

But, there's this ... we're told Lynne will not ask to become Britney's conservator. We know Lynne did not object to Jodi Montgomery as the temporary conservator, but we don't know how she would feel about making it permanent.

Someone involved in the case tells TMZ, there will be "major surprises" in court.

Stay tuned.