Legal

The NBA's squarely in the sights of the United States Department of Justice over accusations The Association worked to torpedo Ice Cube's Big3 basketball league ... allegations the NBA denies.

TMZ Sports has learned the DOJ launched the inquiry months ago, examining alleged anticompetitive behavior on the part of the NBA, aimed at squashing the Big3's growth.

Those allegations, we're told, range from the NBA purportedly throwing its weight around to prevent sponsors and others potential partners from doing business with the rap legend's league ... to discouraging television networks from carrying Big3 games.

Cube and business partner Jeff Kwatinetz launched the 3-on-3 league, made up almost entirely of retired NBA players, in 2017.

Some current players have expressed a desire to play in Cube's league in the offseason, but we're told, as the Big3 sees it, the NBA has prevented guys from doing so, putting arbitrary rules in place to stop players from hooping in Ice's league.

FYI, the NBA and Big3 seasons do not overlap.

Of course, it's a regular occurrence for NBA players, including some of the biggest stars in the world like LeBron James, to hoop in non-NBA games after the season ends ... such as L.A.'s famed Drew League.

Big3 officials, according to sources familiar with the investigation, believe they've been unfairly targeted by the NBA.

We've also been told NBA owners have been discouraged from investing in the Big3 while simultaneously owning a franchise.

Referees haven't been immune, either, according to a source ... who says they've been told they cannot officiate for the Big3, despite some working for other organizations outside of the NBA.

A source familiar with the Dept. of Justice investigation tells us Cube and Kwatinetz met with DOJ lawyers during the first half of the year. We're also told investigators have begun reaching out to NBA owners as part of their investigation.

If the government ultimately finds the league committed antitrust violations, the NBA could face a significant fine.

We reached out to the league for comment ... and NBA spokesman Mike Bass, addressing the allegations of sponsorship and TV network interference, pressuring potential Big3 partners, and others, told us, "Those claims are not true."

Bass also added ... "We have been supportive of the Big3 since its inception, but we declined to invest."

La NBA está en la mira del Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos por las acusaciones de que la Asociación trabajó para torpedear la liga de baloncesto Big3 de Ice Cube, acusaciones que la NBA niega.

TMZ Sports ha descubierto que se inició la investigación hace meses, el examen de la presunta conducta anticompetitiva por parte de la NBA con el objetivo de aplastar el crecimiento de la Big3.

Supuestamente la NBA está emitiendo estas acusaciones para evitar que los patrocinadores y otros socios potenciales hagan negocios con la liga de la leyenda del rap y así convencer a las cadenas de televisión de no  mostrar los juegos de la Big3.

Cube y su socio Jeff Kwatinetz lanzaron la liga de 3 contra 3, compuesta casi en su totalidad por jugadores retirados de la NBA, en 2017.

Algunos jugadores actuales han expresado su deseo de jugar en la liga de Cube en la temporada baja, pero nos informan que la NBA ha impedido que los chicos lo hagan, poniendo reglas arbitrarias para evitar que los jugadores entren a la liga de Ice.

Para tu información, las temporadas de la NBA y de la Big3 no coinciden. Por supuesto, es habitual que los jugadores de la NBA —incluidas algunas de las mayores estrellas del mundo como LeBron James— participen en partidos que no son de la NBA una vez finalizada la temporada, como la famosa Drew League de Los Ángeles.

Según fuentes familiarizadas con la investigación, los directivos de Big3 creen que han sido injustamente atacados por la NBA.

También nos informan que se ha disuadido a los propietarios de la NBA de invertir en la Big3 al tiempo que poseen una franquicia.

Los árbitros tampoco han sido inmunes, según una fuente, se les ha dicho que no pueden oficiar para la Big3, a pesar de que algunos trabajan para otras organizaciones fuera de la NBA.

Una fuente familiarizada con la investigación del Departamento de Justicia nos dice que Cube y Kwatinetz se reunieron con abogados del DOJ durante la primera mitad del año. También nos han dicho que los investigadores han empezado a ponerse en contacto con los propietarios de la NBA como parte de su investigación.

Si finalmente el gobierno determina que la liga cometió infracciones antimonopolio, la NBA podría enfrentarse a una multa significativa.

Nos pusimos en contacto con la liga para hacer comentarios y el portavoz de la NBA, Mike Bass, se refirió a las acusaciones de interferencia de patrocinadores y cadenas de televisión y nos dijo: "Esas afirmaciones no son ciertas".

Bass también añadió: "Hemos apoyado a la Big3 desde su creación, pero declinamos invertir".

Oops, Britney Spears lo hizo de nuevo. Al menos, según cuenta el oficial que detuvo a la cantante conduciendo por el sur de California, y esta vez, su infracción fue traspasar las molestas líneas dobles.

De acuerdo con los registros judiciales obtenidos por TMZ, Britney recibió una multa de tráfico a principios de este mes después de que fuera detenida por la Patrulla de Carreteras de California (CHP en inglés) por supuestamente hacer un giro indebido.

Se dice que Brit cruzó la doble línea, un gran no para los que conocen la ley, y fue castigada con una multa de $327, con fecha de pago al 21 de noviembre.

Como informamos, Britney fue detenida el mes pasado por un oficial de CHP en el condado de Ventura. Fuentes policiales nos dijeron que fue detenida por andar a exceso de velocidad en su Mercedes blanco y por conducir sin una licencia válida y prueba de seguro.

Oops, Britney Spears did it again -- at least according to the officer who pulled the singer over yet again in Southern California ... and this time, they say she crossed those pesky double lines.

According to court records, obtained by TMZ, Britney got a traffic ticket earlier this month ... after she was pulled over by California Highway Patrol for allegedly making an improper turn.

It says Brit crossed over double lines -- a big no-no for those who know the law -- and was hit with a $327 fine, which is now due by Nov. 21.

As we reported, Britney was pulled over last month by a CHP officer in Ventura County ... law enforcement sources told us she was stopped for speeding in her white Mercedes and was eventually cited for driving without a valid license in her possession and proof of insurance.

She had to cough up $1,140 in fines to clear those up -- but online records show she paid off the balance. Hey, at least she doesn't have two fines to focus on!

Un piloto fuera de servicio de Alaska Airlines se encuentra en un gran problema después de que supuestamente tratara de derribar un avión de una aerolínea hermana, y podemos suponerlo por las docenas de cargos que enfrenta ahora.

Joseph D. Emerson, de 44 años de edad, es empleado de Alaska y fue detenido y fichado el lunes por 83 cargos de intento de asesinato en el condado de Multnomah, Oregón. Esto, después de que las autoridades afirmaran que trató de apagar los motores de la aeronave mientras estaba en pleno vuelo la noche anterior.

Es una historia extraña. Al parecer, Emerson estaba haciendo autostop en un vuelo de Horizon Airlines, que es propiedad de la misma empresa que gestiona Alaska, que iba de Seattle a San Francisco, pero tuvo que desviarse a Portland debido a este incidente.

Según los policías --que citan a miembros de la tripulación a bordo-- Emerson realizó esta maniobra increíblemente peligrosa mientras estaba sentado en el asiento de salto de la cabina, pero afortunadamente el capitán y el primer oficial pudieron detenerlo y evitar que el avión se cayera.

Según los informes, el audio de ATC capturó a miembros de la tripulación discutiendo lo sucedido a través de las ondas. En ellas se escucha a alguien diciendo: "Tenemos al tipo que trató de apagar los motores fuera de la cabina y no parece que esté causando ningún problema en la parte trasera en este momento, creo que está controlado. Queremos a las fuerzas del orden en cuanto lleguemos a tierra y aparquemos".

Bueno, Emerson fue efectivamente recibido por los funcionarios, quienes lo acusan de muchas cosas. Además de los 83 cargos de intento de asesinato, también ha sido castigado con 83 cargos de imprudencia temeraria, además de poner en peligro un avión. No se sabe lo que posiblemente lo llevó a hacer esto.

An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot is in big trouble after allegedly trying to take down a plane from a sister airline -- and you can tell by the dozens of charges he's now facing.

44-year-old Joseph D. Emerson -- who's employed by Alaska -- was arrested and booked Monday on 83 counts of attempted murder in Multnomah County, OR ... this after law enforcement claims he attempted to shut off the aircraft's engines mid-flight the night prior.

It's a strange story ... apparently, Emerson was hitching a ride on a Horizon Airlines flight -- which is owned by the same company that manages Alaska -- that was going from Seattle to San Francisco ... but which had to divert to Portland because of this alleged incident.

According to cops -- who cite crew members onboard -- Emerson pulled this incredibly dangerous stunt while sitting in the cockpit's jump seat ... but thankfully, the captain and first officer were able to subdue him and prevent the plane from going down.

ATC audio reportedly captured crew members discussing what happened over the airwaves -- with someone saying, "We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit and he doesn’t sound like he’s causing any issue in the back right now, I think he’s subdued. We want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked."

Well, Emerson was indeed met by officials ... and they're accusing him of a lot. In addition to the 83 attempted murder charges, he's also been hit with 83 counts of reckless endangerment -- plus, endangering an aircraft. No word on what possibly led him to do this.

Blueface was lucky to only get probation for his involvement in a shooting at a Vegas strip club, but he's now been ordered to pay an astonishing $13 million in damages to the club's owner.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Euphoric Gentleman's Club sued Blueface over the incident, claiming his business was ruined because of the shooting incident ... and just won summary judgment in the amount of $13,072,482.

If you missed it, the club's owner erupted following the shooting, calling for Blueface's arrest and then some ... and now the court agrees he's gotta pay up.

The whopping bill is broken down into several categories ... $12.6 million in lost revenue, lease damages of $198K, $84k in payroll expenses to employees who had to be paid following the club's Nov. 2022 shutdown, and more.

BF received a suspended sentence after taking a plea deal in the criminal case related to the incident, meaning he'll only have 3 years of probation and won't be serving any time behind bars if he keeps his nose clean.

The adults in the room when a 3-year-old shot herself with an unattended gun tried covering up the bloody incident ... at least according to the woman who called 911.

In the dispatch audio, obtained by TMZ, the caller says she's not at the home but has been informed about the shooting and is rushing over to help. She's not sure if anyone in the home called 911, and the dispatcher can't seem to find any prior call about the shooting.

The caller begs for an ambulance to rush over to the home, adding ..."And, they are trying to hide it. That's why they didn't call fire rescue. I need an officer over there. I need fire rescue over there."

She also tells the dispatcher the people in the home are trying to take the kiddo to the hospital themselves and "they just let her shoot herself in the hand."

As we reported ... home surveillance video shows the young girl, Serenity, playing in the living room at her grandma's Florida home, jumping onto a couch where a loaded firearm is sitting in plain view.

Serenity grabs the pistol and peers over at a relative, Orlando Young, who is watching a football game on a laptop ... and then the gun goes off. The bullet strikes her hand, and she cries out in pain as chaos ensues.

The caller is on the phone with 911 as she races to the house, and she's still on the line when she pulls up ... and you hear her yelling at someone, "Why didn't they call fire rescue?!?"

Miami-Dade County police say family members took Serenity to a hospital ... and Young was arrested and charged with child neglect.

It's unclear if the caller is the girl's mother, Warnicia Williams, who told Local 10 News she wants Young held accountable.

American Airlines podría estar en aprieros, al igual que el pasajero que se quemó cuando un asistente de vuelo derramó una taza caliente sobre su brazo.

George Latorre dice que estaba ocupándose de sus asuntos en un vuelo de Vietnam a Nueva York a principios de este mes cuando pidió una taza de café. Según la demanda, la azafata cometió todo tipo de negligencias al derramar lo que él afirma que era "café hirviendo" sobre su brazo izquierdo.

Latorre afirma que sufrió quemaduras de segundo grado en la parte superior del brazo izquierdo, así como ampollas, descamación y hemorragias. Él dice que fue tan grave que hasta dañó su tatuaje.

Latorre afirma que la demanda por "deformidad estética y cicatrices" puede ser permanente, y todavía está sufriendo "dolor, sufrimiento extremo, daño emocional, angustia mental y angustia, entre otras cosas.

El abogado de Latorre, David Jaroslawicz, le informa a TMZ que después del derrame, Latorre pidió un asiento más cómodo, incluso ofreciendo pagar por un mejor lugar, pero se le negó y se quedó donde estaba el resto del vuelo.

Jaroslawicz dice que su cliente se dirigió a un médico después de aterrizar en Nueva York y le dijeron que la quemadura era tan grave que necesitaba ver a un cirujano especializado en quemaduras.

American Airlines could be in hot water ... just like the passenger who was burned when a flight attendant spilled a hot cup of java on his arm.

George Latorre says he was minding his own business on a flight from Vietnam to NYC earlier this month when he asked for a cup of coffee. According to the lawsuit, the flight attendant was all sorts of negligent by spilling what he claims was "scalding coffee" on his left arm.

Latorre says he suffered second-degree burns to his upper left arm, as well as blistering, peeling and bleeding. He says it was so bad it damaged his tattoo.

The lawsuit claims Latorre's "cosmetic deformity and scarring" may be permanent, and he's still suffering "extreme pain and suffering, emotional harm, mental anguish and distress," among other things.

Latorre's lawyer, David Jaroslawicz, tells TMZ ... after the spill, Latorre asked for a more comfortable seat -- even offering to pay for the upgrade -- but he was denied and remained in economy for the rest of the flight.

Jaroslawicz says his client beelined it to a doctor after he landed in NYC, and was told the burn was so bad he needed to see a surgeon who specializes in burns.

El apoyo de Tyler Perry para una anciana que lucha por conservar una propiedad de Carolina del Sur que su familia posee desde la época de la Guerra Civil, incluye una nueva casa con piscina.

Josephine Wright es la mujer de 93 años, que está enfrentada con un promotor de Hilton Head y su nieta Charise le dice a TMZ que Tyler se puso en contacto con la familia y le preguntó qué quería para su nueva casa, a lo que ella respondió, 5 dormitorios y una piscina.

Charise dice que Tyler estuvo de acuerdo y su equipo le envió los planos a Josephine, pero su abuela es muy particular y pidió algunos cambios menores, a los que él también accedió.

Como se puede ver en el plano, obtenido por TMZ, también hay una sala de juegos, comedor, oficina, sala de medios y un gran porche.

Nos han dicho que Tyler le está regalando una casa modular a Josephine, lo que significa que se construirá fuera del sitio y luego se trasladará a una parte separada de su propiedad, por lo que no tendrá que dejar la parcela de tierra que ha sido heredada por su familia durante generaciones.

Charise dice que parte de la actual casa de su abuela está construida sobre la sección de propiedad, que es objeto de disputa.

TMZ dio la noticia, Tyler compró la casa y los equipos de construcción se pondrán a trabajar en unas pocas semanas, una vez que todos los permisos estén listos.

Tyler prometió su apoyo a Josephine en julio después de enterarse de su difícil situación, y Charise nos dice que se puso en contacto con la familia a finales de agosto para poner en marcha el proyecto de su nuevo hogar.

En cuanto al enfrentamiento legal de Josephine con el desarrollador, se nos dice que ambas partes están todavía deliberando.

Charise nos dijo: "A mi abuela le gustaría dar las gracias a todas las personas que se fijaron en ella y no vieron a una pequeña dama frágil, sino a una gigante dispuesta a luchar para mantener lo que es legítimamente suyo. Ellá está muy agradecida, que Dios la bendiga".

Tyler Perry's lifeline for an elderly woman fighting to hang on to the South Carolina property her family's owned since the Civil War era includes a new home with a swimming pool.

Josephine Wright is the 93-year-old woman duking it out with a developer in Hilton Head and her granddaughter, Charise, tells TMZ ... Tyler got in touch with the family and asked Josephine what she wanted in a new home, and she told him 5 bedrooms plus a pool.

Charise says Tyler agreed and his team sent Josephine the blueprints. But, she says her grandma is very particular and asked for a few minor changes ... and he obliged.

As you can see in the blueprint, obtained by TMZ, there's also a game room, dining room, home office, media room and a big porch.

We're told Tyler is gifting Josephine a modular home ... meaning it will be built off-site and then moved to a separate part of her expansive property, so she won't have to leave the plot of land that's been passed down by her family for generations.

Charise says part of her grandma's current home is built on the section of property that is the subject of a bitter land dispute.

TMZ broke the story ... Tyler's buying the home and construction crews will get to work in a few weeks once all the permits are squared away.

Tyler pledged his support to Josephine back in July after learning of her plight ... and Charise tells us he reached out to the family in late August to get the ball rolling on the new home.

As for Josephine's legal showdown with the developer ... we're told both sides are still in deliberations.

Charise tells TMZ ... "My Grandmother would like to thank all the people all over the world who looked at her and didn't see a little fragile lady but a giant ready to fight to keep what's rightfully hers. She is humbled and so appreciative, God bless."

Taryn Manning y su maquilladora están sumando incidentes a su extraña lista de sucesos. Esta vez, Holly Hartman fue arrestada por conducir el carro de Taryn que supuestamente había sido reportado como robado.

Las autoridades le dijeron a TMZ que Holly fue detenida el miércoles por la mañana en West Hollywood después de que los oficiales la detuvieran y descubrieran que el Chrysler Crossfire 2004 que conducía era robado.

Nos contaron que los oficiales llamaron a Taryn, quien les dijo que el coche era suyo y se negó a decir si quería presentar cargos contra Holly o no.

Ahora el caso será enviado a la oficina del Fiscal del Distrito del Condado de Los Ángeles para posibles cargos criminales, según nos dicen.

No está claro cuándo se reportó el carro como robado, pero nos comentan que el informe fue realizado en Palm Springs, lo que es un viaje bastante largo desde West Hollywood.

Taryn y Holly tienen una historia complicada. Aunque han sido cercanas durante muchos años, Taryn fue arrestada por presuntamente atacar a Holly en 2012, aunque los cargos finalmente fueron retirados.

Taryn Manning and her makeup artist are adding to their list of bizarre incidents ... this time, Holly Hartman was arrested for driving Taryn's car, which had been reported stolen.

Law enforcement tells TMZ ... Holly was taken into custody Wednesday morning in West Hollywood after sheriff's deputies pulled her over and discovered the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire she was driving was hot.

We're told deputies called Taryn, who would only tell them the car belonged to her ... and she refused to indicate whether she wanted to press charges against Holly.

The case, we're told, will now be sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office for possible criminal charges.

It's unclear when the car was reported stolen ... but we're told the report originated in Palm Springs, which is a pretty long drive from WeHo.

Taryn and Holly have a rocky history. Although they've been close for many years, Taryn was arrested for allegedly attacking Holly in 2012, though the charges were eventually dropped.

Angela Simmons allegedly abandoned ship from her penthouse without paying the bill ... and now a judge just hit her with a $48,704.40 default judgment.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Angela rented a flat in the Pembroke at Fort Lee Coop in Randolph, New Jersey in October 2019. The landlord claimed Angela started racking up huge late fees for not paying her rent in full in late 2020 ... and the tab eventually ballooned to more than $50K.

According to the legal docs, Angela failed to respond to the complaint ... and eventually the court entered a default judgment against her for $48K -- which includes late fees, unpaid rent, repairs, and more.

It's interesting ... shortly after the judgment, she kicked promotional efforts for her cake company into overdrive.

Angela's been dating Yo Gotti, who recently told us she's the one and only for him ... maybe he'll crack open his piggy bank to help foot the bill?

Dee Snider is cool with politicians on both sides using his band's anthem on the campaign trail ... but he's drawing a line when it comes to anyone spewing QAnon conspiracies.

We got the Twisted Sister frontman at LAX and our photog asked him where he stands on politicians playing "We're Not Gonna Take It" ... now that campaign season is about to heat up.

Dee says Republicans and Democrats have his blessing to play the song at rallies, appearances and in ads ... but says the same does not hold true for any candidates who go full QAnon.

The issue with QAnon for Dee ... it's all a bunch of lies and BS, and he feels there's already enough of that in the world.

Dee's made his feelings on QAnon well-known on social media over the years ... and he's doubling down here.

We also asked Dee how he feels about the U.S. military using the song as a battle cry now that another war has erupted ... and he explains why the armed forces are more than welcome to rock out to Twisted Sister.