Legal

Alan Foster -- who cofounded the Big Baller Brand -- is dragging the Balls to court once again ... this time he's suing LaVar Ball, Tina Ball, LaMelo Ball as well as PUMA, alleging they screwed him out of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Foster's claims were spelled out in a new lawsuit filed in federal court in California earlier this week ... some four years after he had a falling out with the Ball family over the BBB business.

In the suit, obtained by TMZ Sports, Foster says as part of his role at BBB, he helped develop Melo's brand.

Foster alleges he came up with the "MB1" line for the Charlotte Hornets point guard when the hooper was just a teenager -- and then he filed for several trademarks for it. Foster claims it all eventually led to the creation of Melo's first signature shoe, the MB1 -- which he says was highly successful.

However, Foster says a few years later ... in an attempt to push Foster out of the company, LaVar created a second version of BBB -- and tried to transfer over Foster's trademarks to cut him out of the "huge profits" from the successful brand.

In addition, Foster says when Melo ultimately signed a lucrative shoe contract with PUMA, the basketball player and the apparel company infringed on his trademarks when they created their new signature shoe, the MB.01.

"LaMelo was instrumental in creating his first signature shoe with Big Baller Brand," Foster wrote in the suit. "He was fully aware of the existence of the LaMelo Trademarks -- he helped design them!"

Foster continued, "He knew that his Big Baller Brand signature shoe was called the 'MB1' and that the name was protected by federal trademark. Yet, despite his knowledge of all of this, LaMelo willfully and deliberately chose to name the signature shoe he created and designed with PUMA the 'MB1' in violation of the LaMelo Trademarks."

Foster alleges the damages he's sustained over it all exceed $200 million.

Of course, this is not the first time Foster has gone after LaVar in court ... he previously sued after alleging LaVar used BBB company money to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Tinashe says she's been getting stalked by a guy who showed up at her front door and tried to get inside ... she now wants extra protection from the court to prevent it from happening again.

The singer just filed for a temporary restraining order in L.A., and per court docs -- obtained by TMZ -- the singer has been dealing with the guy for a while. Tinashe says the whole thing reached its tipping point last week when she says the guy surfaced outside her house.

In the paperwork, Tinashe says she's been getting randomly tagged on IG by a guy named Ramon Oppikofer since 2022 ... whom she says she doesn't know at all. Tinashe says it started as seemingly harmless digital fanfare but turned real on Oct. 27 -- when she claims he showed up to her brother's private birthday party ... totally uninvited.

Tinashe goes on to explain that Oppikofer apparently handed her a hotel room key -- which she says she gave right back to him and tried laughing it off. Things turned extra scary, however, after he allegedly arrived out of nowhere outside of her L.A.-area property a few days later ... during which, Tinashe claims he was simply lurking up and down her street.

She says she called cops that day, but he was gone by the time they arrived. The next day, Nov. 2, Tinashe claims this guy came back ... and this time, allegedly rang her doorbell -- only to get no response. She says he returned later that same day in an SUV ... pulling up in front of her house and calling out her name -- only to be confronted by people Tinashe was inside with. She says the man took off again ... but wasn't done just yet.

Tinashe claims that exact same day, he returned YET AGAIN -- this time, allegedly ringing her doorbell ... getting rebuffed by her father who was with her, and then allegedly breaking into her actual house. Tinashe says she fled to an area of her house and locked herself inside ... and claims Oppikofer attempted to open the door. She says some music studio co-workers who were on site confronted him and told him to scram ... and he did.

Tinashe says Oppikofer continued to lurk outside, and that cops eventually showed up and arrested him. BTW, law enforcement sources confirm all this to us -- saying he was booked for misdemeanor trespassing ... but was released shortly thereafter.

The reason, we're told ... L.A. County's no-bail policies -- and that's something Tinashe cites in her TRO request here ... saying she needs this court-ordered protection to keep Oppikofer away, as she fears he's going to show up to her place again and potentially do worse.

She says she's scared for her life ... and is begging a judge to sign off. As of now, her request has yet to be granted -- but the situation sounds dire.

El excompañero de A$AP Rocky en Mob, quien asegura que Rocky le disparó hace dos años, acaba de testificar que también amenazó con matarlo antes de apretar el gatillo.

Terell Ephron, quien iba como A$AP Relli cuando estaba junto a la cuadrilla de Rocky, subió al estrado el miércoles en una audiencia preliminar para el caso de asalto en Los Ángeles.

Por supuesto, Relli es el testigo clave y supuesta víctima aquí, por lo que fue bajo juramento para explicar lo que ocurrió el 6 de noviembre de 2021. Asegura que su viejo amigo abrió fuego contra él y le golpeó la mano con al menos uno de los disparos.

En la corte, Relli recordó cuando se reunieron por primera vez y cómo se formó A$AP Mob entonces, pero también describió cómo su relación comenzó a deshilacharse cuando la carrera de Rocky se disparó, mientras otros en el grupo fueron dejados un poco de lado.

Relli dice que empezó a resentir Rocky para los movimientos que percibía como deshonesto, como la supuesta promesa de ayudar a mantener la familia de un miembro de A$AP Mob asesinado lo que Rocky nunca hizo, según Relli. La mala sangre supuestamente llegó a un punto crítico esa fatídica noche.

Según Relli, Rocky lo llamó y le preguntó dónde estaba. Acabaron encontrándose en un hotel de Los Ángeles, lo que él pensó que podría ser una buena oportunidad para terminar con sus rencillas. En cambio, Relli afirma que Rocky y algunos matones se abalanzaron sobre él, y las cosas se calentaron.

Relli afirma que se intercambiaron palabras duras. Rocky puso el arma en su estómago, supuestamente diciendo: "Te voy a matar ahora mismo". Relli declaró que Rocky no disparó en ese momento, pero afirma que las balas empezaron a volar poco después de que se separaron.

En ese momento, Relli dice que sintió cómo se le calentaba la mano y supo que le habían dado. Alega que Rocky disparó unas cuatro veces antes de salir corriendo y dejarlo allí en la calle. Relli dice que no fue a la policía hasta el día siguiente por miedo.

Como les contamos, Rocky ya se ha declarado inocente de dos cargos de asalto con un arma de fuego semiautomática. Los policías rodearon su casa el año pasado y llevaron a cabo una redada justo después de que aterrizara en Los Ángeles de un viaje a Barbados en el que estaba con Rihanna.

Rocky también estuvo en el tribunal hoy, y escuchó todo el testimonio de Relli. Fue visto al salir a almorzar durante un descanso. La sesión se reanudará el jueves por la tarde.

6:16 PM PT -- Rocky's high-powered attorney, Joe Tacopina, grilled Relli on cross in court today ... and it proved to be a combative back-and-forth that delved into the alleged victim's personal history with Rocky -- including the nitty-gritty of what led to them falling out ... as well as how, exactly, he came to report the alleged crime and when.

The whole purpose of this questioning, it seems, was to get Relli to admit that he seemingly dragged his feet in raising this issue with law enforcement ... with the implication being that he may have had ulterior motives. That's certainly what Tacopina was driving at, anyway.

Relli, meanwhile, reiterated he only waited a bit to report this out of fear of retaliation ... and insisted he was a gunshot victim, period. He also denied trying to extract money out of this situation. Like we said, the exchanges were testy ... and it proved to be heated at times.

Now, a source directly familiar with the proceedings today tells us they feel like Relli got exposed, and that his case likely won't hold up in front of a jury due to inconsistencies addressed in the prelim. Of course, time will tell if that actually comes to pass.

5:10 PM PT -- A$AP Rocky's first day in court for his criminal trial appears to have just wrapped, 'cause the dude just left the building ... and he's looking cool and confident on his way out.

Check out this video of Rocky cruising out of the front doors of the DTLA courthouse he's been in all day ... where one of his former A$AP Mob members testified he shot him 2 years ago. As you can see, AR was in a damn good mood ... signing autographs and smiling wide.

From the looks of it, he's not all that worried about this case ... despite how serious it is.

A$AP Rocky's former fellow Mob member -- who claims Rocky shot him 2 years ago -- just testified Rocky also threatened to kill before pulling the trigger.

Terell Ephron -- who went by A$AP Relli when he was rolling with Rocky's crew -- took the stand Wednesday in a preliminary hearing to AR's assault case in Los Angeles.

Of course, Relli is the key witness/alleged victim here ... so he went under oath to explain what he alleges happened on Nov. 6, 2021 -- which is that his old pal opened fire on him and struck his hand with at least one of the shots.

While in court, Relli recounted how he and Rocky first came together and how A$AP Mob formed back in the day -- but also described how their relationship started to fray when Rocky's career skyrocketed, as others in the group were kinda left behind.

Relli says he began resenting Rocky for moves he perceived as dishonest, such as allegedly promising to help support a slain A$AP Mob member's family ... which Relli claims Rocky never did. All their bad blood allegedly came to a head that fateful night.

According to Relli, Rocky called him and demanded to know where he was, and they ended up meeting at an L.A. hotel -- which he thought might be a chance to squash their beef. Instead, Relli claims Rocky and some goons rolled up on him ... and things got heated, with a gun allegedly being drawn.

Relli claims harsh words were exchanged, and Rocky put the gun to his stomach ... allegedly saying, "I'll kill you right now." Relli testified Rocky didn't shoot right then and there, but claims the bullets started flying shortly thereafter as they separated.

At that point, Relli says he felt his hand get hot and knew he'd been hit ... and alleges Rocky fired around 4 times before taking off running and leaving him there on the street. Relli says he didn't go to cops until a full day later out of fear.

As we told you ... Rocky has already pleaded not guilty to 2 counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm. Cops swarmed his pad last year and conducted a raid right after he landed back in L.A. from a Barbados trip he was on with Rihanna.

Rocky himself is in court today and heard all of Relli's testimony -- he was seen stepping outside during a lunch break ... and they're set to resume the hearing on November 20.

No sign of RiRi anywhere ... looks like Rocky's dealing with all this with just his lawyers at the moment.

La leyenda Dick Butkus murió luego de sufrir un derrame cerebral el mes pasado, según el certificado de defunción obtenido por TMZ Sports.

Publicamos la historia primero, el miembro del Salón de la Fama falleció el 5 de octubre en su casa de Malibú, y ahora sabemos lo que le pasó a la estrella del fútbol amado.

El certificado, emitido por el Departamento de Salud de Los Ángeles, muestra "accidente cerebrovascular" —conocido comúnmente como un derrame cerebral— como la causa inmediata de la muerte.

También hubo causas secundarias, como la fibrilación auricular (un latido irregular del corazón) semanas antes de su muerte, y problemas relacionados con el colesterol alto y la aterosclerosis (arterias gruesas / endurecidas) durante años.

El documento también señala que Butkus se sometió a una operación de bypass coronario en 2001.

La ocupación de Butkus figura como "linebacker", teniendo en cuenta que fue uno de los mejores que jamás haya jugado en esa posición. Su negocio, no es de extrañar, es la Liga Nacional de Fútbol, donde dominó durante nueve temporadas.

Como informamos anteriormente, los paramédicos respondieron a una llamada de un paciente en paro cardíaco en la residencia de Butkus en Malibú a las 12:51 PM. Fue declarado muerto en el lugar.

Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus died after suffering a stroke last month, according to the death certificate obtained by TMZ Sports.

We broke the story ... the Hall of Fame middle linebacker passed away on October 5 in his Malibu, CA home, and now we know what happened to the beloved football star.

The certificate, issued by Los Angeles Department of Health, shows "cerebrovascular accident" -- known more commonly as a stroke -- as the immediate cause of death.

There were secondary causes listed as well ... including atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) weeks prior to his death, and dealing with high cholesterol and atherosclerosis (thick/hardened arteries) for years.

The document also points out Butkus underwent coronary bypass surgery in 2001.

Fittingly, Butkus' occupation is listed as "linebacker" ... considering he was one of the best to ever play the position. His business, no surprise, is the National Football League, where he dominated for nine seasons.

As we previously reported ... paramedics responded to a call for a patient in cardiac arrest at Butkus' residence in Malibu at 12:51 PM. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

11/7 -- 8:26 AM PT -- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s attorney, Michael Baum, tells TMZ ... "We needed to take this step because President Joe Biden won't give Mr. Kennedy security protection despite the clear need demonstrated by Jonathan Macht's and others' actions."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. doesn't have the Secret Service protecting him, as he would like, so he's running to a judge for help after a guy twice tried to unlawfully enter his home.

The 2024 presidential candidate is seeking court-ordered protection from a man named Jonathan Macht, who police previously identified as RFK Jr.'s home intruder.

RFK Jr. beelined it to court Monday and filed for a temporary restraining order against Macht ... according to online records. It's unclear if a judge signed off.

TMZ broke the story ... Macht was arrested last month after cops say he twice attempted to get inside the Brentwood home where RFK Jr. lives with his wife, Cheryl Hines.

Remember ... cops said Macht got over the fence and into the yard before being detained by RFK Jr.'s security until police arrived to arrest him.

Law enforcement said the guy was released from custody, only to come back to the RFK Jr.'s home the following day, leading to another arrest.

What's more, Kennedy's campaign claimed the guy asked to speak with RFK Jr., who we're told was home at the time of both incidents.

Kennedy's team says they've alerted Secret Service about Macht several times in recent months, labeling him an "obsessed" individual.

But as Cheryl told us on "TMZ Live," Kennedy has struck out in multiple attempts to get Secret Service protection, despite his strong numbers at the polls and his family's tragic history.

With no Secret Service agents, it looks like RFK Jr. wants the courts to help here.

LAPD Threat Management continues to investigate this case.

Doc Antle is facing potential prison time -- 'cause the guy cut a deal with the feds in his criminal case ... pleading guilty to charges of sneaking around animals and conspiring to launder money.

The 'Tiger King' star pled guilty Monday to one count of a wildlife trafficking charge and another count of a conspiracy to launder money ... both of which carry a max penalty of 5 years behind bars, a fine up to $250k and 3 years of supervised release.

It remains to be seen what the judge will ultimately sentence him to ... hizzoner is gonna review a report from the U.S. Probation Office in making that determination.

As we reported ... this whole thing stems from a bust last summer, when FBI agents hauled Antle into custody after he'd been indicted. The indictment alleged Doc engaged in an elaborate scheme to traffic wildlife dating back many years.

Long story short ... prosecutors said Doc concealed financial transactions related to animal trafficking and profited from it over the years.

Among the allegations, prosecutors claimed Doc had directed the sale of some cheetah cubs, lion cubs, tigers and a chimp ... allegedly using bulk payments to hide the transactions and falsifying paperwork. The feds also claimed he tried using his nonprofit in these sales as a way to make them look like donations.

10:00 AM PT -- Jorge Masvidal spoke outside the courthouse ... just minutes after accepting a plea deal in the Colby Covington battery case. Beef squashed?? Not exactly! 😬

Jorge Masvidal struck a sweet deal with the district attorney prosecuting the Colby Covington case ... the retired UFC superstar pled no contest to misdemeanor battery, and will not serve a minute behind bars, or on probation, TMZ Sports has learned.

As a result of the plea agreement, the two felonies Jorge faced were dropped, aggravated assault and criminal mischief, according to Masvidal's attorney, Bradford Cohen.

We're also told there is no stay-away order in the plea.

According to the DA's office, the case was "adjudicated guilty," though Masvidal never admitted guilt, according to Cohen.

Masvidal had been facing over a decade behind bars.

Of course, the incident happened in March 2022 outside of Papi Steak in Miami Beach ... where Colby was having dinner with the Nelk Boys. When CC left, Masvidal was outside waiting, and the attack was on.

Covington told police Masvidal punched him twice, breaking his tooth, and even causing an alleged brain injury.

The fight outside the steakhouse came just weeks after Colby beat Jorge by unanimous decision at UFC 272 ... pitting the former best friends-turned-enemies against one another.

Colby hasn't fought since UFC 272 ... meanwhile, Jorge retired in April 2023 after fighting Gilbert Burns. Masvidal then launched his own fight promotion, Gamebred.

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Un gato callejero ha convertido en millonario a un tipo muy afortunado.

Joshua Smith acaba de obtener un veredicto de 1.375 millones de dólares luego de que un jurado dictaminara que su casero había secuestrado a Frank, su gato.

El hombre de Oregón encontró al gato callejero allá por 2017 y lo acogió en un centro residencial de recuperación de drogas en el que se alojaba. Dos años después, Frank desaparecido y Joshua supo que su casero era el culpable. Según los informes, el propietario confesó y dijo que le dio a Frank a su novia para que lo llevara a un refugio local.

Él demandó y el jurado tardó menos de dos horas para conceder el veredicto. Normalmente en estos casos, el dueño del animal solo podría recuperar el valor real del gato, que sería casi nada. Aunque no hay información disponible, parece que el jurado concedió daños punitivos por mala conducta intencionada.

An alley cat has turned a man who was down on his luck into a millionaire.

Joshua Smith just snagged a $1.375 million verdict after a jury ruled his landlord catnapped Frank, his Cheshire cat.

The Oregon man found the stray back in 2017, and took him in at a drug recovery residential facility where he was staying. Two years later, Frank turned up missing, and Joshua knew ... his landlord was the culprit. The landlord reportedly confessed and said he gave Frank to his girlfriend to take to a local shelter.

He sued, and it took the jury less than 2 hours to award the whopping verdict. Typically in these cases, the animal owner could only recover the actual value of the cat, which would be next to nothing. Although information isn't available, it would appear the jury awarded punitive damages for willful misconduct.

Trae Tha Truth is getting back to his philanthropic power moves ... fully furnishing a Houston woman's home -- the first of many such upgrades -- and planning to uplift inmates' spirits later this month.

Trae tells TMZ Hip Hop ... he treats each month like a holiday when it comes to charitable donations, but he's already shifting into overdrive for this holiday season.

He recently visited men and women locked up at the Harris County Jail and is planning to return and deliver them Thanksgiving-style food in the upcoming weeks!!!

As for citizens on the outside, Trae says he'll be passing out food, and has partnered with Bel Furniture once again to boost the quality of life for less fortunate families.

Trae tells us he's keenly aware too many people live in this country without a proper support system, which is why he's stepping in to fill that gap.

He feels it's his God-appointed mission to use his strength to help those in need ... even if it means personal sacrifices, like making music.

Trae nearly broke a 3-year drought of releasing albums while focusing on everyone else, but he says he was able to lock in to create his most recent LP, "Stuck In Motion," which dropped a couple weeks ago.

He admits it's not easy being both selfless and selfish, which making an album often requires of an artist ... but says he's thankful to be a rapper again, especially now that his assault charges following his street scuffle with former collaborator Z-Ro have been dropped!!!

TMZ Hip Hop broke the story ... Trae allegedly assaulted Z-Ro during 50 Cent's H-Town weekend last year, but completed a diversion program to wipe the slate clean -- and he says he's planning to keep it that way.

A California lawmaker is now in trouble with the law after she blamed her drunk driving arrest on a sneeze, causing her to crash -- while she was reportedly double the legal alcohol limit.

State Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo was cruising in her Audi in L.A. early Friday morning when she collided with another car, which lurched forward, striking a third vehicle.

A resident heard a loud bang and ran outside with his cell phone, filming what he described as an obviously intoxicated Carrillo, who was slurring her words and reeked of booze.

Check out the video ... responding LAPD officers approached Carrillo, who offered this explanation for the crash, "I'm sorry, I sneezed, and I lost track of the vehicle."

The cops administered a field sobriety test to Carrillo, who, at one point, lost her balance and nearly fell to the ground, but one of the officers caught her.

Carrillo was then arrested and booked for suspicion of driving under the influence during a traffic collision with a high blood-alcohol count, the L.A. Times reported.

LAPD Capt. Kelly Muniz told the media outlet Carrillo's alcohol level was “double the legal limit or more.”

After she was released from jail without bail, Carrillo issued a statement, accepting responsibility for her actions, while acknowledging as a public servant she must be held to a higher standard. She also apologized to her family, constituents and staff members and promised to "seek the necessary help and support.”

Steven Tyler's latest accuser -- who claims he sexually assaulted her nearly 50 years ago -- filed her lawsuit against the singer in the nick of time, legally speaking ... as the statute of limitations was about to run out.

Jeff Anderson, attorney for the alleged victim Jeanne Bellino, tells TMZ ... he and his client recently decided to file against Tyler under New York City's Gender-Motivated Violence Act.

Under that act, Bellino -- who alleges the assault happened in New York City in 1975 when she was 17 -- has a much larger window for the statute of limitations ... but even so, Anderson says it was set to expire at the end of November.

As we reported, Julia Holcomb also sued Tyler at the end of last year, alleging she was sexually assaulted by the musician in 1973 when she was 16 -- and also claimed he pressured her to get an abortion.

Anderson is representing both women in their respective cases.

In fact, we're told Holcomb and Bellino plan to serve as witnesses for each other's cases. Anderson says Bellino first came to him to say she was open to testifying for Holcomb to establish a pattern of Tyler's alleged behavior.