Legal

12:56 PM PT -- Bryan Freedman tells TMZ ... "This convoluted statement makes it abundantly clear that Ms. Lively and team are rattled and once again resorting to making inflammatory remarks to steer focus away from the actual facts. Clearly they want to divert the public’s attention from the receipts, the actual documents, video footage and additional evidence shown that make it irrefutable that there was no sexual harassment.

It’s also surprising that Ms. Lively and her team are suddenly speaking so passionately about the hard won rights of the survivor community, considering she sidestepped this topic for the entirety of the film campaign, focusing instead on her hair care and alcohol products which at that time caused the organic backlash that she received. She does not need discovery to find out who smeared her. Just a mirror will do."

Blake Lively is outraged by Justin Baldoni's latest declaration in their bombastic PR war, claiming her former costar thinks sexual harassment victims should NOT be protected under the law.

Here's the deal ... late Thursday, the "It Ends With Us" director clapped back at Blake's attempt to get his lawsuit against her thrown out ... opposing her motion on the grounds she allegedly orchestrated, participated in and directed a smear campaign "designed to ruin the reputations and careers" of his production company.

His attorney also invoked Justin's First Amendment right to drag her into court for making false accusations about him.

Two boaters got into a heated altercation while out on Florida waters earlier this week ... and the confrontation got so intense, cops say they're now investigating the matter.

The incident happened on Tuesday ... when Gage Towles, a fisherman, was approached by Brock Horner, a clearly ticked-off, self-proclaimed charter captain.

In video Towles shared on his YouTube page, you can see Horner appeared upset with Towles over the way he and a few others had interacted with him as he passed underneath the bridge a few days prior.

2:02 PM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell us Dylan and Paul got into a fight at work, where they observed surveillance footage of Dylan slapping Paul two times.

The warrant for his arrest was then issued and police located Dylan and arrested him.

Dylan John, the reggae rapper whose ego was even too big for Diddy on the 2nd iteration of his infamous "Making The Band" series, was arrested this week for allegedly not keeping his hands to himself when cops say he smacked another man's face!!!

Joe Budden has come to the realization that the Hip Hop culture -- and quality -- that sparked his successful endeavors, is LONG GONE.

While reviewing Lil Durk's newly released album on his podcast, Budden scoffed at the incarcerated Chicago rapper's attempt to sanitize his lyrics in the wake of catching murder-for-hire charges.

Budden's podcast co-host Officially Ice argued that Durk's incarceration put him in a tricky spot to feature content about criminal activity -- but Budden would hear none of it.

Russell Brand has been spotted for the first time since being charged with rape and sexual assault in London over alleged incidents dating back to 1999.

The English comedian and actor was photographed walking outside Florida's Gasparilla Inn around 10:30 AM on Friday -- shortly after the charges were announced.

He appeared to be on a family vacation ... as he was on a stroll with his wife, Laura. Two of their three children were also photographed.

Russell Brand's firing back at the charges leveled against him by the British government ... claiming he may have dealt with drug and sex addiction -- but, he never raped anyone.

The actor shared a video to his X account mere minutes ago ... kicking it off by saying the only positive about people realizing the rule of law is being wielded like a weapon in Britain is that everyone can see his innocence.

After speaking in generalities for a while, Brand addresses the allegations head-on ... admitting before he met his wife and had kids he was a "fool" in the throes of drug and sex addictions.

Russell Brand's legal trouble has people looking through old clips ... including one where the star said he could get his assistant to do anything -- like get naked and massage a radio DJ.

The comedian -- who was charged with rape and sexual assault among other crimes Friday -- was chatting on the phone in an interview aired on BBC 2 Radio with media personality Jimmy Savile way back in 2007 ... and, he told Jimmy he'd love to meet him someday.

Jimmy joked he doesn't meet men alone ... but, if Brand has a sister he'd happily meet her. RB responded by saying he doesn't have a sis -- but, he does have an assistant ... who "greets, meets and massages" anyone he tells her to.

Taylor Schabusiness clearly isn't a fan of members of the bar ... 'cause she just attacked another one of her lawyers -- though it seems the officers in the court were ready to handle her.

The convicted murderer was in court Friday for a hearing related to her alleged assault of a prison employee back in July ... hands cuffed, but otherwise unrestrained while sitting with her lawyer.

Her attorney's talking about sequestering a witness in the case when Taylor loses it ... throwing an elbow into his arm -- when she's tackled by a few different officers.

Russell Brand is now facing rape and sexual assault charges for 4 separate alleged incidents, dating as far back as 1999.

The comedian was hit with with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and 2 counts of sexual assault ...  this according to London's Metropolitan Police Service.

Detectives began investigating the comedian after a series of allegations were made against him in 2023 ... and, they now allege Brand committed a series of assaults between 1999 and 2005.

Kamala Harris is calling out DC law firms -- especially the one employing her husband Doug Emhoff -- for kissing President Trump's ring by giving his administration over $100 million in pro bono legal services.

The former VP gave a fiery speech Thursday at the Leading Women Defined Summit, where she appeared to diss Willkie Farr & Gallagher -- the former Second Husband's firm -- just days after it agreed to provide unpaid legal work during Trump's time in office and beyond.

Kamala's take on it is clear, as she said, "There is a sense of fear that has been taking hold in our country. And I understand it. But we’re seeing people stay quiet."

A teacher in Ohio was arrested after she reportedly paid a student to kill her soon-to-be ex-husband.

According to multiple reports, Stephanie Demetrius -- a 44-year-old substitute teacher -- has been charged with felony conspiracy after cops say she approached a student at The Academy For Urban Scholars High School in Columbus, OH on March 26 and offered him $2,000 to kill her husband.

Sgt. James Fuqua of the Columbus Division of Police said, "This particular teacher was attempting to groom this young person into committing murder."

Justin Baldoni is clapping back at Blake Lively's attempt to get his lawsuit against her tossed out of court, while once again accusing her of trying to destroy his career, according to new court documents.

Baldoni just filed his response to Blake's motion to dismiss his lawsuit in federal court -- giving several reasons why the judge should not let the actress off the hook.

In the docs, Baldoni accuses Blake of orchestrating, participating in and directing a smear campaign "designed to ruin the reputations and careers of the Wayfarer parties."

Mel Gibson is having his right to bear arms restored ... and his support for President Trump sounds like it's playing a big role.

Trump's Justice Department is going to allow Mel to own guns again despite him pleading no contest in 2011 to a battery charge involving his former girlfriend, a legal issue that made it impossible for him to buy firearms ... according to the New York Times.

Mel is one of 10 people with convictions who are getting back their gun rights, the NYT reported Thursday, and Mel's inclusion sparked a fierce debate at the top of the Justice Department ... a disagreement that allegedly resulted in a couple firings.

Blake Lively might want to look over the food handler's license test ... 'cause her free-flowing locks have put a Connecticut donut shop she helped out under a microscope.

Here's the deal ... earlier this week, Lively helped out a friend who owns a small donut shop in Wilton, CT -- working a mixer, putting out the sweet treats for customers and just generally doing down-to-earth, everyday kind of work.

Of course, some people online have a bone to pick with Lively ... and, they're pissed she didn't put on a hair net or a hat, or tie it back, while working and serving up the treats -- writing on social media about it, even calling the local health department.

Young Thug is not going back to jail ... the judge says his repost revealing the identity of a cop testifying in a murder trial did not violate his probation.

Judge Whitaker said Thug's social media post on Tuesday -- reposting a blogger's photo of the police investigator on the stand, and adding the caption, "biggest liar in the DA office" ... was not wise, but not enough for him to get locked up again.

The judge said "having reviewed the terms and conditions of Defendant's probation imposed by this Court, the Court declines to revoke Defendant's probation based on the violation asserted."

Wendy Williams has a new legal mind on her side ... 'cause famed attorney Joe Tacopina says he's serving as her personal attorney.

Tacopina -- who has represented big stars like President Donald Trump, former Yankee Alex Rodriguez, and most recently A$AP Rocky -- appeared on "TMZ Live" Thursday to talk about it.

Check out the vid ... he confirms he is representing Wendy -- though, as of right now, it's strictly as her personal attorney. Tacopina says he will be at her guardianship case, but guardianship attorneys have to be approved by a judge, so he's still going through that process.