Legal

California Congressman Eric Swalwell says he’s stepping down from Capitol Hill -- and he’s owning up to past mistakes while blasting what he calls a rush to judgment in Washington.

In a statement announcing his resignation he posted to X, Swalwell apologized to his family, staff, and constituents for what he described as “mistakes in judgment” -- but made it clear he’s not backing down from a separate allegation he insists is flat-out false.

Swalwell says he plans to fight that accusation head-on … but at the same time, he admitted the controversy has become a distraction he doesn’t want hanging over the people he represents.

'Real Housewives of Miami' star Lisa Hochstein is facing a felony charge down in Florida ... with prosecutors alleging she was illegally keeping tabs on her ex-husband, famed plastic surgeon Lenny Hochstein.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Lisa is facing one count of interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications.

Prosecutors claim Lisa "unlawfully and intentionally" intercepted, tried to intercept, or tried to have someone else intercept "oral statements by Leonard Hochstein and those Leonard Hochstein spoke with."

Brandon "Bug" Hall -- perhaps best known for playing Alfalfa Switzer in the 1994 film "The Little Rascals" -- has been arrested ... TMZ has learned.

Documents obtained by TMZ show Bug was charged in Ohio with failure to appear for a court date from December 31, 2024. He had previously been hit with a traffic citation on October 29, 2024 for not having liability insurance.

In addition to 'Little Rascals,' the 41-year-old former child actor also starred in "Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves," "The Stupids," and "American Pie Presents: The Book of Love."

As Brian Hooker sits in police custody in the Bahamas in connection with his wife Lynette's disappearance, his stepdaughter is dropping bombshell revelations about what it was like living with him prior to the tragedy.

Karli Aylesworth, Lynette's daughter, told People her stepfather has "anger issues," was "strict," and had a "need for controlling my life."

She told the publication, "He does get mad and yells a lot. One time he got mad at me about homework and threw my book across the room."

Karli went on to say that her mom basically "just kind of let him dictate my life" when she was growing up.

The man who lost his lawsuit against Kim Kardashian -- after he said her misidentification caused him emotional distress -- is begging a judge not to force him to pay the billionaire’s legal bills ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Ivan Cantu -- who was shut down in his battle with Kim over an Instagram post she made -- is fighting her request that he pay the legal fees she racked up fighting him in court.

Ivan sued Kim after she made a post on social media about a man with the same name who was convicted of murder and was sitting on death row. Kardashian was pushing for the man's execution to be put on pause.

Drew Sidora told a judge she doesn’t have the funds to move out of the home she shares with estranged husband Ralph Pittman, despite being ordered to vacate by next month ... TMZ has learned. 

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, the Bravo star said she doesn’t have the “financial resources,” nor has she picked out a new home, which makes it hard to be out by May 31. She said she and her oldest child will be “homeless” if the court doesn’t reconsider the decision.

Drew said Ralph’s income is three times hers. She also claims he agreed to share joint physical custody, only to switch up his request to primary while they were in court.

Blake Lively does NOT want the jury to know she's rolling in dough ... so she wants ANY info about her or her hubby's wealth barred from the trial.

Blake filed legal docs just weeks before her case against Justin Baldoni goes to trial, asking the judge to bar all evidence about her and Ryan Reynolds' "net worth and financial status."

As we reported, Blake claims she's lost $161 million as a result of Baldoni's smear campaign. What's interesting ... the judge threw out her defamation claim, so it's unclear if that amount is even relevant. Nonetheless, she's still allowed to present her claim that Justin retaliated against her after she blew the whistle and claimed the "It Ends with Us" set was a hostile work environment.

President Trump's $10 billion legal battle with the Wall Street Journal -- over its reporting on his alleged birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein -- just took a major hit, with a judge throwing it out of court ... for now.

In Monday morning's dismissal, the federal judge said Trump's defamation lawsuit failed to plausibly allege WSJ reported with "actual malice" or reckless disregard for the truth when it published a story claiming Trump wrote a racy letter celebrating Epstein's 50th birthday.

The letter, allegedly handwritten by Trump and framed in the image of a naked woman, included a creepy convo between Trump and Epstein, and Trump's closing line ... "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy birthday -- and may every day be another wonderful secret."

It seems like Lindsie Chrisley might've fought back when her boyfriend allegedly attacked her ... at least from the looks of his mug shot.

As we previously reported, Lindsie's boyfriend, David Landsman, was arrested in Georgia last week on one count of aggravated assault-strangulation ... and TMZ has obtained his booking photo.

In the mug shot from Cherokee County jail, Landsman appears to be bleeding from his face -- the blood seems to start around his eye and eyebrow and runs down his cheek.

Britney Spears is in rehab for substance abuse ... TMZ has learned.

She checked in a few days ago somewhere in the United States. Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... people close to the singer had been urging her to check herself in and she finally agreed to do so voluntarily.

As one source put it ... "She realizes she hit rock bottom."

Britney has had issues with drugs -- in particular Adderall -- and alcohol for years. During her many trips to Mexico, she made it a point to replenish her Adderall supply.

Our sources say ... part of the reason she's gone to rehab now is because of her pending DUI case. As one source says, "She knows strategically this will look good in front of the judge -- that she's taking it seriously."

We broke the story ... Britney was arrested for alleged DUI in Ventura County, CA in March 4, 2026.

We're told her sons and others have been strongly supportive of the move.

The program is an undetermined length -- they are often 30 days -- but in this case we're told Britney could stay longer for a more meaningful recovery.

On the other hand, back in the day Britney went to rehab several times but bailed after a few days.

As Eric Swalwell's political career continues to crumble at lightning-fast speed ... a big-time benefactor has pretty much told him to go to hell.

Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck went scorched earth in an interview with the California Post, saying he's booted the embattled Swalwell from his Beverly Hills mansion ... and he's looking to recoup $1 million he forked over for the politician's now-defunct gubernatorial run.

The backlash comes on the heels of the Democratic Congressman from California being accused by multiple women -- some who worked for him -- of sexual assault and other alleged sexual misconduct. Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing ... but is now the target of a criminal probe.

Swalwell has been staying at the mansion as a guest ... it's where he filmed his video denial prior to dropping out of the race for California governor over the weekend. We're told Swalwell had been staying there for a few days before he was kicked out Sunday morning.

Justin Baldoni's team says Blake Lively can't have her cookies and eat them too ... arguing she's filing tons of last-minute exhibits with no relevance, like a link to a famous recipe.

The Wayfarer Studios legal team filed a ton of documents with the court Friday ... including one asking the judge for more time to review a series of exhibits only recently filed.

Among these many exhibits, Baldoni's team says, is a link to an article regarding "a Taylor Swift cookie recipe that was linked in other correspondence" ... which Baldoni's side argues "is exceptionally unlikely" to be shown to jurors at trial.

Eric Swalwell is the subject of an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney ... TMZ has confirmed.

The D.A.'s office acknowledged the investigation Saturday morning ... one day after CNN shared an interview with a staffer who spoke on the condition of anonymity about an incident during which Swalwell allegedly raped her.

In a statement to TMZ, the D.A.'s office shared, "We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373. Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.”

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's respective teams have submitted a list of questions they want to ask potential jurors ... including one focused on whether they know some of the famous faces who could testify or be mentioned at trial.

Lively's lawyers submitted the questions -- which they worked on collaboratively with Baldoni's -- and #25 mentions several big names.

The question reads, "Do you know any of the following people that you may hear from or about over the course of the trial?" and is followed by a long list that includes Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds, Hasan Minhaj, Jenny Slate, "It Ends with Us" author Colleen Hoover and Blake's sister, Robyn Lively.

Justin Baldoni is keen on muzzling Blake Lively's witnesses in their upcoming New York retaliation trial ... including huge "It Ends With Us" players -- star Jenny Slate and author Colleen Hoover.

Justin laid out his argument in court docs he submitted Friday that TMZ obtained ... arguing the alleged experiences of Jenny, Colleen, and more people Blake wants to use against him is a "grab bag of awkward comments, minor confrontations, and perceived slights would have been inadmissible even if Lively’s sexual harassment claims proceeded to trial."

As you know, Justin scored a major W when the trial judge dismissed her sexual harassment claims against him earlier this month.

Specifically, Justin wants Jenny's complaint about his alleged comment that her character looked “sexy” in her costumes, as well as a complaint she was patronized by being offered upgraded housing due to her being a new mom, prohibited from being a topic. He reasons Jenny herself said she felt her issues were resolved quickly.

Rapper Offset had a warrant for his arrest recalled mere weeks before he was shot outside a Florida casino ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, an L.A. County Superior Court judge recalled a warrant issued for Offset -- legal name Kiari Cephus -- on February 26.

The warrant had been issued in late January after Offset failed to appear at an arraignment ... the bond was set at $20,000. Offset showed up in court weeks later with a lawyer and pleaded not guilty to the battery charge.