Legal

Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn's legal team is pushing back hard against allegations he vandalized the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ... insisting his arrest was completely unwarranted and is being used as a distraction from the botched renovation.

Hearn's attorneys tell TMZ the allegations don't hold water, saying ..."Treating ordinary conduct as criminal diverts attention from the real questions of how this project was managed, including its corrupt no-bid contracting process."

The former athlete's lawyers took a swipe at President Trump too ... "Using the criminal justice system to target innocent people as a form of distraction is textbook authoritarian behavior."

Mackenzie Shirilla isn't getting her day in court ... because her latest appeal was denied, TMZ has learned.

According to new court docs obtained by TMZ, Mackenzie's appeal was not accepted for review.

The papers say the judge dissented and the court declined to accept jurisdiction over the case. Basically ... they declined to hear the case and it was dismissed.

Nicki Minaj and the former fan who sued the rapper for labeling him a "stalker" have reached a compromise in his $10 million lawsuit against her ... TMZ has learned.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Tameer Peak has agreed to drop his defamation and emotional distress lawsuit ... where he claimed Nicki falsely smeared him online.

Nicki allegedly described Tameer as "one sandwich short of a picnic."

'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' newbie Natalie Fuller and her estranged husband, television producer Simon Fuller, are unloading their real estate in France amid their ongoing divorce ... TMZ has learned.

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, show Natalie and Simon, who reportedly have an estimated net worth of around $600 million, have agreed to list two homes they own near the French Riviera.

The former couple agreed the money from the sales will be put into an escrow account and cannot be disbursed unless and until they both agree to it or the court orders otherwise.

Karen Derrico of TLC's popular "Doubling Down With the Derricos" was recently arrested in Las Vegas for allegedly making threats and violating a restraining order.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ ... the reality show's matriarch was popped last Wednesday for felony making threats or conveying false info concerning an act of terrorism, misdemeanor violation of a restraining order, and misdemeanor harassment.

Karen was released from jail on Sunday ... and she was arraigned on Tuesday -- it's unclear whether a plea was entered.

Big Tigger was arrested for battery and 3rd degree cruelty to children on Saturday ... TMZ has learned.

According to police records, the longtime radio personality and former host of BET's iconic "Rap City" was booked into the Fulton County Jail Saturday morning, but bonded out later in the day.

Officials with the jail tell us Big Tigger -- legal name Darian Morgan -- was released after posting surety bonds totaling $10,000 ... including a $9,000 bond tied to the aggravated battery charge and a $1,000 bond related to the cruelty-to-children charge.

Bailey Zimmerman is speaking out over the criminal charges he's facing in New Mexico for allegedly destroying his hotel room.

The country star shared a public apology with TMZ on Tuesday to both the Pueblo of Sandia and his fans, who missed out on a concert after his New Mexico performance was canceled due to Bailey's belligerent behavior during a sound check, which ultimately led to his removal from Sandia Resort & Casino.

Bailey says, "First things first, I want to apologize to the Pueblo of Sandia and to everyone at Sandia Resort & Casino. I never meant for any of this to come across as disrespectful. I am deeply sorry for my actions that transpired. I respect your community and the hospitality and appreciate the opportunity that was given to me to perform on Native Land. I take full accountability for everything that happened and I am sorry to anyone who feels hurt or disrespected."

Drake Von's DUI case is getting a lot more gas behind it ... 'cause police say they found multiple nitrous oxide tanks inside his car after a scary crash in Las Vegas.

According to a police report, obtained by TMZ, officers found nitrous oxide tanks -- 13 in total -- as well as balloons and rubber bands inside the porn star's Tesla after a crash over the weekend.

The report says the wreck sent everyone involved to the hospital before police arrived. A witness told officers the Tesla pulled out from a Sonic parking lot and collided with a red Kia Soul ... and cops say a Sonic employee added that Drake appeared to be slumped over the wheel and looked intoxicated.

Jelly Roll's baby mama, Felicia Beckwith, was arrested on several drug charges last year ... and now she's pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

On Thursday, Beckwith pleaded guilty to possession of less than 0.5 grams of fentanyl ... and all the other charges against her were dropped, Us Weekly reports.

She was originally charged with manufacture/delivery/sell/possession of methamphetamine, schedule II drug violations, two counts of simple possession/casual exchange, and unlawful drug paraphernalia.

Austin Metcalf's dad says some TV personalities are making a killing off his son's murder ... and he's not staying quiet about what he feels is an injustice.

Jeff Metcalf is taking aim at commentators who've continued debating the Karmelo Anthony case since his murder conviction ... claiming some media figures are more interested in chasing clicks and attention than getting their facts straight.

The grieving father unloaded during an appearance with Fox News host Will Cain, where he was asked about high-profile voices -- including "The View" cohost Sunny Hostin -- who've questioned aspects of Anthony's conviction and the rejection of his self-defense claim.

Chris Brown’s housekeeper swears she thought she was going to be killed by an aggressive dog at his Los Angeles mansion ... testifying the canine dragged her by her skin.

On Monday, Maria Avila, who had only worked at Chris’ home four times, took the stand in her $90 million dog attack case against Breezy ... telling the jury she was unaware dogs were present at the home ... until one viciously attacked her.

Avila said she was not warned by Chris or anybody on his team about the dogs. 

CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz ran for the hills when asked about Jeffrey Epstein during his recent deposition ... after his talent and sports agency was sued for allegedly playing a key role in an alleged Harvey Weinstein assault.

Here's the deal ... actress Julia Ormond sued CAA, Weinstein, Miramax and Disney under the Adult Survivors Act in New York in 2023 ... claiming CAA knew of Weinstein’s repeated sexual misconduct and sent her on a dinner meeting with him anyway. She said this led to him sexually assaulting her in December 1995.

Ormond's legal team finally scored a court order requiring Ovitz to show face for a deposition, but he flat-out declined to comply once the questions moved from Weinstein to his association with Epstein.

Sexyy Red and her family were the victims of a burglary in Florida, where half a million dollars in handbags and necklaces were stolen ... at least according to a lawsuit she filed against a security guard.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Sexyy Red hosted a birthday retreat for her mother at a rented mansion in Florida in January 2025 ... and an unlocked door led to a huge loss.

She claims she hired a security guard to protect and secure the place during the festivities ... but says on January 12, a single masked individual entered the home through an unlocked door and committed a burglary. According to the suit, a bunch of stuff, including necklaces, charms, rings, bracelets, watches, and designed handbags totaling no less than $500K, was stolen.

George Pino -- the Florida real estate mogul charged with killing one teen and severely injuring another during a 2022 boat crash -- is breathing a sigh of relief after he was found not guilty by a trial jury.

Pino was charged with manslaughter and vessel homicide in connection with the 2022 boat crash in Biscayne Bay. But, after an emotional 8-day trial, Pino walked out of a Miami-Dade courtroom a free man on Monday. 

On Sept. 4, 2022, Pino and his wife, Cecilia, threw a birthday party for their daughter and her teenage friends aboard their 29-foot boat. While sailing near Boca Chita Key, they hit a floating marker, and the impact caused all 14 passengers to be thrown into the water. 

Ryan Lochte and his ex, Kayla, don't have to worry about a possible foreclosure on their Florida home ... working out a deal to get a homeowners association that was breathing down their necks to back off.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Ryan and Kayla hammered out a settlement with the Fletcher Park Owners' Association.

Fletcher Park sued Ryan and Kayla in November 2025, claiming they failed to pay fees and assessments owed to the HOA for maintenance and other issues on their 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 2,800-square-foot home in Gainesville, Florida. The home appears to be worth around $660K, which is an increase from the $547K the exes paid to purchase the home in 2021.

'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star NeNe Leakes’ oldest son, Bryson Bryant, was seen stoic in his latest mugshot.

TMZ obtained the mug for 36-year-old Bryson, who was arrested on May 1 in Georgia. NeNe’s son didn’t look too happy to be behind bars once again as he rocked a black t-shirt while he was being booked. 

As TMZ first reported, Bryson was taken into custody on charges of failure to pay child support, violating his probation in a separate criminal case, and failure to appear for a court hearing. The court set his bond at $27K, and he remains behind bars.