Legal

Nick Carter claims multiple people connected to his sexual assault accuser, Melissa Schuman, refute her version of events.

Nick is locked in ongoing legal battle against Melissa, who claims the pop star assaulted her in 2003 in a Santa Monica apartment, and he filed new legal docs claiming his old roommate James "Tony" Bass was present on the night in question and testified that he never saw Melissa distressed.

Bass said he saw Nick and Melissa drinking, socializing, flirting, and making out. He further testified he heard kissing and playful interactions but said "[a]t no point in the night did I observe Melissa to be upset, fearful or otherwise distraught in any way." He added that Melissa appeared "happy and totally comfortable throughout the night."

Bill Gates says Jeffrey Epstein wanted to blackmail him over his affairs with Russian women ... and he denied ever having sex with underage girls or visiting Epstein's pedophile island.

The Microsoft founder's testimony before the House Oversight Committee was just released ... and blackmail is mentioned 22 times ... with Bill saying Epstein was contemplating blackmailing him over extramarital affairs as a way to reopen their tattered relationship.

When Bill and Epstein were hanging out, he says they kept it strictly business ... Bill denied socializing with the disgraced financier and said he never talked about sex with Epstein, or saw the late pedophile have sexual contact of any kind.

Bode Miller is speaking out after his arrest in Idaho ... insisting the drugs that landed him in legal trouble weren't his.

The Olympic skiing legend posted a statement to Instagram on Tuesday, saying he was pulled over for "accelerating while passing another vehicle on a highway" and claims a friend riding with him was the one carrying marijuana and a cannabis pipe.

Bode claims he was unaware his friend had the weed and pipe and said everyone in the vehicle cooperated with law enforcement during the traffic stop. He ended his statement by saying he's hopeful the charges will be dropped.

Christina Ricci's ex-husband went to court to complain about his custody arrangement with the actress after she allegedly boozed it up on a plane next to their son, Freddie.

James Heerdegen filed a request for an emergency hearing over their custody arrangement after he says their son, Freddie, contacted him recently and claimed Christina drank alcohol during their June 16 flight to Canada.

Thing is ... when Freddie spoke with his legal representative, he "advised that he 'overreacted' in sending those text messages to his father" and "that the description of Ms. Ricci's alcohol consumption and behavior thereafter was not as he had described" ... this according to documents filed by the minor's counsel in the case and obtained by TMZ.

The docs say Freddie added he had "no fear in continuing to be" in his mother's custody.

Lizzo is no longer churning out radio hits ... her 5th studio album, "Bitch," is failing to strike a chord ... and she blames her struggling singles on a changing industry and an explosive lawsuit.

"Bitch" only sold just 2,650 copies in its first week ... a huge difference from 2022’s "Special," which debuted with 39,000 copies sold, Rolling Stone reports. And to top that off, her three singles have failed to make an impression on the Hot 100 charts.

As someone who was collecting chart toppers and Grammys like they were designer bags just a few years back, Lizzo saw the change in her audience and even addressed it on X.

Jermaine Jackson feared claims that he raped a woman would tarnish not only his reputation, but also his son Jaafar Jackson's big break in the "Michael" biopic ... TMZ has learned.

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Jermaine said he was unaware of Rita Butler Barrett’s lawsuit against him ... or the $6.5 million default judgment she was awarded in May ... until he got blindsided during the press tour for the biopic.

He says the coverage of the default judgment ruined "what should have been a proud and important professional moment for my son and our family." He says he was "shocked and deeply concerned about the effect of those reports on my reputation and on the promotion of my son's motion picture.”

Takeoff's parents are fighting over how and where to divvy up settlement money from a wrongful death suit over the late Migos member's murder … with his mom arguing his dad was "barely present" in their son's life ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ obtained legal docs revealing the bitter back-and-forth between Takeoff's mom, Titania Davenport, and his dad, Kenneth Ball. The war involves settlement money from a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Takeoff's mom in Texas.

In the docs, Titania said she had a "close, loving and nurturing relationship" with her son for his entire lifetime. She said she cared for and raised him from birth as a single parent. She said she provided him with nearly sole financial support until he became an adult.

Bonnie Rotten's legal troubles with Jesse James aren't staying in the garage ... prosecutors have officially moved forward with criminal charges in her domestic violence case.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Bonnie -- whose real name is Alaina Antoinnette James -- has been formally charged in Texas with assault causing bodily injury-family violence ... a misdemeanor offense that carries a maximum punishment of up to one year in jail, if she's convicted.

The charge stems from a March incident involving her husband ... the famed motorcycle builder and reality TV star. Prosecutors allege Bonnie caused bodily injury to Jesse by punching him, scratching his face and eye area, and/or biting his thumb, hand or finger.

Big Tigger landed in legal trouble after authorities arrested him on battery and cruelty to children charges ... and now we're learning it's all stemming from an alleged altercation with his wife.

According to documents, the incident traces back to a dispute in May between Tigger and his wife, Alicia Brown, at their Sandy Springs home.

Brown told investigators the argument erupted over text messages Tigger allegedly exchanged with a female co-worker over several weeks ... according to local outlet WSB-TV.

We broke the story ... the radio host was taken into custody Saturday and later released after posting a $10,000 bond.

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."