Legal

"Free Karmelo" chants allegedly gave way to flying fists ... and now three Texas women are facing criminal charges over what cops say was a brutal group attack.

Newly released arrest affidavits detail investigators' version of the alleged assault ... including claims witnesses heard people shouting, "Free Karmelo" -- an apparent reference to convicted killer Karmelo Anthony -- moments before the violence erupted, according to documents obtained by WFAA.

According to the report, a security guard saw a crowd gathering outside a nightclub on June 21 before hearing someone allegedly say, "The next white (expletive) that walks out, I'm going to hit her." Moments later, the victim walked through the area ... and police say she was jumped by a group of women.

A former Hawaii real estate big shot allegedly had sex in his luxury listings during a years-long affair with his assistant ... and now, lawsuits are flying.

Stephen Cipres, who founded Corcoran Pacific Properties, allegedly did the deed with his executive assistant Sarah Dombrose inside 10 to 20 homes over the course of 4 years, according to bombshell legal docs obtained by Honolulu Civil Beat.

In her affidavit obtained by the outlet, Dombrose said she began working for Cipres in 2021, and he quickly made a move on her by kissing her at an open house they were hosting. Dombrose said the interaction was not welcomed but said she felt she had to give in to his advances because she was in a rocky marriage and needed the job to support 3 kids.

Records reportedly show Cipres would cut her $50,000 checks at times throughout their work together.

Taylor Frankie Paul's custody fight with ex-husband Tate Paul isn't over yet ... because after a judge denied his request for a temporary restraining order, he's asking the court to take another look.

According to online court records, Tate filed a motion for reconsideration ... arguing the court should revisit its decision denying the TRO.

Along with the motion, Tate submitted several exhibits, including text messages he says show Taylor refusing to disclose why she was receiving inpatient treatment, keeping him in the dark about a mental health crisis, and admitting she stops assaulting boyfriend Dakota Mortensen when he records their interactions.

OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney's legal team says Christian Obumseli -- Courtney's boyfriend who she allegedly killed during a violent confrontation in 2022 -- isn't the harmless victim prosecutors portray him as ... they say he had an arrest warrant for animal cruelty when he died.

Courtney's lawyers submitted a new filing, obtained by TMZ, this week in which they note prosecutors may wish to present evidence claiming Christian was peaceful, and not the aggressor in the confrontation they say led to his death.

In anticipation of this, Courtney's lawyers are asking the court to allow them to present counterevidence in the form of an arrest warrant for animal cruelty issued by law enforcement in Texas against Christian.

Addison Rae's getting dragged into a nasty court battle involving her dad, Monty Lopez, and his estranged wife ... he's asking a judge to step in and stop his ex from posting about his famous daughter amid their bitter split ...TMZ has learned. 

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Monty claims Kaitlyn Lopez violated a temporary protective order he obtained against her earlier this year ... alleging she's reached out to him multiple times, despite being ordered not to do so.

The bigger issue for Monty ... he says Kaitlyn "continues to post my daughter and my family on multiple occasions" ... and he claims his ex has posted photos of Addison on her Instagram story and added Addison's songs to her social media posts. 

Heather Locklear’s boyfriend, Lorenzo Lamas, has almost cleared the way for a potential marriage between the two ... TMZ has learned.

On June 30, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge signed off on Lorenzo’s request to speed up his divorce from Kenna Nicole Lamas, which will officially bring an end to his sixth marriage in November 2026. 

Lorenzo told the court Kenna had failed to respond to the divorce he filed in July 2025 … following less than 2 years of marriage. In his paperwork, the '90s star asked that neither party be awarded spousal support. 

Will Smith’s former friend, Bilaal Salaam, claims Jada Pinkett-Smith is refusing to set a date to be grilled about alleged threats ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, Bilaal, who is suing Jada, is asking a judge to order the actress to appear for a deposition within 30 days.

He said he scheduled a date of May 20 … but Jada did not appear. Bilaal said he wants to ask Jada questions regarding communications she had about him and any communications she made authorizing any threats against him.

If Soulja Boy doesn't pay what he owes his ex soon, his current $4.2 million dollar debt is going to pop off ... by about $1,000 in daily interest!

Soulja's ex-girlfriend -- who filed a lawsuit against the "Pop Off" rapper as a Jane Doe -- is still looking to collect the huge debt ... and with every passing day, she says the tab is getting bigger and bigger ... with $1,165 in daily interest, according to legal docs obtained by TMZ.

If you don't remember, Soulja's ex was awarded nearly $4 million following a jury trial which found Soulja liable for sexual battery, infliction of emotional distress, and other claims.

Zaire Wade's domestic violence arrest was preceded by neighbors calling 911 and reporting loud screaming and stomping coming from inside the residence ... TMZ has learned.

According to Burbank PD call log records, obtained by TMZ, officers responded after concerned neighbors called 911 Sunday around 5:22 AM to report what they described as yelling and stomping noises ... prompting fears that a domestic disturbance or someone in distress could be inside Zaire's home.

Another call reported a female with lacerations to the face.

When officers arrived, they made contact at the residence and investigated the situation ... leading to Zaire's arrest.

NBA player Malik Beasley entered a not guilty plea at an arraignment in his gambling case on Wednesday ... and his attorney made it clear they're going to fight to clear his name.

The former Detroit Pistons guard went before a judge in a New York courtroom ... where he was officially informed of his charges -- conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery in sporting contests, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Beasley wore a blue suit for the occasion ... and appeared to be in good spirits, all things considered.

Taylor Frankie Paul's ex-husband Tate Paul just got denied on his bid for an emergency restraining order ... a move her side believes was masterminded by her other ex, Dakota Mortensen.

According to legal docs obtained by TMZ, a judge found many of the allegations being used in Tate's temporary restraining order request listing concerns for their two children were based on hearsay and lacked corroborating evidence ... leading the court to rule there was no "immediate and irreparable harm" that would require an emergency change to the custody arrangement.

In denying the motion, the judge also noted Tate had left the children with Taylor for about a week in June while he traveled to Iceland.

Riley Gaines says the Supreme Court may have settled some legal fights when it comes to transgender athletes ... but she's already looking toward the next battle.

One day after SCOTUS upheld state laws restricting transgender athletes from competing on girls' and women's school sports teams, Riley stopped by "TMZ Live" to weigh in on the ruling.

Riley says the ban is great for girls in many states, but not all ... so her work on their behalf continues.

Blaise Taylor -- a former scout with the Tennessee Titans -- has been convicted of murder for killing his pregnant girlfriend with a lethal dose of cocaine.

The 30-year-old was convicted on four counts ... two for first-degree murder and two for felony murder at the end of a trial that lasted 8 days. The jury deliberated for less than 3 hours before returning its verdict.

Prosecutors accused Taylor of giving Jade Benning a drink laced with cocaine back in February 2023 ... though his defense team argued Benning had a history of drug use.

Jade was 5 months pregnant when she died ... and prosecutors allege the baby was Taylor's.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s infamous barstool-throwing incident is back at the center of a legal battle ... this time in a custody fight with her ex-husband, Tate Paul ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the court proceedings tell TMZ ... the 2023 incident in which Taylor was captured on video attacking then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen and throwing a metal barstool that struck her daughter, Indy, is being cited by Tate in court documents he filed Tuesday as part of his bid for sole custody.

We're told Tate did not seek sole custody back in 2023 because he says he was never allowed to see the video. According to our sources, Taylor repeatedly told him the barstool never hit Indy, and she also publicly stated on multiple podcasts that the child was not struck. Our sources say Tate only viewed the footage days before TMZ published it.

It looks like Taylor Swift doesn't want that 'Life of a Showgirl' trademark lawsuit hanging over her head during her wedding day … because she’s asking a judge to throw it out.

Taylor filed a motion on Tuesday to dismiss Vegas showgirl Maren Wade's trademark infringement suit ... according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.

Taylor's lawyers also argue there's no plausible likelihood of confusion between Taylor’s record and Maren's "Confessions of a Showgirl" brand … since their goods and services are completely different, calling it "absurd" that consumers would confuse the two.

Harvey Weinstein recently had another major health scare in jail -- suffering heart failure, TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us ... the disgraced Hollywood film producer was incarcerated on Rikers Island in NYC about 2 weeks ago when he experienced heart failure due to pneumonia.

Weinstein was being held in the Queens jail complex, awaiting sentencing in September for a 2025 sexual assault conviction. He has had a bunch of health scares behind bars over the past few years.