Legal

7/23/20026 6:24 AM PT ... A Secret Service official tells TMZ ... "A member of the Vice Presidential Protective Division is the subject of an administrative investigation, and potential criminal inquiry, involving allegations of compromising operational and information security." The official adds, "One principle is unequivocal: any conduct that potentially threatens the potential safety of a protectee will not be tolerated."

A Secret Service agent is in hot water with JD Vance after allegedly leaking info to reporters about the VP's travel habits.

The agent, who was not identified, was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal review by federal investigators into the suspected leak to MS NOW correspondents, according to CNN. 

The internal probe stems from the agent allegedly passing information to MS NOW for a July 15 story about members of Vance's security detail being pissed off that they have to provide coverage for the Veep's personal travel schedule, calling it a burden.

Celeste Rivas' family is still struggling to comprehend the horrific allegations against D4vd ... with their attorney telling TMZ they simply can't understand why he would allegedly take a chainsaw to their beautiful girl.

We caught up with family attorney Patrick Steinfeld outside court Wednesday after another emotional day of testimony in D4vd's preliminary hearing. He says Celeste's loved ones remain "disheartened and broken," adding they're searching for answers they may never get.

Steinfeld tells us the family can't wrap their heads around why D4vd would allegedly mutilate Celeste's body after killing her, saying they "can't understand why D4vd would take a chainsaw to their beautiful girl."

D4vd's garage was possibly covered in blood ... this according to a forensic criminalist who helped process his home.

Witness Lauren Wallace -- a criminalist with LAPD's forensic science division -- took the stand during Day 2 of the singer's preliminary hearing for the alleged murder of Celeste Rivas Wednesday ... and said red stains all over the singer's garage tested positive for possible blood.

Wallace was there processing the scene in September of 2025 days after Celeste's body was found, and said the team performed BLUESTAR tests -- used to find potential blood evidence -- inside the Hollywood Hills home D4vd was renting.

Clavicular's being questioned about his medical background in a new lawsuit ... courtesy of a teen influencer who claims Clav injected a fat dissolver into her face.

The influencer behind the lawsuit is Aleksandra Vasilevna Mendoza ... she claims Clav had sex with her while she was underage and injected her face with Aqualyx -- a substance which helps rid cheeks of fat.

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Aleksandra wants to know if Clav has a healthcare license.

Among the questions being lobbed Clavicular's way ... "On or about November 14, 2024, did the Defendant maintain any healthcare license?"

Rebel Wilson scored a big win in court Wednesday ... because a judge in Australia dismissed a defamation lawsuit against her.

The judge tossed actress Charlotte MacInnes' defamation and breach-of-contract claims against Rebel ... and is ordering Charlotte to foot the bill for Rebel's legal fees.

ICYMI, Charlotte starred in "The Deb," Rebel's directorial debut. Charlotte sued after the "Pitch Perfect" alum alleged one of the film's producers, Amanda Ghost, had sexually harassed her leading lady.

Prosecutors say D4vd's Tesla was not only storing Celeste Rivas' decomposing body, it was also loaded with nearly a dozen air fresheners when her remains were found ... and they showed photographic evidence in court.

At least 11 air fresheners were scattered throughout the Tesla ... according to photos shown in court Wednesday as part of D4vd's preliminary hearing.

LAPD criminalist Chelsea Murillo said the air fresheners were in the center console, the rear seats and the front trunk ... where Celeste's remains were decomposing in two bags.

When ya think about it ... the presence of 11 air fresheners seems to offer a possible explanation for why Celeste's decomposing body was not sniffed out sooner ... despite weeks of scorching summer temperatures leading up to the grisly discovery.

The drama between Malcolm-Jamal Warner's mom, Pamela Warner, and his widow, Tenisha Warner, erupted months before the bombshell $1.2 million lawsuit was filed ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ obtained a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court filed by Tenisha in November 2025 ... a few months after the actor's July 2025 drowning death.

Tenisha explained that Malcolm's trust was created in 1996 but was never updated after his daughter MacKenzie's birth in 2017. He wed Tenisha in 2022.

Tenisha said her kid faced complete disinheritance due to Pamela not being willing to amend the trust. She said Malcolm took care of them during his life and planned to continue to do so.

Interscope Records stayed in business with D4vd for eight months after he allegedly murdered Celeste Rivas ... and while that may sound shocking, nuance and clarity are needed to understand why.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the timeline is paramount here because Interscope took action as information about the case became available from LAPD.

For instance ... prosecutors claim D4vd murdered Celeste in April, but her body was not discovered until September 8, when her remains were found in his impounded Tesla.

At that point, we're told Interscope made the call to stop promoting him immediately. Full stop.

"Top Chef" and Food Network star Eric Adjepong has been ordered to stay away from his daughter for one year after he allegedly abused her ... TMZ has learned.

Here's the deal ... Eric shares his daughter, Lennox, with his ex-wife, Janell Mack, and court proceedings began in May, with the final hearing taking place on July 10. The hearing resulted in an order requiring Eric to stay away from Lennox, her residence, her school, and her childcare providers through July 10, 2027. He is also barred from contacting the child, who was born in 2018.

While the details of the alleged abuse are under wraps, Janell's attorney, Todd Mohink, tells TMZ ... "I believe the court did its job to protect the best interest of the child."

Eric tells TMZ through his attorney ... "Because this matter involves my young daughter, whom I love deeply, I intend to protect her privacy and will not discuss the underlying allegations or other sensitive family matters publicly other than to say that these allegations arose in the context of a long running divorce and custody proceeding, which finally concluded on June 2, 2026."

D4vd remained under contract with Interscope Records for eight months after he allegedly murdered Celeste Rivas ... with the label cutting ties just four months before his arrest.

Louis Poimiroo -- Interscope's senior vice president of finance -- testified Wednesday during Day 2 of D4vd's preliminary hearing ... confirming the singer's contract through Mogul Vision was terminated in December 2025, and no payments were made to him in 2026.

The timeline is striking ... prosecutors allege D4vd stabbed 14-year-old Celeste to death inside his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025. Just three days later, he released his debut studio album, "WITHERED."

Poimiroo testified Interscope paid D4vd and entities connected to him more than $5.1 million between 2022 and 2025 -- including roughly $2.3 million in 2025 alone. The payments covered recording funds, legal and management fees, and other expenses tied to his music career.

Ben Crump says Nolan Wells' independent autopsy left major questions unanswered ... and the family's independent medical examiner still needs to inspect key parts of Nolan's body before determining how he died.

The powerhouse civil rights attorney, who is repping Nolan's family, joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday ... explaining why Nolan's throat, lungs, and the original autopsy photos could help answer the biggest questions surrounding his death.

Crump says the central question is whether Nolan was conscious or unconscious when he entered the water ... and he's demanding transparency from officials who promised to provide it.

The family hasn't heard from the Sheriff or Medical Examiner about when official results out of Mississippi will be released ... and Nolan's throat had been removed by the time his body was examined in the independent autopsy.

Dakota Mortensen and Shinia Powell's rumored romance is the real deal ... 'cause TMZ has learned the "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" stars are officially dating.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Dakota and Shinia started dating a few months ago. We're told they're not exclusive, but have been enjoying their time together.

A source close to the couple tells TMZ ... Shinia has been "a steady source of support" for Dakota through some incredibly difficult times, especially when he didn't have immediate family nearby.

We're told their friendship naturally grew into something more, and they're navigating what the relationship means for them and their children.

11:15 AM PT -- Ben Crump joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday ... explaining why Nolan's throat, lungs, and the original autopsy photos could help answer the biggest questions surrounding his death.

10:19 AM PT -- The Mississippi medical examiner tells TMZ ... the autopsy they performed on July 7 was "in accordance with the standard procedures and protocols followed for all autopsies conducted by the Office of the State Medical Examiner."

They added, "This case remains an active and ongoing investigation. We will not comment on the investigation or the independent autopsy that was conducted."

Nolan Wells may have suffered an injury to the back of his head, this according to the preliminary findings of the independent autopsy commissioned by Nolan's family.

The family's attorney, Ben Crump, described the "focal area of red discoloration in the soft tissue in the back of the head." It was 12 by 8 inches in length in the lower part of the skull.

There was significant decomposition such that it was impossible to know if there was bruising on Nolan's skin.

WebMD says discoloration in the back of the head can sometimes be caused by blood pooling while the body is positioned on a slab for examination.

Denise Richards' estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, claims she is behind on court-ordered support payments and money owed to his lawyers … and now he wants her found in contempt ... TMZ has learned.

Aaron filed court docs, obtained by TMZ, asking for Denise to be held in contempt after he says she failed to pay in full the $5K he's owed each month in temporary spousal support and the $30K she owes to his attorneys per a previous order in the case. 

Since March, he claims she's only paid partial amounts and still owes $13,500 to him and $28,000 to his attorneys -- leaving a total balance of $41,500.

A Missouri man jumped ship during a police chase ... exiting his moving car and diving off a bridge into the lake below ... and it's all on video.

Gavin Thor Lundgren -- a 26-year-old man from Kimberling City -- was arrested Saturday after police say he refused to comply with a routine traffic stop and led them on a wild pursuit that saw him dart across a two-lane bridge and dive into Table Rock Lake.

Dashcam footage shows the driver getting out of his car and swan-diving.

The self-described best friend of Nolan Wells says Nolan seemed "completely fine" while they were hanging out on Horn Island ... with nothing appearing out of the ordinary.

Warren Hudson sat down with YouTuber Brandon Tatum on the "Officer Tatum Show" and gave his account of what happened on Horn Island in Mississippi on the Fourth of July.

Warren said he was hanging out on the island with friends from high school and college, including Nolan. He said most folks in the group were regular visitors on the island.

In his conversations and interactions with Nolan, Warren said Nolan seemed fine and was laughing, joking and generally having a good time.