Legal

12:50 PM PT -- Tras la presentación de la demanda de Snoop Dogg y Master P hoy, Walmart le dice a TMZ Hip Hop: "Walmart valora las relaciones con sus proveedores, y tiene una sólida historia de apoyo a los empresarios. Muchos factores afectan a las ventas de cualquier producto, incluyendo la demanda de los consumidores, la estacionalidad y el precio, por nombrar unos pocos. Responderemos como corresponda con el Tribunal una vez que se nos notifique la demanda".

Snoop Dogg y Master P están acusando a Walmart de colocar sus Cereales Snoop en las estanterías, pero no en la planta principal, ¡¡¡una nueva demanda está acusando al gigante de los supermercados y a Post Foods de esconder intencionadamente su producto!!!

El abogado de las leyendas del rap, Benjamin Crump, presentó oficialmente los documentos que TMZ Hip Hop obtuvo el martes, los que alegan que Walmart y Post conspiraron juntos para enterrar a su empresa Broadus Foods después de acordar asociarse con ellos.

Según la demanda, Post primero trató de comprar Snoop y P, y más tarde pretendió compartir su visión al acordar adoptar su cereal como uno de los suyos y distribuir el producto en grandes cadenas minoristas como Walmart.

Broadus Foods argumenta que Post debería haber apilado el cereal Snoop junto a sus otros vendedores principales, pero que solo habrían accedido al acuerdo para dejarlos completamente fuera del mercado.

Snoop Cereal fue lanzado en Walmart en julio de 2023, pero la demanda afirma que los clientes se quejaron de que no pudieron encontrarlo unos meses más tarde.

Las tiendas online de Walmart supuestamente mostraban que el Snoop Cereal estaba agotado en todas partes, pero los empleados de la tienda descubrieron que el producto estaba siendo guardado en los almacenes de nuevo, lejos de los compradores potenciales y sin códigos de venta.

La falta de ventas puso fin al contrato de P y Snoop con Post. Los raperos sienten que esa fue su intención todo el tiempo, y están demandando por daños y perjuicios por lo que denominan "prácticas comerciales engañosas".

Nos pusimos en contacto con Walmart, Post y P para que hicieran comentarios, pero hasta ahora, no hemos tenido respuesta.

Es un fallo histórico -el primero en su tipo- la madre del tirador de la escuela secundaria de Michigan -Ethan Crumbley- ha sido declarada culpable de homicidio involuntario, y podría ser condenada a 15 años en prisión.

Jennifer Crumbley fue condenada por negligencia grave al no impedir que su hijo Ethan Crumbley matara a 4 estudiantes en Oxford High School en noviembre de 2021.

El jurado llegó al veredicto unánime en el segundo día de deliberaciones.

Nunca antes se había acusado penalmente a un padre de un niño que cometió un tiroteo masivo. El marido de Jennifer, James, también se enfrenta a cargos de homicidio involuntario y será juzgado el mes que viene. Él fue quien compró el arma.

Jennifer testificó en su juicio que James fue el responsable de esconder el arma que su hijo utilizó en el tiroteo.

Jennifer también testificó que sabía que su hijo estaba pasando por un mal momento, pero no tenía idea de que era capaz de cometer un tiroteo masivo. Ella nunca puso a su hijo Ethan en terapia y dijo que si tuviera que hacerlo de nuevo no habría hecho nada diferente.

3:40 PM PT -- A rep for Post tells TMZ ... "Post Consumer Brands was excited to partner with Broadus Foods and we made substantial investments in the business. We were equally disappointed that consumer demand did not meet expectations."

12:50 PM PT -- Following Snoop Dogg and Master P's filing today, Walmart tells TMZ Hip Hop, "Walmart values our relationships with our suppliers, and we have a strong history of supporting entrepreneurs. Many factors affect the sales of any given product, including consumer demand, seasonality, and price to name a few. We will respond as appropriate with the Court once we are served with the complaint."

Snoop Dogg and Master P are accusing Walmart of shelving their Snoop Cereal but not on the main floor … a new lawsuit accuses the grocery giant and Post Foods of intentionally hiding their product!!!

The rap legends' attorney Benjamin Crump officially filed docs which TMZ Hip Hop obtained on Tuesday … which allege Walmart and Post conspired together to bury their Broadus Foods company after agreeing to partner with them.

According to the suit, Post first attempted to buy out Snoop and P, and later pretended to share their vision by agreeing to adopt their cereal as one of their own and distribute the product in big-name retailers such as Walmart.

Broadus Foods argues Post should have stacked the Snoop Cereal next to their other top sellers but Post only agreed to the deal to shut them out of the market altogether.

Snoop Cereal launched in Walmart in July 2023 but the suit claims customers complained they could no longer find it a few months later.

Walmart stores online allegedly showed the Snoop Cereal to be sold out across the board … before store employees discovered the product was being stowed away in back stockrooms far away from potential buyers and uncoded to sell in the first place.

The lack of sales cut into P and Snoop’s contract with Post, which they feel was the intent all along -- and they're suing for damages they say fall under the "deceptive trade practices."

We reached out to P for comment … so far, no word back!!!

It's a landmark ruling, the first of its kind ... the mother of Michigan high school shooter Ethan Crumbley has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter ... and she could be sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Jennifer Crumbley was convicted of being grossly negligent by not stopping her son Ethan Crumbley from killing 4 students at Oxford High School in November, 2021.

The jury reached the unanimous verdict on the second day of deliberations.

Never before has a parent been criminally charged with a child who committed a mass shooting. Jennifer's husband, James, is also facing manslaughter charges and will stand trial next month. He's the one who purchased the gun.

Jennifer testified in her trial James was responsible for hiding the gun their son used in the shooting.

Jennifer also testified she knew her son was struggling but had no idea he was capable of committing a mass shooting. She never put her son Ethan in therapy and said if she had it to do over again she would have done nothing differently.

Jussie Smollett is telling the Illinois Supreme Court a deal's a deal -- specifically, the deal prosecutors made when they dismissed the first indictment for faking an attack -- so he should never have been charged and prosecuted a second time.

Smollett just filed legal docs with the highest court in the land of Lincoln, claiming after he was first indicted by a Cook County Grand Jury, the State's Attorney offered him a deal -- do community service, forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, and the case would not be prosecuted.

Jussie points to the prosecutor, who said, "After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett's volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, the State's motion in regards to the indictment is to nolle pros [not prosecute]."

The prosecutor added, "We believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case."

Smollett says the reason he was indicted a second time ... the special prosecutor "gave in to public outcry."

Jussie argues he did community service and forfeited his bond, so filing the case a second time amounts to double jeopardy.

Smollett's argument has been rejected by the trial judge and the Illinois appellate court, so he's shooting his shot with the Supremes of Illinois.

Jussie Smollett le dice al Tribunal Supremo de Illinois que un trato es un trato. Esto respecto al  trato que los fiscales hicieron cuando desestimaron la primera acusación por fingir un ataque, por lo que nunca debería haber sido acusado y procesado por segunda vez.

Smollett acaba de presentar documentos legales ante el más alto tribunal en la tierra de Lincoln, alegando que después de haber sido acusado por primera vez por un Gran Jurado del Condado de Cook, el Fiscal del Estado le ofreció un trato... hacer servicio comunitario y renunciar a su fianza en la Ciudad de Chicago. De esta forma el caso no sería procesado.

Jussie señala al fiscal, quien dijo: "Después de revisar los hechos y circunstancias del caso, incluyendo el servicio voluntario del Sr. Smollett en la comunidad y el acuerdo de renunciar a su fianza a la ciudad de Chicago, la moción del Estado en lo que respecta a la acusación es nolle pros (no procesar)".

El fiscal añadió: "Creemos que este resultado es una disposición justa y la adecuada resolución de este caso".

Smollett dice que la razón por la que fue acusado por segunda vez, es que el fiscal especial "cedio al clamor publico".

Jussie argumenta que hizo servicio comunitario y perdió su fianza, por lo que presentar el caso por segunda vez equivale a un doble enjuiciamiento.

El argumento de Smollett ha sido rechazado por el juez de primera instancia y el tribunal de apelaciones de Illinois, por lo que está probando suerte con los Supremos de Illinois.

Taylor Swift's lawyers told a college student who tracks celebrity jets online to cut it out or risk facing legal action -- something made crystal clear in a letter they fired off to him.

According to WaPo, Jack Sweeney -- a University of Central Florida student -- received a cease and desist from Taylor's camp in December of this past year ... which told him in no uncertain terms that he needed to stop posting Taylor's whereabouts on his social pages.

Sweeney had one page that was completely dedicated to tracking Taylor's private jet -- as well as a general celebrity jet page, where her jet would at times be tracked too -- and he was using publicly available data from the FAA and amateurs who'd throw out data for fun.

This guy had had this page for a good while, but many noticed that the @taylorswiftjets account had gone dark in recent months ... and that's because T-Swift's team stepped in.

Per WaPo -- which got a look at the C&D letter sent to Sweeney -- Swift's attorneys warned him they would "have no choice but to pursue any and all legal remedies" if he didn't stop the "stalking and harassing behavior."

Her team also made clear that Sweeney's online behavior was putting her safety and well-being at risk ... and that the fact her jet was being tracked made her fearful, causing emotional and physical distress.

The letter reportedly adds ... "While this may be a game to you, or an avenue that you hope will earn you wealth or fame, it is a life-or-death matter for our Client." One lawyer went on to say ... there was "no legitimate interest in or public need for this information, other than to stalk, harass, and exert dominion and control."

As for how Sweeney is responding ... defiance, it seems. He and the attorneys he's retained say he's not in violation of any laws and is simply posting data that's publicly available. The report notes he's attempted to create different Swift-tracking pages on all the main social media platforms -- but has been banned by the companies for violating their privacy rules.

It doesn't sound like a lawsuit has been filed against him yet -- but Taylor's camp is certainly threatening one if the guy keeps at it. By all accounts, he seems dead set on doing so.

It goes without saying ... Taylor has a long history with stalkers in her life, including one who recently continued to show up at her NYC despite multiple arrests.

What her team is saying here is ... the jet-tracking only encourages these obsessive types.

Los abogados de Taylor Swift le dijeron a un estudiante universitario que rastrea los aviones de los famosos en Internet que deje de hacerlo o se arriesga a enfrentar acciones legales, algo que han dejado muy claro a través de una carta formal.

Según Washington Post, Jack Sweeney, un estudiante de la Universidad Central de Florida, recibió un "cese y desista" del equipo de Taylor (el nombre en inglés de esta orden formal), en diciembre del año pasado, que le pedía en términos inequívocos que dejara de publicar el paradero de Taylor en sus redes sociales.

Sweeney tenía una página que estaba completamente dedicada a rastrear el jet privado de Taylor, además de una página general los jets de celebridades, que a veces mostraba información del avión de la cantante. Para ello, estaba usando datos disponibles públicamente de la FAA y algunos aficionados que comparten datos por diversión.

El tipo llevaba un buen tiempo con la página, pero muchos se dieron cuenta de que la cuenta @taylorswiftjets había dejado de funcionar en los últimos meses y por eso intervino el equipo de T-Swift.

Por WaPo, que consiguió un vistazo a la carta enviada a Sweeney, los abogados de Swift le advirtieron que "no tendría más remedio que perseguir cualquier y todos los recursos legales" si no se detenía el "acecho y el comportamiento de acoso".

Su equipo también dejó claro que el comportamiento en línea de Sweeney estaba poniendo su seguridad y bienestar en riesgo y que el hecho de que su jet estuviera siendo rastreado le ha hecho sentir temor, además de angustia emocional y física.

Según los informes, la carta añade: "Aunque esto puede ser un juego para usted, o una estrategia que espera que le haga ganar dinero o fama, es un asunto de vida o muerte para nuestro cliente". Un abogado llegó a decir que no había "ningún interés legítimo o necesidad pública de esta información, que no sea para acechar, acosar y ejercer dominio y control".

En cuanto a cómo Sweeney está respondiendo, parece que de forma desafiante. Él y los abogados que ha contratado dicen que no está violando ninguna ley y que simplemente está publicando datos que están a disposición del público. El informe señala que ha intentado crear diferentes páginas de seguimiento de Swift en las principales plataformas de redes sociales, pero las empresas se lo han prohibido por violar sus normas de privacidad.

No parece que se haya interpuesto una demanda contra él todavía, pero el equipo de Taylor está amenazando con hacerlo si el chico sigue con ello.

No hace falta decir que Taylor tiene una larga historia de acoso, incluyendo uno que recientemente apareció varias veces en su casa en Nueva York, a pesar de múltiples arrestos.

Killer Mike is clarifying what happened at the Grammys that landed him in cuffs -- and he says it can all be chalked up to confusion ... and someone trying too hard to play police officer.

The rapper tells TMZ ... "As you can imagine, there was a lot going and there was some confusion around which door my team and I should enter. We experienced an over-zealous security guard but my team and I have the utmost confidence that I will ultimately be cleared of all wrongdoing. Until that time, keep listening to ‘Michael,’ and keep going after your dreams."

A source close to KM tells us he and his team ran into a little mishap while trying to enter the venue -- although it's unclear if they were re-entering, or coming in for the first time.

In any case, we're told there was considerable confusion about where to go and how to get in -- and as Mike and co. were trying to figure this out, they encountered a security guard who apparently started giving them a hard time ... with Mike choosing to keep it pushin'.

Namely, he blew past the guard ... and that seems to have resulted in them chasing him down after the fact -- something TMZ got video of in the immediate aftermath of this alleged incident. In the end, we know what happened ... Mike was detained and ultimately arrested.

Our sources tell us the whole situation was completely overblown and Mike's team is confident -- as is he -- that his name will be cleared when the facts are laid bare.

As we reported ... Mike is facing a misdemeanor battery charge after a citizen's arrest was conducted -- and whole thing kinda put a damper on his big Grammy wins. He's still happy about the accolades, for 'MICHAEL,' not to mention a successful surgery for his son.

Killer Mike está aclarando qué fue lo que pasó en los Grammys que lo llevó a las esposas. Él dice que todo fue una confusión y que alguien quiso jugar al policía con muchas ganas.

El rapero le dice a TMZ: "Como se puede imaginar, había mucho que hacer y hubo cierta confusión en torno a qué puerta de mi equipo y yo debería entrar. Nos encontramos con un guardia de seguridad demasiado entusiasta, pero mi equipo y yo tenemos la máxima confianza de que al final seré absuelto de todo delito. Hasta entonces, sigan escuchando a 'Michael' y sigan persiguiendo sus sueños".

Una fuente cercana a Killer nos dice que él y su equipo se encontraron con un pequeño percance al tratar de entrar en el recinto, aunque no está claro si estaban volviendo a entrar o entrando por primera vez.

En cualquier caso, nos dicen que había una considerable confusión acerca de dónde ir y cómo entrar y cuando Mike y compañía estaban tratando de averiguarlo, se encontraron con un guardia de seguridad que al parecer comenzó a darles un mal rato.

Finalmente ignoró al guardia y esto dio lugar a que lo persiguieran después, algo TMZ tiene video. Al final, sabemos lo que pasó ... Mike fue detenido y arrestado en última instancia.

Nuestras fuentes nos dicen que toda la situación fue completamente exagerada y el equipo de Mike confía -como él- que su nombre será limpiado cuando los hechos queden al descubierto.

Como hemos informado, Mike se enfrenta a un cargo de delito menor luego de ser arrestado, quitándole importancia a su recién ganado Grammy. Él todavía está feliz por los elogios por "MICHAEL", por no hablar de una cirugía exitosa de su hijo.

La presentación de Lizzo en los Grammys levantó muchas cejas, incluyendo las del abogado que representa a las bailarinas que la están demandando y que afirma que el privilegio femenino es la única razón por la que pudo estar allí.

Neama Rahmani, quien representa a múltiples denunciantes de Lizzo, le dice a TMZ que está decepcionado de que la cantante fuera elegida para presentar el premio a la Mejor Canción de R&B, y se pregunta abiertamente por qué la Academia de Grabación querría dar vitrina a alguien que supuestamente acosó sexualmente a sus bailarinas de apoyo.

Neama dice que huele un doble estándar en todo esto y señala que si un hombre blanco se hubiera enfrentado al mismo tipo de acusaciones de acoso sexual, racismo y humillaciones por el peso, no se le habría concedido de ninguna manera la oportunidad que tuvo Lizzo.

En pocas palabras, Neama piensa que los Grammys hicieron la vista gorda a la controversia de Lizzo porque es mujer y se siente frustrado de que la hayan invitado en medio de las denuncias en su contra.

Sin embargo, sigue confiando en que la verdad saldrá a la luz cuando sus clientas ganen el juicio, un resultado que espera que impulse a la Academia de Grabación a creerle a las personas que son lo suficientemente valientes para denunciar a celebridades con poder.

Para su información, Lizzo ha negado rotundamente las acusaciones de estas ex-bailarinas.

Sin embargo, muchos espectadores en casa compartieron el shock de Neama al ver a Lizzo sobre el escenario, con la idea de que no ha sufrido ninguna consecuencia después de las demandas, que tampoco han sido resueltas o conducentes a juicio.

Como informamos, tres de las ex bailarinas de Lizzo, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams y Noelle Rodriguez, demandaron a la cantante en agosto de 2023 por supuestamente crear un ambiente de trabajo hostil.

Dos meses más tarde, fue golpeada con una demanda similar de otro bailarín.

Vale la pena señalar que TMZ obtuvo documentos legales en octubre, donde se constataban que 18 miembros de la compañía de Lizzo habían escrito declaraciones de apoyo a la cantante y estaban disputando las demandas hechas contra ella.

Lizzo presenting at the Grammys raised many eyebrows -- including those of the lawyer repping the backup dancers suing her, and he's claiming female privilege is the only reason she was there.

Neama Rahmani, who represents multiple Lizzo accusers, tells TMZ ... he's disappointed the singer was tapped to present the Best R&B Song award, and openly wonders why the Recording Academy would opt to give a platform to someone who allegedly sexually harassed her backup dancers.

Neama tells us he smells a double standard at play here -- noting that if a white man faced the same sort of sexual harassment, racism, and fat shaming allegations ... he doesn't think there's any way they'd be afforded the same opportunity Lizzo got.

Simply put ... Neama thinks the Grammys turning a blind eye to Lizzo's controversy is because she's a woman, and he's bummed they invited her amid the claims against her.

However, he remains confident the truth will come out when his clients prevail in the lawsuit -- a result he hopes will prompt the Recording Academy to start believing people who are brave enough to come forward against powerful celebrities.

FWIW ... Lizzo has outright denied these ex-backup dancers' allegations.

Still, many viewers at home shared Neama's shock at seeing Lizzo on stage -- with the sentiment being she's suffered zero consequences after the lawsuits ... which have not settled or gone to trial yet.

As we reported,. 3 of Lizzo's former dancers -- Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez -- sued the singer in August 2023 for allegedly creating a hostile work environment.

Two months later, she was hit with a similar suit from a separate dancer.

Worth noting ... TMZ obtained legal docs in October, where 18 members of Lizzo's touring company wrote declarations standing with Lizzo, and disputing the claims made against her.

A couple says they got robbed at gunpoint at Craig's in an incident caught on camera -- and now, they're dragging the celebrity hotspot to court.

Felipe Darrell and Terry Christanio say they are the couple seen on surveillance video being robbed outside Craig's last year ... and they're pissed at restaurant owner Craig Susser, claiming he's shown no concern for them because they're not famous.

Felipe and Terry say Susser hasn't given them the time of day since the robbery ... and now they're suing him and his restaurant.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, they were leaving Craig's after dinner back in August, and were waiting in the valet area when 3 armed men hopped out of a car and robbed them at gunpoint.

The video shows the suspects throwing a man in a suit to the ground, and ordering a woman to get on the pavement -- Felipe claims they stole his Rolex and necklace, and they both feared for their lives during the robbery.

In their suit, Felipe and Terry say Craig's lone security guard was too distracted taking photos of other guests to notice a car full of men casing out the joint ... and they say the robbers were even parked at valet when they hopped out of the car to jack their jewelry.

The couple claims the brazen robbery followed other similar incidents at popular restaurants in the West Hollywood area last summer ... and Felipe and Terry say Craig's should have beefed up security in response.

It's been over 5 months since the incident and Felipe and Terry say the restaurant owner blew off an offer to meet and talk about what happened ... and they say they're suing so Craig's is held accountable for what they see as negligence.

Authorities claim Patrick Mahomes' father was driving around with an open can of beer in his car before he was arrested for DWI on Saturday night.

The allegation is spelled out in an arrest affidavit from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office ... according to the New York Post.

The outlet reported Monday that in the docs, an officer wrote Mahomes Sr. was found with an open, 16-ounce Coors beverage in his center console after he was pulled over around 8:30 PM in Tyler, Texas.

The officer added that Mahomes Sr. told them during the stop he "had a few beers while watching a game at a local bar" before he got behind the wheel.

Officials wrote in the docs they initially pulled over Mahomes Sr. after they discovered his car had expired tags after he was seen driving slower than the rest of traffic in the area.

The arresting officer alleged Mahomes Sr. failed field sobriety tests once they got him out of his vehicle ... writing in the docs, "I believed Patrick was impaired to a perceptible degree while operating a motor vehicle in a public place."

Mahomes Sr. was ultimately booked on a felony charge of driving while impaired. It's his third DWI -- and if he's convicted this time, he's facing up to 10 years behind bars.

Mahomes Sr. will, however, still be allowed to travel to watch his son play in the Super Bowl this weekend ... TMZ Sports has learned no travel ban was imposed on him as part of the conditions of his bond -- although it remains unclear if the Chiefs quarterback will now want him in attendance.

Kim Zolciak is apparently sick of reading about herself in the press -- something she believes Kroy Biermann may be behind ... and now she wants a judge to step in and rectify.

The reality TV star just filed new court docs, obtained by TMZ, in which she's asking the court to issue a protective order in their ongoing divorce case ... so she can redact sensitive info like certain names and financial records in the docs she's handing over as she and Kroy continue to hash out their issues.

Long story short ... Kim says there's a lot of interest in this case -- and sure, there is -- and notes that there's been press coverage at every juncture as their divorce continues to play out.

Along the way, however, Kim says some embarrassing info about herself and Kroy has surfaced amid these proceedings ... stuff that she claims she most definitely doesn't want out for the masses to read, but which she says is getting out anyway.

Thing is ... Kim here in her new docs claims she's attempted try and get on the same page with Kroy over a confidentiality order that she says she's attempted to get Kroy to agree to.

According to her ... KB flatly rejected her proposed confidentiality order ... and she says that led her to believe Kroy is actually the one leaking things to the media.

As a result, she's now begging a judge to step in with some court-ordered discretion that would help ensure sensitive info doesn't make its way into the public record.

One of the prosecutors who was on the O.J. Simpson case is now trying to put on a robe and sit behind the bench -- and he's got the backing of one of the victims who was slain.

Chris Darden is running for an open seat on the L.A. County Superior Court -- and ahead of election day in March, his campaign has announced a new endorsement ... coming from none other than Kim and Fred Goldman, the sister and father of the late Ron Goldman.

Kim says of CD's bid ... "Christopher Darden was a friend to my family during one of the darkest times in our lives. He helped change the focus of a 'celebrity murder trial' and made it about the victims."

She adds, "My family has never forgotten that, and I am sure it is remembered by countless other family members for whom he has been an advocate and a champion."

One last note from KG about Darden ... "He not only has the legal skills but also the humanity and empathy for victims, along with a true dedication to ensuring
justice for all. My family wholeheartedly supports him and encourages everyone
else to do the same. He will be an outstanding judge."

This is just the latest vote of confidence he's received from someone connected to the O.J. case --- which Darden lost alongside his co-counsel Marcia Clark in the '90s. Back in November, Chris secured another endorsement from one Lance Ito ... the retired judge who presided over the double murder trial.

Darden has snagged a number of other endorsements as well in recent months -- including a bunch of other judges ... as well as his old boss, ex-District Attorney Gil Garcetti.

He seems to have a good shot at winning -- only two other candidates are running for Seat No. 130 ... and Chris has a ton of support carrying his sails at this point. The one person who hasn't come out for him just yet is Marcia herself.