Money

As TMZ first reported, Maria Gabriella Perez is accused of ripping off the credit card info of a number of stars and private types, including Jennifer Aniston, Liv Tyler, Melanie Griffith and Anne Hathaway.

The songwriter in question -- named Antwann Frost -- filed the lawsuit two days ago ... claiming Swizz hit him up in 2007 to help put together a hit single for rapper Cassidy's then incomplete album.

According to the docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Swizz assembled the "drum patterns" and Frost created "all of the other original musical components that shaped and defined" the track that would become a chart-topping hit ... spawning remixes by Kanye West, Ne-Yo, and Chingy.

The song was released soon after -- at which point, Frost claims, Swizz lowballed him with a $5,000 cash offer and 5% ownership of the song ... while Swizz and Cassidy got the bulk share.

Ben Thomas -- Rosie's former bodyguard/husband from 1995 to 2002 -- claims earlier this year, Roseanne decided she wanted to move to Hawaii with their 15-year-old son. Ben gave Rosie the right to move with their kid, and in exchange Rosie agreed to fly Ben and his new wife to Hawaii every month for 10 days on Rosie's dime. The whole deal was reduced to writing.

Now, here's where it gets nasty ...

According to legal docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Barr canceled Ben's plane tickets just hours before his first flight ... then fired off an email to him saying, "I decided that I'm no longer interested in abiding by this ridiculous arrangement."

She continues, "You want to visit [our son]? Buy yourself a ticket, book a room ... See you in court."

Ben -- who claims his wealth "pales in comparison" to Roseanne's -- says he ultimately paid for his own 1st class tickets to Hawaii ... but to even out the cost, he "ate at inexpensive restaurants, rented a Dodge Charger, and filled up with gas at Costco."

It seems Brit has "several million dollars" laying around in a trust account that isn't making nearly as much money as Brit's conservators believe it should.

So the conservatorship went to the courts -- asking for permission to give control of the money to financial advisors at Merrill Lynch and UBS Financial Services ... to invest the cash as they see fit.

According to documents filed at L.A. County Superior Court, the judge signed off on the move -- and Brit's money will be stimulating the economy in no time.

Jones -- who just turned 17-years-old -- guest starred on "Hannah Montana" back in July ... and because he was a minor when he signed his contract, the docs had to be filed with the L.A. County Superior Court.

According to the paperwork, obtained by TMZ, Jones raked in a cool $2,808 -- plus he got his own dressing room -- to play an "obnoxious new kid" named T.J. on the show ... a one week working commitment.

The relative tells us Toni took out "show insurance" through Lloyd's of London for her act at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino back in 2006.

And when Toni's heart condition started to act up -- in the middle of the show's run -- she had to pull the plug, but she was still on the hook to the hotel for big bucks. Toni expected Lloyd's to cover the loss but Lloyd's didn't, arguing Toni had an undisclosed, preexisting medical condition, rendering the policy void.

In the end, Toni had to absorb a huge loss, which the relative claims sent her on a downward financial spiral.

Still, it doesn't explain the bill for the Four Seasons and Tiffany & Co., for starters ...

Braxton -- who sold more than 40 million albums in her career -- just filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in California ... and in the docs, the singer claims she's only worth somewhere between $1 mil and $10 mil ... but she could have up to $50 mil in debts.

In the docs, 43-year-old Braxton lists a ton of creditors to whom she thinks she may owe money... including:

Braxton also claims she may owe money to the City of L.A. Parking Violations Bureau -- and the DMV in both California and Nevada.

Braxton has a storied history of financial problems -- she filed for bankruptcy back in 1998 ... and earlier this year, the IRS filed a lien against her for $396k.

Amer Haddadin tells TMZ, he's sick of being jerked around by Octo and her lawyers ... and if they don't settle her gigantic debt by October 9 -- dude says he's going to hold a news conference to tell everyone about how terrible of a resident she has been.

Of course, Nadya has nothing to worry about if she meets Amer's deadline -- but as we previously reported, that's one big if ... because girl still owes over $450,000.

According to documents filed in L.A. County Superior Court, the Pittsburgh Penguins star bought a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 back in 2008 -- but eventually defaulted on the payments.

The finance company claims they tried to repossess the car from Comrie -- but he has "refused to allow Plaintiff possession."

Now, the finance company claims they want Mike to pay off the rest of his contract -- $103,398.57 ... plus other costs.

TMZ has obtained an insult-laden check written to Andrew Keegan on behalf of "Bachelor" winner Shayne Lamas -- who was recently sued by the actor over unpaid rent.

Shayne's husband, Nik Richie from "The Dirty" website, took a shot at Keegan when he made out the check ... by writing "Get a Job Hollywood Has-Been" on it.

Designer Karen Mathews filed papers recently in L.A. Small Claims Court -- obtained by TMZ -- claiming Stewart ordered $7,500 worth of custom threads for several events in 2007, including his wedding to model Penny Lancaster ... but never fully covered the damage.

Karen's rep tells TMZ, “The clothes were never payed for in full and [Rod] kept the rest of the clothes without ever returning what hadn’t been payed for" -- adding, Karen hasn't had a problem like this in 30 years ... which "speaks for itself.”

But Stewart's rep claims the singer is a victim of unintelligent design -- telling TMZ, "[Stewart's wedding suit] wasn't produced on time and was ill-fitting and totally unusable. He had to buy a proper suit at the last minute."

According to the "Cohabitation Agreement" -- obtained by TMZ -- Oksana and Mel both acknowledge "...they have no right to the property of the other.... " The agreement states, "Neither party has promised the other to assist in funding any support for each other or the other party's children from other relationships."

The 22 page agreement, signed on December 8, 2009, lists Mel's net worth "in excess of $150 million" and "his annual gross income averaged in excess of $5 million during the past three years."

The agreement states in multiple ways that Mel owes Oksana nothing if they break up. Their earnings and assets remain separate. All Oksana got under the agreement was the right to live in Mel's Sherman Oaks home, but he had the right to throw her out at any time with 12 months written notice.

The agreement did give Oksana the right to keep a Dodge Charger that Mel bought for her ... but that's pretty much it.

But law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... a little more than a month after signing the Cohabitation Agreement -- and after the January 6 argument -- Oksana had buyer's remorse and began demanding money from Mel.

Sources say there were numerous emails and conversations between Oksana and Mel in which she demanded money, and her demands went into high gear after she secretly recorded Mel on February 18.

We broke the story ... during their mediation in May, Oksana demanded and got Mel to agree to pay her and Lucia a total of $15 million ... in return, Oksana agreed to turn over the audiotapes and other "evidence" to Mel.

As TMZ first reported ... there is a "serious" extortion investigation underway, to determine if Oksana used the tapes to squeeze money out of Mel -- and our law enforcement sources say the Cohabitation Agreement is something that investigators are looking at closely.

After finally admitting she might need to seek financial help to keep a roof over the heads of her 14 kids -- Nadya Suleman told a photog, "I'll do whatever I can ... as long as I'm fully clothed."

Suleman was clearly referring to the $500,000 offer from Vivid Entertaiment -- in which the porn company claimed they'd fork over a check in exchange for one XXX Octo-scene.

As we first reported, Prince was sued back in August by Ed McPherson for allegedly not paying McPherson for his legal services. According to the suit, his legal bill was $49,987.74.

Earlier this week, McPherson filed docs to dismiss the case -- we're told because Prince finally paid his tab.

When called for comment Prince said, "I never meant to cause Ed McPherson any sorrow. I never meant to cause him any pain. I only one time wanted to see him laughing. I only wanted to see him laughing in the purple rain."

We're told Oksana racked up $84,000 in PR expenses and certain unpaid legal fees. As for the PR fees, our sources say Oksana felt hiring PR reps was the only way counter someone as big and powerful as Mel Gibson. Oksana -- who insists she didn't sell the tapes -- felt she was getting trashed in the media.

Sources say Oksana wants Judge Scott Gordon in the custody/child support case to clear the $84,000 debt.

Here's the disconnect. The judge would never award money for PR expenses. Aside from legal fees, Judge Gordon would adjust the existing agreement -- $5,000 a month plus the house -- only based on the needs of baby Lucia.

As we first reported ... Oksana's lawyers have gone to court and asked Judge Gordon to up the monthly child support obligation to upwards of $40,000.

We're told the judge has yet to rule on the request.