Money

Jermaine Dupri is in jeopardy of losing his rights to the music from his So So Def label ... because he can't seem to pay off an enormous loan.

Dupri borrowed $4.8 mil from SunTrust Bank back in 2010 .... he paid more than half of it back, but then the bank stopped getting payments. So SunTrust is now suing Dupri for nearly $2 mil -- the balance due, plus interest.

Here's the BIG problem ... In order to get the loan, Dupri had put up collateral, in the form of copyrights and royalties to the many songs his label owns from artists like Xscape, Bow Wow and Da Brat.

As far as we can see, Dupri still hasn't anted up the cash. And it's not his only trouble with $$$. He paid off a $3 MILLION tax lien in February and dodged the foreclosure of his Atlanta mansion TWICE in the past year

5:20 PM -- Both sides have rested their case, which is now in the hands of the judge. We're told a ruling could take up to 60 days.

4:30 PM -- Nash just finished his turn on the stand ... saying his ex-wife has been making it EXTREMELY difficult to see his kids in Phoenix ... so it makes NO SENSE that she wants to move to L.A. so they can see him more often.

Nash said he sees the kids in Arizona at LEAST as much as would in L.A. ... and maintained that her only motivation for moving is so California courts can nail him for child support -- which he says would really only support her lavish taste.

“A major reason we divorced was her incessant spending, social climbing, materialism,” he said.

Nash testified about several occasions when Alejandra made it difficult for him to see 8-year-old twin girls Lola and Bella, and 2-year-old son Matteo Joel … including a Christmas homestand, when Nash wanted his girlfriend to escort the kids on a flight to L.A.

“She had none of that,” Nash said.

Nash said he can totally afford child support ... he just doesn't want it to ruin his kids: “I don’t want my high-privileged lifestyle ... to be an artificial environment.”

Steve Nash -- who plays for the LOS ANGELES Lakers -- just trashed L.A. in open court ... claiming the City of Angels is NO PLACE to raise a family.

Nash slammed L.A. on the stand in his legal war with ex-wife Alejandra ... saying point blank, "I don't want my kids to grow up in L.A."

The legal battle has raged for more than a decade ... but Anna Nicole Smith's estate may finally see a piece of the Playboy legend's millionaire dead husband ... possibly as much as $49 MILLION.

The Supreme Court ruled years ago that Anna's estate was NOT entitled to any of J. Howard Marshall's fortune -- estimated between $500 million and $1 billion -- but yesterday, a California judge said Anna's 6-year-old daughter Dannielynn is entitled to sanctions against Marshall's family.

The judge hasn't specified the amount of the sanctions yet ... but previously suggested they could run as high as $49 million.

The judge awarded the sanctions based on allegations that attorneys for Marshall's estate used unsavory tactics throughout litigation ... such as concealing crucial legal docs from Anna's estate lawyers.

Steve Nash is NOT trying to weasel out of paying child support to his ex-wife ... this according to Nash's attorney who tells TMZ accusations to the contrary are "absolute nonsense."

Nash and his lawyer Robert Schwartz just strolled back into a Maricopa County courtroom in AZ ... where they're set to do battle with Steve's ex-wife Alejandra for the 2nd day in their nasty child support war.

As we previously reported, Alejandra believes the Lakers star is trying to block her from moving with their 3 kids from PHX to L.A. because Steve doesn't want to pay child support. As we reported, Nash is not paying child support in Arizona, but if his wife and kids move to California a judge would likely make a significant dent in Nash's wallet.

On his way into court, Steve didn't want to talk about the allegation -- but his lawyer did ... saying, "That is absolute nonsense and it's not accurate at all."

Alejandra arrived to court soon after.

We're told the judge is expected to deliver a ruling in the case by the end of the day.

What happens when you fall off your bike in a gnarly motorcycle crash? YOU GET YOUR ASS BACK ON ... especially if you're "Big Time Rush" star Logan Henderson.

TMZ has learned ... the Nickelodeon actor is back up on two wheels after a frightening crash in Hollywood back in December that he luckily escaped from with only scrapes and bruises.

Henderson's motorcycle was badly damaged in the wreck -- when he was cut off by another driver and thrown from his bike. But Henderson was determined to ride again ... and had the bike repaired.

The final bill -- $8,000 ... but luckily for Logan, we're told the other driver's insurance covered the cost.

After the repairs, Logan was so pumped to get back on his bike -- he rode it to set for the taping of the season 3 finale of "BTR" ... and don't worry, he made it there safely.

Steve Nash's attorney is grilling the NBA star's ex-wife like a cheeseburger ... accusing Alejandra of scheming behind Steve's back so she could trap him into paying child support, TMZ has learned.

Alejandra Amarilla is currently on the stand in an Arizona courtroom in the former couple's nasty custody hearing ... and things are getting pretty intense.

Moments ago, Steve's lawyer hammered Alejandra in open court -- saying, "You saw the trade [from the Phoenix Suns to the Lakers] as a way to obtain a higher child support amount regardless of what was best for the kids, didn't you?"

Alejandra denied the allegation -- shooting back with a simple, "No."

Then, Nash's attorney produced an email that Alejandra supposedly sent to a 3rd party -- in which it appears Alejandra discusses a plot to trap Nash into paying child support.

The email reads -- "My position is we are moving to California because [our children's] father is there. I believe the school is a great fit for them. I can't buy a home unless we get child support. Plan is to move to CA. Wait 6 months then get court involved in child support."

As we previously reported, Alejandra is adamant she only wants to move to L.A. so the kids can spend more time with their father -- who plays for the Lakers and lives in Manhattan Beach.

17-year-old rap sensation Chief Keef had $8,000 in CASH rolled up in his pocket at the time he was arrested for speeding in Illinois this week ... this according to the police report obtained by TMZ.

Cops say Keef was driving a black BMW SUV at 110 mph when he was pulled over around 3:18 AM on May 27.

During the arrest, cops say Keef explained, "I just got back from doing a show in Iowa, I'm a rapper."

Cops proceeded to put Keef in handcuffs and conducted a search. They found a bulge in his front left vest pocket -- which turned out to be a "large roll of dollar bills" ... $8,000 to be exact.

Cops say they informed Keef the money would not be removed from his pocket during the arrest.

Eventually, Keef was booked for excessive speeding and for driving with too many passengers in the car (Keef's permit only allows him to have 1 passenger, he had 3).

According to the police report, Keef is listed at 5'8" and 145 lbs.

Keef's due back in court on June 17 -- and cops have reminded the rapper that since he's a minor, he's got to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Bruce Willis is shaking down his real estate portfolio again ... now he's listing his biggest crib, a Spanish-style estate in Beverly Hills ... for $22 million.

The "Die Hard" star bought the 11-bedroom, 11 bathroom property in June 2004 for $9 million ... not a bad return if he gets his asking price.

Built in 1928, the 10,379 sq ft spread is spittin' distance from the Beverly Hills Hotel and has a tennis court, pool, stone fountain, arched glass doors ... standard filthy rich movie-star guy stuff.

Willis has always liked to play property chess ... and right now he's got 2 places in NYC, including a Central Park West pad he bought in March for $8.85 million, and another in the Trump Place that he listed in February for $11.65 million ... no word on a sale yet.

He also has a 2,900 sq ft ranch-style home off Mulholland Drive.

Rob Kardashian has settled with the photog who accused him of robbery -- stealing her camera equipment -- and this will almost certainly mean the end of the criminal case against Rob.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Rob has agreed to pay Andra Viak the value of the camera equipment.

TMZ broke the story ... Viak was waiting for Rob in the parking garage at a West Hollywood gym in March and when Rob started taking his clothes off she started taking pics. Rob then grabbed her camera's memory card and kept it.

Prosecutors charged Rob with battery and petty theft. There was a hearing in court today and the lawyers told the judge a civil settlement had been reached.

Our sources say Viak is now satisfied and doesn't want to pursue the criminal case. It's pretty much a formality that the judge will end the matter without prosecution.

San Diego Chargers legend LaDainian Tomlinson will NEVER return to the NFL -- despite reports of a lucrative offer from his old team -- telling TMZ, retired life is just too good to give up.

LT was out in L.A. Monday when we asked about the Chargers reportedly offering Tomlinson a new contract this spring ... after he retired last year.

Tomlinson told us ... life after the game is so amazing, there's no way he'd ever accept another contract ... which is pretty crazy considering how integral a player he was. Watch the clip.

This is pretty crazy: Busta Rhymes has just been sued for $70,300 by Paramount Recording Studios for allegedly stiffing it on a massive bill -- but by far the most interesting part is Busta's insane recording schedule.

PRS filed the lawsuit against Busta, claiming he racked up nearly 375 recording hours back in 2011-2012 and never paid a cent. The studio is now suing for its money back.

But the cool part -- the legal docs lay out Busta's recording schedule ... and every session took place overnight from late evening to early morning ... with some going for as long as 16 HOURS.

For example:
December 5th, 2011 -- Busta punched in at 3PM and punched out at 7AM
January 15th, 2012 -- In at 7PM, out at 3AM
January 18th, 2012 -- In at 9PM, out at 6AM
February 12th, 2012 -- In at 10pm, out at 6AM

35 sessions in all ... and probably a lot of coffee.

The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers reunion was BOTCHED … producers offered insulting money for a lame cameo and were impersonal JERKS about the whole thing … so says Karan Ashley, the 2nd yellow ranger -- who’s also declining to attend.

Ashley ranted for 45 minutes Thursday on the audio blog Uncensored Radio about how poorly the 20-year reunion effort was handled. Her chief beef ... participating would burn 5 days from her schedule ... but she claims producers only offered to pay for 2.

“I’m not trying to help someone make another billion dollars,” she says, “and you’re not even going to pay me for my time? It’s disrespectful. It’s just wrong.”

As TMZ previously reported … original Blue Power Ranger David Yost says he declined because producers harassed him for being gay … and original Black Power Ranger Walter Jones followed suit in support of his friend.

Ashley says a couple of those producers are still there ... and their outreach was pathetic. Instead of inviting all 10 ranger actors personally, she says, producers sent a typo-infested mass email -- offering nothing more than a cameo -- then didn’t respond for WEEKS to those who expressed interest.

What’s WORSE … Ashley says producers later UNINVITED certain cast members who were excited to take part, citing “budgetary reasons.”

Michael Lohan is no longer a deadbeat dad -- not that he's an upstanding one mind you, but at least he's current on his child support.

We got proof he just paid ex-wife Dina Lohan $30,422 in back child support.

And here's how he got there. Michael was ordered to pay $1,500 per month for his minor children ... but he didn't, so the bill ballooned over the years.

FYI, only one of the Lohan kids -- 16-year-old Cody -- is still underage. It's likely the back child support also covers the time when Lindsay's lil' sister Ali was a minor (she's 19 now).

Michael paid just in the nick of time ... Dina went to court last month, asking a judge to hold Michael in contempt ... but Michael apparently beat the judge to the punch by cutting the check.

Michael tells TMZ, "I admit I withheld part of [Cody's] child support because I was angry about certain things that were happening ... I was wrong and I'm making things right with Dina and my children."

Shawn Holley is no chump ... she agreed to represent Lindsay Lohan again with one big string attached ... that she gets the $150,000 that Lindsay owes her for prior work ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected with Lindsay's team tell TMZ ... when Lindsay was on the verge of being on the receiving end of an arrest warrant last week, they called Shawn and pleaded for help. We're told Lindsay herself made multiple calls begging Shawn to come back.

Our sources say Shawn made it clear ... business is business. She said she would rep Lindsay again ONLY with assurance the debt would be wiped clean, and quickly. Shawn demanded a specific payment schedule, earmarking money that Lindsay was slated to get.

What's more ... sources say Shawn got documentation earmarking certain paychecks Lindsay will be getting -- paychecks that will now go to Shawn. In other words, Lindsay will never have access to that money so she can stiff her again.

And sources say Shawn -- whom Lindsay fired just a few months ago -- nailed down how she would be paid for future services.

We're told Lindsay happily agreed to Shawn's financial demands ... frankly she had no other choice.

Let's face it ... Lindsay has an M.O.. The question -- has Shawn outsmarted her this time?

Holley could not be reached for comment.

DON'T INVEST IN CRAPPY MOVIES ... a hard lesson learned by a single mother who's suing to recover $10,000 from the director of an epic flop.

The woman is going after director Chris Stokes in small claims court, claiming she loaned him $10K to complete "Battlefield America" ... a flick about an underground dance competition. She says she was promised she'd get the $$$ back within 30 days.

But shocker, the movie flopped -- making a pathetic $172,000 in theaters -- and she says she hasn't seen a penny. The woman, Crystal Wade, says she's made repeated demands for repayment ... to no avail.

Our calls to Chris weren't returned ... a trial's been set for next month.

The real slap in the face ... Crystal says Chris has since raised significant capital for his new film ... without repaying his old investors.

Angelina Jolie and Lady Gaga are the two newest victims of the celebrity hackers who had already exposed the financial secrets of Michelle Obama and Beyonce ... TMZ has learned.

The hackers returned to the Internet after a brief hiatus ... and immediately hit six more A-list victims, including Angelina, Gaga, NRA advocate Wayne LaPierre, Dennis Rodman, Michael Vick, Secret Service Director Julia Pierson and Robert De Niro.

The hackers have posted what they claim to be the social security numbers, mortgage amounts, credit card info, car loans, banking and other info for the celebs listed on their site.

The hackers' previous website was shut down by its host -- but it's now back up and running with a new domain extension (.re) that suggests it's based out of the French island of Réunion located off the coast of Madagascar.

Along with Beyonce and Michelle, the hackers previously hit names like Mel Gibson, Britney Spears, Ashton Kutcher, Hillary Clinton, Kim Kardashian, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kanye West, Mitt Romney, and Tiger Woods.