Money

A driver for "Grey's Anatomy" is accusing LAPD of racial profiling after officers pulled him over at gunpoint and arrested him in front of the cast and crew ... only to discover they had the wrong guy.

Ernest Simon Jr., who is Black, says he'd just dropped off crew members near a Tarzana, CA set in March 2021 when he got pulled over. In a lawsuit filed Thursday, he says officers told him an automated license plate reader linked his vehicle to a stolen BMW sedan, which was pretty shocking to Ernest ... because, at the time, he was driving a Ford van rented by Disney.

Ernest says the parking lot attendant where he'd pulled over told the cops Ernest was part of the 'Grey's' crew ... still, with guns drawn, they made him lie face down on the asphalt, and even called for backup. In the suit, obtained by TMZ, he says no fewer than 7 cop cars raced to the scene ... and he claims they also called for helicopter support.

Other crew members recognized what was happening, and Ernest says they tried explaining to cops they had the wrong guy -- but in docs, he says cops only yelled at them "Get out of the line of fire." He says that, combined with the fact he was Black, had him terrified he was about to get shot.

Now handcuffed, while still lying on the ground ... Ernest claims the crazy scene went on for about 30 minutes. According to his lawsuit, it only ended when a white male co-worker reiterated to officers they had the wrong guy -- which is the same story he claims a Black male co-worker had already told cops, but to no avail.

At that point, cops took off the cuffs and released Ernest, but he doesn't think it's a coincidence this happened in Tarzana -- an L.A. suburb, where he points out the population is 70.7 percent white, and only 3.6 percent Black.

A copy of the first-ever Marvel comic book sold at auction for $2.4 million, so presumably if the buyer does a Capital One commercial, the answer to the question, "What's in your wallet?" -- "Nothing."

Vincent Zurzolo, COO of ComicConnect.com tells TMZ ... the prize was "Marvel Comics #1," first released in 1939. The issue features characters like "The Human Torch" and "Masked Raider."

The opening bid -- a measly $1. Fast-forward to 33 bids later -- the winning, eye-popping number -- $2,427,777.65, making it the most expensive version of issue #1 ever sold.

We're told the buyer is a passionate comic collector who understands the significance of the comic and its place in superhero history. Of course, Marvel has taken off since its first issue, but this is the one that started it all.

This copy -- in near-perfect condition -- is known as the "pay copy," because it was used by publisher Lloyd Jacquet to record payments for his artists ... featuring hand-written reimbursement notes to the artists.

Jack Dorsey is making another big donation ... and this time he's sending money to organizations helping with the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

The former Twitter CEO and founder just donated $7 million to benefit Ukrainians impacted by Vladimir Putin's war, and he's spreading the dough around evenly to 7 different initiatives.

The money is flowing through Jack's fund Start Small, LLC ... and it's the same fund he's used before to donate $3 million to Colin Kaepernick's legal defense initiative and $1 billion to COVID-19 relief.

Jack's $1 million donations are going to the following organizations:

- Nova Ukraine ... a humanitarian aid workgroup on the ground in Ukraine since 2014, run by a group of Silicon Valley-based Ukrainians who work in the tech industry

- CARE ... a crisis fund providing food, water, hygiene kits and more to 4 million Ukrainians, with an emphasis on women, families and the elderly

- World Central Kitchen ... a collection of chefs and others serving thousands of fresh meals to Ukrainians

- Sunflower of Peace ... a group distributing first-aid kits, medicine and medical instruments to paramedics and doctors in war-torn areas of Ukraine

- Razom ... crisis relief workers providing life-saving medical supplies and humanitarian aid and helping Ukraine rebuild

- Mery Corps ... a global team of humanitarians providing emergency cash assistance and connecting people on the move with information, like where to access basic services and find safe routes in Ukraine, Romania and Poland

-GlobalGiving ... a crisis relief fund supporting humanitarian assistance in impacted communities in Ukraine and surrounding regions where refugees are fleeing

Josh Flagg just bought a massive, multi-million dollar estate, and he's spending almost as much on the renovations as the purchase price itself!!!

The "Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles" star just scooped up a baller, 7,100-sq-ft. Beverly Hills mansion for $9.2 mil  ... just 2 weeks after announcing his divorce from his model/real estate agent husband, Bobby Boyd.

The 7-bedroom, 8-bath estate comes with a 3-car garage and chauffeur's quarters ... oh, and a large pool. We're told Josh plans to give the house a massive makeover that could cost $7 mil!!! He's collab'ing on the renovations with starchitect William Hefner.

Josh tells TMZ, "Just because Bobby and I will be getting divorced does not mean life stops. Business continues as usual. I have been aggressively courting the owners of North Bedford Drive to sell me their house for years, but earlier last year I was told by a few people they were more seriously considering a sale and I would not take no for an answer."

You'll recall ... Josh recently announced, he and Bobby decided to go their separate ways, after 5 years of marriage ... though it seems there are no hard feelings.

Josh is currently living at The Beverly Hills Hotel while Bobby is living at the home they shared in Beverly Hills.

Matthew Morrison has a lot to sing about right now after selling his Hollywood Hills home for nearly 4 times what he paid for it ... TMZ has learned.

The 'Glee' star purchased the 3 bedroom pad for $1.2 mil, back in 2010 -- right around the time his career took off with the show's success, and he decided to make a smart investment in the property.

Matthew and his wife, Renee Puente, gave the pad some major renovations -- totaling about $1 million -- which included adding a bedroom and an additional 1,000 sq ft. to the home.

The home is now 3,146 sq ft. and completely surrounded by nature, giving it a very charming feel. Inside, it's got French doors, a sunken living room and a chef's kitchen with a doublewide island.

The new owners will also enjoy a built-in barbecue, in-ground infinity spa and smart home technology that controls the security and sound systems.

Matt and his wife previously sold their 2 properties in New York, and they reportedly plan to travel for a while ... before settling down and buying a new home on the East Coast.

Morrison grew up in California before going to NYU and spending 10 years living on the East Coast, and now it looks like he'll be headed back for good.

A Buccaneers fan is selling off a Tom Brady touchdown ball ... hoping it brings him enough cash to start a foundation in his late mother's honor.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Andrew Rice received the ball from Mike Evans after the Tampa Bay star caught the touchdown pass from Brady on Nov. 14, 2021, against the Washington Football Team.

Rice was ecstatic to receive the pigskin -- photographers at the stadium caught him grinning ear-to-ear while Evans handed it over -- but now, Rice is ready to part with it, for a good cause.

Officials at Gotta Have Rock and Roll tell us Rice is auctioning off the ball -- and a bunch of Brady rookie cards that he's amassed over the years -- in an effort to get money to kick-start a charity that honors his mother, who recently died of cancer.

The officials say even with Brady's retirement, they expect the ball and the cards to fetch over $100K.

As for why ... the ball is a historic one even if Brady throws a few more TDs next season after unretiring on Sunday. In addition to being Brady's 608th all-time TD pass -- it was also Evans' 71st TD catch, which tied Tampa Bay's all-time receiving TD record.

NFL running back Gus Edwards says his diamond chain and fancy watch were taken at gunpoint outside of an L.A. strip club back in December -- and now, he's suing the place and its valet service, claiming the heist was all their fault.

The 26-year-old Baltimore Ravens player spelled out the allegations in a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ Sports, saying he and his friend, Loomis Zayzay, were at Crazy Girls on Dec. 11, 2021 when the robbery went down.

Edwards says he and Zayzay drove their vehicle to the club's valet and paid the $60 fee to leave their ride there. Edwards says the two then entered the venue, and paid another $800 to sit in a private area guarded by security.

But, Edwards says after about an hour, Crazy Girls employees began fighting -- so the two men left. When they went to pick up their car at the valet outside the club, Edwards says five masked men -- each holding a firearm -- got out of a car, confronted them, and demanded their jewelry.

Edwards says he and Zayzay attempted to fend off the robbers -- but, in the suit, the football player says the men eventually ended up taking his $50,000 custom necklace and $25,000 watch. Edwards says Zayzay's $60,000 Audemars Piguet watch was also stolen in the altercation.

Edwards says they obtained video of the incident that showed Crazy Girls security guards made no attempt to intervene in the robbery. Edwards also says the club's head of security told them to call 911.

In the docs, Edwards says cops showed up and took a report, and everyone went home.

But, roughly a week later, Edwards says a person with the username "Johnny Blaze" sent him a message on Instagram, and told him he had been "set up by the valet." Edwards also says "Blaze" told him the jewelry had been taken to a local jewelry business. Edwards claims in his suit the jeweler there "confirmed that someone did try to sell him" Edwards and Zayzay's jewelry, though he declined to purchase it all.

Edwards and Zayzay are now suing the club and the valet service, asking for more than $800,000 in damages.

We reached out to Edwards' attorney, Jason J. Chong, for a statement ... but he declined to comment. We also reached out to Crazy Girls for comment, but so far, no word back yet.

"I've been trying to find good people for so long. I'm tired, bro."

That's former NBA hoops star Michael Beasley, the #2 overall pick in 2008 (behind D. Rose), opening up about how failed relationships in his life have made him insular and distrusting of people -- and it's had a negative impact on his mental health.

Beasley joined former NFL players Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor on "The Pivot Podcast" for a candid conversation where he fought through tears and dished on everything from his mother stealing from him to living an isolated life where he only plays basketball and sits home alone.

"I don't know no one that ain't stole from me," Beasley said. "Everybody except for my kids stole from me."

"Every step of the way, I asked for help."

The conversation took a turn ... in ways going from an interview to an intervention. Clark, Chowder and Taylor pleaded with Beasley, telling him isolating himself from the world because he's been mistreated in the past isn't the solution.

The men even offered help ... with Crowder, who lives near MB, telling the hooper he'd love to hang and chill while their kids play together.

"You have kids. I have kids. Come to my house. We can get bounce houses for the kids, we can sit back on the porch, drink a couple beers, drink some wine, hang out," Crowder pleaded.

You'll recall ... Beasley was heavily touted coming out of Kansas State, where he averaged over 26 points a game during his one and only season. The 6-foot-9 forward was selected right after Derrick Rose in the NBA Draft ... with the number 2 overall pick.

Beasley was often compared to Kevin Durant -- as both guys could basically get a bucket at will. But, their pro careers have gone in different directions. KD's one of the greatest hoopers ever ... meanwhile, Beasley's become an NBA journeyman.

He played 11 seasons in the NBA ... spending time with the Timberwolves, Knicks, Bucks, Rockets, Suns and Lakers.

But, he never really established himself as a premier superstar in the NBA, something many thought was a certainty.

This interview sheds light on some of the awful things Michael's lived through ... and gives a peek at the person, not just the player.

Want an autograph from not one, not two, but THREE G.O.A.T.s?!

A basketball card featuring signatures from three of the greatest basketball players ever -- Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant -- is up for sale ... and its current price is $160,000!!

TMZ Sports is told ... the unique '08 Upper Deck Radiance card features the John Hancock of 3 NBA legends in one place ... and is in great condition -- its centering has a grade of 9.5, corners have a 8.5 grade, and edges have a 9.0.

The card is pretty special -- Kobe, MJ, and Bron's images are featured on the front ... with their individual autographs in blue ink on see-through surface next to their respective photos.

The back of the card sports the Lakers, Bulls, and Cavs logos ... representing the three franchises the basketball icons were synonymous with during their storied careers.

PWCC Marketplace listed the card ... and exec. Jesse Craig tells us pieces of memorabilia like this are in high demand.

"Collectors are increasingly seeking out autographs from athletes considered to hold ‘immortal’ status in their sport," Craig says ... explaining all three athletes' autographs on one card is extremely difficult to find.

On top of that, there are only 5 copies of this exact card in existence ... so yeah, this thing is special.

PWCC tells us a card bearing the names of Bryant, MJ, and James sold for $322,260 back in October 2021, according to public sales data ... and considering the names involved, don't be surprised if this sells for even more.

"It’s an insanely scarce offering that exists, and we’re extremely excited that it is up for auction at PWCC."

There's only four days left in the auction ... before PWCC's extended bidding window begins on Saturday.

Here's Stephanie Matto hosting a giveaway you just don't see every day ... she's doling out jars full of her farts to dozens of folks at a strip club.

The "90 Day Fiancé" star was back on her gravy train Saturday night at Larry Flynt's Hustler Club in New York City, where she gifted fart jars to the first 20 folks to walk in the door.

Stephanie paired her fart jars with never-before-seen risqué polaroid photos and rose petals ... and she even took the stage to grab the mic and say a few words.

Sorry, no pole dancing ... Stephanie makes her living by farting in jars.

Remember ... Stephanie started the hustle last year and she told us in December she had already banked $100,000 by bottling up her natural gas and selling it online.

We're told Stephanie pocketed over $10,000 for her strip club appearance ... and she was also pushing her latest venture, a fart jar NFT venture.

Tom Brady's unretirement just cost a collector a small fortune ... with one auction expert telling TMZ Sports the QB's "final" TD ball is now worth a mere $50K -- after it sold for over $500K just three days ago.

Our auction source tells us with Brady coming back to the NFL ... the ball that was just auctioned off on Saturday is now worth roughly a 10th of what it just fetched at auction.

The reasoning is obvious ... if Brady plays a full 17-game season in 2022 -- plus the playoffs -- he's expected to throw roughly 30-to-50 more touchdown passes.

Which, of course, would mean the last TD he threw to Mike Evans in the Bucs' playoff game against the Rams in January is significantly less valuable.

In fact, our source tells us they wouldn't be surprised if the ball was actually worth closer to $25K than $50K at this point.

There is good news for the buyer, however ... our source says it's probably unlikely they'll have to fork over the half mil for the ball.

Our source tells us the ball was advertised as Brady's last TD ever -- and now, since it won't be, the buyer could have a legitimate claim to renege on the deal. Our source also says it's likely the buyer is a whale in the auction world, and the auction house that sold the piece would almost certainly fight to keep him or her happy.

The Brooklyn Nets' bank account is a little lighter today ... the team was just hit with a $50K fine for breaking COVID-19 protocol and allowing Kyrie Irving in the Barclay's Center locker room.

The NBA announced the 5-figure fine Monday afternoon.

"The Brooklyn Nets organization has been fined $50,000 for violating local New York City law and league health and safety protocols during the team’s March 13th game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center," the NBA said in a statement.

"The violation occurred when the Nets permitted Kyrie Irving, who was in attendance at the game, to enter the team’s locker room."

So, what'd the Nets do that was wrong?

Irving is allowed in the arena to watch games inside the arena, but not in a "workplace environment," which the league considers the locker room, according to  Woj, a league insider.

The rules go back to NYC's COVID-19 safety protocols ... which places restrictions on unvaccinated workers. Irving is not vaxxed.

The Nets beat the Knicks, 110-107.

There's a new crime that's a sign of the times ... and the sign is plastered on gas stations across America.

Gas has become such a pricey commodity, thieves are pilfering petrol right from the gas tank. Yep, shimmying under the chassis and drilling holes into the tanks ... catching the fuel before it hits the ground.

It's no big surprise ... with gas prices in some areas of the country soaring above $7 a gallon.

As for why these crooks aren't doing it the OG way -- siphoning gas by just removing the gas cap -- newer models have rollover valves that make it impossible.

There is, of course, a big element of danger. If the gas tank explodes it could be catastrophic. BTW, God forbid, if a bystander dies in such an explosion, the thieves could be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter. It doesn't seem worth the risk for 70 bucks.

This is the latest version of car theft. As you may know, there's a crime wave across the country ... criminals have been stealing catalytic converters left and right.

BTW ... it's a pricey repair, often costing $2,000 to make things right.

Drake's YOLO Estate is drawing the attention of real estate developers who don't really give a crap about its legacy as a celeb party palace -- instead, they wanna tear it all down.

TMZ has learned ... in addition to celebs like Britney Spears and Caitlyn Jenner, multiple real estate developers have visited Drake's 3 side-by-side properties in the past few days, and they're all licking their chops to convert them into one mega estate.

We broke the story ... Drake put the Hidden Hills properties on the market, asking $22.2 million for the full compound, or a mere $14.8 mil for his main residence alone. We're told the developers don't think the mansion itself needs to be razed, but homes on the 2 adjacent properties would likely be demolished.

Drake did a lot of renovations on the main property. Our sources say the potential buyers like his interior remodeling, but the exterior grounds could get a makeover.

As it was explained to us ... some developers are looking at this property similar to the Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian massive neighboring properties, which are also in Hidden Hills.

We're told several offers have already been made for Drake's estate in less than a week.

Things are really heating up between 'Joe Millionaire' star Steven McBee and his new lover, Calah Jackson ... cause we're told they're gonna be shacking up in his new home.

ICYMI, Steven chose Calah and gave her a promise ring on the season finale, and he's already making an even bigger commitment by dropping $772,565 on a Kansas City, MO love nest.

Our sources say, Steven bought the place in his name, but the couple's decided to move in together. It's a bigger move for Calah -- she's from Dallas -- but they won't be too far from Steven's family in the rural town of Gallatin, MO.

We're told, the house is still under construction, but should be finished by the end of this month. These photos -- taken by photographers Mark and Cyndi McCombs -- of a replica model give you an idea of what their new pad will look like.

From the looks of it, it'll be pretty nice and they'll have lots of space in their 4 bedroom, 4 bath pad. It's a sweet "starter" home for the couple, but then again ... he's a millionaire.

The lovebirds seems to be having better luck than the other Joe on the show. As we've told you, Kurt has already split from Amanda, who he picked in the finale.

The Nelk Boys' SteveWillDoIt gave former President Donald Trump a sweet thank you gift following their recent podcast collab -- an iced-up Rolex, worth $75K!

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the ice blue platinum Day-Date 40mm isn't sold in stores, meaning Steve had to custom order it.

Platinum Day-Dates are known to be among the most expensive Rollies on the market -- more valuable than gold models -- and we're told Trump's has the classic Rolex ice blue face.

Trump was the latest guest on the Nelk Boys podcast, "Full Send Podcast," which is hosted by Steve, Kyle Forgeard, Bob Menery and Salim The Dream. Steve told the former President he'd made a staggering $500k selling T-shirts with both of their faces.

Steve told Trump he wasn't sure how to repay him -- after all, his face took up half the tees -- so, he splurged on the bling'd out timepiece.

Trump's episode of 'Full Send' premiered Wednesday and racked up 5 million views before YouTube took it down.