Money

Sydney Leday, a woman who claims she too was injured by the bullets flying the day Takeoff was killed, has been on the long road to recovery, one that she says has racked up medical bills in the 6-figures.

The 24-year-old spoke to "The Shade Room" on her lingering traumas and revealed she owes over $200k to the hospital where she stayed for a week after slipping into a coma.

Sydney was left with a bald spot where she was shot in the head, and now attends therapy sessions to treat her PTSD ... admitting loud events like New Year's Eve are triggers.

She called the November 1 shooting "senseless" and says the other witnesses are still traumatized all the same.

Houston Police arrested a man named Patrick Clark who they believe is responsible for shooting Takeoff but have still not named a suspect for the bullet that struck Sydney.

Afroman is being dragged to court by the same Ohio sheriff's deputies who searched his home ... because the deputies are pissed the rapper's using footage from the raid to make money.

Several deputies and sergeants are suing Afroman, claiming he's using videos and pictures from the August raid at his Ohio home in music videos, and selling merchandise with their images.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the deputies claim Afroman was not home at the time of the raid, but his wife was in the home and she whipped out a cell phone and recorded the search. The officers also claim Afroman's home was full of security cameras, which also recorded deputies during the raid.

Their main gripe is this ... deputies didn't give Afroman permission to use the footage in music videos, or to slap their faces on merch ... and he's profiting off their images and likenesses.

In the suit, the officers say Afroman's music videos, social media posts and merchandise related to the raid amount to an invasion of privacy and misappropriation of their likenesses ... and they say it's causing them emotional distress, ridicule, humiliation, loss of reputation and embarrassment.

For his part, Afroman says deputies raided his home in search of narcotics but came up empty ... and he claims deputies ended up seizing cash during the search, $400 of which wasn't returned. The Clermont County Sheriff's Office investigated and found that the Adams County sheriffs had miscounted the money seized and the correct amount had been returned.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be cruising into the MLB season in some serious style this year ... TMZ Sports has learned the Blue Jays superstar just got his Mercedes-Benz tricked out!!!

The Toronto first baseman took his GLE63 -- an expensive ride that he copped about a year ago -- to Alex Vega at The Auto Firm in South Florida to get the work done ... and it came out awesome.

Vega blacked out the vehicle -- wrapping it, before darkening its chrome emblems. He also upgraded its wheels too ... throwing on a set of Avorza Forged Wheels.

In total, we're told the work Vladdy got typically runs around $50K!!

Of course, these were not the first improvements Guerrero Jr. has made on the whip -- about six months ago, Vega also threw in some Blue Jays-colored interior in it as well.

If you're wondering, while he's still just 24 years old, Vladdy can definitely afford the upgrades ... he agreed to a $14.5 million pact with Toronto to avoid arbitration this offseason.

Police still have not cracked the case involving the 2018 killing of Richard Jefferson's father ... but now, they're hoping a big monetary reward can help change that.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Dept. Lt. Patricia Thomas said on Tuesday they're offering $20,000 to anyone who can assist them in solving the four-year-old case.

Thomas told reporters at a news conference she and investigators believe there are people still out there who saw the suspects that shot 65-year-old Richard Jefferson Sr. in Compton, CA back on Sept. 19, 2018.

She said investigators believe a car full of gang members fired on the former NBA player's father while he was talking with neighbors -- mistakenly thinking he was part of a rival gang.

Thomas urged anyone with info to call the homicide bureau at 323-890-5500.

Jefferson Sr.'s brother, Kenneth, also spoke at the news conference -- and pleaded for anyone with information to come forward as well.

Jonathan Bennett is offering up a slice of paradise ... he's selling his fun house in Palm Springs and he's looking to walk away with some change in his pocket.

The "Mean Girls" star listed the charming home, which he playfully calls Mai Tai Manor, for $1.15M ... after snagging it back in 2020 for $625K.

The 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom pad has a modern feel ... it comes with some nice touches, like french doors, bedrooms that open out to a colorful backyard with a pool ... and a patio area for sipping those mai tais!!!

Joe Chung of Compass holds the listing and tells us, Jonathan and his husband Jaymes Vaughan scooped up the 1970s-built ranch home a few years ago and even got engaged in the backyard.

They've since put a lot of work and money into the home since purchasing it, adding their own finishing touches on the getaway home.

Between TV gigs and expanding their LGBTQ+ cruise company OUTbound, we're told the couple will have less leisure time to spend at Mai Tai Manor -- hence they're putting it on the market.

Fun fact ... Mai Tai Manor has been featured in a ton of publications like Design Network, Celebrity Homes Unlocked, MTV and more.

Jimmy Garoppolo's Raiders career might start off with a bang -- that is, if he accepts a once-in-a-lifetime offer from two Nevada brothel workers ... who tell TMZ Sports they wanna hook him up with free sex forever!!

The two lovely ladies are Caitlin Bell and Alice Little of the famous Chicken Ranch brothel ... and they tell us they're really excited the "heartthrob" is moving to their neck of the woods after inking a 3-year deal with the Raiders last week.

The licensed workers wanna show Jimmy G just how grateful they are now that he's moving from The Bay to Vegas ... with a free-for-life sex package!!!

"I almost fainted when I heard Jimmy signed with the Raiders," Bell said in a statement.

"He deserves free sex just for joining our team," Bell said. "But he gets free sex for life from us just because he’s such a legit babe!"

Little also points out that next year's Super Bowl is at Allegiant Stadium ... so she wants to make sure the 31-year-old feels stimulated all season.

"Jimmy brought the Niners to the Super Bowl and he could do the same for the Raiders," Little said.

"The next Big Game is in Vegas, so I’m going to go all the way to inspire Jimmy to go all the way!"

If Jimmy G goes through with the offer, he's definitely in good hands -- Bell has been featured in several adult videos and was recently nominated for Best Sex Scene in the 2023 XBIZ Awards, while Little is a sex worker advocate and intimacy coach.

The offer seems to be right up Garoppolo's alley -- after all, he famously went on a date with adult film actress Kiara Mia back in the day.

These brothel workers aren't the only ones wanting to give Jimmy G a deal ... Sheri's Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada penned a letter to the QB, inviting him and a few of his new teammates to a VIP experience.

"A celebratory weekend blowout with you and a few of your new Raiders teammates to take advantage of the resort’s themed hotel suites, bar and restaurant, swimming pool, and Jacuzzi - all expenses paid, of course," a Sheri's Ranch spokesperson said in the letter.

"Sheri’s invites you into the VIP bungalows with your choice of on-site courtesans, as well as a special Playland with themed rooms to make you feel right at home."

Hey, they don't call it Sin City for nothin'!!!

Gwyneth Paltrow's trial is about to kick off after she was sued over a "hit-and-run" ski crash years ago ... and she will almost certainly take the stand.

The actress' Park City, Utah trial is set to begin Tuesday following the 2016 incident ... and sources close to Gwyneth told the New York Post she's going to testify. Fact is ... there's no 5th Amendment right to take a pass, and even if she didn't want to testify the other side could force the issue.

As we reported, Gwyneth was hit with a lawsuit back in 2019 by Utah resident Terry Sanderson ... who claimed Paltrow slammed into him a few years back while skiing down the mountain at Deer Valley Resort, causing him to suffer a concussion and broken ribs.

He says she got up after the collision, didn't say anything, and just kept on going while he was left lying on the mountain.

What's more, Terry claimed an instructor behind Gwyneth accused him of causing the crash -- and says he filed a false report with the ski resort blaming him for the crash.

Terry asked for $3.1M in damages, but Gwyneth filed a countersuit against Terry the next month for $1, calling HIM out for causing the collision ... citing that resort incident report as proof.

Jose Canseco's daughter, Josie -- a Victoria's Secret model -- is firing away at her critics ... insisting she never received a leg up, at least monetarily, from her dad or anyone else in her family.

Josie unleashed on her haters in a series of Instagram posts on Monday morning ... claiming to be entirely self-made.

It's unknown what was exactly said to her or about her that set her off -- but she clearly wanted to let everyone know that despite her dad's huge MLB career, she grew up far from wealthy.

"Everyone claiming I came from all this rich money because I'm a 'canseco' do ur research," the 26-year-old said. "My 'family money' was blown by the time I was 6/7 w bankruptcy n I had to work my ass off to not only sustain my 'family name' but also pay my bills cause no one paid that s*** except me."

Josie said there were times in her life when she was in debt, barely making $100 a week, and living in tiny New York apartments packed with models.

"My family is broke," she said, "and I dont get the advance of a family that was rich."

Josie did acknowledge she has "been graced with a privilege of being born within a family that earned what they earned" -- though she added, "I really went through that s*** n busted my ass the traditional way."

FYI -- Jose reportedly made over $40 million in his 17-year MLB career. He filed for bankruptcy back in 2012.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are out on their latest would-be new home -- the couple has pulled the plug on yet another real estate deal ... and they're once again on the hunt.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ that Bennifer has fallen out of escrow on the $64 million Pacific Palisades mansion they seemed to have their sights set on earlier this month -- which was an absolute beauty that would've certainly accommodated their needs.

It's unclear why they're bailing ... but we're hearing they're done with it, and are moving on.

Now, if you're keeping count -- this actually marks the third home they've fallen out of escrow on in the past year. There was a $55 million Bel-Air estate they were set to buy way back in April, but that sale fell through. They were also set to buy another PP palace last month -- which was worth just $34.5 mil -- but they walked away from that property as well.

We haven't been offered any legit explanation for why J Lo and Ben keep changing their minds ... all we know is that they simply can't commit, and this is the most recent example.

Not wasting any time, Jen was actually pounding the pavement anew this past weekend -- cruising through Holmby Hills.

We're told she was taking a gander at this mansion above. The current owner is Max Azria, the founder of BCBG. From what we can see, it looks about as nice as everything else they've been perusing. It's listed for $65 million.

Ben and Jen might wanna pull the trigger on something soon, because there's a new mansion tax that's about to hit L.A. in April. The measure, which was passed last year, imposes a 4% tax on home sales above $5 mil and a 5.5% tax on sales above $10 mil.

The tax probably won't affect Ben and Jen directly -- they're not house hunting in the city of L.A., more so on the ritzy outskirts -- but it could seriously impact the market and L.A.-area home prices in general.

So ... act fast!

An award signed by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is hitting the open market ... and it's a super rare memento, because the guy never signed autographs and hardly ever left his signature.

Steve scribbled his John Hancock on a 10-year award plaque presented to an Apple employee way back in 2000 ... shortly after Steve had returned to the company.

The award plaque is up for sale over at Moments In Time ... with a $95,000 price tag.

Steve presented the hardware to Apple marketing exec Suzanne Lindbergh, and the letter to her reads ... "This ten-year plaque recognizes those who have contributed a decade of personal achievement to Apple's phenomenal success. Apple honors you not only for your talent, enthusiasm and energy, but also for your ten years of creativity and career commitment. We hope you continue to believe, as we do, that the journey in itself is the best reward."

Jobs used a black felt-tip pen to leave his signature at the bottom of the plaque ... and it's also rare because Apple later transitioned to facsimile signatures on its anniversary awards.

Steve, who died from cancer in 2011, famously refused to sign for autograph hounds ... so there aren't a lot of items out there with his signature.

MTV's "The Challenge" star Nelson Thomas' GoFundMe is getting some serious support after his car crash, and some of the donations are coming from fellow reality stars.

The charity campaign quickly picked up steam after going live earlier this week -- and reality TV fans will definitely recognize some of the names chipping in with funds. Nurys Mateo and Tori Deal, who both starred on "The Challenge," dropped $1K each ... while Mark Long and Corey Lay from the series also ante'd up donations.

Outside of Nelson's 'Challenge' crew ... Nicholas Maccarone from "Big Brother" chipped in $250, "Wild 'N Out" star Justina Valentine gave $500, as did Maria Menounos.

Zak Longo from MTV's "Are You the One?" gave $5K ... moving the campaign closer to its $200k goal.

As we reported, Nelson was injured in a fiery crash in Austin, TX earlier this month. Minnesota Vikings receiver K.J. Osborn and a few others were able to rescue him from the wreckage.

Nelson ended up in pretty bad shape -- he showed some of his cuts and burns from his hospital bed, saying he's doing better but has a ways to go.

San Francisco is one of the few cities that appears to be seriously considering reparations for its Black residents -- and there are some hard figures on the table ... from $1 to millions.

SF's Board of Supervisors -- consisting of 11 members -- heard a proposal this past week that was put forth by a reparations committee -- which formed a few years back, at the behest of the City, in the wake of the George Floyd protests across the country.

On Tuesday, those folks shared their suggestions on how to make things right with the African-American community ... and they landed on $5 million per eligible Black resident. There's certain criteria they have in mind ... including being at least 18 years old and having identified as Black/African-American in public documents for at least 10 years, among others.

There's more that folks could receive under the draft reparations plan. In addition to the one-time $5M payout, the committee recommended a guaranteed basic income thereafter ... in the amount of $97,000/year, for 250 years.

Plus, they'd have all their debts and tax burdens wiped clean, no questions asked. And finally ... single-family SF homes for just a buck. It seems each family would be allowed to buy just one, although it's not entirely clear.

In terms of paying for all of this ... the reparations committee didn't have any answers, instead putting that burden on the supervisors themselves. The BOS, in turn, actually supported the proposal unanimously -- and said they could figure out funding later.

The Board's only Black supervisor, Shamann Walton, has been leading the charge on this ... and says he wants the reparations package to be included in future City budgets.

BTW, not everyone agrees with the terms laid out by the committee -- which is made up Black leaders/community members in and around SF. One opponent is actually the NAACP -- which, while supporting the idea of reparations, is not on board with the $5M cash payouts ... instead calling for the focus of investment to be in institutions, like schools/housing, etc.

The lady who inspired "Mean Girls" is pissed Tina Fey and Paramount have cashed in on her work while she's been left with zilch ... and now, she says she's doing something about it.

Author Rosalind Wiseman told the NY Post this weekend that she and her lawyers are circling legal action to examine the movie studio's accounting books in order to figure out if there's money they've made from 'Mean Girls' over the years that could be sent her way.

The reason ... Wiseman says she feels like she's been screwed out of a lot of potential cash since the hit 2004 film was released -- especially in light of the Broadway musical that's been made about it ... which has done fairly well for years now in different markets.

According to RW, the deal she signed with Paramount and TF at the time -- which made her a one-time $400k, and which she acknowledges relinquished any rights to the work and/or derivatives -- guaranteed net profit points, meaning she could make more based on how well the flick did. However, she claims Paramount has, time and again, told her there's nothing left of the pie for her ... and that they haven't actually collected much from it long-term.

Wiseman thinks that's BS -- and her attorney, Ryan Keech, says, “I suspect most people would be shocked at how shabbily Rosalind Wiseman has been treated. And properly so."

He adds, "It is nothing short of shameful for a company with the resources of Paramount to go to the lengths to which it has gone to deny Ms. Wiseman what she is fairly entitled to for having created what has become one of the most iconic entertainment franchises of the last 25 years." Rosalind and co. say they want to audit Paramount, and are considering further next steps ... although they don't specify exactly how they'll get Paramount to comply.

As many people know ... 'Mean Girls' is based on Wiseman's 2002 parenting book, 'Queen Bees and Wannabes,' which Tina read and thought could make for a good script.

Of course, she was absolutely right ... the movie became a cult classic, and serves as a staple of the 2000s. Thing is ... Wiseman sounds salty about how Tina Fey has repurposed the material throughout the years, alleging TF's even roped her into appearances and workshops (regarding smaller 'Mean Girls' plays) without paying her an extra cent.

She says, "I’m clearly recognized and acknowledged by Tina as the source material, the inspiration. I’m recognized and yet I deserve nothing?"

Donald Trump's luck in sidestepping criminal charges over the years might be running out ... and the former President himself admits it.

Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, Saturday morning to make the stunning announcement that he expects to be arrested next week. He also ordered his minions to protest his likely indictment from Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg over his alleged participation in the notorious Stormy Daniels hush-money case.

In all caps, Trump wrote, “THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!.”

He also referred to Bragg's office as “CORRUPT & HIGHLY POLITICAL" while touting his innocence.

As you may know, Bragg has been investigating Trump for purportedly making a $130,000 payment to Daniels back in 2016. Trump allegedly brokered the deal with the porn star to buy her silence during the Presidential campaign that year after she alleged they had an affair. Trump has long denied the accusation.

Daniels recently met with Manhattan prosecutors, according to her attorney, who also said she was prepared to testify if the case against Trump goes to trial.

Kenny G is saying "enough" to his ex-wife ... he can no longer afford to pay her a king's ransom in spousal support, and he says she's more than capable of getting a job.

According to DailyMail ... Kenny's lawyer, disso queen Laura Wasser, filed legal docs Friday asking the judge to pull the plug on his monthly, $40,000 spousal support obligation, saying it's become impossible to pay ... and one big reason is COVID.

The 66-year-old musician, who was married to Lyndie Benson for 21 years, has been paying her $40k a month since 2013. All told, that comes to $3.9 million.

Kenny has already filed legal docs saying his touring opportunities during and even after COVID have significantly diminished ... and that's how he makes money. He goes on to say there's been a steady decline in income since 2018.

In Wasser's legal docs, she says, Lyndie's 57 and in good health, adding, "Lyndie has refused to become fully self-supporting for almost 10 years. Kenny should not have to continue to bear the burden of her refusal to do so."

Avril Lavigne is looking iced out these days ... and the new, flashy jewelry around her neck comes courtesy of her new bf, Tyga.

Eric Mavani, a celebrity jeweler out of New York City, tells TMZ ... Tyga gifted Avril the custom diamond chain Thursday, and the piece is worth $80K.

Avril's already posted selfies flaunting the chain and was spotted wearing it Thursday night in Los Angeles.

We're told the bling features 50 carats of white diamonds, black diamonds and pink sapphires. Diversity matters! 💎😂

As you can see, the chain features several pendants ... one with Avril's first name, two with the letter "A" imposed over a pink heart, and a pair of skulls and crossbones with pink ribbons.

We're told Tyga reached out to Eric three weeks ago, right before Paris Fashion Week, to make the piece.

The timing is worth noting ... because Tyga and Avril started hanging out a lot more when they were in Paris, kissing for the cameras and strolling through the streets hand in hand.

TMZ broke the story ... Tyga and Avril are still in the early stages of dating, and they're not putting any labels ... like girlfriend/boyfriend on anything, at least not yet.

It will be interesting to see if the expensive diamond gift changes that.