Money

Chris Brown took the stand in the $90 million battle with his former housekeeper over a vicious dog attack at his L.A. home.

On Thursday, the entertainer testified in court as part of the trial in the lawsuit brought by Maria Avila. In her suit, Maria claims she was attacked by a large dog while taking out the trash. Chris denies wrongdoing.

In court, Chris denied that the dog in question was his and said it belonged to his head of security. Both the dog and the head of security were residents of the property. He added that the dog stayed on the property as a guard dog.

French Montana is putting his money where his mouth is ... he says he cut a $75,000 check to the New York cab driver whose taxi was destroyed during the Knicks title celebration.

Appearing on "CBS Mornings" Thursday, French revealed he gave 59-year-old Algerian immigrant Noureddine Bitat the money to help cover at least six months worth of living expenses while he gets back on his feet.

French said Noureddine was so shaken by the ordeal that he doesn't even want to drive a taxi anymore, so he's hoping the financial support gives him time to figure out his next move.

Floyd Mayweather is being sued by a boxing promoter who claims they paid the legendary pugilist $4.65 million in advance money for mega fights against Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao ... only for Floyd to walk away from the deals.

According to the explosive lawsuit filed Thursday in New York and obtained by TMZ Sports, CSI Entertainment claims they paid millions for exclusive rights for two major Mayweather bouts.

The first, they say, was for an exhibition fight vs. Iron Mike ... followed by a rematch with Manny, where Floyd would be risking his unblemished 50-0 undefeated record.

Carlos Mencia has been hit with 12 tax-related criminal charges ... and he could face more than a decade in prison if convicted on all of them -- according to the L.A. district attorney.

The L.A. County District Attorney's Office is set up at Hall of Justice in downtown ... where D.A. Nathan Hochman spoke to the assembled members of the media.

Mencia has been charged with 12 counts ... six connected to his personal tax returns and six to his business tax returns, Hochman said. Prosecutors allege Mencia failed to report $8.7 million in income -- and owes more than $300K in unpaid state taxes.

Chris Brown is back in court for his battle with his former housekeeper -- who claims she was viciously mauled by a dog outside his L.A. home -- days after drama erupted in the case.

We got the singer as he walked into the courthouse Thursday for day one of his trial against Maria Avila ... he had few words for our photog, but his expressions when she asked him questions provided all the answers.

As TMZ first reported ... the trial was scheduled to start earlier this week, but a mistrial was called because one of the jurors had researched the case, which is against the rules.

Comedian Carlos Mencia is in some trouble with the law ... the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office says they'll soon be announcing criminal charges against him.

D.A. Nathan J. Hochman says he will announce the charges against Mencia at 2 PM PT in a Thursday press conference outside the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles.

It’s unclear what exactly the charges will be … but the D.A.'s office says they've been filed as the first case by L.A.'s newly created Business Tax Fraud Unit.

A GoFundMe created to raise money for Daveigh Chase's medical and living expenses is raising concerns among some of her friends ... but Daveigh's boyfriend, who launched the campaign, insists there's no shady business.

Roy Hernandez says he has been with Daveigh since 2019, and in her final days, he launched the fundraiser for the "Lilo & Stitch" and "The Ring" star ... because she was battling meningitis and multiple blood infections and needed financial support.

But, a longtime friend and former manager for Daveigh tells TMZ ... her friends and relatives have their suspicions. The manager says, "A man claiming to be Daveigh's boyfriend has launched a GoFundMe page purportedly on behalf of Daveigh and her family. Neither her family nor her close friends know who this person is."

Soulja Boy’s ex-girlfriend is attempting to have his music residuals sold off to collect on a multi-million dollar judgment against him ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, a former assistant who then started a two-year romance with the rapper filed a notice announcing her intent to sell Soulja's rights to collect music residuals from Broadcast Music. She said she intends to sell to the highest bidder.

The woman, who filed as a Jane Doe, said the sale will go forward unless Soulja objects.

Will Smith's former friend, Bilaal Salaam, is begging a judge not to make him pay 5-figures in attorney's fees he owes to Jada Pinkett Smith ... and he says he's broke and homeless.

In court docs, obtained by TMZ, Bilaal asked the court to reconsider a decision ordering him to pay Jada more than $32K in attorney's fees after she convinced the court to dismiss his claims of emotional distress.

Bilaal claims he is "certified homeless," receives welfare benefits, and cannot pay the judgment. He agrees he owes Jada legal fees, but he asked that the amount be reduced greatly or that some sort of payment plan be arranged due to his situation.

A GoFundMe page for the 2-year-old dog shot and killed by an LAPD officer has soared to over $100,000 in donations.

As we reported ... the dog, Jameson, was shot to death when cops responded to his owner's home after a concerned neighbor heard a woman screaming after the New York Knicks won the NBA Finals.

LAPD says the dog charged at them, and that's why an officer pulled the trigger ... but his owner, Marie Marseille, claims her dog wasn't doing anything wrong.

Former NBA star Trevor Ariza told the court about his financial situation as part of his legal battle with his ex-wife, Bree Anderson Ariza ... and it's a far cry from what he was making as a player.

TMZ obtained an income and expense declaration filed by Trevor, which states he earns an average of $6,000 per month as a trainer for the disabled … but says he only made around $2,316 last month.

He also claims he earns around $667 per month from investments in Buffalo Wild Wings. He said he has around $50K in cash and bank accounts … and $2.5 million in real property.

The person in control of Nick Reiner’s trust initially refused to pay out money until an investigation was complete, according to Nick’s lawyer. 

TMZ obtained a letter written by Nick’s lawyer on May 11 that was sent to the trustee of Nick’s trust, which was set up by Rob and Michele Reiner.

The trust holds around $1.7 million, per the docs. In his petition, Nick’s lawyer demanded the money to distribute the cut he was owed when he turned 30, two years before he allegedly murdered his parents in their L.A. home.

11:25 AM PT -- Blake Lively's attorneys Esra Hudson & Michael Gottlieb tell TMZ ... Today’s ruling makes it clear that Ms. Lively brought her claims in good faith, that there was no evidence she acted with malice.

They continue to say, "The parties’ settlement agreement expressly preserves Ms. Lively’s rights to obtain those damages. Lively is gratified that her lawsuit shows how laws like it create a path for survivors to hold accountable those who weaponize online attacks and retaliatory lawsuits to intimidate and silence survivors."

Blake Lively struck out in her bid to make Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer cough up money for damages ... but she is getting them to cover a portion of her legal expenses.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, a judge ruled Blake won't be getting the punitive or treble damages she was seeking ... but Justin is being ordered to pick up the tab for her attorney's fees.

No word yet on how much Justin and Wayfarer will have to shell out ... the amount is still undetermined, as of right now ... but they're not paying Blake any damages on top.

Nick Reiner may have access to his trust fund very soon ... because TMZ has learned his trustee actually wants a judge to hand over the dough ... and plans to file legal paperwork ASAP to get the money flowing.

Sources connected to the case tell TMZ ... Jodi Montgomery, the trustee of Nick's trust fund, will file court docs next week asking a judge to sign off on Reiner's petition asking for money he says was supposed to be paid out to him when he turned 30 in 2023.

Our sources say Jodi will make the request ... but a judge will have the final say on whether to release the money as Nick sits in jail awaiting trial.

The Vegas valet who says Quavo slapped him is on the hunt to collect the 7-figure sum he won in court from the Migos member ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, Antonio Henry, who sued Quavo for assault and battery, is making moves in Georgia to collect on the judgment he got in Nevada.

Henry sued Quavo for assault and battery back in 2020 ... claiming he got roughed up back in 2018 when he was working valet at Encore Hotel & Casino. He claimed Quavo slapped him when he was trying to break up a fight.