Playboy

The new owner of the Playboy Mansion was targeted by his former assistant in an extortion plot ... according to a new lawsuit.

Daren Metropoulos is fighting back in court against the assistant his company hired in 2014. According to docs, obtained by TMZ, the woman resigned in early 2017 ... and 3 months later started demanding millions. Metropoulos -- who's also heir to the Pabst Blue Ribbon fortune -- says she threatened to spread lies about him mistreating and harassing women.

He says the ex-assistant targeted him on the heels of his mega-deal to purchase the Mansion.

In the suit, Daren also says she lied like a rug during her interview -- failing to disclose she'd been sued for being an unlicensed contractor, or that she was once sued for fraud and fabricated portions of her resume.

As he puts it in the suit ... "She is an opportunist; a scammer; and an extortionist."

Daren's lawyer, Marty Singer, tells TMZ, "In nearly 40 years of practice, I have never seen such a blatant case of fraud and concealment committed by an employee on her resume and during the job interview. Ms. Graves lied to the Metropoulos Company regarding her background and experience and concealed charges of fraud made against her in prior lawsuits."

Singer goes on, "I have represented the Metropoulos family and their company for years. The Metropoulos Company has employed numerous women over the years, some of whom have worked for the Company for over 15 years. No current or former employee has ever claimed any form of harassment or wrongful conduct by Mr. Metropoulos."

Metropoulos is suing her for more than $1 million.

Hugh Hefner's got game even in death, because someone made out with his crypt.

TMZ broke the story ... Hef's family had a very private, small ceremony last Saturday at L.A.'s Westwood Village Memorial Park, where he was entombed next to Marilyn Monroe.

Well just days later, someone planted lipstick kisses on Hef's crypt, and a few for good measure on Marilyn's.

Hugh Hefner didn't just sexy up the women in Playboy, he also saved their lives, according to ex-girlfriend Cristal Camden ... who credits Hef with curing her bulimia.

Cristal dated Hef for about a year after they met in 2003. She was bulimic at the time, but kept her illness a secret. She eventually moved into the Bunny House across from the Playboy Mansion and word got around about her illness.

Hef confronted Cristal about her eating disorder during one of his movie nights.

From the way Cristal describes Hef's intervention, you can tell it made a huge impact on her life. She says she went to treatment for 8 months before returning to the House all on Hef's dime.

She's had it under control ever since, and doesn't think she'd be around had Hef not intervened. As previously reported, Hefner passed away at the age of 91 last week.

Hugh Hefner ultimately died of cardiac arrest, but

reveals he was also battling a few other ailments.

According to the doc, Hef was suffering from septicemia -- a severe inflammation of body tissues triggered by an infection in the blood. He'd also been dealing with E. coli ... and both are listed as contributing factors.

The main cause of death is listed as cardiac arrest.

As we reported, Hefner died last week at the Playboy Mansion ... surrounded by loved ones at 91.

Hugh Hefner is gone, but his memory will live on ... and the most famous Hef impersonator plans to do his part to keep Hef's legacy alive.

George Kane's been making a living for years as a "dead ringer" for the Playboy founder, after winning a look-alike contest in 2010 in Key West. He's done club appearances, private parties, bachelorette parties and corporate events ... but tells us he's giving all that up now and will only work to honor Hef.

Sounds like he'll have a chance soon too ... George says he's received some calls about making a tribute appearance.

Hugh Hefner died Wednesday at the age of 91.

As quickly as Hugh Hefner said "I Do," he rolled out a plan to make sure his wife would be provided for when he dies ... a plan that included a sick pad and MILLIONS.

TMZ obtained the deed to a Hollywood Hills home that is held in trust ... a trust controlled by Crystal Harris. Hef bought the 5,900 square foot house for her back in 2013.

And get this ... sources familiar with Hef's estate plan tell us he also left Crystal $5 million. Based on what we know, the deal is part of a prenup Hef and Crystal signed before they got hitched in 2012.

As for the house ... it's got 4 bedrooms, 5 baths and an infinity pool.

Hef died peacefully in his L.A. home Wednesday. He was 91.

Former boxing champ Mia St. John is technically retired ... but says there's one fighter who could lure her back into the ring -- UFC superstar Cris Cyborg!

One catch, though -- it's gotta happen at the Playboy Mansion.

We got Mia -- a former Playboy cover girl -- the day after Hugh Hefner's passing ... and she showed Hef mad love for exposing her to the world.

But when the convo turned to her career ... MSJ told us she was officially done -- UNLESS she gets offered a match with Cyborg at Hugh's legendary crib.

Cris says she wants to box, and Mia was in the first-ever mansion fight (yeah, Hef had those) ... so, maybe?

If it doesn't go down ... St. John's got another fight -- against the system she blames for her son's death.

Hugh Hefner was in failing health for years, and he steadily deteriorated in the final months of his life.

This pic was taken in January ... inside the Playboy Mansion. Although Hef was frail, using a walker to get around, he still hosted movie nights and invited people over.

TMZ broke the story ... Hefner got a back infection 2 years ago and that became the linchpin for a variety of ailments that ultimately led to his death.

Hefner died Wednesday night at age 91.

Hugh Hefner started having serious back issues about 2 years ago, and it was all downhill from there as far as his health ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the Playboy founder tell us he already had back problems in his late 80s, but it got much worse when he got an infection. We're told it was so debilitating for Hugh, he could barely walk without assistance and was bedridden soon after.

That's when his public appearances became extremely rare ... one of his last was at the Mansion in May 2016 to announce Playmate of the Year, Eugena Washington.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago ... our sources say Hef caught a bug, and in his still weakened condition, his immune system simply couldn't fight. We're told it was a mild illness, but family and friends knew it would probably be too much for him.

Hugh was surrounded by loved ones when he died ... including, we're told, his sons Marston and Cooper, his daughter Christie and 2nd wife, Kimberley Conrad.

Hugh Hefner's sons were solemn after chowing down ... understandably after losing their legendary father.

We got Cooper and Marston Hefner Thursday night leaving Katsuya in L.A. They were there with a few family members as they waited for valet to bring them their ride.

We asked them about plans for the final Playboy Mansion bash.

Paps offer condolences but the boys are mostly mum. As we reported ... new and old mansion staff will return to the mansion to remember the boss.

Hef died peacefully Wednesday in his famous L.A. home. He was 91.

Hugh Hefner still had a hand in Playboy's centerfold biz as his health was failing ... according to Miss September, who's floored she'll now be mentioned in the same sentence as Marilyn Monroe.

Jessica Wall -- who's 34-24-35 from Chicago -- tells us she was the final pick for Playmate Hef made before his death. She says it really hit her that she was now ending a tradition that started with Marilyn way back in 1953.

However, she hopes the Playboy mogul will be remembered for much more than handpicking hot women to grace his magazine. She explained why he was so much more than that.

While it's a good bet she'll be at the final Playboy Mansion party -- Jess says she and the Playmates have something else cooking to honor Hef. Good luck getting it out of her though. No loose lips, here.

You can tell Hugh Hefner was seriously beloved because even his former employees are rallying to celebrate his life.

Our Playboy Mansion sources tell us ... staff members, new and old, started planning the reunion almost immediately after Hef died Wednesday. We're told 2 former butlers created a Facebook group that night to put the band back together -- employees, Playmates and Hef's children are all invited.

We're told the employees -- many of whom were featured in "The Girls Next Door" -- wanted to get together out of respect for Hef and the close-knit environment he created at the Mansion. Although many of them were laid off 2 years ago, we're told they still treat each other like family.

The staff event will be off-site from the Mansion, and is separate from the final tribute party to Hefner.

Ex-WWE superstar Torrie Wilson is celebrating Hugh Hefner's life -- telling TMZ Sports she's incredibly grateful for everything Hef and Playboy did for her career.

Wilson famously graced the cover of Playboy twice -- once in 2003 and again in 2004 -- and says the magazine took her already booming career to the next level.

But her favorite Playboy memories? It's all about the mansion ... telling the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show she'll always remember the crazy parties at Hef's place.

"I'm so glad that I have those stories for the rest of my life."

Check out more of Torrie tonight on "TMZ Sports" on FS1.

Former Playmate Donna D'Errico says Hugh Hefner will be remembered as a kind and generous man -- and she's emotional about missing her final chance to see him.

The "Baywatch" star, and Miss September '95, told us Hef's public persona only tells part of his story. She says behind the scenes he was a warm, caring man who treated Playboy models like family ... and still looked out for them years after they'd appeared in the magazine.

Donna also expressed regret about a decision she made over the summer ... explaining how she missed seeing Hef to say goodbye.

It won't be the same, but as we first reported, there's still one final Playboy Mansion party for Donna to pay her respects.

Hugh Hefner's not going out without one more legendary Playboy party ... TMZ has learned planning is underway for a celebration of his life at the Mansion.

Sources close to Daren Metropoulos -- the Pabst heir who bought the mansion last year -- tell us he's going to sign off on a party for Hef sometime soon. We're told the get-together will be more of a tribute to the Playboy founder's life ... and less of the standard Playboy blowout bash.

Daren needs to OK all parties since he made the purchase.

We broke the story ... Daren bought the Playboy Mansion last year for a cool $100 mil, on the condition that Hef could live there for the rest of his life. Sources say he plans on combining an adjacent estate he owns with the Mansion and restoring both to their OG condition.

As for the birds, monkeys and other animals that call the mansion home ... we're told they'll all stay on the property when Daren moves in.

Daren released a statement Thursday on the passing of Hef, saying ... "Hugh Hefner was a visionary in business, a giant in media and an iconic figure of pop culture whose legacy will leave a lasting impact."

Hugh Hefner will be in good company in his final resting place -- the cemetery where he'll be buried is filled with more celebs than the Holmby Hills 'hood where he lived in the Playboy Mansion.

Hef bought the crypt next to Marilyn Monroe years ago at the Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery -- but she's just the start. Merv Griffin, Farrah Fawcett, Florence Henderson and Rodney Dangerfield are also nearby.

Farrah graced the cover of Playboy in 1978 and then again 1995, when she also posed naked inside. There's also at least one other famous playmate of the month and centerfold buried there, too.

HINT: She was Playboy's "Miss January 1955."

Over on Hollywood Boulevard, a less permanent memorial went up Thursday morning ... the Chamber of Commerce placed a wreath over Hef's star.