R. Kelly New Witness Comes Forward Backs Sexual Misconduct Accusers

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There's a new twist in one of the federal investigations into R. Kelly -- a new witness who's corroborating 2 women's allegations of sexual misconduct.

Gloria Allred tells TMZ ... a woman has come forward with details that support the claims Latresa Scaff and Rochelle Washington -- Allred's clients -- made about Kelly attacking them after a Baltimore concert in 1995.

As we reported, Latresa and Rochelle claim R. Kelly picked them out of the crowd, plied them with drugs and alcohol, invited them to his hotel room and had sex with Latresa without her consent. Both women were minors at the time.

We're told the witness -- who is going only by her first name, Sabrina -- says she saw Latresa and Rochelle in the hotel lobby the night of the alleged incident. She says she noticed Latresa bent over in pain getting out of the hotel elevator.

Sabrina says she offered help and when she asked what happened ... they said R. Kelly assaulted Latresa. We're told Sabrina came forward after seeing Latresa and Rochelle's recent news conference.

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TIME TO TELL MY STORY

We're told all 3 women have spoken to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

They came together Thursday for an interview with a Maryland reporter, and we're told Latresa was crying tears of joy due to Sabrina's support.

Shawn Oakman Gunning For NFL After Sexual Assault Acquittal

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Shawn Oakman is hoping NFL teams were paying attention when he was found NOT GUILTY in his rape case ... because the ex-college football star hopes to get a real shot to play pro football.

Oakman was a projected 1st-round draft pick while playing at Baylor -- where he set the school record for career sacks. But, no team wanted to touch him in the 2016 NFL Draft after he was arrested and charged with raping a woman at his apartment.

The 6'9", 265-pounder has been keeping himself in shape and playing semi-pro ball while his case was active ... but now that he was found not guilty last week, he's hoping he can make the jump to the NFL.

"I want to play football at the highest level and just really finally get my chance,” Oakman told KWTX.

"I think God will set the right path for me but I don't feel like I have to beg for anything, it's not a begging matter. I don't want anybody to hand me anything. I want to earn it and everything I get."

Oakman says he's grateful for the support he's received since the trial ... and plans to return to his old stomping grounds.

"I just want to say thank you, thank you for the people that supported me all the time. I thank Waco, I thank Baylor University and I'll see y'all very soon."

Michael Jackson Thanked Bodyguard for 'Being a Father' ... Letter Up for Auction

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What Michael Jackson couldn't get from Joe Jackson, he got from one of his bodyguards instead ... according to a letter written by the King of Pop.

Michael's handwritten note, from around 1992, was addressed to his personal security guard, Bill Bray ... and filled with references to his traumatic childhood. For instance, he wrote ... "Joseph never ever had time for me, he only saw me as a way for him to make money."

The point Jackson wanted to make was that Bill had been the father figure he never had.

RR Auction is putting the letter up on the block Thursday, and we're told it's expected to fetch more than $18,000!!!

It'll be interesting to see if the letter's value is affected by the renewed controversy generated by the "Leaving Neverland" documentary.

In the letter, Michael tells Bill he loves him and admits, "I don't know what would have happened to me if you were not around." He straight-up thanks his bodyguard for "being a father" to him.

According to RR, Bill started working security for the Jackson 5 in the 1970s ... and kept working with Michael -- as a bodyguard and close confidant -- until retiring in the mid-1990s.

The auction officially closes March 14 ... good luck!!!

R. Kelly Loses It In Interview ... Gayle King Explains Her Poise

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3/6 9:20 AM PT -- We got Gayle Wednesday leaving CBS Studios in NYC just hours after the network released her explosive one-on-one interview with R. Kelly. Our photog asks her point blank if she feels like R. Kelly was telling her the truth, and more importantly ... whether she thought she was in danger when he stood up and started shouting.

Check out her answer -- she says she thinks R. Kelly has "selective amnesia." And, it sounds like there's a reason why she was able to remain so poised when R. Kelly lost his s***.

3/6 8:35 AM PT -- We spoke with Joycelyn Savage's father, Tim Savage, in Atlanta who says after watching the interview, he fears for his daughter's life. He also says the behaviors exhibited by Kelly during his sit-down with Gayle are clear signs of an abuser.

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TALKING WITH JOYCELYN

The Savage family also spoke with Joycelyn after their presser and they all crowded around the phone to speak with her. Joycelyn, however, insisted she is exactly where she wants to be, and does not consider herself a victim.

3/6 6:08 AM PT -- CBS just aired the part of the interview where Kelly gets up and shouts ... he yells he's fighting not only for his own rights, but to have a relationship with his kids too. There were also claims Kelly was abused as a child, and that's why this has all happened ... Kelly denies it.

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I SEE THROUGH THE TEARS

Attorney Michael Avenatti ain't buying Kelly's emotional interview. Remember, Avenatti uncovered the new sex tapes which led to prosecutors charging Kelly last month -- and Tuesday night he told us the singer's only crying crocodile tears now ... 'cause he's going to prison.

R. Kelly was distraught talking about the recent allegations against him and pleading for people to believe he's innocent ... shouting, "I'm fighting for my f***ing life!"

Kelly sat down with Gayle King Tuesday in his first interview since he was arrested on 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse. King presses Kelly on the recent allegations, and clearly hits a soft spot when asked if Kelly has ever held women against their will.

The singer explodes, looking directly into the camera and urging viewers to believe it's all lies. Kelly points to his past -- cases in which he's been accused of inappropriate sexual acts -- as proof he'd never commit a crime again, knowing all eyes were on him.

At one point, Kelly begins to sob, saying, "I'm fighting for my f***ing life!"

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

As we reported ... Kelly was taken into custody February 22 in Chicago and spent several days behind bars before coming up with his $100,000 bail. Upon his release, the singer hit up a local McDonald's. He's also still on the hook for nearly $200,000 in child support.

The full interview will air Wednesday morning on "CBS This Morning."

Originally published -- 4:09 PM PT

Mario Batali Giving Up His Restaurants ... Following Sexual Assault Allegations

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Stick a fork in Mario Batali, he's done ... the celebrity chef is surrendering all of his restaurants in the wake of the various sexual assault allegations against him.

The Bastianich family and some of Mario's other partners bought out his stake in his eateries ... this according to The New York Times.

The sudden fire sale means Mario will no longer profit from his 16 remaining restaurants ... and he's also reportedly in the process of selling his shares in Eataly -- a fast-growing chain of Italian supermarkets.

We broke the story ... in January, NYPD closed two sexual assault cases against Mario without filing charges.

The NYPD probe started after a woman came forward on "60 Minutes" last May claiming Mario sexually assaulted her in 2005 at his Spotted Pig restaurant.

Another woman filed a police report in March 2017, claiming Batali raped her on Jan. 29, 2004 at his West Village eatery.

Soon after the allegations surfaced, several of the restaurants under his company closed their doors.

Batali confirmed the news to TMZ by saying, "I have reached an agreement with Joe (Bastianich) and no longer have any stake in the restaurants we built together. I wish him the best of luck in the future."

Roseanne Barr Not All Women Are #MeToo Hos ... Here's What Victims Should Do

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Roseanne Barr's struggling to find the right words to clarify her controversial comments about the #MeToo movement, but what she told us about victims probably won't help smooth things over.

We got Roseanne at LAX Tuesday night ... she tells us she didn't mean to imply ALL women who claim they've been sexually assaulted are hos, but added ... there are some who aren't describing reality in their allegations.

Roseanne says rational thinkers get it, but she believes she's being targeted and taken out of context. Then she drops this -- "I think there's a lot of women that shouldn't be going to their boss's hotel room at 3 AM for career advice, and if your daughters don't know that much you better educate them. That's not what you do."

She also asserts that sexual assault victims should go to police immediately -- not 15 years later -- but says this doesn't apply to kids ... and there are different rules for Hollywood women. Watch the clip and decipher.

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#METOO... COMING FOR YOU TOO

As we reported ... Roseanne stirred up the controversy this weekend on Candace Owens' podcast when she suggested women who don't run out of the room when powerful men try to take advantage of them are doing sexual favors for Hollywood gigs, and "ain't nothing but a ho."

BTW -- Roseanne also tells us she misses her TV show and wants it back, and believes she'll get justice someday. In the meantime ... she says nobody's going to shut her up.

Clearly.

Ricky Williams on Robert Kraft Scandal 'Sometimes It's Just Better to Pay'

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WHEN THE PRICE IS RIGHT

Sounds like Ricky Williams has sympathy for Robert Kraft in the wake of his prostitution scandal -- explaining simply, "Sometimes it's just better to pay for it, you know?"

The ex-NFL star weighed in on Kraft's scandal Tuesday during an appearance on the 'Domenick Nati Show' ... saying he understands why powerful people like Kraft pay for sex acts.

"I think people have different moral standards and judgments. But, from a purely ... I'll call it practical, maybe a little taboo ... sometimes it's just better to pay for it, you know?"

Ricky's not the only person who feels that way -- prostitution is legal in parts of Nevada and there's a brothel that's already reached out to Kraft in an effort to get him to bring his "business" to the Silver State.

Of course, Kraft is due back in court in Jupiter, Florida later this month to face 2 misdemeanor counts of soliciting another for prostitution. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted.

For his part, the Patriots owner has adamantly denied doing anything illegal.

Officials say they have video of Kraft going into the Orchids of Asia Day Spa on 2 occasions and receiving sex acts in exchange for money.

Kraft doesn't seem bothered by the allegations -- he went to a Beverly Hills party on the day after the charges were announced and flew back to Boston on a private jet with Tom Brady.

Fat Joe, Stevie Wonder Not Ready to Cancel MJ's Legacy ... Not Yet

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HARD TO MUTE MICHAEL

Michael Jackson's music really is a powerful thing, and you can tell from the look on Fat Joe's face when he even thinks about watching "Leaving Neverland."

We got Joe outside Spago in Bev Hills Monday night, and while he expressed his love for MJ, who he calls "the greatest ever" ... he admitted he hadn't seen the HBO documentary yet. But, he IS going to watch, and it's obvious he's going in with mixed emotions.

He agrees there should probably be another documentary telling Jackson's side. As for whether the King of Pop's music goes the way of R. Kelly -- Joe, at least, highly doubts it ... even after the disturbing allegations.

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SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

We also got Stevie Wonder at LAX, and he suggests it's time to leave Michael alone. For now, he's choosing to focus on MJ's music and his "legacy of inspiration."

D.L. Hughley might have something to say about that.

Kellen Winslow Jr. Back In Jail Lewd Conduct with 77-Year-Old

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Ex-NFL star Kellen Winslow Jr. is back behind bars following TWO new allegations of sexual deviance ... this time, he's accused of touching himself in front of a 77-year-old woman.

Remember, Winslow had been out on bail while fighting allegations he raped 3 women. Officials say 2 of the women were transients who were kidnapped by the former tight end.

A 3rd woman claims Winslow raped her 15 years ago while she was unconscious.

If convicted on all counts, Winslow faces up to life in prison. Bail was set at $2 million, which he posted back in July.

But, according to officials, Winslow has NOT been living up to the terms of his bail -- and now, prosecutors claim he committed more sexual impropriety just last month.

Officials say Winslow was working out at a San Diego area gym on Feb. 13 -- when he started touching himself and asking a nearby elderly woman if she liked it.

The very next week, the woman claims she was in a hot tub at the same gym when Winslow once again engaged in lewd conduct. The woman says she got out of the tub and reported Winslow.

She also claims Winslow reached out and touched her arm and foot as she tried to leave.

Winslow was formally charged with 2 counts of lewd conduct, 1 count of battery of an elder and 1 count of willful cruelty to an elder.

The judge in Winslow's case revoked his bail on Monday and ordered him to be locked up.

He's due back in court later Tuesday.

Winslow played in the NFL from 2004 to 2013 -- and made the Pro Bowl in 2007 as a tight end for the Cleveland Browns.

R. Kelly Joycelyn's Family Cancels Chicago Plans ... Feds Ask Them to Wait

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R. Kelly is on edge and federal investigators don't want to rock the boat ... so they've asked Joycelyn Savage's family to pull the plug on plans to conduct a welfare check at R. Kelly's Chicago home.

Sources involved in the case tell TMZ ... the feds told the attorney for Joycelyn's parents it would be best to hold off on getting police to knock on R. Kelly's door again. The reason? We're told investigators are concerned it could interfere with the ongoing federal probe.

TMZ broke the story ... Joyceln's folks wanted to join law enforcement in Chicago for a follow-up visit to check on her. Our sources say the feds believe R. Kelly is extremely "agitated" after getting arrested, charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse, and probed by the feds for possible human trafficking violations.

You'll recall Joycelyn and Azriel Clary were both in court last weekend supporting R. Kelly during his bail hearing. However, law enforcement is worried another welfare check -- the last one was in January -- might freak out the women ... who the feds will, obviously, want to interview when the time is right.

We're told the family will take the feds' lead, and stand down on the Chicago trip. They still plan to turn over what they call "physical evidence" in the case.

The Savages' attorney, Gerald Griggs, had no comment.

Robert Kraft Pleads Not Guilty ... In Prostitution Case

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Robert Kraft has formally entered a not guilty plea in his prostitution case, according to court records obtained by TMZ Sports.

"The defendant Robert Kraft hereby pleads not guilty to all charges and requests a non-jury trial in the above-styled cause," the court docs state.

As we previously reported, Kraft's attorney accepted the summons from the court on Feb. 26 -- and an arraignment was set for March 27 at 8:30 AM ... the same day Kraft was expected to be at the NFL's Annual League Meeting with other team owners in Phoenix, Arizona.

Kraft had already made a public statement denying he participated in any illegal activity -- in response to allegations he solicited prostitution at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida.

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THE CASE AGAINST KRAFT

Officials say they have graphic surveillance video showing the 77-year-old New England Patriots owner entering the spa on January 19 and 20 ... and receiving sex acts in exchange for money.

If convicted on both misdemeanor counts, Kraft faces up to a year in jail.

The NFL is also investigating the alleged incidents -- and Kraft will likely face discipline from the league as well.

Eric Dickerson To Bob Kraft Haters ... You're All Hypocrites!!!

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STICKIN' UP FOR ROBERT

Eric Dickerson has a message for all the people throwing dirt on Robert Kraft's name -- STOP IT!!! -- telling TMZ Sports people need to quit judging over the Pats owner's prostitution case.

All sorts of people have ripped the 77-year-old NFL owner ever since officials named him as a "John" in a prostitution sting in Jupiter, Florida last week. Some people are even calling for the NFL to force Kraft to hand the team over to his son.

ED says it's just not fair to bash Kraft ... calling out all the people who have been quick to turn on him.

"A lot of these hypocrites are making comments about that situation," Dickerson says. "They're hypocrites. You never know what a man does behind closed doors."

Dickerson clearly supports Kraft, despite the recent scandal, saying, "I like Mr. Kraft. I like him a lot, I have a lot of respect for him."

As we previously reported, Kraft -- who's being charged with 2 misdemeanor counts of soliciting another for prostitution -- is set to be arraigned next month during the NFL's Annual League Meeting. He has adamantly denied doing anything illegal.

We also asked ED about Johnny Manziel getting booted from the CFL ... and he is still holding out hope for the embattled QB ... and doesn't count out an NFL return.

R. Kelly Joycelyn's Parents Meeting Feds ... With 'Physical Evidence'!!!

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Feds investigating R. Kelly are about to get their hands on "physical evidence" against the singer ... courtesy of the family of one of his alleged victims.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Joycelyn Savage's parents are set to meet with federal investigators in New York to discuss matters related to 2 separate U.S. Attorney's Office probes into Kelly -- one by the Eastern District of NY, and another by the Southern District.

We're told the Savages will provide information on witnesses and those closely associated with Kelly ... AND turn over materials they refer to as "physical evidence." Our sources don't know exactly what that evidence includes.

The sources do say both federal investigations are "progressing very quickly" ... thanks to cooperation and testimony from several people, including Michael Avenatti and some of his clients.

As for what the feds could pin on Kelly -- we're told it could involve the Mann Act, which prohibits the transportation of minors across state lines for purposes of sex or debauchery.

TMZ broke the story, Joycelyn's parents also want to confront Kelly at his Chicago Trump Tower apartment in hopes of getting through to their daughter.

The family's attorney, Gerald Griggs, had no comment about their meeting with federal investigators.

Lisa VanAllen New R. Kelly Sex Tapes Sound Painfully Familiar to Me

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One of R. Kelly's alleged victims says the 2 new sex tapes remind her all too much of what she went through with the singer -- but the difference is she thinks prosecutors will nail him this time around.

Lisa VanAllen was on "TMZ Live" Wednesday, and she told us the descriptions of the new tapes are basically par for the course. Lisa was one of the 2 young women on the original R. Kelly sex tape, for which he went on trial, but was ultimately acquitted in 2008. She was 17 at the time that tape was recorded.

As you know ... Michael Avenatti provided prosecutors with 2 new tapes, and he says they're depraved and shocking.

Lisa tells us everything R. Kelly allegedly does in the videos -- coaching the teen through sex, choking her, calling out her age -- sounds like the same Kelly she was dating. She also believes Avenatti is on point with his allegations about Kelly's camp intimidating witnesses in the 2008 trial.

She's written a book -- "Surviving the Pied Piper" -- about her time with Kelly, which she says included a contentious run-in with Foxy Brown. She insinuates Foxy was jealous, and tried to sabotage Lisa's involvement in parts of Kelly's shows. As for why? Just watch.

For the record, Foxy had no comment.

Mike Bibby Fired as Basketball Coach ... Amid Sexual Assault Probe

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Ex-NBA player Mike Bibby has been relieved of his duties as head basketball coach at Shadow Mountain High School in Arizona while officials investigate allegations of sexual assault.

As we previously reported, the 40-year-old has been accused of forcefully rubbing his penis against a female teacher on school grounds during a 2017 incident.

The teacher claims Bibby grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his car. She also claimed his breath reeked of alcohol and he made sexually charged comments.

The school and police launched investigations into the matter -- and now, a rep for the Paradise Valley Unified School District says Bibby will NOT coach the basketball team while those are ongoing.

"He is no longer eligible to volunteer as our coach pending the outcome of the investigations," a school district spokesperson said.

Bibby has been wildly successful as the coach at Shadow Mountain -- leading the varsity boys team to 5 state titles in 6 seasons.

As for the criminal investigation, a rep for the Phoenix Police Dept says, "As of now, the investigation is ongoing and no suspect has been named, nor any charges recommended."

Bibby -- the son of former NBA player and coach Henry Bibby -- attended Shadow Mountain back in the '90s before becoming a superstar at The University of Arizona in Tucson.

Kathie Lee Gifford R. Kelly Can Still Make a Comeback ... With God, At Least

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DIVINE JUDGMENT

Kathie Lee Gifford isn't about to weigh in on R. Kelly -- she's leaving that to a much higher power, but she firmly believes it's not too late for the embattled singer.

We got the "Today" host Tuesday in NYC, and asked if she thought there was any way for Kelly to redeem himself after the lurid allegations involving the 2 new sex tapes Michael Avenatti turned over to prosecutors. KLG immediately got biblical on us by suggesting Kelly seek redemption in God's eyes.

As you know, he's facing 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse.

Kathie Lee says the legal process will run its course but adds ... Kelly should only be thinking about ONE judge right now.

And, she's not referring to anyone in Chicago.