Robert Kraft Files to Keep Sting Video Under Wraps

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Robert Kraft and 14 other suspects busted in the Florida prostitution sting want to make sure the police surveillance video of them in the massage parlor never sees the light of day.

Kraft's attorneys -- and attorneys for the other suspects -- filed jointly Wednesday morning to get a protective order ... which would prevent law enforcement from releasing any evidence gathered in the investigation. That includes the hidden camera footage from inside Orchids of Asia Spa in Jupiter, FL.

As we reported, cops placed cameras inside the spa and say they have video of Kraft making 2 visits to the spa. Cops say it includes footage of 2 women "manipulating his genitals."

According to the motion, obtained by TMZ Sports, the defendants also point out the case is still active because the prosecution is pending ... and therefore law enforcement can't release any evidence to the public.

Prosecutors have offered a plea deal. It would require Kraft to complete a course about prostitution, 100 hours of community service and submit to an STD test. He'd also have to state he would've been found guilty if it went to trial -- and, in exchange, the charges would be dropped.

No word yet on whether Kraft, or any of the other defendants, will accept.

Daymond John Robert Kraft Should Take Deal ... In Prostitution Case

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Robert Kraft shouldn't turn his nose up at the offer on the table in his Asian Spa prostitution case ... he should TAKE IT ... so says "Shark Tank" star Daymond John.

It's interesting advice coming from a VERY respected businessman ... and while Daymond was leaving Craig's in West Hollywood, he told us about the upside for Kraft.

As for the deal ... prosecutors said they would drop the solicitation charges against Kraft if he agrees to take a course about the dangers of prostitution, complete 100 hours of community service, submit to STD testing and admit he would have been found guilty if the case went to trial.

It's super unlikely Kraft will take the deal since there's not much upside for him -- but John says he should REALLY consider it.

"I think he should do it," John says ... "Why not educate yourself? It makes him look good. He's like the mayor of his city ... why not?"

"It only shows he has a better education and when he can advise other people on what NOT to do wrong even if he made a mistake or not he has the education."

John continued ... "Life is about education even at his age, at anybody's age."

"Billionaires are actually billionaires because they keep educating themselves. He's no different."

We'll see if Kraft takes Daymond's advice when he appears in court later this month.

Nelly Slams Accuser's Lawyer in UK Case ... You're Hurting All Victims!!!

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Nelly's had it up to here with allegations by the attorney for his accuser in the UK assault case ... and is now lashing out at her.

The rapper's firing back at the lawyer for the anonymous Jane Doe ... the lawyer who made claims Essex Police engaged in misconduct by treating the alleged victim as a suspect.

Nelly tells TMZ ... "It is time for me to personally speak up against this! I have remained quiet and haven’t said anything or done anything other than fully cooperate on every level of the investigation to allow law enforcement to do whatever they need to get to the bottom of these accusations."

Nelly insists he's remained quiet and fully cooperative with UK law enforcement's investigation, adding ... "In spite of my complete cooperation, this same lawyer in both cases against me, is claiming the police in two different countries 'won’t help her clients', 'are incompetent' and is consistently painting a picture that I am 'bullying the police' in two different countries to not do their job."

He believes the lawyer is going to the media for her own personal gain, and it's only doing harm to real victims by creating an idea that cops won't have their backs.

Nelly says, "Not only is this attorney continuously damaging my reputation to forge ahead with civil suits to get money, she is doing a severe disservice to women and true victims that need a safe system to report assaults against them with claims like 'police won’t help' and 'botched the case,' 'clients are being treated like suspects by the police' leaving real victims to feel like reporting would be of no help."

Wade Robson I'm Not the Authority On Muting Michael Jackson

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I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE MUSIC

Wade Robson says he's received an outpouring of support since "Leaving Neverland" was released, but he doesn't care if people still listen to Michael Jackson ... because this is about way more than that.

We got Wade Monday evening at LAX where he wanted to make it clear -- he's not the moral authority on muting MJ ... it's up to everyone individually to decide how to deal with the disturbing allegations against the singer.

Wade says he hopes his story makes people question who they worship ... more than question whether they play certain songs. He does reveal his personal decision on Jackson's music.

As for his doubters -- from members of the Jackson family to Aaron Carter -- Wade's pretty mum. He tells us people will believe what they want to believe ... and sometimes it takes time.

He's also holding out hope his molestation suit against Jackson will have a positive effect, but once again ... says it's about more than him. The suit was dismissed in 2017 but is under appeal.

Michigan Gymnastics Coach Punished For Banging Gymnast ... In Public

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The University of Michigan gymnastics coach who was arrested for having sex with one of his gymnasts in public was punished in court Monday with a fine ... TMZ Sports has learned.

39-year-old Scott Vetere was arrested back in October after cops say they caught him and an 18-year-old member of the UM gymnastics team banging in a parking lot near the Ann Arbor campus.

Vetere's been in court ever since fighting an indecent or obscene conduct in public charge -- a misdemeanor that carries a maximum of 90 days in jail if convicted.

But, court officials tell us Scott reached an agreement with prosecutors this week ... and got his charge reduced to a civil infraction. He paid off a fine and now the case is closed.

Vetere -- a former stud gymnast who was the 2000 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year -- was suspended by UM after the incident last fall. He later resigned from his position and left the school.

We've reached out to UM for comment ... but so far, no word back yet.

Michael Jackson's Ex-Bodyguard I Know MJ Was Into Women ... We Talked Chicks All the Time

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Michael Jackson was sexually attracted to women -- according to his former bodyguard, who says he and the King of Pop shared lots o' locker room talk.

Bill Whitfield -- MJ's ex-security guard of two years, who wrote a book about his time with Michael -- insisted in a new interview on the podcast "Hidden Truth Show with Jim Breslo" that his client was absolutely heterosexual ... saying they discussed ladies plenty of times.

Specifically, Bill says they talked about women Michael found "very attractive" during long drives they'd take together.

Bill even gets into a story about a college girl they approached in the street once, adding that a bashful MJ copped her number and talked to her at least twice.

But, Breslo asks the obvious question ... was it just talk, or did MJ actually hook up with any women on Bill's watch? Bill says he isn't gonna put Mike's private sex life out there, but he assures Breslo that MJ did spend time with women privately, leaving it at that.

The interview comes on the heels of the allegations made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in "Leaving Neverland," which all but suggest Michael would exclusively prey on young male victims.

Bill claims he knows that not to be true. As you might know ... Michael was once married to Lisa Marie Presley and had 2 kids with his second bride, Debbie Rowe. His third kid, Blanket, was conceived via surrogate.

Part two of Jim's interview with Bill will be dropping soon.

R. Kelly I Never Had Sex with Aaliyah's Mom ... Stop Smearing My Name!!!

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R. Kelly having sex with Aaliyah's mom -- total BS according to the singer, who says it's a desperate attention grab from one of his accusers.

Lisa Van Allen -- who accused Kelly of abuse in "Surviving R. Kelly" -- said Kelly told her he and Aaliyah's mom, Diane Haughton, had several sexual encounters. Van Allen claims Kelly stayed at Aaliyah's home in Detroit in the '90s and after she'd fall asleep, he'd wander into the living room and perform various sexual acts on the couch with her mom.

Sources close to R. Kelly say he absolutely denies he and Diane had anything but a friendly relationship. We're told Kelly believes the only reason Van Allen made those claims in the Vlad TV interview is to further smear his name and grab headlines for herself.

Kelly married Aaliyah in 1994 when she was just 15 ... but his attorney, Steve Greenberg, claims Aaliyah lied about her age when they tied the knot.

As we reported ... Kelly was released from jail last Saturday after finally forking over the $161,633 he owed in child support.

He has been hit with a 10-count indictment after attorney Michael Avenatti turned over 2 new sex tapes ... one which allegedly shows the singer having sex with a 14-year-old.

Kelly will be back in court March 22.

Colton and Cassie Here's What We Have to Say ... About Virginity and Marriage!!!

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THE FAM IS ALL IN

Colton Underwood and Cassie know how to say a lot and a little at the same time ... so we found out at LAX.

The freshly-minted couple had just landed when our photog -- an avid 'Bachelor' fan -- peppered them with questions, ranging from virginity to marriage.

On the subject of marriage, one's coy and the other's pretty definitive. You never know what's gonna happen in a week or so when they venture to Sin City.

On the subject of virginity ... well, the show certainly made it fair game. Our guy tried 6 ways from Sunday to get an answer. Check it out.

L.A. Rams 'Get Back' Coach Charged W/ Sexual Battery

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L.A. Rams "Get Back" coach, whose job is to physically restrain head coach Sean McVay from stepping on the field, is now in real hot water ... he's been charged with sexual battery.

His name is Ted Rath -- and he went viral during the 2018 season thanks to a highlight reel showing him constantly pulling McVay toward the bench so he wouldn't get run over by players and refs.

Rath -- who's also the team's strength and conditioning coach -- has been hit with 3 misdemeanor sexual battery charges stemming from an alleged incident on June 15, 2018.

Officials tell TMZ Sports the incident took place at a private residence in Moorpark, CA ... with the alleged victim claiming Rath groped her multiple times without her consent.

The Rams addressed the charges on Friday ... saying, "We take these allegations very seriously."

The Rams added ... "Once the charges were filed, we decided Ted would take a leave of absence from the team as this matter works its way through the justice system.”

Rath is facing more than a year behind bars if convicted ... and he would have to register as a sex offender.

Rath is due back in court next month.

R. Kelly Allegedly Told Joycelyn to Lie ... Fam Turns Over 'Evidence'

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3/15 -- A source close to Cheryl Mack claims Joycelyn's mother traveled with her daughter to Palm Springs in 2015. We're also told Mack stopped working with R. Kelly in July 2015 and has not had any contact with the singer since.

R. Kelly allegedly coerced his alleged "sex slave," Joycelyn Savage, to lie to cops if asked about their relationship, and her family believes they have evidence to prove it ... which is now in the hands of the feds.

Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation tell TMZ ... federal investigators in New York involved in the R. Kelly sex trafficking probe flew to Atlanta last week to meet with the Savage family ... and received a treasure trove of digital evidence.

We're told the Savages had lots of digital records that they say display shady tactics from both R. Kelly and folks who were working for him, including a woman named Cheryl Mack ... an ex-assistant who allegedly facilitated a meeting between Joycelyn and R. Kelly early on.

According to our sources, the records show Mack had arranged for Joycelyn to fly to Palm Springs to see R. Kelly in 2015. We're told that meeting led to Joycelyn dropping everything and moving in with him, without her parents' knowledge.

For the record, Joycelyn was 19 at the time this happened. She has been living with him since then.

There's a lot more the Savages had. Per our sources, they also handed over old emails and texts between them and Mack, as well as audio recordings of R. Kelly allegedly coercing Joycelyn into lying about her situation if authorities ever talked to her.

We're told in some of the other audio recordings obtained, you hear R. Kelly discussing how he'd conceal his relationship with Joycelyn ... and in another, we're told you hear R. Kelly demand Joyceln text him a statement that she herself was lying in the event she ever ratted him out.

Our sources say the Savages also handed over social media messages they say came from R. Kelly's camp through the years to show he had others working for him to procure young women.

The Savages' attorney, Gerald Griggs, declined to comment. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York also had no comment for this story.

R. Kelly's attorney, Steve Greenberg, tells TMZ ... "We are not going to continue to address anonymous rumors. From now on we are only going to deal with facts."

Mike Tyson On Michael Jackson ... 'I Wouldn't Let MJ Hang With My Kid'

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WHERE'S THE PARENTS?!

Mike Tyson says he loved Michael Jackson ... but there's no way in hell he would've let his kids hang with MJ unattended.

The legendary boxer joined Michael Rapaport on his "I AM RAPAPORT" podcast (coming to Luminary this spring) ... where he was asked about the explosive "Leaving Neverland" documentary.

Of course, Wade Robson and James Safechuck -- the two centerpieces of the HBO special -- accused Jackson of sexually abusing them as children.

Tyson -- who was friends with Jackson and even visited him at Neverland several times -- says he believes a lot of the blame falls on the parents of the kids.

"The parents have to be responsible for that sh*t. I just thought the fact that these kids, Michael is telling them, 'if anyone knows about this we're both gonna go to prison forever.' It was just ... really horrible."

"I have an 8-year-old kid. I wouldn't let Michael hang out with my kid. I wouldn't let my kid go over Michael's house. I love Michael. Ya know what I mean. Michael has a reputation of this."

Tyson says "whatever happened when [Robson and Safechuck] was kids is wrong" ... but did critique the men for participating in the documentary.

"What you're doing now is even wrong. Coming out saying this stuff. It comes across that these are guys just out to get some money."

The Jackson estate has blasted the HBO doc and MJ's accusers ... saying the allegations in "Leaving Neverland" are false.

Shawn Oakman Crushes Intense Gym Workout ... You Watching, NFL???

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PUTTIN' IN WORK

Shawn Oakman is wasting no time proving he's serious about the NFL ... putting in some serious work in the gym just days after proclaiming his dream of playing in the league.

Oakman was found NOT GUILTY in his rape case last month ... and has since vowed to work his ass off and show teams he deserves a shot to play in the NFL.

Of course, Oakman was a projected 1st-round draft pick while playing at Baylor, but went untouched in the 2016 NFL Draft after he was arrested and charged with raping a woman at his apartment.

The 6'9" defensive end posted a recent sweat sesh for his followers over the weekend ... and it's clear he's trying to let people know he's serious about getting to the league.

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

"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."

Whether a team takes a chance on Oakman is still unclear ... but he sure looks ready to ball.

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!"

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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