Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy Return to Court ... In College Bribery Case

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Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy showed up at the Downtown L.A. federal courthouse Friday morning, in connection with the college bribery case.

It's unclear why they had to return to the courthouse, but it's likely in connection with the $250k bond they had to post so Felicity could remain free pending trial.

The feds say Huffman and Macy made a charitable contribution of $15k to participate in a college entrance cheating scheme on behalf of their eldest daughter. The indictment says the girl was given twice the amount of time to take the SAT as other students and the paid proctor agreed to secretly correct the exam afterward.

Macy has not been charged, but Huffman faces 5 years in prison if convicted.

They were mum on their way into the courthouse.

Luke Perry Cremated and Ashes Scattered on Tennessee Farm

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Luke Perry was cremated and his remains were scattered on the place he most cherished ... his Tennessee farm.

Family sources tell us Luke's ashes now lay in the town of Vanleer, TN, where Luke had 380 acres. The "Beverly Hills, 90210" actor purchased the land in the '90s. He lived there on and off over the past 20-plus years.

TMZ broke the story ... Luke's death certificate lists his official cause of death as "ischemic cerebrovascular accident" -- doc talk for having a stroke. The cert revealed his body had been taken to Dickson, TN to a funeral home, but it was not more specific.

Vanleer is just over 13 miles away from Dickson, so it sounds like his family received Luke's ashes in Dickson and drove them north to the farm.

As for Luke's connection to the farm ... he bought it in 1995 during the '90210' run. He had just starred in the movie "8 Seconds" where he played a young rodeo champ and developed an interest in cattle raising. That's when he purchased the farm.

Our sources say a private ceremony for friends and family will be held for Luke in a few weeks.

As we first told you ... Luke was supposed to get married to his fiancee, Wendy Madison Bauer, later this summer. The date had been set for August 17, 2019, in LA.

He was 52.

Teresa Giudice Smiles Painfully Hours After Joe's Taken Into ICE Custody

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Teresa Giudice put on a brave face for her brother's book release party ... hard to do just hours after her husband, Joe, was taken into ICE custody.

The 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star dressed to the nines Thursday night in NYC for a shindig honoring her brother, Joe Gorga. He released his book, "The Gorga Guide to Success" ... in which he talks about succeeding in business, marriage and life.

We got Teresa walking into the party locked arm-in-arm with her pops, Giacinto. She was mum about Joe's predicament. As we reported ... Joe was officially released Thursday from a Pennsylvania prison but was immediately taken into ICE custody.

Joe -- who served 36 months for conspiracy to commit wire and bankruptcy fraud -- remains at an undisclosed location while he's appealing his deportation case.

Tons is on the line ... Teresa said she'll divorce Joe if he ends up getting deported back to Italy.

Jussie Smollett Pleads Not Guilty On 16-Count Indictment

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8:11 AM PT -- Jussie just pled not guilty to the 16-count indictment against him. He was advised he needs to be at every court date going forward, and is set to be back in court in mid-April.

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WALKING TALL

In the meantime, he'll be allowed to travel to L.A. and NY for meetings with his lawyers. He's gotta notify the court 48 hours in advance before going to either location, and also needs to check back in within 24 hours when he returns to Chicago.

Jussie Smollett just showed up to court with the same confidence he had the other day -- the big difference now ... this appearance actually matters, 'cause he's being arraigned.

The "Empire" star once again strutted his way into a Cook County courthouse Thursday with his back straight and his head held high ... just like he did on Tuesday when he showed up for a procedural hearing he technically didn't need to attend.

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PEP IN HIS STEP

He's expected to enter a plea one way or another at his arraignment.

As we reported ... a grand jury handed down the whopping 16-count indictment last week nearly two weeks after Jussie was arrested and booked for allegedly filing a false police report. Jussie's attorney, Mark Geragos, called the indictment "overkill."

Regardless of how Jussie pleads ... he may very well have more than his own fate in his hands. Folks working on "Empire" feel like the future of the show will very much be tied to how things shake out for him in court, and could possibly torpedo the series at large.

Originally Published -- 7:26 AM PT

Stanford Students Sue College Bribery Scandal Ringleader, 8 Universities Your Fault We Got Unfair Shake!!!

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Two Stanford students who were rejected by Yale and USC have filed a lawsuit against the college bribery ringleader and 8 universities.

Erica Olsen and Kalea Woods are suing Rick Singer -- the man who pulled the strings in the biggest admissions bribery case ever -- along with USC, Stanford, UCLA, University of San Diego, Texas, Wake Forest, Yale and Georgetown. The students allege "unqualified students found their way into the admissions rolls of highly selective universities, while those students who played by the rules and did not have college-bribing parents were denied admissions."

The 2 students are trying to turn this into a class action lawsuit, and presumably recruit others who have been denied admission as a result of bribery and other schemes.

Olsen says she had stellar test scores and athletic talent yet was rejected by Yale. She said had she known "the system at Yale University was warped and rigged by fraud" she wouldn't have applied there. Woods was rejected by USC and said she was never informed "parents could buy their way into the university through bribery and dishonest schemes."

Though both students ultimately got into Stanford, they claim their degrees are now devalued by the criminal racketeering charges.

As we reported ... Singer -- who once shopped a reality show on the pressures of families trying to get their kids into college -- copped a plea Tuesday to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering, tax conspiracy and obstruction of justice for funneling of money to college athletic coaches and administrators in return of helping their kids gain university admissions.

Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin -- who are NOT being sued -- are the notable celebs who got swallowed up in the investigation ... along with 48 other parents, coaches and proctors.

Kevin Spacey Spotted in L.A. ... Back in the Biz?

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Kevin Spacey's back in Hollywood after spending a lot of time -- and facing a criminal charge -- on the east coast, so it begs the question ... is he getting back to work?

The disgraced actor was seen leaving the Sunset Tower Hotel in WeHo Wednesday night, although it looks like he's still trying to keep a low profile.

As we've reported ... Spacey's mostly been hanging out on the other side of the country amid facing a felony charge for allegedly fondling a teenage boy's genitals in Massachusetts back in 2016. He appeared in a Nantucket court in early January to face the charge of indecent assault.

It's unclear if Kevin's returned to Tinseltown to get back into show business or other business, but ever since misconduct allegations began to dog him in 2017 ... he's only lost acting gigs.

Spacey was replaced in the film "All the Money in the World" and got fired from his "House of Cards" job after various stories of sexual misconduct surfaced.

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DON'T RUSH TO JUDGMENT

In fact, the only real acting he's done recently came around Christmas time, when he posted a bizarre video defending himself ... in the character of President Frank Underwood.

Spacey is also the subject of investigations overseas, but despite all this ... it doesn't seem like he's content with hiding out.

Joe Giudice Released from Federal Prison ... Now the Property of ICE

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3/14 5:25 AM PT -- ICE officials tell us Joe is now officially out of federal prison and, as expected, he is in ICE custody -- at an unknown location. He will remain there at least until he gets his day in court to appeal deportation.

Teresa Giudice's husband, Joe Giudice, won't have one second of freedom to enjoy when he's released from prison this week ... 'cause ICE will be right there to pick him up.

An ICE spokesperson tells TMZ ... their office is fully expecting Allenwood Low Federal Correctional Institution in PA to hand over Joe Thursday when he's released.

It's unclear exactly where ICE will take him, but Joe could be in one of the agency's detention centers for a while. He's appealing his deportation, and with the case still pending ... who knows when he'll actually get his day in court.

Until then, he'll remain in ICE's custody.

Teresa has said she'll divorce Joe if he ends up getting deported back to Italy -- so a lot on the line here.

Originally Published -- 3/13 12:46 PM PT

'Lizzie McGuire' Star Hardcore Army Training ... Prepping Me to Help People

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IN IT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Carly Schroeder's left Hollywood for the Army, because she's on a life mission to help out those who desperately need it ... and feels it's time to walk the walk.

The "Lizzie McGuire" actress joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday to discuss her decision to enlist, which wasn't made lightly. She tells us she got a lot of support from her family, though ... especially her dad, a former Green Beret, and her younger brother, a Marine.

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Carly says she's passionate about giving aid to veterans and the homeless, and rescuing human trafficking victims. The best way to do both, according to her -- enlist in the Army and learn some skills to make it happen.

The "Mean Creek" star's been accepted into Officer Candidate School and has already begun training -- a lot of training -- to improve her skills. Ultimately, she plans to get into military intelligence, which is crucial for combating trafficking.

Military service might be a family affair for Carly, but as she put it ... "There is no way I am going to let the boys have all the fun."

Lori Loughlin Surrenders to FBI ... Bond Set at $1 Million

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3:15 PM PT -- Loughlin got the same treatment as her husband ... the judge set her bond at $1 million. Just like Mossimo Giannulli, she was allowed to put their home up as collateral to secure the bond.

She will be allowed to travel to Vancouver and British Columbia, Canada for purposes of work -- that's where she shoots projects for the Hallmark Channel. However, she'll have to surrender her passport in December, once all her contracted work in Canada is completed.

The judge also instructed Loughlin to avoid contact with other suspects and witnesses ... other than her daughters and husband. She'll have to appear in federal court in Boston on March 29 ... along with Mossimo and Felicity Huffman.

Lori Loughlin just surrendered to federal authorities in Los Angeles ... turning herself in after being charged in a massive bribery scam involving some of the country's most elite universities.

Law enforcement sources tell us Loughlin made prior arrangements to meet with FBI Agents Wednesday for her surrender.

As we reported ... the FBI showed up at her doorstep early Tuesday morning, but she wasn't home because she was shooting in Vancouver. FBI agents arrested her husband, Mossimo clothing founder Mossimo Giannulli, who was also indicted in the bribery scam, and made arrangements with Lori's team for her to turn herself in when she got back to L.A.

FBI agents will now take Lori to a federal building where she'll be processed by federal marshals.

As you know ... Lori and Felicity Huffman were among the 50 people indicted for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. Lori and Mossimo allegedly paid $500,000 to have their 2 daughters designated as recruits for USC's crew team, despite the fact the girls didn't actually participate in the sport.

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A QUICK ESCAPE

Huffman was arrested Tuesday -- along with Mossimo -- in an operation in Los Angeles. Both were released Tuesday night, but didn't speak with cameras.

Originally Published -- 8:47 AM PT

Cowboys' David Irving Weed Offers Rolling In ... After NFL Retirement

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WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES ...

David Irving -- the NFL player who quit over the league's marijuana policy -- says he's getting into the weed business ... and he's already brainstorming names for his new company.

Remember, the 25-year-old went to social media last week -- lit up a joint -- and announced he was leaving the Dallas Cowboys and retiring from pro football, despite the fact he's a pretty solid player.

So, what's next for Irving? A lot, actually.

Irving tells us he's doing everything from producing TV shows to working with FUBU ... and, of course, he's already planning to launch his own strain of marijuana.

"It's gonna be that 9-5 OG" Irving says ... referring to his jersey number on the Cowboys.

"It's been going crazy. It's been off the hook. I've had a lot of good emails. A lot of good text messages and a lot of good conversations. There's a lot of options, and a lot of ways I can go."

As for his Hollywood plans, David says he's the executive producer for a new TV show called "Behind The Money" -- hosted by FUBU co-owner J. Alexander ... which premieres on Impact Television Network in May.

"Things are going well, man. I can't complain right about now."

Luke Perry Death Certificate Reveals Burial in Tennessee

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Luke Perry's death certificate confirms what we already know -- he died as a result of a massive stroke -- and it also reveals his final resting place is in Tennessee.

The document was released Wednesday and it lists the cause of death as an "ischemic cerebrovascular accident" -- a stroke -- that occurred 5 days before his death at 12:44 PM on Monday, March 4.

According to the certificate, obtained by TMZ, Luke's fiancee, Wendy Bauer, is listed as his next of kin, or "informant." It also says Luke's body was transported to Dickson, Tennessee and he was buried there on Monday, March 11.

Luke was a part-time resident of Tennessee, and had owned a farm there since 1995.

TMZ broke the story -- Luke died in Burbank at St. Joseph's Hospital, where he'd been since suffering the massive stroke.

As we first reported ... paramedics rushed to Luke's home in Sherman Oaks on Feb. 27 after he suffered the stroke. He was responsive and talking when EMTs arrived, but his condition deteriorated. Doctors sedated Luke in hopes his body could recover -- but the damage was too extensive and his family made the decision to remove him from life support.

Luke was 52.

College Bribery Ringleader Auditioned for Reality Show on College Admissions ... Here's How You Play the Game

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The man who pulled all the strings in the massive college bribery case auditioned for his own reality show back in 2010 ... a reality show on the pressures of families trying to get their kids into colleges, and he makes it clear -- traditional donations don't cut it anymore.

TMZ has obtained Rick Singer's audition tape, which was shot by a production company and submitted to a network. You hear Singer explain that even his clients with big, big money can't afford to plunk down a donation to a University that will guarantee admission. He says bluntly, $10 million isn't enough ... it won't even get noticed by the big universities.

He explains the pressures of college admission on his clients and makes it clear ... the clients are not just the students but their parents as well. He says there's so much craziness in these families, he wishes he could prescribe meds for the parents.

The reality show never sold.

As we reported, Singer copped a plea Tuesday to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering, tax conspiracy and obstruction of justice. He faces a maximum of 65 years in prison, but he'll clearly get way less by singing like a bird.

TMZ broke the story, there are scores of very rich, nervous parents who were calling around Tuesday after the indictments were announced, wondering about the records Singer kept.

Luke Perry & Fiancee Wendy Summer Wedding Had Been Planned

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Luke Perry and his fiancee, Wendy Madison Bauer, were planning on getting married later this year before his shocking death -- this according to their "save the date" cards.

TMZ obtained one of their "save the dates," and it forecast a late summer wedding in L.A. It looks like Luke and Wendy planned to get hitched August 17. The card doesn't get into more specific detail, but it does say a formal invite would follow.

BTW ... the "save the date" card was elegantly designed, featuring a grey and gold color scheme as well as a Naive Inline-type font. Very Gatsby-esque.

Wendy broke her silence over the weekend, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of love and support she's received in the wake of Luke's passing earlier this month.

We broke the story ... Luke died in the hospital a few days after suffering a massive stroke at his Southern California home. Doctors sedated him, hoping he'd recover, but he never did.

Regarding Luke himself, Wendy said, "The past 11½ years with Luke were the happiest years of my life, and I am grateful to have had that time with him,” she continues, “I also want to thank his children, family, and friends for their love and support. We have found comfort in one another and in the knowledge that our lives were touched by an extraordinary man. He will be dearly missed."

It's unclear when exactly Luke and Wendy got engaged, but what is clear is that they were aiming to make things official very soon.

John Stamos & Jodie Sweetin Visibly Shocked by Lori's Indictment

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Lori Loughlin's "Full House" and "Fuller House" co-stars John Stamos and Jodie Sweetin are rallying around her ... in maybe the only way they can for now on the heels of her indictment in the college bribery scandal.

We got Uncle Jesse leaving Madeo Tuesday night in Bev Hills -- where our camera guy, of course, asked him about his TV love interest getting busted for allegedly committing bribery and fraud to get her kids into college.

John whipped out a "no comment" real quick, and even though he flashed a peace sign before driving off -- with a sweet doggy bag, BTW -- it's still clear Lori's castmates are concerned.

We got Jodie Tuesday afternoon right after she flew into LAX. She seemed even more upset than John when we asked if she was surprised by the news. Of course she is.

A lot of stunned silence from Lori's pals ... which is kinda how many of her fans feel.

Trouble in the Tanner household, for sure.

Felicity Huffman Released After FBI Arrest with Guns Drawn ... Loughlin to Surrender Wednesday

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A QUICK ESCAPE

7:58 PM PT -- We just got Felicity and Mossimo after posting bail ... and it was clear they didn't want to talk.

5:28 PM PT -- Multiple law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Lori Loughlin will turn herself in to federal authorities Wednesday morning. The FBI showed up at her doorstep early Tuesday morning, and she was going to receive the same treatment as Felicity. Turns out, Lori was shooting in Vancouver and wasn't there. FBI agents arrested her husband in the college bribery scam, and then made arrangements with Lori's people for her to surrender when she returns to L.A.

Felicity Huffman knew she was a target of the federal investigation into bribery in the college admissions process ... but she had no idea 7 feds would show up at her door Tuesday morning with guns drawn.

Sources familiar with the arrest tell TMZ, 7 FBI agents showed up at Felicity's Hollywood Hills home at 6 AM and drew their weapons as they ordered Felicity to come out and surrender.

We're told Felicity, her husband William H. Macy and their 2 daughters were asleep when the agents ordered her out. Our sources say she knew the arrest was looming and would have gladly surrendered on her own, but the feds saw it differently.

An FBI source familiar with the arrest tells TMZ guns were drawn as a precaution. It's always left to the agents' discretion whether to draw a firearm during an arrest.

The agents took Huffman to a federal building where she was processed by federal marshals.

As we reported, Huffman was indicted for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. The indictment claims Huffman made a charitable contribution of $15,000 to participate in a college entrance exam cheating scheme on behalf of her eldest daughter. The indictment claims the daughter was given twice the amount of time to take the SAT as other students and the paid proctor agreed to secretly correct her answers afterward.

The docs claim the girl got a 1420 score ... approximately 400 points over her PSAT.

Originally published -- 3:40 PM PT

Felicity Huffman $250k Bond to Secure Release In College Bribery Case

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Felicity Huffman is free to move about the country, but that's it -- she had to hand over her passport Tuesday before she was released following her arrest in the college admissions bribery scam.

Felicity appeared in federal court in L.A. and her attorney tried to argue for her to be released on her own recognizance. Prosecutors shot that down, and the judge compromised with $250k signature bond. She didn't have to pay that amount, but her husband, William H. Macy, who was in court ... had to sign that he's good for it.

Although Macy was not indicted, prosecutors consider him a witness in the case. The judge instructed Felicity she could not travel internationally, and she has to be in Boston for a court appearance on March 29.

As we've reported, Lori Loughlin was not arrested Tuesday because she's out of town, but her husband, designer Mossimo Giannulli was and had to see the judge. His bond was set at $1 million, and he had to put up his primary residence as collateral.

Lori's already arranged to surrender Wednesday to authorities.