'Mob Wives' Star Drita D'Avanzo Husband Charged in Massive Weed Bust

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"Mob Wives" star Drita D'Avanzo's husband just got swept up in a huge weed sting operation in New Jersey ... and he's facing two new drug charges.

Prosecutors in Jersey say they are charging Drita's hubby, Lee D'Avanzo, with fourth-degree conspiracy to possess marijuana and fourth-degree possession of marijuana in excess of 50 grams.

Lee is one of 24 people arrested as part of a yearlong investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Unit. The sting, dubbed "Operation on The Ropes," uncovered what prosecutors say was a scheme to secretly convert legit candy, like Nerds Rope and Sour Patch, into illegal THC-infused products.

Authorities in Jersey say they executed over a dozen search warrants, resulting in the seizure of 21,000 packages of candy infused with suspected THC, plus another 1,100 lbs. of suspected marijuana and over 6,000 flavored THC vape cartridges.

All told ... officials say the drugs carried a street value of $1.9 million.

This is Lee's second round of drug charges in the past two months. As we reported, Lee and Drita were busted last month on a slew of guns and drug charges after NYPD raided their Staten Island home.

In that raid, cops said they uncovered two loaded firearms, 22 Xanax pills, 120 pills of hydrocodone/acetaminophen and a large amount of ganja.

Rob Kardashian Blac Chyna's a Danger to Dream ... I Want Primary Custody!!!

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Blac Chyna's living wild and dangerously -- even in front of her kids -- according to Rob Kardashian ... who wants her parenting time reduced to just weekend days with a nanny present ... and some of the allegations include chasing people with knives.

Rob just filed new legal docs seeking primary custody of their 3-year-old daughter, Dream. He claims his baby mama is out of control, and people close to the situation can back it up ... including his sister, Khloe.

According to the docs ... Chyna regularly parties hard in her house with Dream present and invites strangers over to join her. Rob says she's drunk all the time, and a former employee of Chyna's alleges she spends $600 on alcohol almost daily and can down an entire bottle of Hennessy.

Chyna's accused of snorting cocaine and making violent threats to people in her home ... and getting physical by throwing objects, including knives and lit candles. One alleged incident involved Chyna hurling sharp objects at her hairdresser.

Rob claims Dream's behavior has changed for the worse -- along with her personal hygiene -- due to Chyna's parenting. He says Dream's started "naked twerking, and acting out sexual positions that she said her mom taught her." He says his daughter arrives to him with messy hair, dirty teeth and dirty nails.

Rob also claims Chyna's influence has resulted in Dream developing a potty mouth ... including saying "bitch" and "What the f**k?" Rob says these are not terms she hears at his home.

As for Khloe ... she claims in the docs that she's noticed a behavioral change in Dream at her play dates with her cousins. Khloe says when Dream first gets back from being with Chyna, she's "more in defense mode" and is "decidedly more aggressive."

'Hustlers' Movie Real-Life Strip Club Host Sues JLo's Production Co. for $40 Million

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The woman who was the inspiration for Jennifer Lopez's character in "Hustlers" is suing the production company, claiming they used her likeness and her story without permission, and they defamed her in the process.

Samantha Barbash claims in her suit, producers approached her to get her consent for the movie and she turned a thumbs down on them. Despite the rejection, the flick was produced with J Lo playing a character obviously based on her. We broke a story back in Sept. that Barbash was pissed that she received a lowball offer from producers.

Barbash says the character in the movie is portrayed as "using and manufacturing illegal substances in her home where she lived with her child." She says it's untrue and offensive.

She's suing for $40 million -- $20 mil in compensatory damages and $20 mil in punitives. She also wants an order requiring producers to turn over all copies of the movie.

Barbash, who is being represented by Bruno Gioffre, is not suing J Lo personally but is suing her production company -- Nuyorican Productions.

Amber Portwood Claims Andrew Lied About Son's Dog Bite ... Broke Xmas Custody Deal

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Amber Portwood got screwed out of spending time with her son over the holidays, and the kid suffered a vicious dog bite her baby daddy tried to cover up ... or so she claims in legal docs.

Amber says she and Andrew Glennon had a custody agreement in place which allotted her parenting time with their 1-year-old son, James, during Christmas ... but she claims he bolted out of state with the boy without proper notice.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, Amber says the next shock came when Andrew hit her up on Xmas Day to say James was "nipped" by a family dog and had to go to the ER.

She claims Andrew waited 3 days after that to send her a photo of the injury, and never shared info about James' initial ER visit. In the docs, she says the photo showed James had a black eye and a bandaged nose, "indicating that the injury was more than a 'nip.'"

George Lopez Secret Service Wants to Talk ... For Trump 'Bounty' Quip

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George Lopez said he and others would take out President Trump for half of Iran's reported multi-million dollar bounty on his head, and now ... he's got the attention of the Secret Service.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the U.S. Secret Service is aware of George's remark, and we're told they're working to see if his words carry any legitimacy as a threat.

We're being told part of the process in making this determination will include an interview with GL in some fashion, preferably a face-to-face. One source tells us George can probably expect a knock on his door soon, and he'll be finding agents on the other side.

The comedian made headlines this weekend after leaving a controversial comment on an Instagram account which regurgitated a story that Iranian officials supposedly recently put out an $80 mil offer for DT's life. GL responded to the news, "We'll do it for half."

He came under fire from both sides of the aisle -- especially conservatives -- with many saying he'd crossed a line with his quip. And, even if he was joking, as he later claimed, the death of an American President is obviously no laughing matter.

Once again, the feds feel the exact same way.

Dennis Quaid Making Big Buck$ Again ... Let's Modify Twins' Child Support

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Dennis Quaid is asking the court to adjust his child support payments for his 12-year-old twins -- but he's actually demanding to increase the amount because he's been on a roll.

Dennis filed docs acknowledging it's time to modify his child support agreement with his ex, Kimberly. Currently, he's paying $13,750 per month for Zoe and Thomas, but the agreement includes a kicker for when Dennis earns more than $1.3 million/year.

Well, he's blowing that out of the water now. According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Dennis earned $550k per month through most of 2019 ... which works out to more than $6 mil for the year!!!

The 2018 agreement with Kimberly calls for Dennis to continue paying the base amount, but also add a percentage of his current earnings.

In his new docs, he says he wants the court to figure out what that adjusted support amount would be -- but then "make a below-guideline child support order based on the reasonable needs of Thomas and Zoe."

Harvey Weinstein Charged with New Sex Crimes in L.A. 2 Women in 2 Days, Allegedly

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UPDATE

11:35 AM PT -- TMZ has just obtained a copy of the D.A.'s legal docs. The D.A. claims the charges stem from 3 violent sexual offenses against 2 victims involving 2 incidents in February 2013. In the first incident, the alleged victim attended a film festival. After she returned to her hotel, she let him in and he allegedly forced her to orally copulate him. The D.A. also claims he digitally penetrated her vagina and raped her. She says she delayed disclosing it because Weinstein threatened her life.

UPDATE

The second accuser says she had a business meeting with Weinstein at a hotel eatery. She says he convinced her to go to his hotel room and once inside, she says he took off his clothes and masturbated.

UPDATE

The docs mention Weinstein is still being investigated in Dublin and London ... and they've asked for the $5 million bail because Weinstein is so wealthy -- he recently sold up to $55 million in real estate -- and there's a chance he could skip town.

UPDATE

11:21 AM PT -- If convicted as charged, Weinstein faces up to 28 years in prison. Prosecutors are asking Weinstein's bail to be set at $5 million. At the start of the presser, it was announced the D.A. is still investigating 3 additional cases against the former movie mogul.

UPDATE
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FACING MORE CHARGES

Harvey Weinstein will be hit with new sex crime charges ... TMZ has learned.

The L.A. County D.A. is getting ready to announce the indictment revolving around several women and the alleged assaults that occurred both in L.A. and Beverly Hills ... so says the D.A.

We're told there will be 4 charges -- forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by use of force and sexual battery by restraints.

Rose McGowan Listen Up, Weinstein ... Hear This as Your Trial Starts

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Rose McGowan January 2020
DEAR HARVEY...

As Harvey Weinstein's criminal trial in NYC gets underway ... one of his most prominent accusers, Rose McGowan, is delivering a strong message to him.

The actress was one of many Weinstein accusers who showed up Monday to the Manhattan courthouse where jury selection began in the disgraced producer's trial. Rose said she was there to see justice served.

She told reporters Weinstein had no one to blame but himself for his woes, and that she had no sympathy for him. He showed up, btw, hobbling into court with the use of a walker.

Rose vowed to see the trial through, side-by-side with other women he's allegedly harmed ... all in hopes of giving a voice to the voiceless. She says while he might've thought they'd stay silent, they didn't ... and they're going to face him in court.

She got emotional and gave a shout-out to the women who will actually testify against Weinstein. As she says, they'll have the largest burden, and made it clear she's in their corner.

Weinstein faces 5 charges relating to sexual misconduct -- including a count of rape and predatory sexual assault ... which, if proven, could send him to prison for the rest of his life.

He's pled not guilty to all the charges.

DaBaby Released from Jail ... Robbery Investigation Continues

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DaBaby is a free man again -- of sorts -- because he's been released from jail, but he's not out of the woods.

The rapper posted $1,500 and bailed out of Miami-Dade county jail late Saturday night.

DaBaby was being held on a warrant out of Dallas for organized criminal activity -- specifically, a fight at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport where a food stand worker was attacked. Here's the weird thing, Dallas cops withdrew the warrant for some reason, but they're not saying why.

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THE ALLEGED ROBBERY

As we reported, DaBaby was arrested Thursday after allegedly beating up a concert promoter who shorted him on his fee -- DaBaby was owed $30,000 for a performance but the promoter showed up with only $20k, so DaBaby's crew allegedly pounced on him, stole $80, a credit card and an iPhone 7.

DaBaby was charged with battery but not robbery -- at least not yet.

DaBaby Alleged Assault Victim Vows to Sue ... Shares Photo of Injuries

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The guy who got jumped and robbed by DaBaby and his crew plans to lawyer up and file suit against them.

The victim -- who TMZ learned is a concert promoter named Kenneth -- tells us ... multiple attorneys have reached out to him to offer their services -- as in suing DaBaby.

Kenneth says he'll be going after the rapper and everyone involved in the brutal incident ... which he claims left him with cuts and bruises on his face.

As for what went down ... Kenneth says he was hired to put on a birthday party for rapper Stunna 4 Vegas at a Florida nightclub Thursday night and made a deal with DaBaby to host. He claims it was for a discounted rate of $30k because the rappers are friends.

Kenneth tells us he showed up with $20k and promised he could get DaBaby an additional $10k from his artist YC Woody ... but the rapper and his crew got pissed, and it quickly turned violent.

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THE ALLEGED ROBBERY

The promoter says he had to get checked out by a doctor because his injuries were so bad. He says video of the assault is difficult for him and his loved ones to watch. Kenneth also claims DaBaby's team made off with the $20k and hasn't returned it.

We broke the story ... DaBaby was initially detained and later arrested for battery in connection with the incident. According to the police report, Kenneth was robbed of $80, a credit card, an iPhone 7 and then doused with apple juice. It's certainly possible authorities will add a robbery charge.

Cops say the rapper also has a warrant out of Dallas for organized criminal activity. The warrant stems from a fight DaBaby was in last month at the airport when the rapper and a friend allegedly attacked a food stand employee.

Harvey Weinstein Defense Strategy -- Accusers Didn't Break Contact with Me

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Harvey Weinstein will go on trial next week for sexual assault, and as fierce as the prosecutor has been ... Weinstein's lawyers have their counterattack planned.

Weinstein's lead attorney, Donna Rotunno, tells TMZ, the defense will attempt to pick apart the testimony of the alleged victims by making what she calls a "common sense" argument -- that people who get assaulted don't maintain contact with the perpetrator. Rotunno says she has text messages and proof of subsequent interactions that support their position.

We know prosecutors will call a psychiatrist who will testify that it's common for sexual assault victims to delay in reporting the crime and they will often continue to interact with their assailant.

Rod, Sean Stewart Charged with Criminal Battery

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Rod Stewart started out 2020 as a criminal defendant, because we've learned he's been charged with criminal battery over a New Year's Eve incident at a swanky hotel.

Rod, Sean and the much of the Stewart family were celebrating NYE at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach. According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, a security guard named Jessie Dixon was working a private event in the children's area of the hotel when he saw a group trying to enter the area without authorization.

Dixon told cops the group got super loud and refused to follow his instructions to leave the area. Dixon says Sean then got nose-to-nose with him. Dixon put his right hand on Sean's chest and ordered him to back up. He says Sean then shoved him backward and then Rod got into the act and threw a punch, striking Dixon in his left rib cage area.

There is video of the incident, according to the police report, and cops say it clearly shows Rod and Sean as the "primary aggressors."

Rod spoke with cops and apologized, saying Dixon was argumentative with his family and they got agitated. People was first to report.

Dixon said he wanted to press charges, and both Rod and Sean have been charged with misdemeanor battery.

They're due in court February 5 for their arraignment.

We reached out to Rod's rep ... so far, no word back.

Michael Jackson Estate Accusers Given Green Light to Sue for Sexual Abuse

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UPDATE

12:20 PM PT -- The Estate just gave TMZ this statement ..."The Court of Appeal did NOT revive the lawsuits by Mr. Robson and Mr. Safechuck against the Estate of Michael Jackson. Both of those lawsuits were dismissed in 2016" -- just as we said in the post. They also say the 2 men "absurdly claim that Michael's employees are somehow responsible for sexual abuse that never happened." They also note the appeals court did not address the merits of the claims ... that's for a jury to decide.

The 2 men who were featured in "Leaving Neverland" who accused Michael Jackson of molesting them as children have just won a huge legal victory ... because a California appeals court has just given them the right to sue for sexual abuse.

A trial judge threw out the cases of James Safechuck and Wade Robson, on grounds they waited too long to file their claim. When they filed their lawsuits, California law did not support their claim, because the statute of limitations required them to file before they turned 26. At the time they filed, Robson was 30 and Safechuck was 36.

But, a new law took effect on January 1, 2020, which allows sexual abuse victims to sue until they're 40. A California appeals court just ruled the new law allows both Robson and Safechuck to have their cases tried -- presumably before a jury.

It's a huge reversal of fortune. Up till now, the MJ companies have been able to fend off these claims based on the statute of limitations, but that's all changed as of New Year's Day.

Teresa Giudice Joe Made Me Sign a Prenup ... I Added No-Cheating Clause

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Teresa Giudice's marriage to Joe apparently got off on the wrong foot 20 years ago ... because she claims he forced her to sign a prenup.

"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star made the revelation on Wednesday night's episode as she and her husband had a heated argument over the phone ... while Joe was in ICE custody.

Teresa shouted, "You made me sign a prenup, okay?" and later claimed in a confessional he asked her to sign it a week before they tied the knot ... much to her dismay. She said, "I just felt when you love someone, you don't do that."

Teresa went on to say she considered calling off the wedding over it, but decided instead to sign the prenup under one condition -- she made him add a clause stating if he ever cheated ... the prenup was off.

Damon Dash Aaliyah Wanted Away From R. Kelly ... After Annulment

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R Kelly
DISGUSTIN'

Damon Dash says Aaliyah wanted absolutely nothing to do with R. Kelly after they pulled the plug on their controversial marriage back in the day.

TMZ's obtained this clip of Damon's interview on the soon-to-be-released Lifetime documentary, "Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning" ... and the music insider makes some bombshell revelations about Aaliyah's life after Kelly.

Damon famously dated Aaliyah after she split from R. Kelly ... and now he says the singer wanted to keep Kelly "the f*** away" from her following the annulment.

Demetrius Smith
THE REASON BEHIND THE ID

As we've reported ... R. Kelly's former tour manager, Demetrius Smith, says he unwittingly and regretfully helped Kelly and Aaliyah tie the knot, by getting the 15-year-old a fake ID the day before the wedding ... a claim R. Kelly just denied in court.

Damon says it's disgusting Kelly would marry a child.

Not much is known about Aaliyah's feelings regarding Kelly -- she died way too young -- so Damon's claims are pretty shocking.

BTW ... the new doc drops Thursday on Lifetime.

'Captain America' Actress Charged with Murder ... Allegedly Stabbed Mom to Death

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Actress Mollie Fitzgerald -- who had a small role in "Captain America: The First Avenger" -- is accused of fatally stabbing her mother in Kansas.

Fitzgerald was arrested Tuesday by police in Olathe, Kansas and is reportedly charged with second-degree murder. She's being held on $500k bond.

The arrest comes after cops found her 68-year-old mother, Patricia, dead from an apparent stab wound inside her home on Dec. 20. Cops say they responded to a call of an armed disturbance, and Mollie was contacted on the scene and transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Police say the case remains under investigation, but have not provided additional details yet.

Fitzgerald played Stark girl in the 2011 Marvel film, and is also listed as a director and producer of some low-budget short films, including 2017's "The Creeps."

She's reportedly set to be arraigned Thursday.