Dog the Bounty Hunter Finds Campsite Possibly Linked to Brian Laundrie ... Alerts Authorities

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UPDATE

7:53 AM PT -- 9/28 -- According to our sources ... the possible evidence that Brian's parents were at the campsite are 2 camping reservations under their name from Sept. 1-3 and Sept. 6-8. It's been reported the Laundries were seen driving with a small camper, so it's believed this is where they went ... but there's only speculation Brian was with them.

UPDATE

We're told Dog received a tip that Brian was spotted at the campsite as recently as Saturday, and he plans to head to the Fort DeSoto Park area himself to continue tracking leads he's received.

Dog the Bounty Hunter is right on Brian Laundrie's tail ... or at least it's possible, and authorities are looking into it.

A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... Dog -- who joined the manhunt for Gabby Petito's fiance a couple days ago -- has been in the Florida woods looking for him, and found something he thinks may finally lead to his capture.

We're told Dog got a tip that led him and his new wife Francie to a fresh campsite that might be linked to Laundrie ... who's been missing for a week and a half now.

Our source says Dog has alerted authorities to the campground location because he believes it could be a major clue in the manhunt, and he's currently waiting for their arrival.

There's more -- we're told Dog believes he's also uncovered proof that links Laundrie's parents to the campsite ... though it's unclear what that is.

Of course, this could also be a false alarm -- just like the trail cam footage and the look-alike sighting in Canada -- but we'll have to wait and see.

As you know ... Gabby was found dead in a Wyoming state park a little over a week ago, and the feds have issued an arrest warrant for Brian for unauthorized use of a credit card right around the time Gabby went missing.

Gabby's family held a funeral for her this weekend in New York.

Originally Published -- 9/27 3:59 PM PT

Rick Ross AGREES TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT

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Rick Ross just started cutting checks to his baby mama ... the judge in his paternity case just signed off on his agreement to cough up monthly child support payments for their 3 kids.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the "Aston Martin Music" rapper will pay his baby mama, Briana Singleton, $11,000 per month in child support.

The docs say RR also has to foot the bill for their children's health insurance, and he's got to help her pay for the kids' extracurricular expenses once the figure goes north of $7,560 ... with Ross on the hook for additional annual payments of up to $3k per child.

Rick also agreed to cut a check to Brianna's attorney for $25,000, but he can afford it ... the docs say RR's monthly income is $585k, compared to $142 a month for his baby mama.

TMZ broke the story ... Briana told Rick last year he needed to take COVID-19 tests to see their 3 kids.

Now, he'll be paying up, too.

R. Kelly Guilty In Federal Sex Crimes Trial

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UPDATE

1:36 PM PT -- Joycelyn Savage -- who lived with R. Kelly for years as one of his girlfriends -- became one of the centerpieces of his story when he was first arrested. Gerald Griggs, who represents the Savage family tells us, "The conviction today spoke volumes in accountability when it comes to people hearing black women and believing their stories."

UPDATE

He tells us the hope now for the family is to be able to reunite with Joycelyn and continue to build back the loving relationship they've missed out on having with their daughter for years.

R. Kelly has just been found guilty on all counts in his federal sex crimes trial ... and could be staring down life in prison.

The jury started deliberating on Friday afternoon, had the weekend off, and took about half the day on Monday to reach its verdict on 9 federal counts ... including racketeering, sex crimes, human trafficking, obstruction of justice and kidnapping.

The trial wrapped a little over a month after it began ... with the prosecution calling far more witnesses than the defense. Kelly's team only called 5 witnesses over a couple of days. Kelly himself never took the stand.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 4, and now that Kelly's been convicted on all counts, he could get 10 years to life. Mind you, he's still set to go on a second federal trial in Chicago, and state trials in Illinois and Minnesota.

Monday's verdict in federal court in Brooklyn comes just over 2 years after Kelly was arrested in Chicago for multiple federal sex crimes in 2 different states.

Kelly's legal team called a handful of ex-Kelly employees and associates to take the stand in an effort to discredit allegations the singer sexually abused women, girls and boys.

Some of Kelly's ardent defenders said, under oath, they never saw Kelly abuse anyone. What's more ... some of the defense witnesses went as far as saying that, if anything, Kelly was "chivalrous" to his GFs.

Prosecutors, however, called dozens of witnesses to the stand to refute defense testimony and poke holes throughout. Some of the prosecutors' witnesses straight-up said Kelly had a small team made up of managers, bodyguards and assistants who rounded up Kelly's potential victims before the singer groomed them for unwanted sex, among other things.

These witnesses also testified saying Kelly's entourage would recruit potential victims ... either at his concerts, malls and even fast-food joints.

You'll recall one of the 2 women interviewed by Gayle King back in 2019 also took the witness stand ... and claimed Kelly was controlling them right then and there during the interview.

Originally Published -- 12:25 PM PT

Britney Spears Lawyer Suggests Jamie May Take the 5th ... Over Secret Bedroom Recordings

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UPDATE

4:04 PM PT -- Britney's father doesn't want to make it look like he crossed the line in the conservatorship ... so, he doesn't want the judge to fire him.

UPDATE

To be clear, Jamie's said he's willing to step down as conservator of Britney's estate -- that hasn't changed -- but he still insists he did nothing wrong to justify forcefully removing him. He's filed docs requesting the judge start Wednesday's hearing by dealing with the big picture -- dissolving the conservatorship entirely.

UPDATE

His point is ... if you're ending it, then there's no need to debate the grounds for removing him, because there's no need for a conservator at all.

UPDATE

If there are outstanding issues -- for instance, alleged recordings or financial abuses -- he's asking the judge to order both sides into settlement talks.

Britney Spears' lawyer is outraged and indignant over revelations his client was secretly recorded even in her bedroom, and he's filed legal docs suggesting Jamie Spears and the conservators may have committed a crime.

Attorney, Mathew Rosengart, is referring to the NYT doc, "Controlling Britney Spears," in which a former member of the security team Jamie hired claims there are hours and hours of recordings that should never have been made, especially those in Britney's bedroom.

Rosengart says in his docs ... some of what was captured may involve the attorney/client relationship, which are "a sacrosanct part of the legal system." Rosengart notes California is a 2-party state -- meaning all parties on a recording must have given their prior approval to be recorded, and if they're not, it's a crime.

And, Rosengart seems to have his sights set on Jamie for Wednesday's big hearing, and it seems this issue is coming up as even more ammo to get Jamie out of the conservatorship.

What's more ... Rosengart makes it clear in the docs ... he's going to depose Jamie and will ask about the recordings, and if Jamie invokes the 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination, it will be telling.

Rosengart's latest filing makes it clear ... he's doubling down to get Jamie out, but Britney's dad has already all but said he'll be gone for good Wednesday.

And, Rosengart ends with this ... once Jamie's gone, there must be a "prompt termination of the conservatorship."

We broke down what to expect from Wednesday's hearing in our latest podcast episode.

Dog the Bounty Hunter Joins Manhunt to Find Brian Laundrie ... Shows Up at His House

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A new force has entered the fold in the ongoing search for Gabby Petito's fiance, Brian Laundrie -- and that's Dog the Bounty Hunter ... who's already knocking at his front door.

The famed TV personality and real-life human tracker has thrown his hat into the ring to help try and locate Laundrie -- who's vanished and been missing for almost a couple weeks now ... and is currently the subject of a massive manhunt, as he's suspect #1 in this whole case.

Reporter Brian Entin got footage of Dog dropping into the Laundrie family home in North Port, FL ... but it doesn't look like they were willing to chat with DTBH.

He seems to poke his head around the side of the house -- where there are a few parked cars in the driveway -- and finally makes his way to the main entrance, where he knocks and lingers a bit. Nobody answers ... and eventually Dog heads back to his truck with his wife, Francie, right behind him. Entin asks what he's doing there -- and Dog tells him, "you know."

As for why Dog's doing this (and how), we have some answers. His rep tells TMZ ... Dog wants to help bring justice to the Petito family, and feels compelled to get out there and do what he does best -- capturing people and bringing them to the authorities.

We're told Dog is simply volunteering his services at this point, and has not yet made contact with the investigative powers overseeing this case -- namely, the FBI. But, we're told Dog will touch base with them eventually ... and turn over anything he finds along the way.

Right now, the guy's just out in the areas where Laundrie was seen last and gathering intel. Anyone who has good info is encouraged to call 833-TELLDOG -- all tips are confidential.

J.K. Simmons L.A. Area Home Hit by Burglar ... LAPD On the Case

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J.K. Simmons knows a thing or two when it comes to homeowners insurance ... which should come in handy after someone broke into his pad.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the Hollywood tough guy and Farmers Insurance spokesman was the victim of a burglary after cops got a call from his San Fernando Valley home at around 8 PM Thursday night.

Our sources say one of J.K.'s workers showed up at the house and found a glass door smashed. Thing is ... we're told the house was not ransacked and it doesn't appear as though anything was missing. At least at first glance.

Cops say J.K. and his wife were not home at the time of the break-in ... they were out of town, so they'll have to assess what may or may not be missing when they return.

At this moment, it's unclear if an alarm went off at the house and scared the intruder away. But, it seems J.K.'s home came away unscathed ... aside from the broken glass door.

We're told the LAPD is investigating the burglary/attempted burglary. J.K., of course, is known for his role in the 'Spider-Man' films and TV roles such as "Law & Order" and HBO's "Oz." But, to most young folks ... he's the guy who pimps Farmers Insurance.

Let's hope he's covered.

Helen Hunt Sues L.A. Limo Co. Your 2019 Crash Hospitalized Me!!!

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Helen Hunt is suing an L.A. limo company claiming its negligence resulted in a crash that put her in the hospital.

The Academy Award-winning actress filed legal docs in L.A., claiming BLS Limousine Service of L.A., Inc. is responsible for the injuries she suffered during a crash on October 16, 2019.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, Helen says on top of medical expenses ... she also suffered wage losses and loss of earning capacity -- plus emotional distress, pain, suffering and other damages.

We broke the story ... Helen was rushed to the hospital after the BLS-operated SUV she was riding in flipped on its side during a violent crash. It was t-boned by a much smaller white sedan.

Helen was the sole passenger in the SUV. As you can see from the surveillance video ... it seems Helen's driver thought they had a clear path to cross the intersection, but that was a bad decision.

The other vehicle smashed into the side of the SUV and rolled it over. It's unclear from the video if either vehicle had a stop sign, and the lawsuit makes no mention of that.

We're told no one was cited for the crash, and drugs and alcohol are not suspected in the incident. OCTOBER 2019
MOMENTS AFTER THE ACCIDENT

Helen was ultimately taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Bev Hills after complaining of pain. We later got shots of her leaving the hospital a few hours after the crash.

We reached out to BLS Limousine Service, who said "At this time, BLS has no comment."

Kelly Clarkson Officially Divorced

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Kelly Clarkson has been a single woman for nearly 2 months, TMZ has learned, but a clerical error has thrown everyone off the scent.

Brandon Blackstock's lawyer, Samantha Spector, filed legal docs which lays out what has been decided so far in the divorce and what issues remain. There's a notation in the docs, saying the actual divorce will become final on 1-7-2022. That obviously makes it seem like Kelly and Brandon are still married.

We've learned this was a screw-up by the clerk, who mistakenly wrote 1-7-2022. In fact, Kelly and Brandon have been divorced since August 3. We're told the clerk is correcting the mistake.

TMZ broke the story ... the judge has already upheld the prenup -- something Brandon was aggressively contesting. There was a trial and the judge said Brandon signed it fair and square. That said, the property issues should be fairly easy to resolve, although in a nasty divorce -- which this is -- nothing should be taken for granted.

Kelly's income is separate, and considerable ... she earns $1.9 million a month. Brandon makes $10k a month.

The judge has awarded Kelly primary custody of their 2 kids on a temporary basis. As we reported, Brandon is living at the former couple's ranch in Montana and Kelly is with the kids in L.A. BTW, because the prenup has been upheld, the ranch is owned by Kelly, and she wants Brandon out, but he's still there.

Brian Laundrie Escaped to Canada??? 'Flustered' Look-Alike Sighting at Hotel

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Brian Laundrie is brazenly attempting to check into Canadian hotels while on the run ... at least that's what one TikToker's suggesting, based on a sighting earlier this week.

According to the woman ... Gabby Petito's fiance -- or at least someone who looks like him -- was at a hotel in Toronto last Monday. She says she saw the guy "getting flustered" as he left the hotel and got into a car with another man.

The woman -- who is TikTok user @cwlynnn and also apparently a flight attendant -- claims she informed the hotel staff it may have been Laundrie, and was told whoever it was ... he didn't have the right hotel and didn't know where he was going.

She also posted a blurry photo of the man ... with a facemask around his chin. It's unclear if the woman reported the sighting to the authorities along with the hotel staff.

As we reported ... there was another potential Laundrie sighting earlier this week in Baker, FL -- about 500 miles from his home -- on a man's trail camera in the wilderness. Police later confirmed it was NOT Brian ... and the search is still on.

Laundrie is officially a wanted man after the feds issued an arrest warrant Wednesday and charged him with one count of use of unauthorized access devices. Specifically, prosecutors claim Laundrie used a Capital One Bank debit card belonging to Gabby, but made it clear that the warrant is "related to Mr. Laundrie’s activities following the death of Gabrielle Petito."

Brian has not been seen for over a week. His family reported he went for a hike with his backpack and never returned ... this was a few days before Gabby's body was found at a Wyoming state park and the coroner ruled her death a homicide.

21 Savage Charged with Gun, Drug Possession Stemming from ICE Case

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21 Savage's notorious ICE case from 2019 is circling back again ... the rapper's now facing gun and drugs charges in connection with the original incident with ICE agents.

According to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office ... Savage is facing 2 new charges related to his arrest in Atlanta back in Feb. 2019 -- possession of a schedule II controlled substance, and possession of a gun.

The rapper turned himself in to authorities Thursday and bonded out right away. According to 21's lawyer, Charles Kuck, this is a state law charge related to his incident with ICE 2.5 years ago.

Kuck tells us, "Last night’s manufactured charges are yet another example of how our justice system, from ICE down to the local level, unjustly targets young Black men who seek to exercise their rights. There is no legitimate basis for these charges nor for ICE’s continued antics, and we will fight until Mr. Joseph is justly vindicated.”

As we reported back then ... Savage was arrested and placed in ICE custody because it was discovered that his visa expired and he's been here illegally for years. ICE is still trying to deport Savage to England ... something the rapper has been fighting.

What TMZ has now learned, is that during the Feb. 2019 arrest ... authorities allege 21 threw a bottle of liquid that had codeine in it out of his car, and a handgun was found inside the vehicle.

Hence, he's now been formally charged with drug and gun possession as his upcoming hearing in immigration court approaches. It's set for November.

As we first told you ... Savage's career was essentially derailed by the ICE case, and it seems like it's far from being wrapped up.

Brian Laundrie Family Won't Be Repped by Casey Anthony Lawyer, Jose Baez

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The family of Brian Laundrie -- the main person of interest in the death of Gabby Petito -- has not retained the lawyer known for representing other notorious defendants like Casey Anthony and Aaron Hernandez ... despite swirling rumors.

Attorney Jose Baez tells TMZ ... he has not spoken to the Laundrie family or Brian himself. He says, "Therefore, I do not represent him or anyone else related to the case" and tells us his current caseload makes it very unlikely he'd be available for this case "given its current complexities."

Earlier Thursday, Laundrie's parents made a 2-hour trip to Orlando and people online noticed they were close to Baez's office ... which sparked speculation they were looking to hire him. But, we're told that's not the case, and the Laundries' lawyer says they were simply there for business.

As you know ... Baez was responsible for getting Casey Anthony acquitted in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.

Baez was also the lawyer for NFL star Aaron Hernandez's in both his 2012 double murder case and his 2013 murder appeal ... until Hernandez killed himself in prison.

As we've reported ... Laundrie is still missing roughly a week after his parents first told authorities he took his backpack and went on a hike. Before that, he was named a person of interest in the disappearance of Gabby, his fiancee, after returning home from a cross-country trip on Sept. 1 without her.

Weeks before that, the couple were involved in a domestic dispute in Utah, in which a 911 caller said he saw Brian slapped and hit Gabby.

Her body was found Sunday in a Wyoming state park near a site where the van the couple was traveling in was spotted by a witness in mid-August. The coroner ruled Gabby's death a homicide, and as of now ... all signs point to Brian -- the last person to see her alive.

R. Kelly Trial Defense Compares Him to MLK ... Dream On!!!

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Martin Luther King Jr.'s name got dragged into R. Kelly's federal trial on multiple sex crimes in a pretty outrageous way -- his attorney says the singer should be acquitted because he's just like MLK.

Yeah, try to catch your breath. Closing arguments are going down Thursday in the federal court in Brooklyn, NY -- and defense attorney Deveraux Cannick drew the comparison by telling the jury Kelly is demanding prosecutors prove he's guilty beyond a reasonable doubt ... the same way Dr. King fought for Constitutional rights.

He went on to quote a part of MLK's "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, declaring ... "Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of the press."

His point seemed to be that Dr. King wanted the government to uphold the Constitution, and Kelly's doing the same ... in his sex crimes trial.

Mind you, Kelly's attorneys only called a handful of witnesses to the stand during the trial -- most of whom merely stated they hadn't seen Kelly doing anything illegal. The singer himself chose not to testify, although that's not uncommon.

Cannick also claimed prosecutors encouraged witnesses to lie on the stand.

The jury will soon begin deliberations. Kelly faces 10 years to life if he's convicted.

Mama June's Ex-BF Geno's Wanted in Alabama ... Doing Rehab in S. Carolina

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Mama June's ex-boyfriend isn't getting any breaks from the judge -- even though he's in rehab, he's in rehab in the wrong state ... which is why he's now a wanted man.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ ... a bench warrant's been issued for Geno Doak in Macon County, Alabama for failing to comply with the terms of his sentencing in his crack cocaine case.

The warrant says Geno's to be taken into custody by any Alabama law enforcement officer and held without bail until he can have a hearing.

The thing is -- as we first told you -- Geno's in South Carolina after checking into a recovery center there earlier this week, and the facility said he made a 120-day commitment to inpatient treatment.

Doak filed docs to loop in the judge from his crack cocaine case about his whereabouts, but unfortunately for him ... he was supposed to be in Alabama as part of his sentence, and failed to relocate there as required.

So, rules are rules, and rehab or not ... the judge has made Geno a wanted man in 'Bama.

Angelina Jolie Merlot and Behold ... I Can Sell Stake in Brad's Wine Biz

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UPDATE

7:54 AM PT -- A source connected to the case tells us that while the ruling technically would allow Angelina to sell ... there are still legal proceedings involving Nouvel in Europe that would make it challenging. Our source emphasizes this was a standard ruling and was never opposed by Brad.

Angelina Jolie got what she wanted -- a judge just signed off on an agreement with her ex, Brad Pitt, to sell her stake in their rosé business.

We broke the story ... Jolie filed docs in July asking the court to lift a restraining order on the transfer of their assets -- which was put in place early in their divorce -- so she could unload her interest in Nouvel, LLC, their French winery company.

According to new docs, obtained by TMZ, a judge signed off on Brad and Angie's agreement to lift the restraining order -- meaning they worked it out, and she has the green light to sell her part of the company to a third party.

And, it looks like that'll be it for Brangelina ... as far as their joint biz ventures are concerned.

BTW ... Nouvel is the LLC started to operate the Provence chateau and vineyard the former couple bought in 2011 for a reported $60 mil.

Unclear how much it's worth now, but we know Angelina has a prospective buyer on the hook for her portion of it.

Originally Published -- 7:20 AM PT

Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino Calls Cops on Brother ... Over Unannounced Visit, Gift Drop-off

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Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino had some family drama boil over this week that almost landed someone in handcuffs ... none other than his own sibling.

The "Jersey Shore" star's rep tells TMZ ... Mike had called police on Tuesday evening after his brother, Maximo, showed up to his New Jersey home with a ton of gift bags he was apparently trying to drop off for MS and his newborn son/Maximo's nephew, Romeo.

We're told Maximo excessively rang multiple doorbells, peered inside through the glass, lingered a bit and then turned to leave -- but not before leaving all the presents hanging on the doorknob.

The rep says Mike was watching this from inside -- and instantly called cops, who we're told showed up in less than a minute. They ran into Maximo on his way out and told him he wasn't allowed there unless Mike specifically invited him ... and then let him leave.

We know what you're thinking -- WTF??? Well, Mike and Max have had problems for some time now, and it's become a bit of a legal situation ... according to the rep.

We're told Mike's previously filed harassment claims against Maximo -- most recently in July -- because he feels his brother's been behaving erratically, and he wants a heads up before Maximo comes to the house.

Due to their rocky history, we're told Mike's main priority these days is protecting his wife and kid, and even though they're family ... he thinks what Maximo did crossed a line. That's why he reported it to cops, but he didn't want Max arrested.

As for Maximo's side -- he says he was just dropping off Puma BMW tracksuits for Mike and Romeo. Maximo also says he's saddened by Mike calling the 5-0 on him -- because he'd never do that -- and denies there's any ongoing issues between them ... despite what Mike says. 🤷🏽‍♂️

With that said, Maximo says he'll never go to Mike's house again without getting the all-clear.

Linda Evangelista Cosmetic Procedure Left Me 'Permanently Deformed'

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Linda Evangelista says she's stayed out of the spotlight after a popular cosmetic procedure left her "permanently deformed" and "unrecognizable" ... but she's hiding no more.

The supermodel is finally sounding off about her ordeal and, in part, explaining why her career has stalled all these years while her peers have been thriving.

Linda, one of the hottest supermodels in the '90s who graced Vogue covers, says around 5 years ago she underwent a fat-reduction procedure called CoolSculpting -- no doubt, you've seen and heard the ads.

But, Linda claims instead of freezing fat cells, the procedure did the exact opposite.

She claims the procedure left her "brutally disfigured" and increased, not decreased her fat cells ... and left her "permanently deformed even after undergoing two painful, unsuccessful, corrective surgeries."

Linda added, "I have been left, as the media has described, ‘unrecognizable.'"

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Linda says she then developed Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia or PAH ... when fat cells grow larger rather than smaller. It's a rare but serious side effect that mostly happens to men.

Linda says she was NOT made aware of this risk before undergoing the procedure. She says PAH "has not only destroyed my livelihood, it has sent me into a cycle of deep depression, profound sadness, and the lowest depths of self-loathing."

She's not only speaking out on social media, Linda filed a federal lawsuit this week against Zeltiq Aesthetics, the company she says created, marketed and distributed the CoolSculpting system. She's seeking no less than $50 million.

Linda says she's tired of hiding and wants to "walk out of my door with my head held high, despite not looking like myself any longer."