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John Amos died of congestive heart failure, according to his death certificate, and he was cremated more than a month ago ... fueling speculation that a family feud was raging at the time he died.

TMZ has obtained the death certificate filed with L.A. County, and it shows the "Good Times" star died August 21 at 5:18 PM at an Inglewood hospital.

The death certificate says there were no other significant medical conditions other than heart failure.

Edwin Castro's record-setting jackpot is staying in his hands -- a judge says the guy who accused Castro of stealing his Powerball ticket, doesn't have a case ... because he doesn't have the ticket in hand.

Jose Rivera had sued Edwin and the California State Lottery Commission claiming he had actually purchased the ticket that ended up being worth $2.04 billion. He alleged someone stole the ticket from him, and it somehow ended up in Castro's hands.

But, an L.A. County Judge has ruled, too bad, so sad ... essentially. According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, the judge said, "players are solely responsible for securing their Tickets against theft, loss, damage, or destruction" -- and, if Jose thought his ticket was stolen, he should've gone to cops.

Things keep sounding worse for Diddy ... because we've learned the feds are seeing an uptick in accusers coming forward with more allegations, ever since he was thrown in jail.

Sources familiar with the Diddy investigation tell TMZ ... more alleged victims and witnesses are stepping up because they feel less intimidated now that Diddy is behind bars.

Our sources say the accusers are cooperating with federal investigators and providing information about what they know about Diddy's alleged criminal activities.

Kanye West stiffed a security guard out of his wages while he was keeping watch over Yeezy's multi-million dollar mansion in Malibu, and then handed the guy a pink slip when he made a fuss ... at least according to a new lawsuit.

Kanye is being sued by a man named Jonathan Monroe, who claims Ye hired him as a full-time security guard back in August 2021 and promised him $30 an hour to protect the Malibu home Kanye gutted during an ill-fated construction project.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Monroe claims he worked 36 to 50 hours a week until he was fired in October 2021, without being paid any of his wages.

Sarah Hyland is cutting out her former manager from his cut of her "Modern Family" paychecks ... at least according to a new lawsuit.

The "Modern Family" star is being sued by Richard Konigsberg, who claims he served as her personal and professional manager for 15 years and helped her land her breakthrough role on the hit sitcom.

In the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Richard says Sarah unceremoniously fired him in April in what he believes is an attempt to get out of paying him his 10% commission on a couple lucrative projects he helped Sarah land.

Diddy is once again trying to get himself released on bond, 2 weeks after he was arrested ... and we're told he's building a powerhouse legal team to try to make it a reality.

New court documents show the rap mogul's lawyer filed to appeal the most recent order denying him bond ... the appeal will be his 3rd formal attempt to secure his release from behind bars as he awaits trial.

Sources close to Diddy tell TMZ ... the rapper has added 2 more attorneys -- Anthony Ricco and Alexandra Shapiro -- to the legal team working on his highly publicized criminal case. (For those wondering, Alexandra is not related to famed defense attorney Robert Shapiro).

8:46 AM PT -- Lil Reese's attorney Carl Moore tells TMZ … "Mr. Taylor vehemently denies these false accusations. We look forward to his day in court."

Lil Reese is in police custody nearly 2 weeks after an arrest warrant was issued over allegations he punched and strangled a former girlfriend … TMZ has learned.

According to arrest records ... the rapper was booked for aggravated assault of a family or household member in the early hours of Monday morning and was subsequently denied bond.

An eyewitness tells TMZ … the Chicago drill rapper swung by The Address nightclub in Houston, Texas Sunday evening, where LR had a run-in with authorities. We’re told officers were already at the club … though, it’s unclear why they were stationed at the hotspot.

A restraining order requested against TikTok star OnlyJayus has been dissolved ... and it's the result of her ex not showing up for the court hearing, TMZ has learned.

We broke the news that Brittany Lee Dejardo was seeking court-ordered protection against Isabella Avila, AKA OnlyJayus ... claiming her ex kept coming around her home, was verbally abusive, and allegedly used her massive social media accounts to berate her.

Brittany beelined it to court earlier this month and asked a judge for a temporary restraining order ... but that was dismissed Thursday.

Diddy will fight his legal case to the bitter end ... because his lawyer says a plea deal won't fly with his client.

Diddy's attorney, Marc Agnifilo, appears in TMZ Studios' new documentary -- "The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment" -- available to stream now on Tubi ... and, he says his client will fight this case not just for himself, but for others in a similar position.

Agnifilo says Diddy says he's innocent ... so, he sees no reason to take a plea deal -- even if prosecutors offer it.

Diddy's grand jury is still looking into the allegations against him ... hearing from at least one more sex worker about their alleged relationship with the mogul, and it's possible it could lead to new charges.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the grand jury is absolutely still convened, and this week it heard testimony from a male escort who said he's interacted with Diddy in the past.

We're told the testimony covered Diddy's alleged outreach to the escort and his willingness to participate in a "Freak Off."

Diddy is facing a new lawsuit filed by a woman who claims the rap mogul drugged and sexually assaulted her ... and continues to menace and intimidate her.

In new documents filed Friday, and obtained by TMZ, a Jane Doe claims the Bad Boy Records founder repeatedly assaulted her over a 4-year period, and says one of the encounters even resulted in her getting pregnant -- but she ended up suffering a miscarriage.

The anonymous woman, represented by attorney Joseph L. Ciaccio, claims she first met Diddy overseas in the fall of 2020 and was invited to join the rapper on an all-expenses paid trip.

A Houston-based law firm is representing more than 50 alleged victims who say they've faced sexual assault and abuse from Diddy and his associates -- and they’re predicting the group will keep growing as the case progresses.

Attorney Tony Buzbee made some serious allegations on his firm’s IG ... saying the group of men and women who came forward have "gut-wrenching" stories about what went down at Diddy’s alleged "Freak Off" parties.

He detailed the alleged "mindboggling" violations against them as "debauchery and depravity, exacted by powerful people."

Buzbee claims some of the accusers were minors when the alleged incidents occurred ... and mentioned plans for a press conference where individuals can share their stories.

While he has not yet filed, Buzbee says he intends to file a class action lawsuit on behalf of all the victims early next week.

Blac Chyna unleashed a violent ambush on an ex-boyfriend while he was sleeping in their home, leaving his face a swollen and bloody mess ... at least according to a new lawsuit, which also references Rob Kardashian's previous claims against her.

The reality TV star is being sued by her ex, Twin Hector, who claims she would often physically abuse him during their nearly 3 year relationship, when they were living together in Los Angeles.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Twin claims Chyna's abuse reached its peak in September 2021, when she violently attacked him while he was sleeping in their bed.

One of Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged encounters with a sex worker was videotaped, and that tape is now in the hands of federal prosecutors ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the male sex worker met with the feds Wednesday in NYC and signed a proffer agreement, which allows him to speak to federal investigators without fear of prosecution.

We're told the conversation revolved around Diddy ... with the man explaining how he got in touch with an escort to engage in a "freak off" involving himself, Diddy and a woman.

Mayor Eric Adams is facing some pretty serious charges ... with the U.S. Attorney just unsealing the indictment against him -- but, don't worry about him 'cause he looks downright cheery.

The U.S. Attorney's Office just unsealed the 57-page indictment ... and sent out an accompanying press release announcing they've charged the mayor with campaign finance, bribery and conspiracy charges.

According to the indictment, Damian Williams -- the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York -- claims Adams sought and accepted improper valuable benefits from foreign businesspeople and at least one government official from Turkey looking to gain influence over him.

11:40 AM PT -- Teresa's attorney, Michael Garfinkel, tells TMZ, "Teresa's petition speaks for itself. Teresa is seeking to carry out Richard's wishes."

Richard Simmons' longtime housekeeper is petitioning to become co-trustee of his estate ... claiming Richard's brother pressured her to turn down the role while she was still grieving the fitness icon's death.

Teresa Reveles Muro -- who says she worked for Richard for nearly 40 years and was the one who found his body back in July -- filed a petition Wednesday ... claiming just days after Richard died, she, Richard's brother Leonard, and Leonard's wife Cathy went to view his body.

Right after this -- when Teresa says she was at her most vulnerable -- she says Leonard and Cathy took her to the office of the lawyers handling the trust, where she signed a document turning down the co-trustee role.