8/13/2010 1:00 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned ... Mel Gibson's lawyers have set their sites on someone who spent hours talking with Oksana Grigorieva about what Mel allegedly did to her and a lot more -- her publicist.
Sources tell us Steve Jaffe -- a master, veteran PR dude -- got subpoenaed to appear for a deposition during the last week of the month.
And we're told, a dogfight is inevitable between lawyers for Oksana and Mel ... over what Jaffe can and cannot say.
Jaffe -- who served as Oksana's rep for several weeks before resigning -- spent dozens of hours talking to Oksana about Mel, the leaked tapes, allegations that she tried extorting Mel, reports of inconsistencies in her story ... everything, we're told, to "clear up the inconsistencies in the media."
Mel's lawyers want to hear what Oksana said and whether it conflicts with her other statements. But we're told Oksana's lawyers are prepared for objection after objection, on grounds her lawyers hired Jaffe, and therefore many of the conversations he had with Oksana are protected by what's called the "work product privilege" -- part of the attorney-client privilege.
Sources say Mel's people, among other things, will argue that public relations has nothing to do with the legal case and therefore isn't protected.
Filed under: Oksana Grigorieva, Mel Gibson, Celebrity Justice
8/12/2010 5:44 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
DMX has just been released from an L.A. jail ... after serving 18 days of a 90-day sentence stemming from a reckless driving conviction in 2002.
Before X began his sentence, the rapper said he was dedicated to taking "steps toward regaining everything I've lost."
FYI -- Lindsay Lohan also had a 90-day sentence ... but she got out in 14 days.
Filed under: DMX, Celebrity Justice
8/13/2010 12:45 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
One of the contestants vying for a job with Donald Trump on the upcoming season of "The Apprentice" has a history of going for the jugular -- in fact, back in May the guy was arrested for allegedly strangling his wife.
According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Genesiac Folkes -- who you might recognize from the new "Apprentice" promos on NBC -- was busted on May 5th in Wylie, Texas ... and charged with felony assault.
His wife Cherice filed for a restraining order a short time later -- claiming Genesiac also showed up to her workplace, took her car, and emptied her bank account.
No word on what sparked the alleged outburst -- but stay tuned ... Trump's reality star is due back in court on September 2.
Attempts to reach Genesiac for comment were unsuccessful -- but it's worth noting ... less than a week after the May incident, the guy filed for divorce.
Filed under: Donald Trump, Celebrity Justice, TV
8/13/2010 12:30 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
WWE star JTG -- formerly of the tag team Cryme Tyme -- claims some deadbeat sold him fake tickets to a Lady Gaga concert recently ... and now the perp is in for a "Brooklyn-style beatdown."
JTG -- a self-professed Gaga fanatic -- tells TMZ, he went on Craigslist.com and successfully tracked down and purchased two $125 tickets to Lady G's sold out Wednesday night show in L.A. But when he showed up to the Staples Center, the ticket lady refused to accept them ... because they were fake.
Now JTG is on the rampage, desperately trying to track down the scumbag who swindled him -- but first, he wants to make sure the bad guy gets the respect he deserves.
The wrestler tells TMZ, "Game recognize game, so I gotta respect his hustle. But when I catch him, I hope he can respect my Brooklyn-style beatdown."
JTG says he's been power dialing the Craigslist con artist ever since ... but it keeps going straight to voicemail.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, TMZ Sports
8/13/2010 12:20 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
Do you or someone you know love Lindsay Lohan so much you'd like to email her around as a greeting card? Then boy are you in luck!
Eight days before she checked into jail, LiLo shot a series of videos for a Facebook greeting card company called Cameo Stars. The greeting cards (which went live at midnight) come in several varieties -- such as Happy Birthday, Message to the Troops ... and the "Casual Poke."
It's a Facebook term, get your mind out of the gutter!
8/13/2010 12:17 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
Authorities are ducking for cover in the decision not to prosecute MLB superstar Johan Santana for allegedly raping a woman back in October ... each blaming the other side for pulling the plug on the investigation.
TMZ just spoke with Samantha Syoen -- a spokeswoman for the Florida State Attorney's Office -- who told us they never went after the NY Mets all-star pitcher because the Lee County Sheriff's Department never presented the case.
But the Sheriff's Dept. is calling BS -- claiming a State Prosecutor named Francine Donnorummo not only declined to prosecute ... but signed an official document backing her decision. .
Now, the State Attorney's Office claims Donnorummo signed the document at an "informal and regular meeting" ... and it wasn't intended to be the final decision on Santana's fate.
Bottom line -- no one in law enforcement wants to take responsibility for letting Johan skate.
Filed under: Johan Santana, Celebrity Justice, TMZ Sports
8/13/2010 12:15 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned self-admitted steroid user Jose Canseco was just evicted from a home he was renting in Los Angeles.
According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, the former MLB star ... turned steroid finger pointer ... turned reality star ... turned celebrity boxer ... turned alleged deadbeat ... received a notice to "vacate" a Northridge home he had been renting since last year.
A source connected to Canseco tells us the trouble began after Jose missed two months of rent.
We're told Jose left the home late Wednesday night ... and won't be allowed back.
Yesterday morning, we spotted Jose at Fred Segal on Melrose ... who gave us the 'ol "no comment" when asked about the situation.
Filed under: Jose Canseco, Celebrity Justice
- Recent Comments
- Most Commented On
8/12/2010 5:30 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Joanna Krupa is pissed that a company has used her image to promote its event without her permission. And ... Joanna Krupa is pissed that a company has used her image to promote its event without her permission.
Krupa filed a pair of lawsuits in Los Angeles Superior Court today -- in each, she claims, the companies used her pics to advertise some sort of event ... though it's not clear what.
In each case, Krupa wants more than $25,000.
Filed under: Joanna Krupa, Celebrity Justice
8/12/2010 4:20 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
The passenger who allegedly beaned JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater may have been a malicious, arrogant bitch, but Steven was still in the wrong ... this according to an internal airline memo obtained by TMZ.
As TMZ first reported, Slater is telling people the passenger "maliciously" struck him in the head by yanking on the overhead bin, cutting his head.
But, according to the JetBlue email, " ... if Mr. Slater’s story proves to be accurate, and even if there was a precipitating event that motivated his behavior, that still doesn’t excuse his actions."
The memo goes on, "There is no excuse for endangering Crewmembers and Customers in response to a challenging service situation. Intentionally arming and deploying an evacuation slide for anything other than the express purpose of protecting the safety of our Crew and Customers is unacceptable."
The memo adds, "Slides can be as dangerous as a gun ... It is an insult to all aviation professionals to have this particular element of the story treated without the seriousness it deserves."
Filed under: Steven Slater, Celebrity Justice
8/12/2010 3:45 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Lindsay Lohan could have an early graduation from UCLA ... TMZ has learned ... but don't count on it.
Although the judge ordered Lindsay to spend 90 days in lockdown at UCLA for psychiatric and drug treatment, we've learned the inpatient program she's in typically lasts only 45 days.
When the program ends, the new judge -- Elden Fox -- could be asked to make a decision on what to do with Lindsay for the remaining 45 days. Judge Fox could release Lindsay from UCLA and place her in outpatient care. But we're told that's not a likely scenario.
A medical professional connected with the case tells TMZ it's "not uncommon" for a patient to repeat a program. In other words, after 45 days, Lindsay would get the same treatment the second time around. The medical professional adds the treatment is not redundant because patients often absorb a lot more the second time.
The medical professional tells us it's also very possible UCLA would stylize treatment for the remaining 45 days based on unresolved issues.
A source tells TMZ the doctors have not decided exactly how long the inpatient phase of Lindsay's treatment should last.
Ultimately, Judge Fox would listen and almost certainly follow the doctors' recommendations.
Lindsay has been at UCLA for 11 days.
UPDATE: Shawn Chapman Holley tells TMZ, "We are waiting to hear the assessment of doctors and other treatment professionals concerning the appropriate length of Ms. Lohan's rehabilitation. We will defer to their expertise and to the wisdom and authority of Judge Fox in that regard."
Filed under: Lindsay Lohan, Celebrity Justice
8/12/2010 12:05 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
"American Idol" sources tell TMZ ... the Jennifer Lopez deal isn't dead yet, but if it does flatline ... "Idol's" next choice is country star Shania Twain.
Shania was a hit on "Idol" this past season when she served as guest judge and mentor.
We're told Shania is Plan B.
TMZ has a thought ... What about Britney Spears? She's fun, she kinda knows music and you never know when she'll go off the hinges. And she's endlessly entertaining. Just sayin' ...
Filed under: Jennifer Lopez, Shania Twain, American Idol, TV
8/12/2010 11:34 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
Marisa Miller is officially the most badass Victoria's Secret model on the planet -- girl straight up got into a sword fight yesterday in Los Angeles ... and no surprise ... her form is perfect.
It's all in preparation for her spot in a new Captain Morgan ad campaign -- and according to our sources, Marisa is an expert at parrying unwanted advances.
Filed under: Marisa Miller
8/12/2010 12:25 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
The photo of Tim Tebow standing next to a hyperbaric chamber was "photoshopped" in a diabolical plot to use the NFL star for some quick advertising ... this according to Tebow's business manager.
Tebow's rep tells us that the owner of Pikes Peak Hyperbaric "couldn't have been further from the truth" when he told TMZ that Tebow purchased the chamber in 2008 for roughly $20,000.
Tebow's rep explained that roughly 6 weeks ago, Tim signed a "rental agreement with the manufacturer."
The rep tells us Tim had the machine in his possession in Florida ... but had it shipped to Colorado in an effort to help the Denver Broncos rookie "acclimate to the high altitude in Denver."
The rep says someone from Pikes Peak Hyperbaric helped set up the chamber in Tebow's hotel room "3 or 4 nights ago" and then asked for a photo ... not knowing that someone would later "photoshop" PPH's website onto the machine.
TMZ spoke with a rep from PPH -- who admitted photoshopping his logo over the original manufacturer's logo and told us, "It wasn't a well thought out process."
As for the 2008 statement -- the PPH tells us it was "misinformation" on its part.
Filed under: Tim Tebow, TMZ Sports, Celebrity Justice
Featured Stories
