8/31/2010 2:30 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Ian Benardo -- the former "American Idol" contestant who sued the show for $300 million -- has withdrawn that lawsuit ... only to refile a new one for $100 million.
Benardo refiled his lawsuit for workplace discrimination and sexual harassment today in federal court. The original suit was filed with the NY State Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
A rep for Benardo says he was advised that the case was not under the jurisdiction of NY's EEOC -- and instead he had to take the matter to federal court. Benardo is suing because he claims "Idol" producers exploited his sexual orientation and told him to "gay it up."
As for why he dropped his astronomical demand from $300 mil to $100 mil -- Benardo's rep inexplicably says it was a "cleaner amount."
Then again, $100 gazillion is also pretty clean.
Filed under: Ian Benardo, Celebrity Justice, American Idol
8/31/2010 1:30 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Former NFL star Plaxico Burress won't be returning to the football field any time soon -- TMZ has learned the famous wide receiver's latest attempt to participate in a work release program was just shot down by authorities in Albany.
Burress -- who was locked up for illegal gun possession after accidentally shooting himself at a NY nightclub -- had requested a "temporary release" so he could play football again.
But officials denied his request stating, "The serious and negative impact illegal guns have on the community coupled with dangerous nature of the weapon discharging in a public place renders him unsuitable for work release participation."
According to the NY Dept of Correctional Services, the work release program "allows certain inmates to leave a work release correctional facility for a period of several days at a time for community preparation."
Filed under: Plaxico Burress, TMZ Sports, Celebrity Justice
8/31/2010 12:20 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
There's a criminal investigation underway in connection with the fatal attack involving Samantha Ronson's dog.
Officials from the County Department of Animal Care & Control tell TMZ there is a criminal investigation underway to determine cause of death for Tiger, the 3-pound Maltese that was killed after Sam's bulldog, Cadillac, got out of her apartment unit yesterday.
We're told Ronson -- who was sleeping at the time of the attack -- is the subject of the criminal investigation.
An Animal Control official tells us they will be looking at the circumstances of the attack and Cadillac's propensity for violence. As we first reported, Cadillac had attacked another dog a while back and had actually just come home from a 3-week socialization program.
Animal Control tells us this could be a 2 to 3 month investigation.
Filed under: Samantha Ronson, Celebrity Justice, Pets
8/31/2010 12:00 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
MMA badass Roger Huerta was in the house for TMZ Live -- and talked to Harvey about beating the crap out of a guy who allegedly hit a woman outside a bar in Austin, Texas.
Plus: An update on Samantha Ronson's dog attack situation.
Filed under: Roger Huerta, Samantha Ronson, TMZ Live, Celebrity Justice, TMZ Sports, MMA
8/31/2010 11:50 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
Zsa Zsa Gabor has been taken to a hospital, but sources tell TMZ her condition is not life-threatening.
We've learned the person who called 911 from Gabor's house mentioned flu-like symptoms and body pain.
We're told a private ambulance has taken Gabor to the hospital, without emergency lights flashing ... an indication her life is not in immediate danger.
UPDATE: Zsa Zsa's publicist, John Blanchette, tells TMZ the doctors have stabilized Gabor's condition -- though she's still undergoing certain tests."
Blanchette tells us he's "hopeful she'll be released tonight."
Filed under: Zsa Zsa Gabor, Nurse!
8/31/2010 11:04 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
"Iron Chef" star Masaharu Morimoto is being sued by a barback who claims the chef stiffed him on wages and tips.
Jose Bueno says there's nothing bueno about the money he brings home from Morimoto restaurant in New York City.
Bueno claims he earned less than the minimum wage and Morimoto retained portions of his tips and gave them to non-service employees, such as silver polishers.
Bueno also claims some of the tips were pocketed.
You'll recall ... TMZ broke the story "Iron Chef" Mario Batali was also sued recently by employees for allegedly pocketing tips.
Filed under: Masaharu Morimoto, Celebrity Justice
8/31/2010 11:00 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
The tribe has spoken -- and the sheep scared snapshot beat out the competition in our Second Annual "Funny Baby Face Contest" -- scoring our $250 prize and some great gifts from TMZ!
As an homage to Labor Day -- this week's contest is TMZ's "Prego Picture" Contest! So email in your best baby bump photos for a chance at this week's $250 prize and some super awesome wicked cool mystery gifts from TMZ!
**CLICK HERE for contest rules and regulations!**
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8/31/2010 10:36 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
LeBron James wants a court to be as dismissive as he is over a lawsuit filed by a man who claims to be his father.
TMZ broke the story ... Leicester Bryce Stovell filed a $4 million lawsuit against LeBron and Gloria James, the NBA star's mom, claiming fraud and defamation.
Now attorneys for LeBron and Gloria have asked a judge to dismiss the suit, labeling it "rank speculation." According to the new legal docs obtained by TMZ, LeBron's lawyers scoffed at "... a man who claims that as a twenty-nine year old lawyer he got a 15-year old girl pregnant during a one-night stand and who never contributed a penny in child support would earn millions in commercial endorsements by crawling out of the wood-work after the child he never gave a thought to became an NBA star."
The new docs also note the results of a DNA test which show "0% probability of paternity."
Filed under: LeBron James, TMZ Sports, Celebrity Justice
8/31/2010 10:35 AM PDT by Johnny Lopez
In 2000, Yancy Butler became famous playing the lead in that cable movie/show "Witchblade." Guess what she looks like now!
Filed under: Yancy Butler, Beauty
8/31/2010 10:30 AM PDT by Johnny Lopez
Salma Hayek could barely contain herself as she made her way to Madeo in L.A. last night.
The 43-year-old really is one of the breast actresses in town.
Filed under: Salma Hayek, Paparazzi Photo, Hot Bodies, Hot Mamas
8/31/2010 10:25 AM PDT by Johnny Lopez
Actresses Nia Long, 39, and Meagan Good, 29, worked it out at the same event in L.A. on Monday.
Question is ...
Filed under: Nia Long, Meagan Good, Beauty
8/31/2010 10:20 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's former Las Vegas landlord is suing the MJ Estate -- claiming he never received $234,000 for damage the singer allegedly caused to the home during his stay from 2008 to 2009.
The landlord -- Aner Iglesias -- had previously filed a creditor's claim with the Estate ... but dude says the administrators blew him off ... so he's decided to file the suit.
According to the docs, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Jackson damaged the exterior and interior of the home, and screwed up the phone and alarm system.
Reps for the MJ Estate could not be reached for comment.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Celebrity Justice
8/31/2010 10:50 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned ... Zsa Zsa Gabor is being rushed back to UCLA Medical Center.
Zsa Zsa's husband, Prince Frederic von Anhalt, tells TMZ, "I just called an ambulance. She has to go back to UCLA."
The Prince says the 93-year-old Zsa Zsa was unresponsive and clearly in distress.
An ambulance is on the scene after 911 was called.
No word yet on the nature of the emergency.
Story developing...
Filed under: Zsa Zsa Gabor, Prince Frederic von Anhalt, Nurse!
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