Prison Break Star Arrested For Felony Domestic Violence

Update: Cops went back to the Beverly Hills apartment of Lane Garrison Sunday afternoon -- and this time the former "Prison Break" star was there ... so they arrested him on suspicion of domestic violence. more details here.

50 Cent Accused of Song Sample Theft

(TMZ) 50 Cent is being accused of sampling a song without permission on an album he released for free online nearly three years ago -- and the guy suing claims 50 knows he took the song ... but just doesn't care!

According to a lawsuit filed in New York, Robert Poindexter of The Persuaders claims 50 used a snippet from his band's song "Love Gonna Pack Up and Walk Out" on a song called "Redrum."

The song appeared on an album that 50 posted online for free ... which Poindexter claims 50 feels gives him immunity from any copyright claims.

Poindexter says in the suit, "Fifty Cents [sic] has not denied the infringement, but appears to be basing his defense solely on a frivolous and immaterial claim that the illegal version is not being commercially exploited, but is given away for free."

Free or not, Poindexter is suing for unspecified statutory damages and an additional $600,000 in punitive damages, plus interest. more on this story

Basketball Wives Star Charged With Battery

(TMZ) "Basketball Wives" star Nia Crooks has been charged with misdemeanor battery for slapping Jennifer Williams' mouth back in January ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for the Broward County State's Attorney's Office tells us ... officials decided to file the charge on April 10 ... after Williams filed a criminal complaint. If convicted, Nia faces up to a year in the slammer.

During the incident, which aired on last week's episode of "Basketball Wives" -- Nia can be heard threatening to slap Jennifer ... to which Jennifer replied, "I wish you would." Her wish was granted. more on this story

Drug Bust On Rick Ross Yacht Averted

(TMZ) Cops in Florida were close to making a drug bust on Rick Ross' yacht ... if not for a quick-thinking cohort who ditched the evidence at the last minute ... this according to law enforcement.

A rep for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (yes, they can arrest you) tells us officers flagged down Rick's boat on Thursday after noticing the odor of weed.

We're told cops boarded the water vessel and conducted a search ... but found nothing.

Now get this ... cops tell us one of Rick's homies ADMITTED to smoking weed onboard the ship ... but claimed he threw the dope overboard when he noticed the officers.

The plan WORKED -- a rep for the FWCC says because the officers didn't find any marijuana on board, no arrests were made ... and no further investigation will be conducted. more on this story

No More Standard For Lindsay Lohan?

(TMZ) Lindsay Lohan will never step foot in The Standard Hotel again ... or at least for the foreseeable future. She's telling friends the hotel is a curse, causing her nothing but heartache ... and last week's drink-throwing incident was the last straw.

You would think Lindsay might swear off clubbing period, but if you thought that you just don't know LiLo. She's on the hunt for a new hip place to spend her free time.

We're told Lindsay is fully aware she's now a big fat target ... knowing full well there are people who want either quick publicity, some easy money or both -- but she vows not to become a shut-in out of fear.

As for Wednesday's drink-throwing debacle -- Lindsay admits she was at The Standard's nightclub Smoke and Mirrors ... but insists the other girl was the instigator.

We're told Lindsay is confident everyone will eventually realize she did nothing wrong during the drink-throwing incident and the alleged shoving incident two weeks ago. more on this story

Sean Kingston Avoids Maserati Repossession

(TMZ) Sean Kingston nearly had his Maserati repossessed for failing to make payments -- but after the leasing company filed a lawsuit, Kingston came through with the cash.

According to court docs filed in Florida, Kingston and his sister signed a lease in 2008 on a 2006 Maserati Quattroporte. The leasing company claims Kingston and his sister fell behind on their payments and stopped paying altogether last November.

The company claimed Kingston and his sister defaulted on the lease and owed $3,503 in back payments, plus the balance of the lease ... an additional $29,323.00.

According to the lawsuit, Kingston and his sister held onto the car despite requests to turn it over, saying the pair "concealed" it at their home in Sunrise, FL.

But the lawsuit got Kingston's attention and he made good on the payments. The leasing company dropped their lawsuit last week. more on this story

Lana Del Rey Delivers Carmen Video

(popmusiclife) Lana Del Rey released her new video for "Carmen" over the weekend. The song is the latest single from her "Born To Die" album.

The artsy video comes complete with grainy footage and New York City life as Lana's team continues to build a retro vibe for her brand.

In June, Del Rey will play a series of concerts in New York and L.A.; she'll hit the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles June 3-5 and New York's Irving Plaza on June 7, 8 and 10. Watch the new video here.

Roberta Flack To Talk Beatles on Access Hollywood

Roberta Flack will be promoting her new album, "Let It Be Roberta: Roberta Flack Sings The Beatles" with appearances on Access Hollywood and Dave Koz's radio show on April 30th.

For the first time in over 13 years, Roberta has debuted in the Top 200 Albums chart plus Let It Be Roberta also landed in the Top 30 of the R&B Albums chart.

The first single "We Can Work It Out" is still going strong at several different radio formats including AC, Urban AC and Smooth Jazz (where it just entered the Top 10 this week). more on this story

Kardashian's Approve of Kanye?

(TMZ) Kanye West met Kim Kardashian's family this weekend in New York and according to our sources ... the Kardashian clan absolutely loved him.

According to our sources, Kanye and Kim were excited for the family gathering and the opportunity to show them just how great they are together.

We're told the meeting went great and the family thinks they make the perfect couple.

Earlier in the day, the pair went shopping around SOHO and were photographed eating ice cream and smiling up a storm. more on this story

NY Jets' Antonio Cromartie Vs Bank

(TMZ) NY Jets' Antonio Cromartie is in danger of losing the house he bought with his mom back in 2006 ... right AFTER he became a multi-millionaire ... TMZ has learned.

Cromartie is being sued by the Bank of NY ... for allegedly blowing off $105,381 in missed mortgage payments on an 864 sq. foot home he bought in his hometown of Tallahassee, Florida in November '06.

According to Zillow.com, Cromartie bought the house for $135k. Docs show he co-signed on the loan with his mom right after he was selected in the 1st round of the 2006 NFL Draft ... and they locked in on a ridiculously high 9.7% interest rate.

Bank of NY claims Antonio stopped making payments in 2010 ... and now it wants a judge to force the Pro Bowler to hand over the keys to the property AND make good on his mortgage payments ... plus interest.

We're guessing the bank is aware of the MASSIVE contract he signed with the Jets last year ... 4-years, $32 million ... which probably isn't that much considering he's got 12 mouths to feed ... plus baby mamas. more on this story

Former America's Next Top Model Comments On Firing

(TMZ) Freshly-fired "America's Next Top Model" judge Nigel Barker tells TMZ, the show's in for a rude awakening now that he's been canned ... because his shoes will be INCREDIBLY difficult to fill.

Nigel tells us, "Good luck to whoever [replaces me]. I would imagine it's a tricky thing to replace someone who's going on their 19th season."

As for why Nigel believes he got the boot -- he tells us, the network is bent on completely revamping the show ... after record low ratings the last two seasons.

But he adds, "Who knows if this is going to work? I don't necessarily think it's a good idea ... Maybe it will work. Maybe it won't. I wish them luck."

Tyra Banks announced this morning ... the CW would not be renewing Nigel's contract for the show's next season. The other two famed "Top Model" judges Jay Manuel and J. Alexander were also fired. more on this story

Arnold Schwarzenegger Gets Away With Speeding

(TMZ) Arnold Schwarzenegger was caught red handed speeding through Beverly Hills Wednesday ... BUT the cop let him skate -- 'cause seriously, who challenges The Terminator?

It all went down on the rough streets of Bev Hills ... the ex-Governor put the pedal to the metal of his Mercedes AMG ... then was stopped dead in his tracks by a man in crisp blue.

"The Expendables" actor must have turned on the famous charm that both cops and maids just can't resist -- Arnold got a warning and was sent on his merry way. more on this story

Burglar Bunch Movie Threatens Trial Witness Credibility?

(TMZ) The lawyer for the Burglar Bunch member on trial for breaking in to Paris Hilton's house wants to know how much Emma Watson and all the other actors are going to make in the movie about the crime spree.

David Diamond, the lawyer for defendant Roy Lopez Jr., has just subpoenaed "The entire payroll records of all actors, consultants, and staff...."

Diamond tells TMZ ... what he's specifically after are the consultants -- some members of the Burglar Bunch as well as the investigator who cracked the case -- to impeach their credibility if they testify against Lopez.

Diamond will argue the upcoming movie compromises the prosecution's case, because it gives witnesses in Lopez' trial a financial motive to overly-dramatize the alleged crimes. more on this story

MasterChef Explains Tip Redistribution Accusation

(TMZ) "MasterChef" Graham Elliot is FED UP with the lawsuit recently filed against him and insists everything he did in his Chicago restaurant was legally within his rights ... this according to new docs.

If you recall ... the culinary God is being sued by former Graham Elliot Restaurant employee Gregory Curtis, who alleges that Elliot was skimming tips from waiters and giving it to the kitchen staff ... which would be a violation of federal law.

But in a response filed earlier this month, Elliot claims the suit is BS. While he does admit he DID take tip money and pool it for other staff members -- bartenders, bussers, and food runners -- he is adamant ... under federal labor laws, it was totally legit.

Elliot now wants the judge to throw out the suit completely and force Curtis to cover his legal fees as well. more on this story

Dolly Parton Remembers Dick Clark

Dolly Parton has issued a statement in tribute to Dick Clark who died from a heart attack last week.

Parton says: No one could have been nicer, classier nor better looking than Dick Clark. I've had a crush on him since I was a teenager. But much more than that, who in this world has done more for the music industry?

He will always stay young and special in the minds of all of us. May you rest in peace.

Love,

Dolly Parton
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