Source: Derrick Salters/WENN.com / WENN In the days since the alleged attack suffered by Jussie Smollett in Chicago, authorities have battled theories and speculation surrounding the incident. Now, it’s come out that the FBI is looking into mail sent to the studios where Empire is filmed to gather more intel. TMZ reports : Sources on set tell us a private security company was hired by the show and met with FBI agents to establish a protocol for inspecting all incoming mail. We’re told the team wears gloves so the evidence in question is not contaminated. The security team has 2 functions … to flag threatening, incoming mail and alert the FBI, and to possibly link new items to the letter Jussie already received, containing homophobic and racists epithets along with an image of a noose. Our sources say the security team has already flagged “hate mail,” but we’re told that it’s nothing new. The show has been targeted by racists and homophobes in the past, but now everyone is on high alert and the FBI is screening all of it. The outlet adds that sources tell them security on set is extra tight in the wake of the attack. — Photo: WENN
It’s official: Larissa Dos Santos Lima is facing a domestic violence charge for allegedly attacking husband Colt Johnson last week. The criminal complaint – which comes on the heels of an ugly and well-publicized fight between the 90 Day Fiance stars – states that Larissa “did willfully and unlawfully use force or violence against or upon the person of her spouse.” TMZ has obtained the complaint and was the first website to publish this excerpt from it. The charge is a misdemeanor and was filed Wednesday in Vegas. As we’ve documented in detail, Larissa was taken into custody very early last Friday morning after some sort of confrontation with Johnson that resulted in his bloody lip. Larissa also shared a number of photos online that allegedly depicted what Johnson had done to her face — but police on the scene determined these wounds (such as the one below) were self-inflicted. Just hours after his wife was arrested, Johnson filed for divorce. We’ve seen reported on how Colt is trying to expediate this process, telling a judge he doesn’t want spousal support and that the couple owned no joint property… … and that he basically wants to be done with Larissa as quickly as legally possible . The TLC personalities had made plenty of headlines together long before this unfortunate incident. Late last year, Johnson admitted to having cheated on his wife; while Larissa was also arrested on a domestic battery charge in November, although it was eventually dropped. In this latest instance, Johnson told cops Larissa became enraged after learning he subscribed to an adult entertainment website. She accused him of cheating again. According to the police report, Colt said Larissa had downed half a bottle of antidepressants and was suicidal . View Slideshow: Larissa Lima Shares Shocking Photos of Bloody Fight With Colt Johnson; 90 Day Fiance Star Arrested [BREAKING] For her part, Larissa alleged that Colt was the aggressor, scratching her in the face and on her torso. However, cops investigated both sides and believed that Johnson was telling the truth; hence the arrest last Friday around 5 a.m. In the days since this violent back-and-forth, both Colt and Larissa have posted messages on Instagram. The former explained to followers how he simply doesn’t understand Dos Santos Lima and said he has paid for absolutely everything on her behalf since she moved to America. Here is a snippet of what he wrote online after filing for divorce: Larissa, meanwhile, tried to start a GoFundMe account so that fans could help pay for her split and her “new life.” But those behind this fundraising service took down her page for some reason. “Thank you all who donated on my go fund me campaign. I raised the money I need! When I feel better I will make a video to thank you and I will mention every single donor,” she wrote on Instagram on Saturday, sharing that she had a court date for Febriary 12. This is what she had previously written about the situation on her social media account: Johnson and Dos Santos Lima married last June after meeting on an online dating website. He proposed after a mere 11 days together, after which she moved (from Brazil) to Las Vegas to be with him. Their relationship was documented on season six of 90 Day Fiance, the reality program that follows couples who have applied for or received a K-1 visa available to foreign fiances of US citizens. They then have 90 days to decide to marry before the visa expires and the foreign half must leave the nation. View Slideshow: 90 Day Fiance: Most Shocking Scandals Exposed!
Source: Prince Williams / Getty Casanova might be one of the top rising rappers in New York at the moment, but his career might suffer a bump if the charges over an alleged attack and robbery stick. On Wednesday, the Roc Nation rapper was indicted on charges of robbery and coercion after a woman claimed Casanova and another man violently attacked her over thinking she was taking photos of them back in August . The Blast reports : The incident happened back in August, when Niya Rucker claims she was attacked by the “Set Trippin” rapper and an accomplice after they thought she was recording video of them while eating at the Good Stuff Diner in NYC. Casanova, who is currently signed to Roc Nation, turned himself into authorities shortly after a warrant was issued, but his legal team claimed the woman fabricated the story for the media for financial gain. On Wednesday, the rapper was indicted on charges of robbery and coercion. His alleged accomplice, Bobby Williams, was charged with strangulation. According to the indictment by the NY District Attorney, Casanova allegedly “forcibly stole property” and then instilled fear in the victim. The outlet adds that Rucker, who went public with news of the alleged attack stating she suffered several injuries, claims she was just trying to take a photo of her meal and not of Casanova. Casanova is now out on bail and due in court this December. — Photo: Getty
Source: Prince Williams / Getty Casanova might be one of the top rising rappers in New York at the moment, but his career might suffer a bump if the charges over an alleged attack and robbery stick. On Wednesday, the Roc Nation rapper was indicted on charges of robbery and coercion after a woman claimed Casanova and another man violently attacked her over thinking she was taking photos of them back in August . The Blast reports : The incident happened back in August, when Niya Rucker claims she was attacked by the “Set Trippin” rapper and an accomplice after they thought she was recording video of them while eating at the Good Stuff Diner in NYC. Casanova, who is currently signed to Roc Nation, turned himself into authorities shortly after a warrant was issued, but his legal team claimed the woman fabricated the story for the media for financial gain. On Wednesday, the rapper was indicted on charges of robbery and coercion. His alleged accomplice, Bobby Williams, was charged with strangulation. According to the indictment by the NY District Attorney, Casanova allegedly “forcibly stole property” and then instilled fear in the victim. The outlet adds that Rucker, who went public with news of the alleged attack stating she suffered several injuries, claims she was just trying to take a photo of her meal and not of Casanova. Casanova is now out on bail and due in court this December. — Photo: Getty
Starting tonight, Demi Lovato and Britney Spears will judge contestants on The X Factor Season 2. But before we watch these young superstars hand out compliments and critiques, let’s do a bit of both ourselves, shall we? The singers walked the red carpet of an X Factor premiere party in Hollywood last night, with Demi donning a short black skirt and Britney feeling a lot more blue. Which pop star pulled off her outfit best? That’s for us to ask – and you to decide! Compare. Contrast. Vote now.
Macaulay Culkin may not be on drugs, but he is not doing so hot. A friend describes him as depressed, sad, lonely and attempting to recapture his childhood. Weeks after the National Enquirer called Macaulay Culkin a heroin addict and said he was at death’s door, reports say the Home Alone star is very depressed. An insider close to Culkin says he is not doing well and has been attempting to relive his childhood and has been engaging in increasingly strange behavior. That includes hosting costume parties where guests are invited to come dressed as a movie character or dinosaur. “He likes to live as a child ,” says the source. “Growing up has not been good to Macaulay.” A former colleague says Culkin is a “sad and lonely figure,” and attributes his depression to his inability to land roles in recent years; he last acted in 2010. The actor denies he’s on drugs , but the Enquirer stood by its initial shocking story and encouraged the 32-year-old actor to seek help for his problems. In February, his reps also denied allegations that the actor was gravely ill after gaunt photos of Culkin emerged. He looks healthier in recent months, though. In fact, Culkin has been working on several paintings which he’ll be exhibiting this week, and has been using his New York apartment as a studio. So that’s good. Here’s hoping these are just rumors and that Mac is back and better than ever. [Photo: WENN.com]
Chad Johnson has been formally charged with battery following his alleged attack on Evelyn Lozada last month. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted. The former Ochocinco was arrested for domestic violence in Florida after a fight over a condom receipt allegedly got violent and he head-butted his wife . She filed for divorce days later after less than six weeks of marriage. Broward County, Fla., officials made the decision to charge Chad today. Evelyn Lozada claims their marriage had become “irretrievably broken” and has made it clear there will be no reconciling with the former NFL star here. Chad apparently didn’t get the memo, as he’s refusing to sign divorce papers , insisting he’s still in love with her and telling off his critics on Twitter. He also got a tattoo of Ev’s face on his leg. Her face. Johnson was also dropped from the Miami Dolphins – on HBO’s Hard Knocks no less – following his arrest and is now a free agent. Any NFL takers out there? Hello?
Darius McCrary is back in the news, for all the wrong reasons. The former Family Matters star, who was accused by ex-wife Karrine Steffans of abuse in June 2008 , has been ordered to remain at least 100 yards away from his former flame. A judge agreed to this temporary restraining order in response to legal documents filed by Steffans this week. They cite two separate encounters with McCrary. In February, Steffans – who rose to fame by starring in a number of rap videos – claims McCrary “choked me from behind and beat me with a belt. The alleged attack took place in front of her 12-year-old son. Karrine also says McCrary choked her and shoved her into a car during a November incident that was witnessed by a crowd of people at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in Los Angeles. A court hearing is scheduled for next week. McCrary and Steffans divorced earlier this year.
Filed under: Sacha Baron Cohen Sacha Baron Cohen is in the clear over an alleged attack on a gay cameraman at a gay rights rally in 2008 — TMZ has learned the photog has dropped the case citing his own “emotional well being.” The cameraman — Mike Skiff — filed a lawsuit against… Read more
