Wonder how long this relationship is going to last. We showed you the clip of Nicole recently and it’s caused a lot of ChitChatter. Many have questioned what the hell Nicole’s old azz was even doing in London Taylor’s “No Panties” video . According to reports , Strahan isn’t too happy and is worried about his new squeaky clean image he’s trying to portray on his LIVE! with Kelly and Michael gig: “Little old ladies watch me every day, and it isn’t going to go over too well if they see you on screen caressing another man in a music video,” Michael told Nicole, according to the source. The couple, who got engaged in May 2009, have had their share of ups and downs. The gap-toothed TV personality, who tapes in New York, regularly calls Nicole in Los Angeles to check up on her, say sources. “His jealousy is threatening to ruin their relationship,” said the friend. “Only time will tell if it lasts.” Is their love strong enough to last through Nicole’s struggle to find her place in the entertainment biz? Images via WENN
If this snitch tells one more damn lie … Mitt’s poster child got booed by the audience as he vowed to repeal Obamacare during AARP’s annual conference yesterday in New Orleans. “The first step to a stronger Medicare is to repeal Obamacare, because it represents the worst of both worlds: It weakens Medicare for today’s seniors and puts it at risk for the next generation.” The speech almost came off as a lecture more than “facts”, which we know is saying a lot for the Robney/Lyan campaign. Ryan also talked about the cut rate, saying, “The money wasn’t walled off to stay in Medicare. Instead, the law turned Medicare into a piggy bank for Obamacare.” The kid got cut off again by more boos and he responded by telling the crowd…”You don’t have to take my word for it, you don’t have to take my word for it,”. Stop the lies please. Images via youtube/WENN
O.J. can’t catch a break . Locked up and serving his 33-year sentence for armed robbery, the IRS slapped O.J. with a huge back taxes amount of $180…all owed from 2007-2010. According to TMZ , the breakdown is as follows: 2007 – $15,927.89 2008 – $105,119.71 2009 – $49,490.27 2010 – $8,897.20 All totaled up, Simpson allegedly owes $179,435.07. The lien is just the latest in a string of problems for the former football star — 7 months ago his FL home was foreclosed on … and he’s still locked up for kidnapping, armed robbery and other charges from a 2007 Las Vegas incident. O.J. still owes over $30 mill to the families of slain wife Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman too. He’s up for parole in 2016 and if granted, it looks like he’ll be workin’ a lot of overtime. Images via WENN/Twitter
This is a shame. Deadbeat dads dependent on government benefits may be truly S.O.L. thanks to the latest changes in the Treasury Department. Old child support debts could cost thousands of poor men their only income next year because of a policy aimed at reducing the cost to the government of mailing paper checks to pay federal benefits. The Treasury Department will start paying benefits electronically next March. It will stop issuing the paper checks that many people rely on to safeguard a portion of their benefits from states trying to collect back child support. States can freeze the bank accounts of people who owe child support. A separate Treasury Department rule, in place since last May in a preliminary form, guarantees them the power to freeze Social Security, disability and veterans’ benefits that have been deposited into those accounts. Once paper checks are eliminated, about 275,000 people could lose access to all of their income, advocates say. In many cases, the bills are decades old and the children long grown. Much of the money owed is interest and fees that add up when men are unable to pay because they are disabled, institutionalized or imprisoned. Most of the money will go to governments, not to the children of the men with child support debts, independent analyses show. States are allowed to keep child support money as repayment for welfare previously provided for those children. In some instances, the grown children are supporting their fathers. The rule change illustrates how a politically desirable goal like cracking down on so-called deadbeat dads can have complicated, even counterproductive, effects in practice. “The rule doesn’t look at the fact that the money is mostly interest, the money is going to the state, the kids are usually adults, and it’s leaving the payer with nothing,” says Ashlee Highland, a legal aid attorney who works with the poor of Chicago. Highland says her office has clients in eviction, in foreclosure and unable to pay their bills because of states’ aggressive efforts to collect back child support. Marcial Herrera, 44, has had his bank account frozen repeatedly since 2009, blocking his access to $800 a month in government benefits. Unable to work because of a severe back injury he suffered in 2000, Herrera fell behind on child support. He owes more than $7,000 – not to his 22-year-old son, but to the state of New York, because his son received welfare years earlier. Herrera sought help in court and had his son speak on his behalf, but the judge could not erase the thousands he already owed. “I’m just waiting for them to lock me up,” he says. “I don’t see no other way of me repaying that debt.” A legal aid attorney suggested Herrera collect his benefits by paper check. It costs him $15 to cash the check each month, but at least he can be sure that he will have money to pay his bills. States have had the ability to freeze accounts for years. That’s why people like Herrera rely on paper checks to safeguard part of their income. Starting next March, that option will disappear. The Treasury Department will deposit federal benefits directly into bank accounts or load them onto prepaid debit cards. Either way, state child support agencies will be able to seize all of it. Electronic payments are expected to save the government $1 billion over the next 10 years, the Treasury Department says. It costs the government about $1 to mail a check, compared with about 10 cents for an electronic transfer. The Treasury Department understands that forcing people into direct deposit could deprive them of all of their income, say officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the rule-writing process. States can garnish only 65 percent of benefits before the federal government sends them out. But the limit does not apply once the money is in an account and states ask banks to freeze it, according to a Treasury Department memo obtained by The Associated Press. A Treasury spokesman declined to discuss the policy. Letting state agencies seize the money contradicts the public stance of the Department of Health and Human Services, the federal agency in charge of child support collections. The department does not want states to collect child support so aggressively that poor people lose their only income, spokesman Ken Wolfe says. “Child support enforcement – getting that money and passing it on to parents and children – is a measure to fight poverty, and it doesn’t make sense to accomplish that by impoverishing somebody else,” he says. Wolfe said HHS is developing guidelines for states to “make sure we’re not putting someone into deep poverty as a result of an automatic collection.” He declined to provide details of those plans. Lawyers from HHS agreed with Treasury’s decision to let states seize benefits, according to the Treasury memo. An early version of the Treasury department rule protected people from having their federal benefits frozen by debt collectors – including private collection agencies and states seeking back child support. State child support agencies replied in public comments on the proposed rule that blocking their access to people’s benefits would cause great harm to parents and children receiving child support. HHS research suggests the policy could deepen the hardship for people who collect benefits as well. People who owe large amounts of child support are almost universally poor. Among those owing $30,000 or more, three-fourths had no reported income or income of less than $10,000, HHS says. Many had their earnings interrupted by disability or jail time and are unlikely to repay the child support debt, the government-sponsored research says. The usual methods of collecting back child support often don’t work with the poor. States typically start by garnishing wages. If that doesn’t work, they can suspend driver’s licenses, revoke passports and take away professional credentials. Those measures have little effect on poor people without jobs who rely on federal benefits. They have no wages to garnish and no passports. Many can’t afford a car and do not need a driver’s license. The White House is reviewing the final version of the rule. Its impact so far has been limited, legal-aid lawyers say, because people can still use paper checks. A White House spokeswoman did not respond a request for comment. In a letter sent last week, the National Consumer Law Center and dozens of other groups called on the head of the Social Security Administration to withdraw his support for the rule. “While both current and past due child support orders should be paid,” the letter said, it should not result “in the complete impoverishment of recipients” of federal benefits. The issue has failed to raise alarm in part because most people feel little in common with men labeled deadbeat dads, says John Vail, an attorney with the Center for Constitutional Litigation who provided legal services for the poor for decades. “There’s not a lot of sympathy for deadbeat dads, and justly so,” Vail says. “But everybody’s got limits, and I think people who have never walked a mile in some of those old, worn-out shoes are a little quick to rush to judgment about what that life might be like.” See Uncle Sam will always find a way to put his hand in your pocket… even when your pockets are EMPTY! The states shouldn’t be entitled to outdated payments, interest, none of that. Especially not if the kids are grown. SMH This ish is cray! Source YouTube More On Bossip! For Discussion: Viola Davis Wears Her Hair Natural To The Oscars – Revolutionary Or Not? For The Stans: Beyonce, Jay-Z And Blue Ivy Carter Hit The Streets Of NYC For Their First Family Outing [Photos] Has Sweathog Rick Ross Got His Paws On Amber Rose’s Cakes Now? Shining Stars: A Gallery Of Celebrities At The NBA All-Star Game
Damn shame that “a picture is worth a thousand words” and not dollars ! Eastman Kodak Co. filed for bankruptcy protection early Thursday morning, after the film pioneer failed to raise fresh cash to fund a long-sputtering turnaround, The Wall Street Journal reported. The 131-year-old company struggled for decades to cope with the emergence of competitors in its film business and the rise of digital technology. But its final pivot — an attempt to transform itself into a company selling printers — proved too costly amid declining film sales and expensive obligations to its retirees. The company said in a statement it has obtained “a fully-committed, $950 million debtor-in-possession credit facility with an 18-month maturity from Citigroup to enhance liquidity and working capital.” It said it believes it has “sufficient liquidity” to continue business operations during Chapter 11. “Kodak is taking a significant step toward enabling our enterprise to complete its transformation,” Kodak CEO Antonio Perez said in a statement. “Chapter 11 gives us the best opportunities to maximize the value in two critical parts of our technology portfolio: our digital capture patents … and our breakthrough printing and deposition technologies, which give Kodak a competitive advantage in our growing digital businesses.” Perez pointed out the fact that the company has effectively moved away from its traditional film operations, “closing 13 manufacturing plants and 130 processing labs, and reducing our workforce by 47,000 since 2003.” “Now we must complete the transformation by further addressing our cost structure and effectively monetizing non-core IP assets,” he said. “We look forward to working with our stakeholders to emerge a lean, world-class, digital imaging and materials science company.” The statement said that the Rochester-based company expects to pay employee wages and benefits and continue customer programs. Subsidiaries of the company outside the US will not be affected by the bankruptcy filing. The voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 business reorganization were filed in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The filing came as little surprise, with The Wall Street Journal reporting ahead of the announcement that the company was appointing a chief restructuring officer in anticipation of bankruptcy. Shares of Kodak ended Wednesday trading up 4.4 percent at 55 cents, but have fallen 14.6 percent during January, and almost 90 percent over the past 12 months, according to Fact Set data, MarketWatch reported. Eastman Kodak last week unveiled a new, streamlined business structure aimed at increasing productivity, cutting costs and boosting the troubled company’s digital business. Under the new structure, Kodak reduced its number of segments from three to two — the Commercial Segment and Consumer Segment. Kodak previously had three operating units: the graphic communications group, which provided digital equipment and software to printing industries; the consumer digital imaging group, which focused on print images; and film, photofinishing and entertainment. Kodak listed assets of $5.1 billion and debt of $6.8 billion in the bankruptcy filing. We hope they’re able to recover. It would be a shame to lose a pioneering company like Kodak. Source More On Bossip! X-Rated Bangers: The Hottest Black Adult Movie Stars In The Biz…Would You Wife Any Of Them? Part 2! Ballerific Cribs: Check Out Some Of The Luxurious Abodes Of NFL’s Finest [Photos] More Love: The Beautiful Cakes Of Women We’d Like To See In Future Episodes Of Love & Hip-Hop Celebrity Kush Chronicles: Rih-Rih And Her Hedonistic Streetwalker Steez Go For A Stroll While She Sparks MORE Yahmean!
Oh yeah baby… Our Blakey boo brought his handsome freckled face (and hot bawwwdy) to the cover and pages of Men’s Health Magazine L.A. Clippers power forward and 22-year-old NBA sensation Blake Griffin lands on the cover of the January/February issue of Men’s Health (on newsstands today), sharing the workout routine responsible for making him one of the most explosive athletes of his generation and his secret for rising above the competition. Check out some of his quotes below: Blake on energy… “Energy is something you can control. In everything you do, you’re going to face people more talented than you. I set myself apart by bringing more energy than they do.” Him is so smart. Keep reading for more excerpts from the interview…
Wow. We’re impressed… Ignacio Marquez lost $10,000 in the Las Vegas Airport only to have it returned to him by a good samaritan, reports 9 News. The last honest man, Mitch Gilbert, was traveling home to Greenwood Village, Colorado when he found two unmarked Caesar’s Palace envelopes, each holding $5,000, at the airport. “If it happened to me, I sure would want that back,” Gilbert told the local news station. After days of unsuccessful attempts to locate the owner through the airport, Gilbert finally heard about Marquez and got in touch with the no doubt distraught traveler. Gilbert deposited the money in Marquez’s bank account two days before Christmas. “I’m very appreciative to Mitch and his family. You do not find people like this,” Marquez said. Shiiiiiiiid. The recession is STILL real . And Ignacio would’ve been at least 5Gs short.
Y’all seemed to like this broad the last time we put her up , so we figured we’d why not show you some more? Apparently this chick has other talents besides modeling — the kini she is rockin’ is of her own design, she’s got her own clothing company called the Leiluna Collection. Get a better look at her cakes on the flip.
SMDH … As owner of A-Z Outlet in Holland, Bryan Vandenbosch has purchased a lot of electronics, jewelry, and tools, but after almost 19 years in business, he bought something he never expected — a Purple Heart, a medal awarded to U.S. soldiers wounded in battle. This one was earned in Afghanistan in May 2010. “(The soldier had) been in here the week (before Thanksgiving),” says Vandenbosch. “He brought it in the following week, I purchased it from him, and put it on display.” Vandenbosch says the active duty solider, on leave from Afghanistan, was reluctant to sell the medal at first, but like a lot of people, he needed a little extra cash for the holiday season. So, the soldier gave up one of his two Purple Hearts — something he almost gave his life to get. As word began to spread about the medal, Vandenbosch says the phone has been ringing off the hook with people wanting to help. “I have people that have walked in already this morning that have asked me `hey, how much did you pay for it? I’ll pay for it so he can get it back,’” he says. One of those people is Garrett Vanderduim, a Vietnam veteran. “A purple heart is a treasured thing among service guys, and it stands for a lot,” explains Vanderduim. “I thought it would be a good thing to help out, especially during Christmas time.” But the medal is not for sale, and the store owner says he’ll keep it safe until the soldier decides to come back. “(In case) the gentleman wants it, it’s never going to be sold,” he says. Now, nestled between diamond earrings and a gold watch lies the military medal. It’s quite a sight for Carlos Mendez, who was born in Cuba, and doesn’t take his rights as an American for granted. “When I see something like that it’s just awesome that somebody is willing to go out there and defend our freedom,” Mendez says. Many items in the pawn shop have a story; from the green leather suit that gave a woman enough money to leave an abusive marriage, to a musical instrument that paid for cancer treatments, but the story behind each Purple Heart is one that affects every American. “It means the ultimate sacrifice for your country,” Vanderduim says. “(The soldier was) wounded, you can’t get much closer to the end than that.” This says so much about us as a country and the things and people we value most… Source
A lot of people may not want to accept this, but Houston rappers really are the trillest in the game. Because they were on their independent grind long before many of us found out about them, Houston rappers have this sense of self that allows them to say and do whatever the hell crosses their mind, without giving two thoughts to what the rest of us might have to say. They are also very much about their money, and very aware of how to make, save and enjoy their bread. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. But Slim Thug isn’t that exception. If anything he’s the textbook example. And while some of you may wonder what he’s been up to, he has a legion of loyal online and off-line followers who keep up with every joke, every lyric and every bit of advice. So when he jokingly said in a song that he wanted to write a book offering advice on How To Survive In A Recession, the fans held him to it. BOSSIP chopped it up with Slim Thug on Twitter last week about his new role as an author, the realness (and fakeness of Hip-Hop) and, of course, his love life. Peep the tweets on the flip.
