Celebrities

Trump suit says he’s not ape spawn, seeks to collect on Maher’s ‘unconditional offer’

Donald Trump.Joe Seer Shutterstock.com Bill Maher.s_bukley Shutterstock.com Donald Trump says in a lawsuit filed on Monday that Bill Maher breached a contract when the comedian didn’t deliver on a promise made on The Tonight Show. Maher had told Jay Leno he would pay $5 million to charity if Trump proved…

Feb 5, 2013 12:57 PM CST

DJ wins radio rival defamation suit, but claimed lawyer DUI set-up by opposing firm unresolved

A Florida shock jock celebrated with his counsel Wednesday when a jury found him not liable in a defamation suit brought by a competing DJ. But, even after a six-week trial and an estimated $1 million in legal fees spent by both sides during a five-year litigation saga, the case…

Jan 31, 2013 5:37 PM CST

Ex-‘American Idol’ contestant insists he had fling with Paula Abdul, sues BigLaw firms for libel

A lawsuit filed by former American Idol contestant Corey Clark accuses two BigLaw firms of libel for a report apparently discounting his claim that he had an affair with judge Paula Abdul during the competition. The $120 million suit claims the Fox network hired Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Morrison…

Jan 30, 2013 1:15 PM CST

‘The People’s Attorney’ radio host is charged in $10M mortgage fraud

A suburban Chicago attorney who hosts a syndicated national radio program is facing a federal mortgage fraud case. Warren Ballentine is accused of helping unqualified buyers obtain mortgages by falsely stating in real estate closing documents that they intended to occupy the homes they were purchasing, according to the Chicago…

Jan 28, 2013 11:57 PM CST

Lawyer for Michael Jackson’s doctor says another of his lawyers forced her out of jail visiting room

A dispute broke out Tuesday at a Los Angeles jail between two different sets of lawyers for Dr. Conrad Murray, resulting in an ongoing battery investigation by the county sheriff’s department. Valerie Wass, who is representing Conrad Murray on appeal, said she was “forced” by attorney Ryan Flanagan out of…

Jan 24, 2013 6:34 PM CST

Fan’s privacy suit over Joan Rivers documentary nixed by 7th Circuit

Affirming a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit against Joan Rivers, a federal appeals court in Chicago on Thursday held that a fan did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy concerning a brief backstage chat with the raunchy comedian, in the presence of others. The fan, Ann Bogie, sued…

Jan 18, 2013 4:42 PM CST

Real-life details of crime fiction writer’s high finances revealed at trial

Crime doesn’t pay, but crime writing apparently does, according to evidence offered in the trial of a suit brought by author Patricia Cornwell. The author, known for her fictional accounts of a medical examiner, is suing wealth management firm Anchin, Block & Anchin and one of its former principals for…

Jan 16, 2013 12:00 PM CST

Owner of Hepburn Estate Loses Claim that Historic Commission Caused Him Emotional Distress

Corrected: A developer who owns the Connecticut estate of Katharine Hepburn won’t be able to pursue a counterclaim against a historic commission that alleged the agency’s decision on two granite posts exceeded its powers and caused emotional distress. Frank Sciame built the posts at the end of his driveway 5…

Jan 9, 2013 12:00 PM CST

1st Circuit Rules for Barbara Walters in Suit Claiming Book Misrepresented Boarding School Incident

A federal appeals court has ruled that a memoir by Barbara Walters did not defame a woman who attended boarding school with Walters’ daughter. The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled (PDF) on Tuesday that Walters’ statements in the book Audition: A Memoir were not defamatory as a…

Dec 20, 2012 3:23 PM CST

Probation Is Revoked for Actress Lindsay Lohan After Accident and Nightclub Incident

A new round of court proceedings is underway for Lindsay Lohan, whose probation in intertwined drunken-driving and necklace-theft cases was revoked Wednesday by a Los Angeles judge. The 26-year-old actress was not required to appear Wednesday and was represented by attorney Shawn Holley. A probation violation hearing was set for…

Dec 12, 2012 8:16 PM CST

Actor Stephen Baldwin Faces Income Tax Charges in New York

Actor Stephen Baldwin faces criminal charges in Rockland County, N.Y., where he is accused of failing to file returns and pay state income tax for 2008, 2009 and 2010. The district attorney said that, with penalties, the 46-year-old now owes $350,000, the Associated Press reports. Baldwin pleaded not guilty at…

Dec 6, 2012 11:38 PM CST

Handcuffed in A.M. re NYC Club Fight, Lindsay Lohan Is Charged in Calif. in P.M. re Accident Account

Actress Lindsay Lohan has doubled down in an ongoing saga of legal troubles. Handcuffed in the wee hours Thursday morning by New York City police after she was accused of hitting another woman in a nightclub fight and charged with suspicion of misdemeanor assault, the 26-year-old actress caught a new…

Nov 29, 2012 9:59 PM CST

Tom Cruise Files $50 Million Defamation Action Against Life & Style Magazine

Tom Cruise has filed a $50 million defamation and invasion of privacy action against Life & Style magazine over an article the celebrity magazine published about the actor suggesting he abandoned his daughter Suri, 6. According to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California complaint (PDF), the…

Oct 24, 2012 8:24 PM CDT

Former Confidante’s Suit Against Britney Spears and Parents Focuses on Her Alleged Drug Issues

Opening statements Thursday in a Los Angeles breach of contract trial included a photograph of Britney Spears with her head shaved, smashing an umbrella into a sports utility vehicle. Attorney Joseph Schleimer represents the plaintiff, a former confidante of the famous singer. The lawyer contended during his preview of Sam…

Oct 22, 2012 3:10 PM CDT

After Appeals Court Nixes Reversed Conviction of Anna Nicole Smith’s Boyfriend-Lawyer, What Next?

Confusion reigned following news that a California appellate court has determined that a trial judge erroneously reversed the conviction of Anna Nicole Smith’s onetime boyfriend and lawyer, in a relatively minor criminal conspiracy case concerning prescription drugs supplied to the now-deceased celebrity and former Playboy bunny. Lawyers said they aren’t…

Oct 19, 2012 7:08 PM CDT