10:22 AM EDT 10/19/2009
Trials & Lawsuits
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Lawsuit: Jon Gosselin Used Kids as Pawns in Contract Dispute
Originally posted 10/16/2009 05:40PM
When Jon Gosselin decided to pull his kids from Jon and Kate Plus 8 last month, he said it was for their well-being because he and his wife were going through a divorce.
But in a lawsuit filed against him Friday by TLC, the show's production company says Jon only attempted to remove his kids after producers failed to give into his attorney's demand to let him out of his exclusivity contract.
The suit says Jon's attorney contacted them the same day they announced they would re-launch the show in November as Kate Plus 8 and focus it on Kate's life as a single mom. The suit says TLC only made the announcement after an unsuccessful attempt to discuss the matter with Jon.
Permalink | Filed Under: , Trials & Lawsuits, Jon Gosselin, Kate Gosselin
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Nicolas Cage Owes $6.3 Million in Back Taxes
Originally posted 10/09/2009 05:45PM
On screen, he has battled everything from hardened convicts to vast conspiracies. Now Nicolas Cage is tangling with what may prove to be his toughest foe: the IRS.
The government has placed a tax lien on his vast real estate holdings because of $6 million in unpaid back taxes dating from 2007, the year of the 45-year-old actor's box office hits Ghost Rider and National Treasure: Book of Secrets, according to court papers.
In addition, the Internal Revenue Service has yet another lien for over $350,000 in unpaid taxes dating from 2002 to 2004.
Permalink | Filed Under: , Trials & Lawsuits, Nicolas Cage
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Eric Dane & Rebecca Gayheart Sue Over Nude Tape
Originally posted 09/23/2009 07:25PM
Eric Dane and wife Rebecca Gayheart are suing the pants off the parent company of a blog that posted their nude tape last month.
The couple, who appeared in the 12-minute home video with former teen beauty queen Kari Ann Peniche, 25, are suing Gawker Media for copyright infringement for more than $1 million.
Nick Denton, publisher of Gawker, responded in a Twitter message: "To quote the great Marty Singer – Eric Dane's lawyer – if you don't want a sex tape on the internet, 'don't make one!'"
Permalink | Filed Under: , Trials & Lawsuits, Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart
Elisabeth Hasselbeck Dismisses Plagiarism Claim
Originally posted 06/24/2009 11:20AM
No worries, says Elisabeth Hasselbeck – who took a brief moment during Wednesday's The View to comment on the copyright infringement charge against her by a Massachusetts author.
"I just want to assure you the allegations are without merit and are being handled appropriately," said Hasselbeck, 32, who has spoken openly about her self-diagnosed celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder linked to gluten proteins in wheat, barley and rye.
Hasselbeck's book, The G Free Diet-A Gluten-Free Survival Guide, was published in May 2009 by Center Street Hachette Book Group. Crying foul, and seeking $3 million, is Susan Hassett, who claims that in 2008 she had sent Hasselbeck a copy of her own book – the self-published Living with Celiac Disease – along with a homemade cooking video, a newspaper story about celiac disease, her business card and a personal note.
Permalink | Filed Under: , Trials & Lawsuits, Elisabeth Hasselbeck
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Rock Musician Files Lawsuit over Dog's Mysterious Death
Originally posted 06/23/2009 07:05PM
The drummer for the rock band My Chemical Romance is suing a dog trainer after the musician's beloved German shepherd mix died in the trainer's care – and was returned in the form of cremated remains, according to court papers.
In a bizarre lawsuit filed in Burbank Superior Court, Bob Bryar alleges breach of contract, fraud, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Daniel Schaffer, described in the action as the self-proclaimed "dog trainer to the stars."
"I don't even know what happened to my best friend and miss her more than anything in the world," Bryar tells PEOPLE. "The devastation I feel is beyond words."
Permalink | Filed Under: , My Chemical Romance, Animals & Pets, Trials & Lawsuits
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Man Alleges Assault by Chris Brown's Bodyguard
Originally posted 05/27/2009 08:20PM
Chris Brown is facing more legal trouble – this time from a man who claims he was beaten up by the singer's bodyguard.
Robert Rosen is suing Brown, 20, for personal injury, alleging he was roughed up after taking a snapshot of Brown at a Los Angeles fitness club on March 13, according to the lawsuit filed in L.A. Superior Court.
Rosen claims he was chased by the bodyguard, who yelled at him after taking the picture while Brown was playing basketball, and attempted to run away, but an employee of L.A. Fitness Club allegedly "tried to block [Rosen's] exit and grabbed his clothing and body."
Permalink | Filed Under: , Trials & Lawsuits, Chris Brown
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Britney's Former Bodyguard Sues Singer for Negligence
Originally posted 05/19/2009 07:40PM
A former bodyguard of Britney Spears sued the pop star and a security company for personal injury, court papers filed Monday in Los Angeles reveal.
The lawsuit, which gives little detail, claims the singer "negligently operated her home and business thereby causing injuries" to Kerry Vine, who worked for Spears and Advanced Security Concepts.
Vine further claims that Spears, 27, and the security company "caused [him] harmful or offensive contact without his consent." His injuries were not described in the lawsuit.
Lawyers for both sides weren't immediately available for comment. – Ken Lee
Permalink | Filed Under: , Trials & Lawsuits, Britney Spears
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Rob Lowe's Feud with Second Nanny Also Ends
Originally posted 05/14/2009 01:30PM
On the heels of a truce with his former nanny, Rob Lowe's legal battle with a second nanny, Laura Boyce, is also over.
Los Angeles Superior Court records show that attorneys for both sides have requested the entire case be dismissed. It's unclear if a financial settlement was involved. Lawyers for both sides had no comment.
Lowe, 45, had sued Boyce in April 2008 for defamation and violating her confidentiality agreement, while Boyce alleged sexual harassment by his wife, Sheryl, accusing the actor's wife of using racial and sexual epithets during her seven-month employment with the Lowes.
Permalink | Filed Under: , Trials & Lawsuits, Rob Lowe
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Rob Lowe's Legal Battle with One Nanny Is Over
Originally posted 05/13/2009 07:55PM
The war between Rob Lowe and one of his former nannies, Jessica Gibson, has ended, with both sides requesting their lawsuits be dismissed, court records show.
It's unknown if a financial settlement was involved. Lawyers for both sides had no comment.
Lowe, 45, preemptively sued Gibson in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in April 2008, alleging she was trying to blackmail him and his family unless he paid her $1.5 million. Within days, Gibson filed a sexual harassment suit against Lowe and his wife, Sheryl, claiming he groped and exposed himself to her over her seven-year employment with the Lowes.
Permalink | Filed Under: , Trials & Lawsuits, Rob Lowe
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LISTEN: 911 Calls by Victoria Principal and Maid
Originally posted 05/13/2009 06:00PM
Victoria Principal and her maid both put out emotional pleas for help after a confrontation at the actress's Malibu home, according to tapes of the calls.
"[She] want to kill me," housekeeper Maribel Banegas tells the emergency operator Dec. 26. "I need help. She's pointing a gun. She's going to kill me. She's after me."
In her own call, the Dallas star portrays Banegas as the problem. "I have a housekeeper that I don't really know who's on the premises," Principal is heard saying. "She's locked herself in the guesthouse and she's robbing me. I told her I'm calling the police and I need you here now. She's threatening and she's locked herself in the guesthouse."
Permalink | Filed Under: , Trials & Lawsuits, Victoria Principal
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