Lawyers
New dognapping particulars emerge in Girl Gaga case, extra information ICYMI
By Mark Gray
7:54am PDT, May 9, 2021
New dognapping details
The men who stole Lady Gaga’s dogs in February didn’t know they belonged to her, according to prosecutors. A criminal complaint that made headlines in early May alleges that the three men who were arrested in late April for the dog robbery as well as attempted murder — James Jackson, 18, Jaylin White, 19, and Lafayette Whaley, 27 — drove around Los Angeles “looking for French bulldogs.” (The breed is incredibly valuable.) The trio, who all have previous felony convictions, saw Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, with the pooches during an evening stroll. According to investigators, the men tailed Ryan until he turned down a more secluded street. The driver turned off the vehicle lights and pulled up next to Ryan before the men jumped out, the complaint said. Ryan was shot as thieves stole two of Gaga’s dogs and is still recovering. Two other defendants — Harold White, 40, and Jennifer McBride, 50 — were charged with one count each of accessory after the fact.
Legal situation
Khloe Kardashian‘s beau, Tristan Thompson, has threatened legal action against a woman claiming they hooked up earlier this year. The NBA star’s lawyer confirmed on May 4 that a cease and desist letter was sent to Instagram model Sydney Chase. In the letter, attorney Marty Singer said Sydney was lying about her alleged involvement with Tristan — who endured two epic cheating scandals in 2018 and 2019 — and trying to cash in on her newfound fame. Sydney, however, argued that she never got a letter. “The articles are giving false information. Let this be a lesson to not let anyone no matter the money or fame they have, to shut you down or tarnish your name,” she said on Instagram. The “No Jumper” podcast, which aired Sydney’s claims in April, also received a cease and desist letter threatening legal action. Khloe, meanwhile, apparently DM’d Sydney after the alleged tryst.
Conservatorship update
When Britney Spears appears before a judge next month at a hearing about the conservatorship that’s governed her life since 2008, she won’t be asking for it to end. Rather, she will be asking that her father Jamie Spears be removed as her conservator — permanently, TMZ reported on May 5. “She’s taken care of and she knows it,” a source told the webloid. However, the father-daughter duo have long had a strained relationship and Britney doesn’t agree with several business and personal decisions Jamie has made for her over the years, TMZ claimed, explaining that Britney thinks it’s time for a new person to be in charge.
Big break
Ronnie Ortiz-Magro caught a huge break following his recent domestic violence arrest — the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said it doesn’t have enough evidence to charge him with a felony. But the “Jersey Shore” star could still be charged with a misdemeanor, which would still be highly problematic, as it would be a violation of his probation (from a previous domestic incident). It’s now up to the L.A. City Attorney’s Office to determine if a misdemeanor charge is warranted. On April 22, Ronnie was arrested following an alleged domestic incident in L.A. involving his girlfriend, Saffire Matos. Shortly after, Saffire — who reportedly called 911 during the incident — said some of the reports about the arrest were “misleading.” Ronnie later thanked his “real friends” who hadn’t “betrayed” him.
Final date
It’s the end of an era in late night television. On May 3, Conan O’Brien announced the end of his 28-year career as a late night host. “As some of you have heard, it’s been out there for a while now, but we’re making it official. We are winding down our TBS show. The plan is to re-emerge on HBO Max sometime in the near future with, I think, what will be my fourth iteration of a program,” he said. “Imagine a cooking show with puppets and you’ll have the wrong idea.” Conan’s show has found a home on TBS since 2010, but he started in late night in 1993 with NBC’s “Late Show.” Conan will now transition to host a weekly variety show for HBO Max. The last episode of “Conan” will air on June 24.
Out on bail
Former reality TV star Josh Duggar — who was arrested on April 29 for allegedly downloading child sexual abuse images in 2019 — went before a judge on May 5 and asked to be released from jail so that he could go home to his pregnant wife and their six kids. That didn’t happen. A federal judge in Arkansas ruled on May 6 that Josh, who’s pleaded not guilty, could be released on bond but that he had to be in the presence of a monitor while visiting with his children. He will be living with a couple who have two adult children — they are friends of his father, “Counting On” star Jim Bob Duggar — and wear an ankle monitor ahead of his July trial date. Prior to his court appearance, Josh’s team begged for his release and argued that his fame all but ensured that he wasn’t a flight risk. He “has a widely recognizable face and has spent the majority of his life in the public spotlight — making any concern that he is a risk of flight all the more unwarranted,” court documents from his team stated. Additionally, his team said Josh never went on the run despite knowing that he was being investigated.
Shocking split
Twenty-seven years of marriage, three adult children and more than $130 billion in assets weren’t enough to keep this couple together. Melinda Gates and Bill Gates announced on May 3 that their marriage is over, and Melinda filed for divorce the same day. The billionaire philanthropists — who in 2000 founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a nonprofit that fights poverty, disease and inequity around the world — revealed their split news in a joint statement on Twitter. “After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage. Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives,” they wrote. “We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives. We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life.” The former couple do not have a prenup but have submitted to the court a separation agreement they’ve already negotiated.
Back on?
Two years after calling it quits, former couple Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott seem to be giving their romance another go. “Kylie and Travis are messing around and having fun together,” a source told “Entertainment Tonight” on May 5. “They’ve always had a strong connection and chemistry and they’re exploring their relationship romantically again.” The news comes after Kylie joined the rapper for his 29th birthday celebration in Miami, where the two shared a quiet meal together before heading out to a club where Travis was set to perform. Only time will tell if these two get serious again…
