Imprisoned reality star calls 'scorned gay lover' a 'liar' in appeal
During the heart of Todd Chrisley's fraud trial last year, a former male business partner claimed under oath to have had a secret affair with the reality TV star. Now, Todd and his wife, Julie Chrisley, are calling the man, Mark Braddock, a "liar."
In Todd and Julie Chrisley's 124-page appeal, they say Mark fabricated "everything" to cover up crimes. However, DailyMail.com reports the paperwork makes no mention of the alleged relationship Todd and Mark had in 2005.
"Braddock lied about everything [so] it was not necessary," the Chrisley lawyer told the U.K.-based outlet.
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In the summer of 2022, the "Chrisley Knows Best" parents were found guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion. A few months later, Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison while his wife was sentenced to seven years in prison for the same crimes; both also got another 16 months of probation and were ordered to pay more than $17 million in restitution.
In their appeal, the Chrisleys claim their fourth amendment rights were violated and insist that there was "insufficient evidence of the bank fraud counts" and "procedural errors." They also claim the prosecution "relied exclusively on the testimony of Mark Braddock" — which they say left a lot to be desired.
"Braddock's testimony about Julie was sparse. He testified only that he had discussed with her whether certain documents looked real or not and the need to keep projecting a positive financial picture so Todd could keep getting loans," the Chrisleys allege.
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Mark and Todd had a falling out a decade ago, which is when Mark — whom the media has dubbed a "scorned gay lover" — blew the whistle on the reality TV duo. Prior to that, Mark and Todd were allegedly engaged in a consensual affair. While in court, Mark even claimed someone knew about the relationship, noting that he and Todd payed a blackmailer $38,000 to stay quiet.
Todd later addressed the claims on his "Chrisley Confessions" podcast.
"What's insulted me the most is that, out of all these 54 years, for me to finally be accused of being with a man, it would be someone who looked like Mark Braddock," Todd said. "That is the one thing that is the most insulting. To say that I couldn't pull something better than that… There's better to be had by Todd Chrisley than that."
Todd called Mark a "toad" and "someone that looks like a thumb."
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Pee-wee Herman actor sues over alleged theft
Paul Reubens is suing a man whom he claims stole a collection of props from "Pee-wee's Playhouse."
The man, however, claims Paul doesn't own the items, which include, among other things, the Dog Chair, the Floory puppets, Mr. Window and several cue cards — all items that fans of the show will easily recognize.
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The actor, who famously played Pee-wee Herman in movies and on TV for decades, claims he loaned items from "Pee-wee's Playhouse" to James Comisar and his memorabilia company, The Comisar Collection. The idea, Paul says in the lawsuit, was to display the items at the Museum of Television. Paul alleges that he and James agreed the "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" star would get the items back upon request.
Paul soon discovered, however, that the museum does not exist.
He alleges that James has been keeping the items in his private collection, TMZ reports.
Paul also alleges that James gave him the cold shoulder — and claimed the props were gifted to him — after he demanded the items be returned. James even sold some items at auction and kept the money for himself, Paul says.
The actor is asking the court to force a return of the Pee-wee property. If the already-purchased items cannot be retrieved, he's willing to take $1 million, he says.
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James, meanwhile, has issued a statement countering Paul's claims: "I am sad to learn that Mr. Reubens has resorted to the threat of a lawsuit to improperly seek the return of items that he simply does not own. In addition to those items personally given to me by Mr. Reubens in lieu of sending them to the landfill, without conditions or promises, Mr. Reubens seeks the return of material that was the property of film studios, production companies, and individual creators — none of which he is entitled to," he said.
"Over the ensuing three decades, I have cared for, conserved, and preserved these items at my considerable expense — and with Mr. Reubens' complete and continual knowledge of their whereabouts. Beyond his baseless accusations, Mr. Reubens has simply not shown that any of these items are his property," he continued.
Paul is asking for an injunction to stop the sale of whatever props from the show are left.
Pregnant reality star shares surprising reason she got booted from a theme park ride
Motherhood is not supposed to be amusing like this.
Stassi Schroeder claims she was kicked off an amusement park ride at Universal Studios in Los Angeles this week because she's expecting a child.
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The "Vanderpump Rules" alum expressed her frustration on her Instagram Story on Wednesday, May 31, telling followers that she was ready to enjoy the "Secret Life of Pets" ride before things went sideways.
"Don't worry about it, don't worry about it," she vented.
"They just had to stop the 'Secret Life of Pets' ride to kick me off because I'm pregnant. I'm not embarrassed or anything. Also it goes like negative two miles an hour," she later added
Universal Studios does have restrictions for women who are expecting — the theme park's website says expectant moms are prohibited from enjoying 10 attractions including the "Secret Life of Pets" ride. Page Six points out that Stassi was allowed to enjoy the "WaterWorld" stunt show and several other attractions at the park.
This past spring, Stassi and husband Beau Clark announced on Instagram that they are expecting their second child.
"Secrets stress me out," she wrote on social media while debuting her tiny-at-the-time baby bump. "Baby #2, I love you so much already."
The couple later announced that they are expecting a baby boy.
"I knew the whole entire time that we were having a boy," Stassi said on her "The Good The Bad The Baby" podcast in March. "I kept saying it. I felt it. It was a vibe. I don't know how to f****** explain it."
Stassi and Beau share 2-year-old daughter Hartford, whom the former reality TV star recently called the "funniest, brightest, spunkiest, friendliest, sassiest, most confident, ketchup-loving girl out there."
"I love being a girl mom," Stassi previously said. "I love the idea of being surrounded by feminine energy. Two little girls. How f****** cool is that?"
Now, she and her husband of nearly three years are excited to discover "what it's like to have a son."
'70s rocker supports Pride month after calling gender affirmation surgery a 'sad and dangerous fad'
Weeks after catching backlash for his comments about gender affirmation surgery, Paul Stanley is backing Pride month.
"I think everybody has a right to be who they are, and life's too short to be anyone else," he told a TMZ camera crew. "Everyone should celebrate who they are. Be proud of who you are as long as its something worth being proud of."
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When asked if being transgender is something to be proud of, he replied, "What's the criteria for being proud is being a good person, not transgender or any other gender."
The supportive comments might be surprising, as they come a month after he said teaching children about gender affirmation surgery and gender identity is a slippery slope.
"There is a BIG difference between teaching acceptance and normalizing and even encouraging participation in a lifestyle that confuses young children into questioning their sexual identification as though some sort of game and then parents in some cases allow it," he wrote on Instagram on April 30. "There ARE individuals who as adults may decide reassignment is their needed choice but turning this into a game or parents normalizing it as some sort of natural alternative or believing that because a little boy likes to play dress up in his sister's clothes or a girl in her brother's, we should lead them steps further down a path that's far from the innocence of what they are doing."
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Is unclear why the KISS co-founder and guitarist sounded off on the matter at the time.
"With many children who have no real sense of sexuality or sexual experiences caught up in the 'fun' of using pronouns and saying what they identify as, some adults mistakenly confuse teaching acceptance with normalizing and encouraging a situation that has been a struggle for those truly affected and have turned it into a sad and dangerous fad," he continued.
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A few days later, Paul backpedaled a bit in a broader statement.
"While my thoughts were clear, my words clearly were not," he tweeted. "I support those struggling with their sexual identity while enduring constant hostility and those whose path leads them to reassignment surgery. It's hard to fathom the kind of conviction that one must feel to take those steps."
He continued, "A paragraph or two will remain far too short to fully convey my thoughts or point of view, so I will leave that for another time and place."
'Top Chef' star drops major bombshell
"Top Chef" is about to have a very different flavor.
On Friday, June 2, Padma Lakshmi announced that she is leaving the popular Bravo show after 17 years and 19 seasons.
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"After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave Top Chef," the host and judge wrote on Instagram. "Having completed a glorious 20th season as host and executive producer, I am extremely proud to have been part of building such a successful show and the impact it has had in the worlds of television and food."
Padma has been a mainstay on the show since its second season.
"After 17 years, many of the cast and crew are like family to me and I will miss working alongside them dearly. I feel it's time to move on and make space for 'Taste the Nation,' my books and other creative pursuits," she continued.
Hulu's "Taste the Nation" is in its second season.
Padma concluded by thanking supporters of the show.
Following the annoucement, a NBCUniversal spokesperson told People magazine, "Padma Lakshmi leaves behind an incredible legacy on Bravo's 'Top Chef.' Her impact on the Emmy, James Beard and Critics' Choice Award-winning series is undeniable. We are grateful to Padma for being a consummate host, judge and executive producer, and for bringing her ingenuity and exceptional palate to each episode where she ate every bite of food on the series for over 17 years and 19 seasons. She will always be part of the 'Top Chef' and the NBCUniversal family and has a seat at the judges' table anytime."
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Many of Padma's celebrity pals weighed in on her shocking news.
"End of an era and an incredible run. You were such an amazing partner and a BRILLIANT host," Andy Cohen commented. "I have such great memories of our TC days."
Buddha Lo, who won season 19 of "Top Chef," wrote, "I feel honored to be a part of your magical journey @padmalakshmi."
Padma's announcement comes just days before the finale of "Top Chef: World All-Stars" is set to air.
FBI getting involved in Bravo affair scandal
The FBI — the country's top law enforcement department — has been contacted in the wake of the "Vanderpump Rules" cheating scandal after death threats were made against Raquel Leviss.
In the months since the former beauty queen's affair with Tom Sandoval came to light, Raquel and her family have been on the receiving end of "violent and graphic" threats online and over the phone, TMZ reported, citing Raquel's rep.
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Although Raquel understands that people are upset about the Scandoval, as it's become known, she rightly feels that death threats are taking things too far.
The FBI has been coy about its involvement in the case.
"FBI neither confirms nor denies investigations. Obviously, we review all allegations reported to us and encourage anyone who believes their life is in imminent danger to call 911," an agency spokesman said in a statement.
The scandal dominated headlines when it first emerged, but the pot was stirred again when the first part of the season 10 reunion special aired on Bravo on May 24. Raquel appeared on the reunion show —which was taped in late March — but she checked into a mental health treatment facility afterward. She hasn't been seen in public since, but Ariana Madix — the woman Tom cheated on — told Andy Cohen that Raquel has been sending Tom letters from the facility.
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Despite the bad blood between Tom and Ariana, the former couple has continued to live in their shared home in Los Angeles, though they sleep in separate bedrooms and only communicate via an intermediary. Earlier in the week, photos appeared to show Ariana moving out and filling up a U-Haul truck, but it was later revealed that the images were staged to promote her new partnership with a financial company.
"I'm moving up, not out. Well, not yet at least. It's time to get my financial house in order. I will have more to share with you very very soon," she said.
Ariana has publicly said she wants to sell the house and completely cut Tom out of her life.
Horror movie icon reveals future of his Freddy Krueger character
Robert Englund is just not ready for prime time again.
The actor will forever be tied to the Freddy Krueger character he played in eight "Nightmare on Elm Street" films, but he doesn't foresee himself scaring the world again.
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"I'm too old and thick to play Freddy now," he told Variety to promote the "Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story" documentary. "I just can't do fight scenes for more than one take anymore, I've got a bad neck and bad back and arthritis in my right wrist. So I have to hang it up."
Robert, however, would "love" a cameo should Freddy get remade. And, he has an idea about how to resurrect the "Nightmare on Elm Street" films in modern times.
"You'd have to deal with technology and culture," he says. "For instance, if one of the girls was an influencer, it would be interesting for Freddy to somehow haunt her subconscious and manifest himself, perhaps exploit everybody that followed her."
While the Freddy Krueger character is known (and feared,) Robert isn't letting his famed character's notoriety go to his head.
"I know who icons are," he said. "I'm not an icon. Maybe Freddy Krueger is, but I'm not. I'm just a character actor, a utility actor who's been very lucky."
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Back when Robert played the terrifying child killer from 1984 to 2003, the horror genre wasn't as respected as it is today.
"I felt there was a cultural shift that people recognized," he says. "Horror is the punk rock of cinema in its own way. There was a recognition of pulp as a great ingredient in our cultural world. There's room for pulp and melodrama, and the door opened wider for horror."
'Nasty' American Idol judge ready to call it quits after season of backlash: Report
Katy Perry is reportedly on the verge of quitting "American Idol" amid fierce fan backlash.
The most recent season of the ABC show was particularly trying for Katy, as she was sometimes booed for criticizing performances. The "Firework" singer was also dragged for mom-shaming another contestant who eventually quit the show.
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As this went on, Katy felt like the wasn't getting proper backing from the higher-ups.
"Katy feels like [the producers] threw her under the bus. She feels like her comments could have been removed," a source told DailMail.com. "Katy became aware of the harsh criticism. Getting booed really upset her. She was trying to stay in her lane, do her job and go home."
The source continued, "She went into ["Idol"] thinking she was going to foster young talent. For her good intentions to be misinterpreted it was not what she wanted. She has accomplished so much in her career and is now being looked at as a nasty reality show judge. Katy's wanted out for some time now, but this season was way too much for her to handle."
Should Katy choose to leave the competition show, she will be walking away from a reported $25 million-a-season contract. For the hitmaker, it's worth it.
"[Katy's decision to quit] is not a money thing," the insider said. "For her, it is starting to be more of a legacy issue. She does not want her career defined by a talent competition show where she isn't even performing."
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The pop star has dealt with controversy every season, but her comments about contestant Sara Beth Liebe went viral. While finding out that 25-year-old has three children, Katy said, "Honey, you been laying on the table too much."
After the episode aired, Sara posted a video on social media to air her thoughts. "At the start of my audition before I sang, I mentioned that I had three children and was a young mother and Katy Perry made a joke that wasn't super kind," she said. "I don't have too much to say on my feelings about it because it's probably pretty self explanatory. But, I did want to take this opportunity to say that I think that women supporting and uplifting other women is so cool and I think that mom shaming is super lame."
Although Sara was advanced to the next round following that very audition, she soon left the completion to be home with her children. Fans blamed Katy for Sara's exit.
'Shark Tank' star worth $100M is 'not a believer in saving money'
"Shark Tank" star Barbara Corcoran isn't afraid of going financially underwater.
While chatting with CNBC Make It to discuss her success, Barbara said she doesn't believe that saving money is the key to wealth.
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"I'm just not a believer in saving money, I've never saved a dime my whole life," she said. "When I sold my business for $66 million, I immediately thought of what could I spend it on. I gave half of it away to family, friends, education funds, charities – because I really believe that if you spend money it comes back to you."
The philosophy has apparently worked, as Barbara has a reported net worth of $100 million. But, the reality TV star didn't come up with her spending theory, as she recalled her mother also having a casual attitude about money.
"Don't worry about the money. What a waste of time," she recalled her mother saying after one financially trying moment.
She aded, "I think the carefree attitude of believing that money makes money if you are willing to share it and spend it really works – or, at least, it has certainly worked for me."
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Back in the '70s, Barbara spent $1,000 to begin a real estate company. In 2001, she sold it for $66 million. She's continued to increase her bankroll, as she's invested in over 80 businesses, many of which appeared on "Shark Tank."
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Music star criticized for exiting stage, leaving fans 'in the dark' for 20 minutes at bomb-stricken concert venue
Sam Smith is being slammed after abruptly exiting a concert stage and leaving fans "in the dark" for 20 minutes without any kind of announcement. Only adding to the anger was that fans felt Sam was particularly insensitive about the blackout, given that that particular show took place at the Manchester Arena, which was the site of a bombing during an Ariana Grande concert six years earlier.
That incident claimed the lives of 22 people.
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Page Six said the Grammy winner left the stage after experiencing vocal problems a few songs into the setlist. However, concertgoers weren't informed why Sam abruptly left the stage, and they were simply asked to leave the arena after standing around for a while. This, of course, isn't sitting well with fans, many of whom are still scarred from the May 2017 bombing.
"Apparently lights down, no immediate explanation. How scary for fans in the AO Arena Manchester, just days after the 6th anniversary of losing 22 people. #SamSmith #Insensitive," one person tweeted.
Another fumed, "@samsmith @AOArena just not ok I had my 13 year old sat with me in the dark for 20 min before another 20 in the light on nearly to the day of the awful things that happened and you had us sat in the dark genuinely hope Sam is ok but damn handled awfully."
Added a third attendee, "It was so insensitive the way the audience found out. Especially with it being 6 years since the arena attacks! Keep them informed."
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Following the quick cancelation, Sam, who goes by the they/them pronouns, attempted to address the situation on their Instagram Story.
"I don't know what to say honestly. I fought off a virus a few weeks ago and since then we have travelled across Europe and had such incredible shows," the "Stay With Me" singer wrote. "Today in soundcheck I felt fine and was so excited to give Manchester an amazing show tonight, with a special surprise guest at the end."
"During my third song, I noticed something wrong with my voice. I prayed it was just my voice waking up for the show but into the fourth song I could feel something was really wrong," Sam continued. "I came off stage and tried everything to get my voice back in gear but it won't. I am honestly heartbroken I couldn't finish the show tonight for you all."
Citing doctors orders, Sam has canceled two upcoming shows in the United Kingdom.
