Simone Biles Gets Emotional Testifying About Larry Nassar ... On Capitol Hill
2:26 PM PT -- Former ballerina Grace French, who was molested by Nassar at a young age, says she fully understands the emotion Biles went through while bringing up old, painful memories during her testimony Wednesday.
"It brings up a lot each time that this happens," Grace told Harvey and Charles on "TMZ Live." "Even if you aren't there or you aren't testifying yourself."
Grace explained she's hoping Biles -- and the other women -- who spoke in D.C. can finally help bring about some accountability when it comes to sexual abuse cases.
"It's ridiculous that the only person in jail right now is Larry Nassar when there are so many systems that were holding him up and allowing him to continue that abuse for decades," Grace said.
"It's not just one bad apple. It's a system and processes and procedures that are not in place in order to protect our athletes and in order to protect our kids."
Simone Biles broke down while testifying about Larry Nassar in front of a group of senators on Capitol Hill ... choking back tears while explaining how U.S. Gymnastics and other agencies failed her and other abuse victims.
Biles, along with fellow former USA gymnasts McKayla Maroney, Maggie Nichols and Aly Raisman, told their stories in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington D.C. on Thursday ... and understandably, it's still an incredibly difficult topic to discuss.
"I am also a survivor of sexual abuse," Simone opened her statement, continuing, "and I believe without a doubt that the circumstances that led to my abuse and allowed it to continue are directly the result that organizations created by Congress to oversee and protect me as an athlete, USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee failed to do their jobs."
Biles then quoted Nelson Mandela, before getting emotional while saying she never wanted another child to endure abuse.
Of course, Nassar was convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of women and girls ... and effectively received life in prison -- getting sentenced to 175 years behind bars.
But, the hearing wasn't directly about Nassar's deplorable behavior ... it was held to discuss the FBI's failures with respect to their investigation into the team USA doctor, after a government watchdog group concluded the country's top federal law enforcement agency didn't adequately respond to the allegations.
And, the gymnasts didn't hold back when taking on the bureau.
“We suffered and continue to suffer because no one at FBI, [U.S. Gymnastics] or the [USOC] did what was necessary to protect us,” Biles told the committee.
“We have been failed and we deserve answers. Nassar is where he belongs, but those who enabled him deserve to be held accountable. If they are not, I am convinced that this will continue to happen to others across Olympic sports.”
"This is the largest case of sexual abuse in the history of American sport," Biles told the committee, adding, "It truly feels like the FBI turned a blind eye to us."
Maroney also went in on the FBI, saying ... "They had legal, legitimate evidence of child abuse and did nothing."
The U.S. gymnasts are still testifying on Capitol Hill.
As for Nassar, he's rotting in prison ... where he will remain for the rest of his life.
Originally Published -- 9:18 AM PT
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Ex-'Smallville' Star Allison Mack Begins 3-Yr Prison Sentence Weeks Early ... For Recruiting Women in Sex Cult Case
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Former "Smallville" star Allison Mack couldn't wait to start serving her prison term ... or so it seems, 'cause she showed up more than 2 weeks early to begin serving her sentence.
Allison reported to the facility Monday, according to the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, CA. She was supposed to begin serving her sentence on September 29.
Mack was sentenced to 3 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of racketeering and one count of racketeering conspiracy in her highly publicized sex cult case. She recruited and directed women to have sex with the leader of the cult.
After her release ... Allison will be on supervised release for another 3 years.
BTW, if FCI Dublin sounds familiar it's because that's where Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman served their sentences for their roles in the college admissions scandal.
As we reported ... Allison was sentenced back in June. The sex cult leader, Keith Raniere, was sentenced to 120 years in prison. Mack was with him in Mexico when he got busted back in 2018.
Allison said her loyalty to Raniere was "the biggest mistake and regret of my life."
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G-Eazy Arrested for Assault ... After Alleged NYC Bar Brawl
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3:09 PM PT -- G-Eazy was arrested Monday evening and is facing an assault charge ... according to our law enforcement sources.
We're told the rapper's accused of striking the alleged victim in the face, causing pain and redness. He was released after receiving a desk appearance ticket to appear in court at a later date.
G-Eazy's in the crosshairs of police in NYC, after his crew allegedly got violent with another group of guys ... with punches and bottles thrown.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the rapper's been named as a suspect in an NYPD assault report, for an incident that went down around 1 AM Friday at the Boom Boom Room in the Standard Hotel.
We're told G-Eazy's party got into an altercation with a few other guys, and one of them claims a member of G's entourage hit him in the head with a glass bottle.
Our sources say the scuffle moved outside, where G-Eazy allegedly punched another man in the head.
We're told the dude who claims he took a bottle to the head went to the hospital to get checked out ... but the guy G-Eazy allegedly punched refused treatment.
No arrests yet, but we're told police are still investigating the incident.
Originally Published -- 12:40 AM PT
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MMA's Jason 'Mayhem' Miller Allegedly Involved In Bar Fight ... Police Investigating
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Jason "Mayhem" Miller allegedly broke a guys ribs in a bar fight just days before his domestic violence arrest, TMZ Sports has learned.
Our law enforcement sources tell us they recently responded to a fight at a San Fernando Valley bar. When they arrived, the altercation was over, and we're told no one wanted to press charges, so everyone was allowed to leave.
However, the next day, one of the people involved in the brawl went to the hospital ... and was diagnosed with several cracked ribs.
We're told at that point, cops took an incident report for felony battery. They're expected to turn the case over to the L.A. district attorney sometime in the near future ... and they'll decide whether or not to charge Mayhem for the bar fight.
Of course, we broke the story last week, Miller -- who has a long history of trouble -- was arrested for felony domestic violence after a woman accused the fighter of roughing her up early Friday morning.
During the domestic violence arrest, Mayhem didn't go easy, with cops using a taser in order to slap the cuffs on him.
Police said the alleged victim had injuries to her face and neck.
That case is still active ... and depending on what the D.A. decides, Miller could be hit with more charges from a totally separate alleged incident.
Story developing ...
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'Shark Tank' Star Kevin O'Leary Wife Not Guilty In Fatal Boat Crash
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1:05 PM PT -- Patrick Brown -- the attorney for the victims' families -- tells TMZ ... "The families will continue to fight for justice, civilly. O’Leary was charged under the Canadian Shipping Act following the collision. The acquittal in this matter has no bearing on the victims’ civil lawsuit. A different standard of fault applies, and additional evidence will be heard by a different court."
He adds, "We will continue to move forward with our cases, seeking accountability against those who caused this fatal and preventable boat crash. We are confident that once all the evidence is presented, justice will be obtained for the families of Susanne Brito and Gary Poltash." Brown says the families keeping up the fight is all about getting justice to prevent another tragedy like this from ever happening again.
Linda O'Leary -- wife of "Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary -- has been found not guilty in her criminal trial for a 2019 fatal boat crash on a Canadian lake.
As we reported ... Linda had been charged with careless operation of a vessel, and was accused of drinking alcohol before the boat she was driving struck another, killing 2 passengers.
The verdict was just read in court -- not guilty -- and the judge rejected any suggestion O’Leary was impaired by alcohol at the time of the boat crash ... concluding that alcohol played no part in the accident.
An acquittal will be entered in the case, and Linda's off the hook for any criminal charges.
However, the O'Learys are still facing a wrongful death suit for the fatal crash. They were sued in late 2019 by the family of one of the victims, alleging Kevin and Linda were incapable of safely operating the boat because their judgment was impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue.
As we first told you ... photos of both damaged boats were revealed during the criminal trial, showing the impact's brutal aftermath.
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Blueface Stomps, Kicks, Punches Club Bouncer ... Video Shows Attack
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Blueface is accused of viciously attacking a doorman at a club, and video of the incident shows 3 other men jumped the guy too ... and it's incredibly brutal and disturbing.
TMZ's obtained security footage from late Sunday night at Skinny's Lounge in the San Fernando Valley, where the rapper and his crew are accused of pummeling the club's bouncer for not letting Blueface in without his ID.
As you can see, the altercation started in the entryway to the club, and a member of Blueface's group throws the first punch ... then Blueface and the other 2 men proceed to attack, unloading a flurry of punches and kicks.
It appears a woman in the group is recording the attack on her phone, before Blueface seemingly stomps the bouncer. Then, another guy tries to lift him up by his feet while the attack continued.
Blueface is the last person seen on the video, and appears to give the bouncer a couple of taps to see if he's conscious before leaving.
As we reported ... the bouncer had to be transported to a hospital by ambulance where he got stitches, and photos of his injuries look pretty bad.
Law enforcement sources tell us officers took a battery report, and they are aware of this surveillance video ... so it will be crucial in the investigation.
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Subway Worker Scared To Go Home After Robbery ... Crook Knows Where I Live!!!
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The Subway worker who got suspended for aggressively stopping an armed man from robbing the store and then posting the surveillance video says she's afraid to go home ... because the crook has her info.
Araceli Sotelo, the Subway worker who went viral for fending off her attacker, tells TMZ ... she's scared the robber could be waiting for her outside her house because he stole her purse and her ID, and the whole ordeal has taken a huge toll on her mental health.
Araceli says she feels like Subway doesn't have her back after she got indefinitely suspended from the store she works at in Rockford, IL ... and she's not sure when she'll be allowed back.
She tells us why she defended herself and the store instead of just letting the crook have his way. She's also considering legal action against Subway.
A spokesperson for Subway tells TMZ ... "We are deeply concerned about the recent incident at a franchised location in Rockford, Illinois. The restaurant owner and management are fully cooperating with the police investigation, and we request patience until that process is complete." They did not address Araceli's suspension.
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Death Row Inmate Julius Jones May Escape Lethal Injection Life With Parole Now on the Table
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A death row inmate Kim Kardashian has been advocating for finally got a major break in his fight for freedom -- the guy got the green light, albeit partially, to maybe walk out one day.
There's a recommendation to commute Julius Jones' death sentence to life with the possibility of parole. The recommendation is from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board... which now means his fate lies with Gov. Kevin Stitt, who'll decide whether to follow the suggestion.
Thank you Adam Luck, Kelly Doyle and Larry Morris for your courage and integrity today. Their votes to recommend commutation of his death sentence to life with the possibility of parole mark the first moment of #JusticeforJuliusJones. 🙏🏼
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) September 13, 2021 @KimKardashian
Stitt's office says he takes his role in this process seriously, and will carefully consider what the Board has recommended here -- as he does with all cases.
Jones isn't at the end of the tunnel yet ... but he's closer than he ever has been before. The decision came down on a 3-1 vote -- with one of the members recusing themselves after calls from the D.A.'s office to do so ... and allegations of bias and conflict of interest.
Alex Weintz -- one of the reps for Julius’ family -- tells TMZ … "We are overjoyed," with the rec, while adding, "Although that recommendation means he will not be walking out a free man as soon as we hoped, Julius would be able to spend his days inside prison no longer on death row and, in the future, be eligible for parole."
Weintz says the entire team is praying Gov. Stitt rules in their favor so Jones can return home for the first time in over 20 years.
As we reported ... Kim visited Julius on death row back in November of last year, meeting with his family and working behind the scenes to help out. She became interested in his case after watching Viola Davis' docuseries, "The Last Defense" ... which spotlighted Jones.
She and other celebs have been outspoken about what they perceive as injustice here -- as critics of Jones' conviction say there was little evidence to tie to the murder of Paul Howell. Prosecutors, however, say every criticism has been disproven -- and insist he's the killer.
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Jenn Harley Domestic Violence Case Dismissed
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Jenn Harley won't be dragged into court over her domestic violence case from earlier this year -- because the charges have been dismissed.
According to the Clark County District Attorney's Office ... prosecutors are dropping the 2 criminal counts they'd filed against her this summer -- assault with a deadly weapon constituting domestic violence (a felony) and misdemeanor battery constituting domestic violence.
Unclear why they're letting it go -- we're trying to get clarity from the D.A. -- but in any case, Jenn is walking free from this one.
You'll recall, Harley -- who shares a daughter with "Jersey Shore" star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro -- was arrested and subsequently charged after her now ex-BF, Joseph Ambrosole, claimed she pointed a gun at him and threatened to pull the trigger during a nasty altercation while out on the town.
He also alleged she dropped the n-word repeatedly while doing so. This, of course, followed what we were told amounted to Jenn driving off with Joseph's car and leaving him behind following an argument they had at an establishment.
All the fighting was supposedly over Jenn's drinking -- something she'd addressed by checking into rehab. Her attorney, Michael Cristalli, had also told us the domestic violence charges against her wouldn't stick because they were "unsubstantiated."
Now he tells us ... "Jen is relieved that the matter is over and is looking forward to moving on from these unfortunate accusations."
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Blueface Accused of Attacking Bouncer ... Battery Report Taken
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Blueface allegedly attacked a club bouncer with the help of his 2 pals, leaving the dude in stitches ... and now, cops are on the case.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Blueface tried rolling up to Skinny's Lounge late Sunday night in the San Fernando Valley, but got stopped at the door by a security guard who asked to see his ID.
We're told Blueface noted he didn't have one, and asked the guard if he knew who he was ... apparently, whipping out his phone to Google himself and show he was famous. The guard didn't care though, we're told, and wouldn't let him in without proper identification.
That's when things allegedly turned physical ... our sources tell us Blue, and a couple buddies with him jumped the bouncer and then left. The guy had to be transported to a hospital by ambulance -- where we're told he was treated for bruises and scratches that required sutures.
We also got a hold of photos showing the alleged injuries, and they look pretty gnarly. You can see the bouncer was left bloodied.
As for the cops ... law enforcement sources tell us they got a report of a fight at Skinny's a little after midnight, and that one person was hospitalized with minor injuries. Officers took a battery report and now they're investigating. The alleged victim's name hasn't been released.
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Chris Brown Security Files Battery Report ... Man Allegedly Spit On Him
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Chris Brown's home got another visit from cops ... but this time, he wasn't the one causing the problems.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... police were called to CB's San Fernando Valley home around 10 PM this week for an alleged battery involving his security team.
We're told a man came riding up to the property on a motorbike, and Chris' hired muscle lit the guy up with a flashlight to figure out whether he was a guest or just a dude cruising the neighborhood. They stopped him and asked why he rode up to the house.
The man apparently didn't like being questioned ... we're told he spit in the guard's face and rode off into the night.
Our sources tell us LAPD took a battery report, but so far no arrests have been made.
It's at least the 3rd time in 5 months cops have been called to Chris' home. As we reported, LAPD broke up his massive birthday party in May and in June they responded to another battery call at the home after a woman claimed Breezy smacked her weave off.
Seems something always happens on his block.
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Josh Homme Daughter Camille Gets TRO Granted Alleging Same Thing as Bros.
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7:18 AM PT -- 9/13 -- Through a rep, Camille tells TMZ, "My DVRO isn’t fake and was NOT written by my Mom! It’s a means to an end. Everything in there is something I SAW, EXPERIENCED, and HEARD and is 100% true. To deny that is to deny the human right of free speech. I wish I could’ve protected my brothers under it, but unfortunately, the law says otherwise.”
Josh Homme's two younger children struck out getting restraining orders against their dad, but their older sister didn't -- and now, he's gotta steer clear of her until a hearing can be held.
15-year-old Camille Homme filed for a TRO this past week in Santa Monica -- which a judge signed off on ... but only as it pertains to herself. Camille asked for the court-ordered forcefield to be applied to her younger siblings, Wolf and Orrin, but got denied there.
Still ... she's got protection against her father, for now, which means he has to stay at least 100 yards away from her, and avoid contact until they can hash this out officially later this month.
According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Camille reasserts what her brothers claimed in their own bids for TROs on Thursday -- namely, that Josh allegedly abuses them physically and emotionally with flicks to the ear, put-downs, threats against their mother/her BF and groping of the boys' privates ... all of which he's denied.
Even on this latest development -- his attorney, Susan E. Wiesner, suggests it's just the doing of Josh's ex-wife, Brody Dalle, telling TMZ ... "We believe that this DV, which was prepared by Brody, in her handwriting on the forms, was filed in retaliation for Josh obtaining a TRO against Brody for her physical abuse of Josh, among other things involving the children."
As we reported ... Orrin and Wolf's TRO requests were shot down both in SM and DTLA.
Originally Published -- 9/12 4:05 PM PT
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Christina Grimmie Former Boyfriend's Car Vandalized ... Caught on Video!!!
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Musician Stephen Rezza -- who was dating Christina Grimmie when "The Voice" star was shot and killed in 2016 -- had his car smashed up ... and it looks like it was all captured on surveillance video.
We're told Rezza was inside a music studio he rents in L.A. when his car was vandalized in the parking lot outside the building.
As you see ... the vehicle's windshield got smashed, and video footage -- obtained by TMZ -- appears to show someone using a large rock to do damage to the car 3 separate times.
Law enforcement sources confirm a vandalism report was taken and they're investigating. Rezza told cops he believes it was his ex-girlfriend who damaged his car.
Rezza's had a rough go lately -- he recently had a brain tumor removed, but has been suffering from seizures, saying his health is at an all-time low.
He was Grimmie's boyfriend when she was murdered in 2016 at an Orlando concert by a man who was an obsessed fan. The man killed himself after fatally shooting her.
Stephen paid tribute to Christina last year by releasing a single featuring her vocals.
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Pop Smoke Gravesite Crypt Badly Vandalized Casket Dragged Out???
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5:49 AM PT -- 9/12 Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... NYPD responded to the cemetery around 2:00 PM yesterday after an employee discovered Pop Smoke's crypt damaged.
The crypt was damaged sometime between 2:30 PM on Friday and 2:00 PM on Saturday
There were no cameras in the area and the total Damage is $500.00 So far, there are no suspects and no arrests have been made. Police are now investigating.
Pop Smoke's gravesite was found utterly destroyed this weekend -- this after apparent vandals smashed his crypt ... and apparently tried dragging his casket out.
TMZ has obtained photos of what an eyewitness says they stumbled upon Saturday morning at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY -- where the rapper was buried and laid to rest last year following his murder in early 2020. As you can see ... it's a complete mess.
We're told Pop Smoke's spot on the outer wall of a mausoleum within the grounds seemed to be singled out and horribly vandalized ... with his marble plaque cracked and broken through, almost completely. You can see his full name displayed ... Bashar Barakah Jackson
There was other debris left scattered on the ground ... including what we're told looked like burned and discarded joints, as well as flowers.
The worst part is that there seems to be drag marks left on the ground ... and another shot of what we're told was right across from the mausoleum appears to indicate the perps might've actually gotten into Pop Smoke's tomb ... either pulling something out, or trying to.
The eyewitness tells us this door-looking thing seemed to be a concrete slab that would presumably sit over PS's casket, separating his body from another right above him. The black rectangular object, we're told, also looked to be part of Pop Smoke's wall enclosure.
It's unclear if the casket was still inside or intact ... but we're told the person who found this notified security, who were supposedly unaware of any such vandalism until being told. The eyewitness also tells us that when they returned to the site some hours later ... Pop Smoke's plaque had been replaced with a blank slab, and there was caution tape around the area. Some of the debris had also been cleaned up -- but it was still quite apparent something terrible had happened.
No word on whether PS's plaque will be replaced, and if so ... who exactly pays for it.
We've got calls in to the cemetery, Pop Smoke's family/reps ... as well as cops to see if this has been reported.
Originally Published -- 9/11 3:34 PM PT
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Subway Worker Defends Herself in Armed Robbery ... Manager Suspends Her
A Subway worker bravely defended herself while getting robbed at gunpoint -- even successfully disarming the dude and getting him to leave ... and all she got was suspended.
The woman's name is Araceli Sotelo, and she was working at a Rockford, IL Subway location last weekend when a guy brazenly entered and flashed a gun at her, demanding she give him the money on hand in the store ... an encounter that was partially caught on video.
The surveillance cameras in the store were running, and somehow ... the footage got leaked to the local Rockford Scanner -- which watermarked the clips and threw them up on FB.
The footage is wild -- you see Sotelo yelling at the guy to leave and to stop, and then she starts to scuffle with him behind the counter ... and actually gets the upper hand during the confrontation. They spill out into the dining area, and Sotelo amazingly knocks the gun loose.
She rips the robber's sweater off too, and then gets a hold of the firearm ... knocking him upside his head! He flees with just her purse in hand. So, she fended for herself well.
Sotelo says that she was contacted by her manager after this entire ordeal, and was told she wouldn't be working or paid until this video was completely scrubbed from the internet ... something Sotelo says is virtually impossible now. She also denies sending it out in the first place -- although, she has since posted an unwatermarked portion of it on her own TikTok.
Still, the idea that she's being punished for protecting herself (and the store by extension) is being seen as BS by many. She's out of a phone (which got broken in the fight), and everything in her purse, including credit cards and her ID.
Her mom started a GoFundMe to cover legal expenses and lost wages while they sort through this whole mess.
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Trevor Bauer Out For Remainder Of Dodgers' Season After Paid Leave Extended
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11:44 AM PT -- Bauer's co-agents, Jon Fetterolf and Rachel Luba, say the pitcher agreed to the paid leave ... saying the move was part of "a measure of good faith and in an effort to minimize any distraction to the Dodgers organization and his teammates."
The agents added that Bauer "continues to cooperate with the MLB investigation and refute the baseless allegations against him."
Trevor Bauer will not pitch again for the Dodgers this season -- not even if they make it to the World Series -- 'cause the MLB has just extended the star's paid leave through the end of the year.
The baseball org. and the MLBPA announced the move Friday ... agreeing to put Bauer on the shelf for the rest of 2021 as an investigation into sexual assault allegations against the pitcher continues.
As we previously reported, the 30-year-old Cy Young winner has been on administrative leave since late June ... following accusations that he got violent with a woman during two sexual encounters in the spring.
The alleged victim told cops Bauer punched her and choked her unconscious during their meetups ... leaving her with scrapes, scratches, bruises and other injuries.
The woman had obtained a temporary restraining order against Bauer following it all ... though a judge ruled last month a permanent one could not be put in place because Bauer did not pose a continual threat to the accuser.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, are still mulling whether or not Bauer should be hit with criminal charges ... after police turned over their investigation findings to the L.A. County D.A. in late August.
Another woman, meanwhile, has also come forward claiming she, too, was physically assaulted by the baseball player during sex.
Bauer, for his part, has denied any and all wrongdoing in both cases.
The MLB is still in the middle of its investigation into all of the claims.
Originally Published -- 11:10 AM PT