Chris Cornell's Wife Speaks to Congress About Opioid Crisis ... 'Chris's Death Was Not Inevitable'
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Chris Cornell's widow is speaking out about the opioid crisis in America and sharing her firsthand knowledge about the impact addiction has on families.
Vicky Cornell was on Capitol Hill Monday to share her personal story of her husband's tragic death. She told the Bipartisan Heroin and Opioid Task Force ... "The part that hurts most is Chris’ death was not inevitable, there were no demons that took over. Chris had a brain disease and a doctor who unfortunately, like many, was not properly trained or educated on addiction."
She also emphasized the need to address overprescribing of addictive Rx meds.
Vicky added ... "We must integrate addiction treatment into our health care system -- no more false narratives about the need to hit rock bottom, no more secret societies, no more shame -- we must educate health care providers on how to treat addiction and best support recovery."
As you know, Chris died by suicide in May 2017 in a Detroit hotel room following a concert. The Medical Examiner said he had a variety of drugs in his system, including a sedative, barbiturates and Ativan.
Vicky blamed his doctor for prescribing a recovering addict a drug to relieve pain without close supervision ... which she believes led to a relapse.
Her mission is to stop similar situations for recovering addicts ... and she hopes Congress listened.
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Jordyn Woods I Was Blackout Drunk During Tristan Hookup ... Please Forgive Me!!!
8:18 AM PT -- Sources close to the Kardashians say the family is calling BS on Jordyn's story -- citing the fact party-goers were told to put their phones away when Jordyn arrived -- which shows Woods wanted her rendezvous with Thompson private. Our sources say Jordyn also drove herself home from the party ... something she wouldn't have done if she was wasted.
Jordyn Woods can't handle her booze and that's why she was down to make out with Tristan Thompson and blow up her relationship with the Kardashians ... that's her story, anyway.
Sources close to Jordyn tell TMZ ... she has been begging her ex-bestie, Kylie Jenner, for forgiveness ... ditto with Khloe. And, while she admits she made a stupid decision ... we're told she's blaming it on the a--a-a-a-a-alcohol, as they say.
We're told Woods was wasted before she even went to the house party where witnesses say she snuggled up to Tristan. She's saying she was actually blackout drunk ... as in, she doesn't even remember how she got to the party or anything that happened there.
Our sources say Jordyn started crying when she was told what she did and as we told you, Kylie also couldn't fathom the news. We're told Jordyn rarely drinks, but when she does ... it usually ends badly. Although, this time it's next level.
We're told the hookup seems to be a one-off -- Jordyn and Tristan don't follow each other on social media, and even Kylie doesn't believe they had secret texts or DMs. As one source put it, there'd be NO way for Jordyn to hide it ... she and Kylie were that tight.
Woods seemed to address the situation at a launch event for her new eyelash line Thursday night, saying ... "It's been real."
So are hangovers.
Originally Published -- 12:50 AM PST
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Lil Pump Body Cam Confrontation with Cops Under Review by Miami PD
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EXCLUSIVE
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Lil Pump's shouting match with Miami cops moments before they arrested him has caught the attention of the police department's honchos ... who are reviewing the incident to make sure everything's on the up and up.
We broke the story ... body cam footage captured an intense showdown between the rapper and police officers in December before his flight out of Miami. Pump's seen growing increasingly frustrated as he tells cops a bag that allegedly smelled like weed is NOT his ... when a cop gets right in his face and shouts back.
Pump responded to the vid's release Friday, pointing out the "dirty ass" police officer shouted, "It's your bag now," and added ... "THIS RACIST S**T NEEDA STOP LAWSUIT ON DA WAY."
Miami-Dade PD apparently took notice, because it tells TMZ while there has been no formal complaint filed by Lil Pump ... "command staff members are aware of the Body Worn Camera footage and are reviewing it to ensure compliance with our established policies and procedures."
The statement adds ... "We take pride in a professional level of service and fairness to all and hold ourselves accountable for our actions."
Pump doesn't seem to be letting the situation bother him too much, though. The rapper was out at 1OAK in Weho Friday night for the release party for his new album, "Harverd Dropout" ... and had a good time with his mob of fans.
He even "baptized" one lucky guy ... check it out.
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Dr. Drew Jussie Smollett's Got a Character Issue ... Not a Mental Health Issue
Dr. Drew -- like the rest of the world -- is having trouble processing why Jussie Smollett would stage an "attack" ... but one thing's clear to the doc ... it's more about character than mental health.
The doc was out and about Thursday in NYC and raised the issue of Jussie going to a rehab facility, in light of the actor confessing in court documents he has a drug problem. Fact is ... criminal defense lawyers often put their clients in rehab to mitigate the possibility of a harsh sentence in the event they're convicted. It wouldn't be surprising if Jussie enters such a facility sooner rather than later.
Drew also bristles at the notion Jussie's done in the Hollywood community. Not only does he see a future for the actor ... he thinks he deserves a future, because everyone screws up.
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Lil Pump Body Cam Vid Shows ... Shouting Match w/ Cops Before Arrest
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EXCLUSIVE
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Lil Pump had an intense showdown with Miami cops -- shouting back and forth -- moments before they arrested him for misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
TMZ's obtained police body cam footage from the rapper's December arrest before his flight outta Miami. You can see an incredibly frustrated Pump repeatedly tell cops a bag that smelled of weed, according to TSA, was definitely NOT his.
In the video, you can also see Pump's manager mount the same defense ... but clearly, it fell on deaf ears because cops were adamant the bag belonged to Pump. Check out the video ... Pump gets visibly angry and that triggers a cop to shout right back at him.
TMZ broke the story ... the rapper was hauled off his flight from Miami to L.A. after he was accused of carrying drugs in the bag that smelled like weed. Our law enforcement sources eventually confirmed Pump's version of events -- he was NOT carrying any drugs.
Pump's manager was also arrested for disorderly conduct. Both men entered not guilty pleas.
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NFL's Antonio Callaway Mostly Victorious In Weed Arrest Case
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EXCLUSIVE
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Good news, bad news for Cleveland Browns star Antonio Callaway -- officials have DROPPED the drug possession charge against him stemming from a 2018 weed arrest.
BUT ... he just got sentenced to probation for driving on a suspended license.
As we previously reported, the 22-year-old wide receiver was pulled over in Ohio at 2:59 AM on August 5 for a routine traffic violation.
During the stop, cops found a small amount of weed, gun parts and bullets in Antonio's Dodge Charger -- and he was cited for weed possession and driving on a suspended license.
Callaway told the officers the weed was not his -- it was left over from someone else who had been driving the car. Antonio's attorney, Kevin Spellacy, tells us the amount of weed in the car was so "insignificant" it became clear to prosecutors they "couldn't make a case on the drugs."
Now, we've learned Callaway appeared in court on January 25 -- where prosecutors decided to drop the weed charge but pursued the suspended license situation.
Callaway pled guilty to the license charge and was sentenced to 1 year probation and was ordered to pay around $400 in fines, plus other court fees.
There's more ... Callaway also pled guilty in court to a speeding charge he picked up for a SEPARATE incident in the fall -- when he was busted for going 58 mph in a 35 mph zone before the Browns played the Chargers on Oct. 14.
Court records show Callaway was ordered to pay a fine in that case.
Bottom line -- he's basically out of the woods ... as long as he keeps his nose clean for the next year.
Callaway caught 43 passes for 586 and 5 TDs for Cleveland in an impressive rookie season this past year ... and is expected to be a major part of the offense during the 2019 season.
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Casey Aldridge Jamie Lynn's Baby Daddy Busted For Prescription Pills
Jamie Lynn Spears' baby daddy got arrested for drug possession after police say they found him out cold behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Cops in Mississippi busted Casey Aldridge last week, and according to the arrest report, obtained by TMZ, he had several different prescriptions pills on him.
Officers were responding to a call for a suspicious vehicle parked alongside a road in Natchez, MS. Police say they found Casey passed out in the driver's seat and transported him to a local hospital.
Once he came to, he got the bad news ... you're getting arrested.
We're told Casey was booked for possession of Oxycodone, lorazepam, Xanax and drug paraphernalia.
Casey and Britney Spears' younger sister have one daughter together ... 10-year-old Maddie.
Jamie Lynn was 16 when she got pregnant back in 2007, and Casey was 18. They got engaged but eventually broke off their engagement.
JLS is now married to Jamie Watson, and they had a little girl, Ivey Joan, last year.
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Priyanka Chopra She's Not Pregnant ... And the Booze Proves It
Priyanka Chopra is not pregnant, despite rumors she's carrying Nick Jonas' baby.
We've spoken with folks who were around Priyanka Monday night in Los Angeles for the premiere of her movie, "Isn't It Romantic," and she was happily drinking. The actress hit up Osteria Mozza, where she was seen toasting friends and downing champagne.
As you know ... the rumor mill went into high gear this week after Priyanka was photographed with what appeared to be a baby bump, this only days after hiding her stomach with a flowy dress. But, we're told the pregnancy rumors are all a bust.
Sources close to the newlyweds tell TMZ ... Priyanka and Nick are waiting to start a family, and we're told they're in no hurry.
After all, it's only been two and a half months since Nick and Priyanka tied the knot ... we're told they're still enjoying each other's company, and she hasn't even fully moved into Nick's house.
Baby steps.
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Ex-'Deadliest Catch' Star Busted for DUI, Gun and Drug Charges
Ex-"Deadliest Catch" star Jake Harris is sitting behind bars -- and has been for more than 3 weeks -- after he was arrested for felony DUI and drug possession ... TMZ has learned.
The incident went down back on January 23 in Skagit County, Washington where cops say the 33-year-old wouldn't identify himself to park rangers, who tried pulling him over. Harris took off with his RV, forcing state troopers to chase him down and force him to stop ... according to docs obtained by TMZ.
Cops say the trooper noticed signs of drug use once they pulled over Harris -- pinpoint pupils, bloodshot eyes and pale face. They also say he could not stand still ... shaking the entire time and talking fast. Meanwhile, a K-9 alerted cops to drugs in the RV.
Cops say they found a half ounce of heroin and other paraphernalia associated with the selling of drugs. Cops say they also found a shotgun Harris claims he bought from someone for $150 and a "ball" of heroin. Turns out it was stolen.
He was arrested and charged with 4 felonies -- DUI, possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle or premises for drug trafficking and possession of a stolen firearm. They also hit him driving on a suspended license.
Harris was skipper of the Cornelia Marie before leaving "Deadliest Catch" in 2012, and has struggled with drugs.
His bail's been set at $200k.
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Glen 'Big Baby' Davis Cuts Deal In Weed Case ... I'm No Drug Dealer!
Glen "Big Baby" Davis won't go to jail after he was allegedly caught with a quarter-pound of weed ... TMZ Sports has learned the ex-NBA star cut a deal in his case and is officially off the hook.
The former Celtics PF was busted back in February 2018 after cops say they found 126 grams of marijuana on him along with $92,164 in a briefcase at his Maryland hotel.
He was arrested and hit with 7 charges -- including a felony count of drug possession with intent to distribute ... which carries a maximum of FIVE YEARS in jail.
But, Davis reached an agreement with prosecutors last month to avoid time behind bars ... agreeing to pay the maximum fine of $15,000 in exchange for having the charges dropped.
Technically, the case was placed on the "Stet docket" -- which, in Maryland, means the case is essentially inactive, but not entirely erased. The case can be reopened if Davis missteps in the next 3 years. It's NOT a conviction. Davis did not have to enter a plea.
Davis' attorney, Margaret Mead, tells us it was a "reasonable resolution" to the case ... adding, "He wants to make a comeback and he's certainly not a drug dealer. He's not any of those things."
Davis played in the NBA from 2007 to 2015 -- winning a ring with the Celtics in 2008 -- and piled up 4,111 career points.
He joined the BIG3 in 2018 ... helping Power win the league's championship.
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez No Shame in a President Smoking Weed
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has some refreshing thoughts on the highest office in the land ... she has no issues with a sitting President lighting up.
We got AOC Tuesday afternoon on Capitol Hill, and the instantly powerful Congresswoman made it clear ... if you don't have a problem with your Prez enjoying a drink, you should feel the same way about weed.
AOC knows a thing or two about liquor ... she's a former bartender. And, AOC is a strong supporter of the legalization of marijuana.
Ganja has been a political hot potato for years, with politicians sidestepping questions about smoking.
2020 Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris made fun of Bill Clinton's famous line about not inhaling when she was on "The Breakfast Club" this week, acknowledging she's partaken in the past ... then quickly adding, it was a long, long time ago. The message ... don't worry, she doesn't smoke.
Seems politicians are still afraid of losing voters over sativa stigmas ... but not AOC!!!
AOC is strong -- no stigma, no shame. Gotta say, she makes some good points.
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El Chapo Guilty on All Counts!!! El Locked Up for Life
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11:35 AM PT -- The sketch artist in the courtroom caught the moment El Chapo and his wife exchanged thumbs-up after the verdict was announced.
Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman is guilty on all 10 counts he was facing in a Brooklyn federal court ... and he's now facing life in prison.
A jury of 7 women and 5 men returned the verdict Tuesday to wrap up a nearly 3-month long criminal trial that included up to 200 hours of testimony about drug trafficking, gold-plated AK-47s, diamond-encrusted pistols ... and an alleged $100 million payment to a former Mexican president.
After 6 days of deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts against Chapo for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to launder narcotics proceeds, international distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other drugs and use of firearms.
Reporters in the courtroom say Chapo looks stunned by the verdict, and his wife, Emma Coronel, fought back tears ... even as she and Chapo gave each other thumbs up.
It's been a wild ride for the Sinaloa Cartel's leader over these past few years. He was captured by the Mexican government in 2014, escaped more than a year later through a mile-long underground tunnel ... but got caught again in early 2016.
He was extradited to the U.S. in 2017, and between then and last November -- when his criminal trial got underway -- there have been a series of weird motions and rulings about his life behind bars. Just to name a few, Chapo has had prison TV woes, prayer problems, love letter recommendations and made a heartfelt promise NOT to kill his anonymous jurors.
Law enforcement sources tell us Chapo is looking at a mandatory life sentence ... without parole. Sentencing will be announced June 25.
Chapo's lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman -- who's in the unenviable position of losing the case -- tells us, "We're very disappointed but we fought like hell and left it all on the battlefield."
Originally published -- 9:42 AM PST
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Notre Dame WR Javon McKinley Arrested For Drunkenly Punching Female Cop
Notre Dame wide receiver Javon McKinley was arrested Sunday morning after cops say he drunkenly tried to fight TWO officers, one of whom is a woman ... according to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.
McKinley was a STUD coming out of high school a few years back -- where he shattered many California single-season records. He had 91 catches for 1,906 and 20 TDs as a junior!
But, the 20-year-old is now in major hot water after cops say he battered 2 officers in a drunken attack.
According to court records, Notre Dame University Police officers were dispatched to help out a male who had passed out in the back of an Uber at 3:50 AM.
The officers identified the man as McKinley and tried to help him to his dorm -- noting he reeked of booze.
But, cops say during the walk to his room, McKinley freaked out, punched a male and a female officer and tried to flee.
Cops eventually located McKinley and took him into custody with the help of ND firefighters.
Both officers claim McKinley injured them when he punched them.
Now, McKinley is facing 3 charges -- 2 counts of misdemeanor battery and 1 count of misdemeanor underage drinking.
He's due in court Tuesday to be arraigned.
McKinley has never really lived up to his potential on the field at ND -- partly due to injuries. He's only played in a handful of games and hasn't really been a factor.
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'What Are Those' Meme Creator Accidentally OD'd Cocaine, Ecstasy, Codeine Found in His System
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EXCLUSIVE
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Brandon Moore -- the man who created the viral "what are those" meme -- died after a night of ingesting a bunch of drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy ... TMZ has learned.
According to the Contra Costa County Coroner's report ... the exact cause of death was polypharmacy -- meaning he died as a result of ingesting multiple drugs. The coroner says Moore's blood tested positive for cocaine, morphine, codeine, methamphetamines and ecstasy.
What's more ... the report says Moore's wife, Noonie, told authorities he drank and possibly ingested cocaine the night before he was found dead. According to the report, there's no evidence to suggest Moore ingested the drugs with the intent to harm himself ... and lists the death as an accidental overdose.
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As we reported ... Brandon's wife told us his heart stopped while he was sleeping in their Northern California home ... and now we know why.
The internet comedian, known as Young Busco, made a huge splash in 2015 after mocking a police officer's shoes as a joke. You'll recall, while his friend was being arrested, Brandon joked about the cop's clunky boots, saying, "What are those?"
The meme caught fire online ... and the catchphrase even appeared in "Black Panther." Michael Jordan was also jokingly asked, "What are those?" during a Q&A session at a basketball camp.
Brandon, who was a father of 9, was 31.
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Lamar Odom You Down With CBD?! ... Yeah, You Know Me!!!
Lamar Odom is joining a TON of big athletes getting into the green industry -- he's launching his own line of CBD vape pens, TMZ Sports has learned.
The ex-NBA star credits marijuana and CBD for helping him recover from the 12 strokes and 6 heart attacks he suffered after his 2015 drug overdose in Nevada ... and feels other people can benefit too.
Hence the new Odom pen.
The marijuana/hemp biz is becoming hugely popular with celebrity investors -- big stars like Joe Montana, Al Harrington and Mike Tyson are making big moves in the space.
Odom clearly sees real opportunity and we're told he's already getting solid feedback resulting in huge pre-orders.
We're told the Odom vape pen -- released by Five Star Juice -- will be officially announced at the big Tobacco Plus Expo in Vegas next week ... and then it's on to the national market.
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Christina Milian No Charges For Alleged Bar Brawl
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Christina Milian's in for a stern talking-to over her role in an alleged scuffle with a bar bouncer, but she's off the hook for criminal charges ... TMZ has learned.
The L.A. City Attorney's Office tells us ... it reviewed the case and decided not to bring charges against the actress, who allegedly got caught up in an altercation in October at the Figueroa Hotel downtown.
Instead, the City Attorney has scheduled an informal meeting with Milian to discuss the incident and ways she can avoid similar issues in the future. Call it a verbal slap on the wrist.
We broke the story ... a fight broke out at the hotel bar after a bouncer blocked Christina from getting in, and one witness claimed she threw a drink. Her camp denied she threw anything and said the bouncer actually got physical with one of her friends.
All water under the bridge now ... as long as Christina's down with learning a lesson.