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7:09 PM PT -- Jussie's attorney, Patricia Holmes, has just released a statement, condemning the local authorities who "have continued their campaign against Jussie Smollett after the charges against him have been dropped." She continues, "The case is closed. No public official has the right to violate Mr. Smollett's due process rights."

Holmes points out that Jussie is allowed the same rights as every citizen -- that he "is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law" and also has the right to speak freely about his innocence.

She states, "We respectfully request all government agencies involved live up to the ethical tenets of their office ... The case was dismissed. We should all allow Mr. Smollett to move on with his life as a free citizen."

The Cook County State's Attorney has circulated an email asking prosecutors in the office to come up with other examples where they just dropped felony charges the way they did in the Jussie Smollett case ... this, as Jussie was making a hasty retreat out of Chi-Town via O'Hare International Airport.

According to the memo, obtained by the CBS affiliate in Chicago, the brass wrote, "We are looking for examples of cases, felony preferable, where we, in exercising our discretion, have entered into verbal agreements with defense attorneys to dismiss charges against an offender if certain conditions were met, such as the payment of restitution, completion of community service, completion of class, etc."

Here's the problem. Jussie did not do community service. Community service is often part of a plea deal where a certain number of hours is required by defendants who are convicted or cop a plea. In Jussie's case, all he did was spend a few hours over the weekend at Rainbow PUSH. That is not community service.

As for restitution .. Jussie forfeited a $10k bond, and that's it. As the Mayor said, it doesn't come near to paying the cost of the investigation.

The email goes on to say, "Nobody is in trouble, we are just looking for further examples of how we, as prosecutors, use our discretion in a way that restores the victim, but causes minimal harm to the defendant in the long term."

The concept of "minimal harm" to the defendant is confusing. Typically what happens is that a defendant would plead no contest to a reduced charge or a reduced number of charges, and maybe get community service and/or pay restitution. That didn't happen in Jussie's case.

Post Malone knows how to get things delivered -- whether it's through Postmates or not -- which he proved yet again by snagging some cool, and pricey, night vision goggles ... totally gratis.

Post tweeted a screenshot of a Postmates order he was trying to make happen Tuesday -- $11,500 for a pair of FLIR Night Vision White Phospher Goggles. His caption read, "hope this works," with a laughing emoji attached for good measure.

Well, it worked alright ... FLIR Systems took notice of his tweet and decided to send the rapper a pair of the goggles for the low, low price of FREE 99. We're told the company overnighted the delivery to Post, and he got 'em early Wednesday morning.

He seemed pretty stoked by the gesture -- Post captured the moment he opened the package ... and like he says, "It's party time."

Forget the trilogy with Conor McGregor ... Nate Diaz wants a crack at Khabib.

Just days after TMZ Sports posted footage of Conor saying he "owes" Nate a 3rd fight out of respect -- Nate seems to be poopooing the idea ... and is now setting his sights on The Eagle.

"Kabibs hiding scared cause I slapped the sh*t out of him," Nate posted ... "Conor already got his ass beat twice."

"Where the f*ck you at kabib?"

Nate and Conor fought TWICE back in 2016. Nate won the first fight, choking McGregor out in the 2nd round.

When they ran it back a few months later, Conor won a majority decision after 5 bloody rounds. Some people, including Nate, believe the judges blew the decision.

The fans have been calling for a rubbermatch ever since -- and Conor finally addressed the issue in Chicago ... while standing on top of a bar.

"He fought me, he beat me. He gave me a rematch at the exact same weight, there was no hesitation, that's a true fighter right there," McGregor said.

"I have nothing but respect ... I owe him the trilogy now and the trilogy will happen."

Diaz made $10 MILLION for the 2nd fight -- so you 'd think he'd be motivated for a 3rd scrap.

But, he feels the Khabib fight is a higher priority.

Diaz has talked about slapping Khabib and embarrassing Conor before -- telling TMZ Sports in August 2018, "I whipped one's ass and I slapped the f*ck out of the other one so they're both my little bitches."

Diaz then told us about an incident in which he smacked Khabib in the face in front of "all his Russian friends" and they "didn't do sh*t."

Of course, Nate was supposed to fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 230 back in November -- but Poirier pulled out after suffering an injury.

Diaz just issued a statement to him as well -- "Ps porier is a pussy."

L.A. Rams "Get Back" coach, whose job is to physically restrain head coach Sean McVay from stepping on the field, is now in real hot water ... he's been charged with sexual battery.

His name is Ted Rath -- and he went viral during the 2018 season thanks to a highlight reel showing him constantly pulling McVay toward the bench so he wouldn't get run over by players and refs.

Rath -- who's also the team's strength and conditioning coach -- has been hit with 3 misdemeanor sexual battery charges stemming from an alleged incident on June 15, 2018.

Officials tell TMZ Sports the incident took place at a private residence in Moorpark, CA ... with the alleged victim claiming Rath groped her multiple times without her consent.

The Rams addressed the charges on Friday ... saying, "We take these allegations very seriously."

The Rams added ... "Once the charges were filed, we decided Ted would take a leave of absence from the team as this matter works its way through the justice system.”

Rath is facing more than a year behind bars if convicted ... and he would have to register as a sex offender.

1:18 PM PT -- James is having one hell of a Friday, it's also been confirmed that he will direct the next "Suicide Squad" film in Sept.

1:04 PM PT -- James just released a statement, saying, "I am tremendously grateful to every person out there who has supported me over the past few months. I am always learning and will continue to work at being the best human being I can be."

"I deeply appreciate Disney's decision and I am excited to continue making films that investigate the ties of love that bind us all. I have been, and continue to be incredibly humbled by your love and support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Love to you all."

James Gunn is back in the good graces of Disney and Marvel, because he's being reinstated as the writer and director of 'Guardians of the Galaxy 3' ... TMZ has confirmed.

It's sweet redemption for James, who was fired by Disney last summer over a bunch of old, terribly offensive tweets -- including musings on AIDS, the Holocaust, rape and 9/11.

Our sources say Disney and Marvel honchos decided to rehire James a few months ago, following deliberations and meetings between Gunn and Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn.

We're told Alan reversed course and brought James back into the fold because of Gunn's public apology and general handling of the controversy.

As we reported ... the 'GotG' cast threw their full support behind James after he was canned, and it had to help his plight to get the backing of Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel and Zoe Saldana. The stars vouched for James' character, accepted his apology and hinted Disney only fired him out of fear of public outcry.

James is adding to an already busy schedule ... he's gotta finish up "Suicide Squad 2" before completing the 'Guardians' trilogy.

Kodak Black's been talking mad trash about Lil Wayne for about a week, and now that he's about to do a show in Weezy's hometown ... the venue's going full-bore to prep for violence.

Kodak's slated to perform at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in New Orleans next week, and we're told the venue honchos think the rapper's mouth will have some Wayne fans looking for revenge.

The backstory, for those not on black Twitter, is that Kodak was at Miami's LIV nightclub last weekend, and thought Wayne was coming to show some love. When he didn't, Kodak got pissed, grabbed a mic and called Wayne a "f***in' maggot" -- and added, "You should've died when you was a baby."

When Weezy's daughter, Reginae Carter, called out Kodak for disrespecting her pops -- he called her "bald head." Then Reginae's mom, Toya Wright, weighed in ... and Kodak unloaded, saying ... "@toyawright If I Ain't Have No Girlfriend I'll F**k Da S**t Out Yo Fine Ass."

And, that's why we're told security at the NOLA venue will be monitoring social media for any direct threats referencing Kodak's show. Additionally, New Orleans PD will assist with extra security to keep Kodak safe.

For the record, Weezy hasn't responded at all, but turf wars can get real.

Remember the guy who landed a date with a smokin' hot tennis star all 'cause the Patriots won the Super Bowl???

The incredibly unlikely story of Genie Bouchard's popular fling with a 20-year-old fan is heading to the silver screen with a movie adaptation ... the Canadian pro confirmed Tuesday.

It all went down after the self-proclaimed Bouchard fan, John Goehrke, tweeted at Genie during Super Bowl 51 when the Patriots were trailing the Falcons by 25 points in the 3rd quarter.

Dude basically hit the lotto ... 'cause the Pats pulled off the insane upset, and John got his date.

And, then another date.

And, then another.

Now ... Goehrke is getting a freakin' movie made about how he shot his shot with one of the most attractive female athletes of his time. Unreal.

Bouchard will act as executive producer on the Jonathan Abrams flick ... which will focus on "dating and love in the modern digital age, asking if a relationship born on social media can survive the glare of the public eye," according to Deadline.

Donald Trump thought he landed a nice jab at Hillary Clinton by basking in her decision not to run in 2020 -- but looks like she's getting the last laugh ... and Regina George would love it!

DT took the first shot Tuesday, tweeting -- naturally -- his response to "Crooked" Hillary not running ... "'Aw-shucks, does that mean I won’t get to run against her again? She will be sorely missed!"

Hillary did promise to continue fighting for what she believes in ... and looks like giving Trump the business is on that list. After his Twitter-diss she clapped back "Mean Girls" style.

She posted a classic GIF of Rachel McAdams' character asking Janis why she's so obsessed with her. Hard to argue with that -- years after his 2016 victory, POTUS never passes up an opportunity to reference her ... and never glowingly.

Funny enough, a Twitter account for the Embassy of Israel responded to the Ayatollah with the same thing when the Iranian dictator went on a tirade against the country.

Oprah Winfrey is getting inundated with hate-filled messages from Michael Jackson fans ahead of her big interview with his accusers from "Leaving Neverland."

Oprah's interview with Jackson accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck is set to air Monday night on HBO after Part 2 of "Leaving Neverland." Excerpts have already been released ... and, clearly, the content is pissing off MJ's most passionate followers.

In a clip from the interview taped Wednesday, Oprah says "Leaving Neverland" transcends Michael ... and speaks to a larger societal issue regarding sexual abuse. She doesn't say whether she believes Robson and Safechuck -- both of whom have previously testified MJ never molested them.

The interview alone has still been enough to trigger this kind of Internet hate.

One user posted, "If karma is real after @Oprah is laid to rest, which I hope is many years from now, ppl will come out of the woodwork to lie on, betray and besmirch her name the way it is being done to Michael Jackson. And ppl she once let into her inner circle will lead the way."

Another tweet reads, "@Oprah you're disgusting... a cheap mercenary.. karma will punish you.. #MJInnocent @michaeljackson we will fight for you."

Netflix UK is working it's ass off to fix a huge issue in the version it released of "The Notebook" ... with an alternate ending that doesn't show the flick's main characters die together!!!

For the uninitiated ... Netflix UK released the 2004 film on its streaming service. Fans were completely caught off guard after the original ending -- showing Allie and Noah get into their hospital bed together, hold hands and die -- is completely cut out. This is the original ending:

The alternative ending that's got fans foaming at the mouth shows no one dying, the couple holding hands and talking about miracles before cutting to a scene showing birds flying over a lake.

Netflix tells us there are a couple things fans should know -- Netflix did NOT edit the film. The streaming giants went on to say, "An alternate version exists and was supplied to us -- we are getting to the bottom of it asap. Apparently, some films have more than one ending?!"

Samuel L. Jackson says Donald Trump was spot-on when he bragged he's done more for African Americans than Presidents past ... and it's all thanks to Trump's massive "plantation."

We got Samuel L. Monday at LAX and asked him about Trump's shot at Spike Lee in which Trump said, "Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other Pres!"

Jackson shot back ... essentially calling Trump a slave owner.

Jason Brown -- the head football coach featured on seasons 3 and 4 of "Last Chance U" -- has resigned after sending texts to one of his players saying, "I'm your new Hitler."

The scandal broke last week after the Montgomery County Chronicle newspaper published text messages Brown sent to freshman Alexandros Alexiou, who was born in Germany.

Brown's controversial career at Independence Community College in Kansas has been documented on the Netflix series "Last Chance U" for the past 2 seasons ... where he often used strong, explicit language to chew out players.

Regarding Alexiou, Brown had reached out via text to scold the player for racking up more "points" in the team's disciplinary point system -- in which players get dinged every time they violate team rules.

"410pm on field u German f*ck," Brown texted to Alexiou ... “u have 17 points toward your 25 points. U got an extra point for not hanging the lion poster as instructed."

"I’m your new Hitler," Brown added ... "Figure out your life.”

The school launched an investigation into Brown last week -- but on Sunday, the coach announced his resignation.

"It is with strong emotions that I announce my decision to resign as Head Football Coach at Independent Community College," Brown said in a statement.

After listing his accomplishments, Brown said ... "The events of the past few weeks has led me to resign."

"Given what has most recently been allowed to transpire, it is clear, that it will be nearly impossible to stay here."

"More plainly, the Montgomery County Chronicle has greatly diminished my ability to do my job, and has set this football program back significantly, and the cumulative effect of all these detrimental factors I believe clearly constitute a constructive discharge of my employment."

Brown added, "I urge all the naysayers on campus and in town to really look at yourself in the mirror and do a self-evaluation of yourself before so harshly judging others."

Brown has coached at ICC for 3.5 years.

3:29 PM PST -- Senator Cornyn just tweeted out a clarification on his Mussolini quote, agreeing with a Texas-based reporter who speculated he appeared to be "warning us against an overly powerful central government." Cornyn replied, "You nailed it, Bud. Since so-called Democratic Socialists have forgotten or never learned the lessons of history, and how their ideology is incompatible with freedom, I guess we have to remind or teach them."

Texas Senator John Cornyn quoted fascist Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in a bizarre tweet that seems to scream anti-democracy ... which he has yet to delete.

Cornyn posted the tweet early Sunday, with a translated quote Mussolini delivered in 1929 roughly saying ... "We were the first to assert that the more complicated the forms assumed by civilization, the more restricted the freedom of the individual must become."

It's unclear why Senator Cornyn tweeted this, or what the context might be here. He followed this up by retweeting posts that were pro-ICE and anti-Nicolas Maduro ... Venezuela's own embattled dictator. As of this writing, Cornyn has not deleted the tweet.

In case you're unfamiliar with history, Mussolini was one of Hitler's allies during WWII ... and he eventually scrapped democracy in Italy while he ruled as Prime Minister.

Blac Chyna is blasting Soulja Boy for trying to sex shame her after their breakup ... and she's hitting him where it hurts!!!

Sources close to Blac Chyna tell TMZ ... Soulja Boy's an immature, thirsty clout chaser who was begging to get with her, and she's glad their relationship is dunzo!!!

We're told BC's anger stems from SB's response to TMZ breaking the news of their split. In a since-deleted tweet, Soulja Boy said he "just wanted to see what the p***y felt like."

Yeah, Draco really went there.

Our Chyna sources say she's happy Soulja Boy's out of her life because the tweet showed his true colors. We're told she felt his reaction was the lowest of the low, and utterly ridiculous.

As we reported ... Soulja Boy was super romantic and sweet while lavishing Chyna with $20,000 in gifts during a Valentine's Day shopping spree ... but it appears he left his manners in Beverly Hills.

President Barack Obama was quick to show love for Zion Williamson after watching him suffer an injury 30 seconds into the Duke vs. NC game ... wishing the college star a speedy recovery.

You've heard about it by now ... Zion's Nike shoe blew out shortly after tip-off Wednesday night, resulting in a mild knee sprain. Obama was sitting in the front row when it all went down.

"Zion Williamson seems like an outstanding young man as well as an outstanding basketball player," #44 tweeted after the game. "Wishing him a speedy recovery."

It didn't take an expert lip reader to figure out Obama's reaction to the injury -- cameras captured Barack's shocked look while he mouthed the words, "His shoe broke!"

LeBron James -- who's also a big fan of Zion -- tweeted out support for the young star as well, saying, "Hope young fella is ok! Literally blew thru his [shoe]."

The freak injury didn't stop Obama from being fan-friendly with the Cameron Crazies ... dappin' up all the folks who packed into the crowded arena for the big game.

Check out the footage we got from inside the arena showing Barack posing for pics before the game -- and meeting fans throughout the night.

The Blue Devils ended up losing 88-72 without their superstar ... and Zion's status will be evaluated on Thursday.

Rapper Sheck Wes is being labeled an abuser of women by his ex-GF but he's vehemently denying the allegations ... calling them all lies.

Justine Skye -- a singer, actress and model -- put Sheck on blast, calling him pathetic and claiming he put his hands on her in the past. She said there was an instance when she was "taking a walk with my friends and my man and Sheck Wes (my abuser) and his friends decide to STALK US and attack my friends.. two cars full of n****s while he sat in the car like a bitch."

She went on to say on Twitter, "You're pathetic sheck and you beat women. You hit your girl before me and you'll do it again." The rapper broke his silence just after midnight ... calling BS.

It's not the first time Justine's accused the Harlem rapper of abuse. Back in October, Justine wrote a lengthy post on Instagram saying she experienced domestic violence ... and then went on to like a bunch of tweets that specifically named Sheck as her abuser.

Justine's now been linked with rapper GoldLink, who appears to address Justine's abuse allegations head-on in his track "Justine's Interlude," which he dropped last month.

Some of the lyrics go, "So many stories 'bout you and so-and-so who from Harlem. It ain't too many from Harlem, so take a guess ... I'm tired of hearin' 'bout if this n***a put hands on you. Tired of tryna smile through s**t that's affectin' us."

Originally Published -- 2/12 7:00 AM PT

2/13 -- Sheck's legal and management team tells TMZ they are "fiercely standing by him through this. He has denied any wrongdoing whatsoever or violence of any kind and we believe him."