Bryan Kohberger Could Die By Firing Squad (Seriously) ... If Lawmaker Has His Way

Bryan Kohberger -- the alleged quadruple Idaho murderer -- could die by bullet if he's convicted ... that is, assuming a local lawmaker there can get a new bill passed into law.

Rep. Bruce Skaug, a Republican state congressman, introduced legislation last week in Idaho's House -- calling on firing squads to be reinstated as a means of execution ... but only on the condition that lethal injection chemicals are unattainable in a timely manner. In other words, if you can't shoot 'em up ... shoot 'em. That's literally the essence of the bill.

Indeed, the language spells it out clear as day -- lethal injection should be the #1 option if it's on the table, but if it's determined by Idaho's DOC that the drugs needed to put someone to death intravenously aren't within reach in a matter of 5 days after a death sentence is issued ... there should be no delay in opting for a firing squad to do the job.

Apparently, the reason this is being floated at all is because it's actually quite difficult to get a hold of the lethal injection cocktail -- in Idaho, anyway. Skaug says there've been too many people sitting on death row avoiding their due justice 'cause there's no viable way to off them under the current parameters/available resources. His solution ... do it old school.

Skaug's bill says the director of the IDOC can figure out the logistics behind how to deploy a firing squad, what kind of weapons to use and whatnot -- but he's saying they oughta be brought back. BTW, fun fact ... firing squads were technically legal in Idaho until 2009, although they weren't used there in the state in recent history. Other states have though.

The last guy to die by firing squad in the U.S. was Ronnie Lee Gardner back in 2010 out in Utah. Utah also used them in 1977, for murderer Gary Gilmore. It's rare, but it happens sometimes.

011223-bryan-kohberger-kal1
FACING THE JUDGE

Now, as for whether this bill actually has a chance at passing ... well, we'll see. It still needs a public hearing in the Ways and Means committee before even being considered to be sent to the full House for a vote. Only then will we know if other lawmakers are into the idea.

Of course, Kohberger still needs to go trial as well -- and prosecutors will have to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he's the killer. That said, the evidence sounds damning ... and if he's found guilty, the death penalty will almost surely be handed down to him.

Bam Margera Can't Believe Wife's Publicly Bashing Me ... Eases Sting at Strip Club

Bam Margera says he's disappointed his estranged wife and her attorney are bashing him in the media ... but he insists he's been supporting his son, and hopes to one day share his side of the story.

It appears Bam and Nikki Boyd's legal separation is already getting nasty ... with Bam going online to respond to her recent allegations of what led to her filing for the split.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Bam posted a photo of Nikki, Phoenix and himself in happier times, and captioned it ... "I am very disappointed about what Nikki and her lawyer have said about me publicly as a father. I love my son more than anything in this world. I have in fact been supporting my son. No one knows my side of the story which makes me sad. But hopefully one day they will. "

TMZ broke the story ... Nikki pulled the trigger on filing for legal separation last week, with her attorney David Glass telling us the decision was a direct result of Bam spending time with their son while she believed him to be under the influence.

Bam's been responding online -- albeit to total strangers -- claiming the separation is all Nikki's fault. In one comment he says, "I bought her a car in Petaluma and gave her 10 grand in ones, she still couldn't just say thanks Bam. She drove me to drink two weeks ago. I am better now."

As we reported, some people close to Bam, like Steve-O, are extremely concerned about his substance abuse -- but he's telling folks he's sober, and plans to stay on the wagon. He also says he's waiting for attorneys to give him the green light to tell his side of the story.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

A couple days after Nikki filed for legal separation, Bam went to Las Vegas, making an appearance last weekend at Day of the Dead Horror Con.

His time in Sin City wasn't just a convention stop, though ... he also hit up Larry Flynt's Hustler Club, where he was holding court in a VIP section.

The 'Jackass' star posed for a ton of pics with strippers, and appeared to be having one helluva time.

Everyone copes with family drama in their own way.

Miles Teller L.A. Home Trashed by Burglars ... Rude Homecoming Awaits

Miles Teller isn't going to have a pleasant return from an overseas trip -- cops say burglars took full advantage of his absence and hit his home hard.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... someone broke into the "Top Gun: Maverick" star's Los Angeles area home last week. We're told they gained entry by smashing a glass back door.

The crooks ransacked Miles' entire house looking for loot, but right now it's unclear what all they took. Once the actor's back in town, he'll go through the mess to evaluate what, if anything, is missing.

We're told cops were alerted to the caper by Miles' home alarm, but the suspects made a clean getaway.

Our sources say they don't believe Miles was intentionally targeted. Instead, he might have fallen victim to a string of burglaries that have been plaguing the area recently.

As of now, police haven't made any arrests ... but the investigation continues, and they're checking surveillance videos for clues.

We reached out to Miles' rep for comment, but so far no word back.

Kodak Black Arrest Warrant Issued ... Over Drug Policy Violation

Kodak Black is wanted by cops in Florida -- this after he allegedly violated his bail conditions by failing a drug test earlier this month.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, a judge signed off an arrest warrant in Kodak's name Thursday ... which just got filed in Broward County court yesterday. In the paperwork, it says Kodak is to taken into custody if any sheriff's deputies encounter him.

071722_kodak_black_kal_1 7/17/22
RETURNING HOME
Twitter / @Rap

The reason ... a judge says he was found to have screwed up twice in recent weeks. On Feb. 3, the agency he's supposed to report to for random drug testing claims he was a no-show for a screening and failed to submit a sample that day. The following week, on Feb. 8, that same agency says Kodak did submit a sample ... but they allege it came back dirty.

According to them, he was positive for traces of fentanyl ... although it's unclear how much.

That was enough for a judge to tell authorities to go get him. If he's caught ... there's additional orders to hold him without bond until his next hearing in this Oxy case from last year.

You'll recall, Kodak was arrested in July for possession of a controlled substance without prescription and trafficking -- this after cops say they found upwards of 31 oxycodone pills in his car, which were found during a traffic stop in Ft. Lauderdale. He posted $75,000 bail and was released, but not without this restriction in place ... namely, keeping his pee clean.

Kodak didn't look too happy in his mug shot at the time, but as far as we know now ... he hasn't been picked up yet for a new one. We've reached out to his lawyer ... no word back.

Billie Eilish Granted Temporary Restraining Order... Against Half-Naked House Loiterer

Good news for Billie Eilish ... a judge granted the singer's temporary restraining order against a shirtless man whom she caught lurking outside her Los Angeles home.

In legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the judge ordered Raymond Black to stay at least 100 yards away from Billie and her house ... and, more importantly, stop HARASSING her!!

The documents say Black must also avoid going to the home of Billie's parents, Maggie and Patrick.

The judge specified that the order was based on "a credible threat of violence or stalking."

As we first reported, Billie returned to her home Monday night only to find Black standing shirtless outside her living room window when she flipped on the lights. Even scarier, Black was gazing directly at Billie through the glass.

Totally freaked out, Billie called 911. Cops responded and searched the area for Black, arresting him nearby.

Billie says she reviewed her home security footage from earlier in the day ... the video allegedly showed Black walking around her property, taking off his clothes and even using her outdoor shower.

010623-billie-eilish-kal 1/5/23
SCARY SITUATION
Fox11

Not only that ... Billie says Black loitered around her property while it was under construction last year and has shown up at her parent's home looking for her.

This isn't Billie's first rodeo with an unwanted visitor. You may recall ... she recently got a 5-year restraining order against another man who allegedly broke into her family home last month.

DWYANE Wade's Daughter Zaya's NAME, GENDER Legally CHANGEd

Dwyane Wade's daughter's been granted the official name and gender change she's wanted ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to new legal docs we obtained, an L.A. County judge just signed off on the new legal identity for Dwyane's transgender 15-year-old.

Dwyane's kid is now legally Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade ... and the judge also ruled in favor of her official gender change from male to female.

Of course, Dwyane and his current wife, Gabrielle Union, have been calling her Zaya for years -- she came out as trans back in 2020. Her petition for the name and gender has been making its way through the courts since last August.

The legal change came with some family drama ... as we first told you, the retired NBA star and his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade were at odds over the move. Dwyane said the change was in their child's best interest and ripped Shiovaughn's opposition as "nonsensical."

Dwyane's on the record saying the change will allow Zaya to feel confident and enjoy an honest life.

Lady Gaga Sued by Woman Charged in Dog Theft ... Where's My $500,000 Reward???

UPDATE

10:23 AM PT -- 2/28 -- McBride's attorney, K.T. Tran, tells us, "My client had absolutely no involvement in the theft of the dogs. She loves dogs and was glad to participate in their safe return. She is legally entitled to and deserves the reward."

UPDATE

4:41 PM PT -- L.A. County Deputy District Attorney, Michele Hanisee, tells TMZ McBride was MORE than aware the pups were stolen when she returned them in hopes of obtaining the reward, and had known the men involved in the shooting for years.

UPDATE

What's more, Hanisee says she believes McBride and co. thought they could get her involved undetected because she was a white woman. She also points out McBride is still on probation, and if Gaga suffered any sort of financial loss, the people could seek financial restitution from McBride.

In a truly stunning lawsuit, the woman charged in connection with the theft of Lady Gaga's French Bulldogs, says the singer never delivered on her promised $500,000 reward ... and now she wants a court to force the singer to cough it up.

Jennifer McBride says Gaga made it very clear, she'd pay the $500k "no questions asked" when she announced the reward back in February 2021 after her dogs Koji and Gustav were stolen from her dog walker at gunpoint.

McBride says she returned the dogs to Gaga at the LAPD Olympic Community station on February 26 ... 2 days after they were taken.

Here's the thing ... McBride was charged in connection to the theft with receiving stolen property and being an accessory to the crime after the fact.

As for her relation to the criminals, she was allegedly dating the father of one of the men responsible for assaulting Gaga's dog walker.

She later pled no contest to one count of receiving stolen property and got 2 years probation.

022521_lady_gaga_dog_walker_kal 2/24/21
VIOLENT ABDUCTION
TMZ.com

TMZ broke the story ... Gaga's dog walker, Ryan Fischer, was walking 3 of Gaga's pups in Los Angeles on February 24, 2021 when several men pulled up in a car, jumped out and stole the two dogs ... also shooting Fischer in the process.

Fischer was left on the sidewalk pleading for help when neighbors came to his aid, he survived his injuries.

James Howard Jackson, who cops say was the trigger man, pled no contest to a count of attempted murder and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

lady gaga derek
CANINE CAPER CHARGED

Not only does McBride want the $500,000 ... she wants the court to triple the damages to $1.5 million for allegedly posting the misleading reward.

Originally Published -- 3:10 PM PT

Cookie Monster Chaos Man Named Adam Sandler Harasses Community Dressed as Popular Character!!!

The Santa Cruz Police Dept. has put a warning out for citizens in the area -- beware of Adam Sandler -- but it ain't the actor, it's some dude with the same name dressed in a creepy costume.

In a release Wednesday, the SCPD said Adam -- who has no relation to the actor -- has been wearing the furry blue costume around the area's beach and wharf locations, with reports coming in saying he's been making uncomfortable comments and acting out.

While cops say Sandler hasn't committed any crimes, he does have a "history of unpredictable vulgar comments and troublesome behavior." The department's asking people to steer clear of him, and contact authorities if anything inappropriate is witnessed.

Santa Cruz PD makes it a point to say Sandler isn't employed by the city in any way.

This isn't the first time Adam's harassed people in character -- getting arrested back in 2012 while going on an antisemitic rant dressed as Elmo in Times Square, pleading guilty to disorderly conduct.

Someone should send not-so-Happy Gilmore back to Sesame Street.

'Teen Mom' Star Nathan Griffith Arrested For Domestic Violence ... Allegedly Choked GF, Dragged Her Up Stairs

"Teen Mom" star Nathan Griffith, who has a son with Jenelle Evans, has been arrested for domestic battery after allegedly choking his girlfriend ... TMZ has learned.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Delray Beach, FL police responded to a domestic disturbance call Friday from Nathan's brother-in-law, William ... who claimed Nathan told him on the phone he "lost it" -- choked his girlfriend and dragged her up the stairs.

Cops say William told them Nathan then hung up, which prompted William to text the GF to ask if she was ok -- and she replied, "no."

Police say Nathan was uncooperative when they arrived, claiming they were fine ... and even told the officers William's on drugs and wasn't a reliable source.

Cops say they noticed several scratches on his neck and back, but Nathan told them they came from having sex with his girlfriend.

The docs say the girlfriend, who appeared to be recently crying, initially was uncooperative at first ... but eventually told cops Nathan had been physically aggressive with her. She added she couldn't explain the specifics, as she "blacked out," although she wouldn't clarify if that was from getting choked.

According to the report, she later shouted, "I'm 100 some pounds and he's 250 how in the hell am I supposed to get him off me."  Cops say they noticed bruising on her neck starting to appear ... and Nathan was eventually placed under arrest for domestic battery by strangulation.

"Teen Mom" fans remember Nathan and Jenelle had a tumultuous relationship -- eventually calling off their engagement amid cheating allegations. He announced he got married to May Oyola last year, but revealed things were not going well for the 2. It's unclear if they divorced.

Adam Levine I Got Swindled By A Car Dealer! Claims He Got Fake Maserati

Adam Levine is taking a car dealer to court who sold him an extremely rare car, or so he thought -- because Adam claims he's been swindled.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the singer's going after classic car dealer Rick Cole, claiming they did a vehicle swap back in 2021 ... giving Cole a 1968 and 1972 Ferrari he says were valued at $950K combined and getting a $100K and a 1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 Liter Spyder in return.

The real deal could fetch around $1 mil, since only 25 were made ... the docs call it an "extremely desirable and valuable car in the current classic car market."

According to the lawsuit, when the whip was taken to Autosport Designs to market it, it turned out the Maserati wasn't legit ...  claiming Cole took several steps to pass it off as the real McCoy after a failed auction of the same vehicle back in 2015.

Adam says Cole -- who's made deals in the past with Steve McQueen, Robin Williams, Frank Sinatra, and Johnny Carson -- kept all those earlier issues under wraps on purpose to make a serious profit.

The Maroon 5 frontman's trust is now seeking more than $850K in damages.

We contacted Cole ... so far, no word back.

Alec Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty ... Can't Possess a Gun

Alec Baldwin just pled not guilty in the fateful "Rust" shooting that killed Halyna Hutchins.

The actor submitted his plea Thursday, a day before he was supposed to be arraigned. As for the conditions of his release -- the court ordered Baldwin not be allowed to drink, possess a gun or talk to potential witnesses UNLESS it's regarding the continuation of filming "Rust."

He will no longer need to appear at his hearing Friday.

As we reported, Baldwin's been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Hutchins -- the District Attorney initially tacked on a firearm enhancement to the charge, but that was dropped earlier this week after Baldwin pointed out the version of the enhancement statute prosecutors cited wasn't effective until 7 months after the shooting.

042522_alec_baldwin_practice_kal_1
PRACTICE SHOT

It could have major implications for Baldwin -- the gun enhancement charge could've resulted in a mandatory 5-year prison sentence. Now that it's gone, he's only looking at up to 18 months behind bars if convicted ... and could end up with just probation.

The enhancement was also dropped against armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.

BTW -- production for the western film is set to kick back up again this spring, with a rep for Rust Movie Productions telling TMZ the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana will serve as the crew's new home.

Harvey Weinstein Sentenced To 16 Years In Prison In L.A. Sexual Assault Case

UPDATE

3:02 PM PT -- Weinstein tells TMZ, "It is incredible to be convicted for a crime I wasn’t even present for. I am innocent. I never raped or assaulted anyone. This person perjured herself at least three times and then sued for money, when she said on the stand that she would ‘never’. I was never with her. Her entire claim thing was a setup for a money grab."

Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison in his sexual assault case in Los Angeles ... with the punishment coming down two months after a jury found him guilty of rape.

Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench sentenced the disgraced film producer Thursday in a downtown L.A. courtroom.

Remember ... Weinstein was charged with sexually abusing four accusers, and the jury ultimately found him guilty of rape and sexual assault for one of the women. The jury found Weinstein guilty of all charges related to Jane Doe 1 -- forcible rape, sexual penetration by a foreign object and forcible oral copulation.

The judge sentenced him to 8 years for the oral copulation charge, 6 years for the forcible penetration charge and 2 years for the rape charge, but they'll run consecutively.

072121_harvey_weinstein_kal 7/21/21
FACING THE JUDGE
KTTV Fox 11

The jury was hung on counts related to Jane Doe 2 and 4 -- forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual battery by restraint -- and Weinstein was found not guilty of a sexual battery by restraint charge from Jane Doe 3.

Weinstein's rep, Juda Engelmayer, tells TMZ, "It’s a cruel sentence, given his age, his health and the conditions of his conviction in Los Angeles, when the sole charge was from a person who lied, with the judge and prosecutor well aware of it and permitting it, about critical elements of her own claim."

Juda continues, "There are many out there who will celebrate this action, but it is a sad day for justice and fairness, and I hope no one who is pleased with this is ever caught on the wrong side of cancel culture while hopelessly and voicelessly proclaiming innocence."

Weinstein is already serving a 23-year sentence for a 2020 rape conviction in New York, though the state's highest court has agreed to hear an appeal in that case.

R. Kelly Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Chicago Federal Sex Crimes Case

UPDATE

12:21 PM PT -- R. Kelly's attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, tells TMZ, "We feel good. Sentence was mostly concurrent. One additional year added. Almost no restitution. Good outcome." She continues, "But we are still going to fight the NY case!"

R. Kelly has just been sentenced in Chicago to 20 years for his federal sex crimes case.

The disgraced singer was in federal court in Illinois Thursday ... 19 of the years will be served concurrent with the sentence he's carrying out now, while the final year will be consecutive.

Prosecutors recommended a 25-year sentence and asked that it be served on top of the time he's already serving behind bars.

081722_tmz_live_r_kelly_kal 8/17/22
COMING FULL CIRCLE
TMZ.com

As we reported, Kelly was accused of abusing 4 people, 3 being minors, in this case and faced child pornography charges. He was found guilty on 6 of 13 charges, with the jury convicting him on the child pornography counts, but acquitting him on charges of conspiracy and enticement.

U.S. Attorney Jon Lausch at the time said his sentencing could range anywhere from 10-90 years ... but Kelly seemed to catch a small break earlier this year -- even if it won't make a big effect on his time in prison.

Charges against Kelly from Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx were dropped in January, with Kelly's attorney Jennifer Bonjean telling us Foxx decided to not pursue the case because he's been convicted twice of similar crimes and is already looking at the possibility of a lifetime lockup.

As you know, R. Kelly's currently serving a 30-year sentence for federal racketeering from a conviction in New York.

Originally Published: 09:58 AM PT

Alex Murdaugh 'I Didn't Shoot My Wife Or My Son' ... Emotional Testimony In Murder Trial

022323-alex-murdaugh-kal 2/23/23
DENYING THE MURDER

Alex Murdaugh, who has been charged with the double murder of his wife and son, took the stand and denied shooting his late family members to death.

The disgraced powerhouse attorney testified in his own defense Thursday in a South Carolina courtroom, fielding questions from his defense lawyers, denying he killed his son Paul, adding he didn't shoot his wife, Maggie either.

Murdaugh told the jury ... "I didn't shoot my wife or my son anytime ever."

022323-alex-murdaugh-son-kal 2/23/23
"I COULD SEE HIS BRAINS ..."

He became very emotional as he described finding his son and wife dead.

While Murdaugh denied pulling the trigger in the fatal June 2021 shootings, he admitted to lying to authorities about the case.

Murdaugh apologized to the rest of his family, many of whom were in the courtroom... saying he would "never intentionally do anything to hurt" his wife or son Paul, who he referred to as "Paw Paw."

Maggie and 22-year-old Paul were found dead at the Murdaugh's hunting property in June 2021 after they were shot with what investigators believe are two different guns. Murdaugh told police he discovered their bodies after the fact, claiming he had an alibi.

Murdaugh was a person of interest for a while, but it took over a year for him to be charged with murder.

A couple months after his wife and son were found dead, Murdaugh allegedly hired a gunman to kill him so his surviving son, Buster, could collect a $10 million life insurance policy. But Murdaugh survived a gunshot wound to the head and was arrested and charged for the alleged scheme.

beckerman murdaugh
CONTRADICTING CLAIMS

Murdaugh pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him ... and his defense has been arguing there's no physical evidence tying him to the deadly shootings.

$2.04B Powerball Winner CA Lottery Sued ... Man Claims Winning Ticket Was Stolen

UPDATE

8:33 AM PT -- A lottery spokesperson tells TMZ, "The California Lottery is not authorized to investigate criminal activity among its players; such allegations are subject to investigation only by local law enforcement. Should a local law enforcement agency investigate such allegations, Lottery’s only role is to assist in the matter by answering questions and/or providing evidence as allowed under the law."

UPDATE

They continue, "Further, when it comes to the vetting process for big winners, California Lottery has the utmost confidence in its process for doing so. California Lottery remains confident that Edwin Castro is the rightful winner of the $2.04 billion prize stemming from the Powerball drawing in November of 2022."

It ain't easy becoming an overnight billionaire -- and there's a new headache for the winner of the largest lottery jackpot in history -- as one man claims the winning ticket was stolen from him ... and he's now filed a lawsuit.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Jose Rivera says he bought his lottery ticket from Joe's Service Center in Altadena, CA on November 7 -- the day before the big $2.04B drawing.

He says a man by the name of "Reggie" stole the ticket from him the very same day he bought it.

After the numbers were drawn, Jose says he tried to get Reggie to return the ticket, which allegedly held the winning numbers, but to no avail ... with Reggie simply saying it wasn't a winner, and if found he'd agree to give up half.

Jose says he "refused to be blackmailed" and reported the theft to the CA Lottery and law enforcement.

Fast forward to this month, when a man named Edwin Castro was named the winner of the big prize and reportedly elected to collect the prize as a lump sum of $997.6 million ... Jose says he submitted a claim form to the CA Lottery, claiming the ticket had been stolen and asking for an investigation before paying out the winnings.

Jose lists both Castro and Reggie as 2 separate defendants ... seemingly insinuating that they both might be liable for failing to hand over the cash, although the details are not clear in the lawsuit.

He's asking the court for damages and to declare him the winner of the historic $2.04 billion jackpot.

Originally Published -- 7:50 AM PT

Longtime KISS Hairstylist Sues Band For Firing ... Claims They Mismanaged Guitar Tech's COVID Death

A longtime hairstylist for KISS says the rock band didn't act fast enough to help a COVID-stricken guitar tech while they were on tour, leading to his death.

According to a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, David Mathews accused KISS' manager Doc McGhee, of mishandling the grave situation involving Francis Stueber. KISS legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are also named defendants in the suit.

Mathews claims the group was on a tour stop in October 2021 when he learned Stueber had contracted a severe case of COVID while staying in an Illinois hotel room.

He says he urged Stueber to contact Stanley to arrange being sent to the hospital, and  Stueber agreed to do so.

Mathews says he then went to Stanley's dressing room and told him, "Call Fran. He's very sick. I can hear the fear in his voice. He needs to go to the hospital."

Stanley allegedly responded, "I get it. I was afraid too when I was sick with COVID." The rock star, according to the docs, phoned Stueber and advises him to go to the hospital, explaining that the disease was "nothing to mess around with."

But, hours later, Mathews says McGhee told him Stueber didn't want to go to the hospital, which conflicted with Stueber's earlier statements to him.

Still, Stanley called Stueber again and told him to go to the hospital, the docs say.  Stueber apparently agreed, and McGhee promised to have a Live Nation rep take him to the medical center.

That allegedly never happened. Nearly an hour later, according to the docs, Matthews inquired about Stueber with McGhee, who said Stueber was being tested with an oxygen meter to see if he really needed to go to the hospital.

Matthews says, "Unfortunately, it was apparent that Mr. McGhee did not act in a timely manner. The Live Nation representative did not arrive until the following morning. When visitors entered Mr. Stueber's room at about 1 a.m., he was found dead."

Rolling Stone magazine then ran an article about Stueber's death, blaming KISS for having lax COVID protocols while on tour. The band was allegedly furious and blamed Matthews for the anonymous leaks to the R.S. reporter.

Although Mathews denied being the source of the information, the band apparently didn't believe him and allegedly ended up canning him the following May after 30 years of service.

Mathews is suing the group for wrongful termination, retaliation in violation of labor code and failure to pay all wages.

We reached out to KISS's rep ... so far, no word back.