Morning Briefing:
A new bombshell for Jackson: Michael Jackson has been hit with a new molestation suit by a man, now 20 years old, who claims that Jackson sexually molested him from the time he was 2 years old until he was 14. The suit, in addition to claiming that the molestation involved "Michael Jackson sticking his tongue down plaintiff's throat, masturbating plaintiff, and anally penetrating plaintiff by force," accuses the pop star of giving the plaintiff drugs and alcohol and forcing him to undergo unnecessary plastic surgery. The plaintiff's lawyer says that that the plaintiff's father worked at Jackson's ranch, Neverland, booking entertainers, often bringing his son to work, and that soon Jackson began taking the boy with him on his travels. The suit, which was filed in Orange County, Calif., also lists some divisions of Sony Music as defendants for conspiring to allow Jackson's actions to occur, and accuses Sony and Jackson of stealing the plaintiff's song ideas and lyrics. Jackson's lawyer told TMZ that "the charges are ridiculous on their face. They will be vigorously defended." (TMZ)
No courtesy call from Pitt? Jennifer Aniston's publicist, Stephen Huvane, says that contrary to reports, Brad Pitt didn't call her to tell her that Angelina Jolie was pregnant with his baby before announcing it to the public on Wednesday. "All the reports about phone calls between Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie are all made-up lies," Huvane told "Extra" Thursday night. (Associated Press)
The world's worst bookkeeper: "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch is facing charges of tax evasion, and his trial kicked off yesterday in Providence, R.I. Hatch, who won the first season of "Survivor" and is best remembered for his naked beach romps on that show, is accused of willfully failing to report his $1 million winnings as well as other income to the IRS, and of using checks made out to his charity to renovate rental property. Hatch's defense lawyer countered the charge that Hatch acted intentionally. "Richard Hatch is not a stupid man," he said in his opening statement. "He is the world's worst bookkeeper, bar none." If Hatch is convicted, he could face millions of dollars in fines and up to 75 years in jail. (E! Online)
Rice attacked: Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the leader of Russia's Liberal and Democratic Party, rebuked Condoleezza Rice for saying that Russia should "act responsibly" in selling gas to Ukraine. Zhirinovsky's beef with Rice? That she's "a single woman who has no children." The politician told Pravda, "If she has no man by her side at her age, he will never appear. Condoleezza Rice needs a company of soldiers. She needs to be taken to barracks where she would be satisfied." To put the comments in perspective, in the past Zhirinovsky has praised Hitler, advocated Russia's "reacquisition" of Alaska, and suggested ordering Russians to shoot every bird they see in order to eradicate bird flu. (Rush & Molloy)
Also:
Gwyneth Paltrow has confirmed that she's pregnant with her second child. (TMZ) Nicole Kidman is reportedly wearing a huge diamond on her ring finger, though no intent to marry has been announced. (Lowdown) After Harry Belafonte called President Bush "the greatest terrorist in the world," Hillary Clinton took great pains to avoid him at a Children's Defense Fund lunch on Thursday. (Lowdown) Cynthia Watros, who plays Libby on "Lost," pleaded guilty Thursday to drunken-driving charges in Hawaii. (Rush & Molloy) Supermodel Carolyn Murphy has had her ex-husband arrested for trying to sell a sex tape they had made on their honeymoon. (Page Six) UPN is teaming up with Alicia Keys to develop a drama based on her childhood. (Reuters) Courtney Love, supposedly clean again, has won back full custody of her daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, after losing it last year when she slipped back into drugs and alcohol. (Page Six) The Beach Boys are suing two men for $20 million in California, claiming they stole band memorabilia from a warehouse intending to put them up for auction. (Associated Press)
Money Quote:
Rapper DMX, fresh out of jail, on today's hip-hop music: "It's not real. No one is saying anything. It's not rap, it's crap. There is no soul. I refuse to conform." (Billboard via Page Six)
Turn on:
ABC premieres "In Justice," a new series, starring Kyle MacLachlan, about a team of lawyers who work to right judicial wrongs (9 p.m. EST). Then, it's the season premiere of "Monk" (USA, 10 p.m. EST).
-- Priya Jain
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