Rapper Beenie Man Cleared in Tax Evasion Charges

The rapper and singer Beenie Man has been cleared of tax-evasion charges because the government hadn't informed him of his legal rights when auditors issued their assessment last year. He had owed nearly $1 million in overdue taxes but a Jamaican judge threw out the case on Tuesday.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Sell Baby Pictures for $14 Million

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are giving People magazine and a British tabloid joint rights to publish the first pictures of their newborn twins for $14 million. The money will go to a foundation that was created by Jolie and Pitt that focuses on helping children around the world. The issue featuring the twins, named Marcheline and Knox Leon, is set to hit newsstands on Monday.

Angelina Jolie Goes Home with Twins

giving birth a week ago. Jolie and the babies are reportedly doing well. To avoid the paparazzi she left out of one the hospital’s back entrances in a van. It isn’t known if Brad Pitt was there at the time.

Jolie checked into the hospital on July 2^nd and delivered a healthy baby girl, named Vivienne Marcheline, and a baby boy, named Knox Leon, ten days after arriving. The babies were born a little early due to medical reasons and so that they could be born as healthy as possible. A U.S. publication has already paid $11 million for the exclusive rights to the first photos of the twins and that money will go to charity.

Singer Jermaine Jackson Finalizes Divorce

The singer Jermaine Jackson, the brother of singer Michael Jackson, has finalized the divorce from his wife, Alejandra. He agreed to pay $50,000 for her attorney fees and $50,000 for back child support payments. Alejandra waived all spousal support and any rights to his jewelry, furniture, and Jackson Entertainment Inc. The couple had gotten married in 1995 and filed for divorce in 2007.

The two children they have will live with their mother and Jermaine Jackson will have visitation rights. He agreed to pay $3,000 each month in child support payments.

Jay-Z Close to Huge Business Deal

Jay-Z is close to a $150 million deal with Live Nation Inc. that will give the company a stake in almost every part of his career. The contract covers Jay-Z’s music and music related businesses for the next 10 years. Jay-Z would get a $25 million payment upfront and get advance payments of $10 million per album for at least three albums and he would get $25 million towards concert tours. Live Nation would also pay $20 million in exchange for publishing, licensing, and other rights.

The company is also expected to commit $50 million to finance Jay-Z’s investments and his entertainment venture, called Roc Nation, which is suppose to include Jay-Z’s own record label, music publishing, talent consulting, and managing projects. He plans to leave Def Jam if the deal goes through but he still owes Def Jam one more studio album. He was the president of Def Jam for three years but stepped down this past December because he and the label’s corporate parent, Universal Music Group, could not agree on a new contract.

Rapper T.I. Challenges Evidence in Weapons Charge

The rapper T.I., who tried to buy unregistered machine guns and silencers in Atlanta an hour before his scheduled performance at the BET Hip-Hop Awards, says that the evidence obtained and statements that he made to authorities were illegally obtained. His attorney has filed motions in the U.S. District Court to try to suppress evidence seized from his vehicle and statements he made on the day he was arrested. The attorneys say that his vehicle was searched without a warrant, the statements he made to authorities may not have been voluntary and agents may have not honored his rights.

As of now, T.I. could possibly be sentenced to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each weapons charge. He is currently free on bond and under house arrest. He asked to host a Thanksgiving Day gathering at the house where he is staying at, but it was opposed. Under his bond conditions he has to have court approval of visitors.