Popsquire

For the 2007 Wackiest Pop Culture and Law Collision Award, Popsquire gives you Frederic von Anhalt.  Zsa Zsa Gabor’s eighth husband and former masseur provided the world with laughter and surprise on two separate occasions this year.  For that, Popsquire thanks him and wishes him a happy new year.

On February 9, von Anhalt claimed that he had a decade-long affair with Anna Nicole Smith.  He says they met in the 90s, during Smith’s marriage to elderly oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II.  And, of course, he filed a paternity suit claiming he was Dannielynn’s father.  Ahahaha.  Seriously? 

On July 25, Fred claimed that three women pulled up next to him, asked for a photo, and instead of snapping the pics, they robbed him at gunpoint and left him naked and cuffed to his Rolls Royce.  Oddly enough, he still managed to call the police.  Uh-huh…Check out the pics. 

In case you are thirsty for more von Anhalt information, check out this link here.  If you just want to laugh, re-read the above.  Popsquire is still laughing.  Cheers to 2007!

[digg=http://digg.com/celebrity/Year_In_Review_Frederic_von_Anhalt_Oh_Boy]

Technorati Tags: affair, anna nicole smith, dannielynn, frederic von anhalt, law, paternity, pop culture, popsquire

Popsquire hereby presents Anna Nicole Smith with the award for 2007’s Biggest Pop Culture and Law Collision.  Smith’s collision spans all aspects of the law, including family law, wills and estates, and criminal law. 

To prove that Smith is the proper recipient of this (thankless) award, Popsquire has prepared a brief timeline of events, as follows.

May 1, 2006: Smith wins battle before the U.S. Supreme Court that allows her to continue to fight for part of her late husband’s oil fortune.

Sept. 7, 2006: Smith gives birth to daughter Dannielynn in Nassau, Bahamas.

Sept. 10, 2006: Smith’s 20-year-old son Daniel dies in her Bahamas hospital room.

Sept. 26, 2006: Smith’s lawyer/companion Howard K. Stern announces to Larry King that he is the father of Anna’s baby.

Sept. 28, 2006: Smith and Stern exchange vows in a “commitment ceremony.”

Oct. 2, 2006: Larry Birkhead files a paternity suit to establish that he is Dannielynn’s father.

Feb. 7, 2007: Judge orders Smith to submit to DNA testing in Birkhead paternity suit by no later than Feb. 21.

Feb. 8, 2007: Smith dies in Hollywood, Florida.

Feb. 14, 2007: Court hearing begins to determine where Smith should be buried.

Below is a list of celebs who have collided with the law in the form of DUI-related offenses in 2007.  Popsquire is on a mission to figure out what celebrities have against taxis.  Is it the color?  Maybe the partition?   

• Paris Hilton
• Lindsay Lohan
• Nicole Richie 
• Kiefer Sutherland
• Ray Liotta
• Vivica A. Fox
• Busta Rhymes
• Mischa Barton
• Rebecca DeMornay
• Danielle Fishel

To refresh your recollection (and for schadenfreude), here are two videos capturing the Paris and Lindsay DUI mania.

Technorati Tags: busta rhymes, celebrity, danielle fishel, drunk driving, DUI, keifer sutherland, lindsay lohan, nicole richie, paris hilton, rebecca demornay, vivica a. fox

One of Popsquire’s favorite blogs, ALL OF IT, recently posted a funny story about a legal disclaimer found on the High School Musical “Sing It!” karaoke edition game for the Nintendo Wii.  The disclaimer reads: 

WARNING! If you have a history of epilepsy or seizures, consult a doctor before use. Certain patterns may trigger seizures with no prior history.

Although this disclaimer may seem patently silly, Popsquire has discovered that they are standard for video games — not just those involving Zac and Vanessa.  As Popsquire posted a few weeks ago, the video game industry is controversial and entangled in various lawsuits.

In fact, a woman filed a lawsuit in March 2007 after her child suffered an epileptic seizure while playing Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly on a PS2 console.  Spyro came with a warning about the possibility of experiencing epileptic seizures “when exposed to certain light patterns or flashing lights.”

For more information about epilepsy and warnings about video games, here is an informative link.  And if you have an inappropriate sense of humor (like Popsquire), you might find this video funny.  Warning: you also may find it highly offensive. 

According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people’s confidence. 

Clearly, this was not the Year of the Dog.  Unfortunately, pop culture and law collided right on top of man’s best friend in 2007.  I give you two prime examples:

1. Michael Vic…On December 10, he was sentenced to 23 months in prison for running a cruel and inhumane dog fighting ring and lying about it.  The Atlanta Falcons quarterback could have been sentenced up to five years.
2. Pets of Bel Air…This celebrity pet store, which recently was accused of re-selling dogs from puppy mills, now has been sued in a class action lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court.  Just like Popsquire predicted in this post, the lawsuit alleges claims for fraud and unfair business practices.  Click here to see the lawsuit.  And, click aqui for the video that exposed the pet’s store’s practices.

Popsquire urges everyone to treat animals nicely, especially dogs.  Please. 

Technorati Tags: animal cruelty, dogs, false advertising, fraud, law, lawsuit, michael vick, pets of bel air, pop culture, popsquire, russell wetanson, unfair business practices

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has confirmed that Brandy Norwood will not be facing criminal charges for last year’s car crash that resulted in a woman’s death.  For more details about why Brandy is not being charged, click here.  And for the strongly worded statement released by her attorney, take a look at this.

To celebrate with Brandy, join me in singing along to her 1998 hit, Top Of the World…

 BTW, Popsquire can’t sing, but it’s fun to try anyway.  Come on!

Technorati Tags: america's got talent, Brandy, criminal charges, law, marijuana, Norwood, pop culture, popsquire, russell wetanson, tmz, top of the world, vehicular manslaughter

Kinda known for helping people lose weight on Celebrity Fit Club, comedian/host Ant told TMZ that he is the victim of identity theft in the amount of $90,000.  Yikes! 

Identity theft is a criminal offense.  It occurs when a person knowingly transfers or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit or to aid or abet any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of federal law or that constitutes a felony under any applicable state or local law.  In short, it’s when someone pretends to be you and takes your money! 

For more information on identity theft, which affected almost 10 million Americans last year, check out this helpful link. 

Popsquire’s best wishes go out to Ant. 

[digg=http://digg.com/celebrity/Ant_Loses_The_Farm]
 

Technorati Tags: ant, celebrity fit club, Identity Theft, tmz

According to People, Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn have filed for divorce after 11 years of marriage.  Although some states offer fault and no-fault divorces, California is an exclusively no-fault divorce state.  This means that neither spouse has to prove that the other did something wrong.

Popsquire is confident they will hire attorneys and receive proper guidance, but here are a few Do’s And Don’ts from our friends at FindLaw.com.  Check them out here. 

Technorati Tags: divorce, findlaw, no fault divorce, people magazine, robin wright penn, sean penn

2007 provided us with a huge collision between pop culture and law in the form of one celeb in particular, Britney Spears. 

Like a good lawyer, Popsquire has prepared a brief timeline of Britney events for leisure weekend reading (and tranferring to note cards if you so desire).  FYI, this timeline is not exhaustive…that would be, um, exhausting.

Feb. 14-15: Britney checks in and out of Antigua rehab within a 24-hour period.

Feb. 16: Britney shaves her head BALD.  As if the image were not already etched in your memory, check it out here.

Feb. 20-21: Britney checks in and out of Malibu rehab.

Feb. 21: Britney attacks photographer’s car with umbrella.

Feb. 22-March 21: Britney stays in Malibu rehab.

May 2: Britney performs at House of Blues San Diego, launching a brief tour showcasing 10-15 minute performances in various cities.

July 6: Britney apologizes for attacking photographer’s car with umbrella.

July 30: Britney’s divorce from K-Fed becomes final.

Aug. 6: Britney, who does not have a valid CA driver’s license, is involved in a minor fender bender with a parked car and leaves the scene.

Sept. 9: Britney performs at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Hollyscoop broke the news early this morning that Mischa Barton was arrested in West Hollywood on suspicion of DUI, possession of narcotics and driving on a suspended license.  Bail has been set at $10,000. 

Popsquire has the legal scoop, of course…

First time DUI offenders can face any of the following penalties:

• jail time
• stiff monetary fines
• probation
• community service
• mandated AA attendance

And, like any good lawyer, Popsquire did his research on the accused.  For a little bit of irony, check out this interview with Mischa in which she discusses being a good role model for young girls.  Start at 3:30 to get the right clip.  Enjoy.

[digg=http://www.digg.com/celebrity/Mischa_Mayhem]

Technorati Tags: bail, drunk driving, DUI, law, mischa barton, OC, pop culture, popsquire, russell wetanson

After YouTubing allegations about rape and molestation againt former manager, Chris Stokes, B2K member now offers a “public apology” and says he made up the whole thing. 

I don’t think these guys will be getting cell phones from Oprah any time soon.

Am still wondering what is going on in this video, though.  If you didn’t look when I posted it on Christmas Eve, check it out starting at 1:05 of the video, watch for a little bit, and tell me what you think he’s doing. 

Do you hear the sound of a scale?  Do you wonder what he is grabbing/rubbing with his fingers?  Do you wonder why the camera cuts off the image?

Technorati Tags: B2K, chris stokes, defamation, law, molest, pop culture, popsquire, rape, tmz, wiretap, YouTube

According to TMZ, Fergie and Josh Duhamel are engaged.  GFT (Good For Them)!

Popsquire’s Pop Quiz: What happens to rings when engagements are called off?

Assuming the guy bought the ring with his own funds, then the majority of courts likely would consider the engagement ring to be a conditional gift.  This means that, until the marriage happens, the gift isn’t final.  If the wedding does not occur, then the guy likely would have the right to get the ring back!

Will the big girl cry at the wedding?  Until then, let’s celebrate with Fergie’s latest video for Clumsy…

[digg=http://www.digg.com/celebrity/Fergie_Wins_A_Wedding_With_Tad_Hamilton]

Technorati Tags: engagement, Fergie, josh duhamel, law, pop culture, popsquire, ring, russell wetanson, wedding

Quick catch up.  Lindsay Lohan has been involved in multiple car incidents.  For purposes of this post, let’s focus on the 2005 crash outside of the Newsroom Cafe in Los Angeles. 

Raymundo Ortega, a Newsroom busboy at the time, claims Lindsay was under the influence of alcohol when they crashed and is seeking at least $200,000 in damages.  According to CNN, Lindsay recently filed a declaration with the court, stating “I did not consume an alcoholic beverage or any type of medication or drug…”

Here’s the real scoop.  Popsquire actually was on the scene at the time of the accident.  I was in the Newsroom Cafe, heard the crash, ran outside, and saw Lindsay run into the store across the street. 

Popsquire is no expert in accident analysis, but in my opinion, it looked like the busboy was trying to make a u-turn from his parking space instead of pulling out and driving forward.  These bad driving manners could make it difficult for the busboy to beat Lindsay in court!

Any other witnesses to this accident out there?  If so, let’s form a support group.

[digg=http://www.digg.com/celebrity/Lindsay_May_Not_Lose_This_Lawsuit]

Oregon’s KPTV is reporting that a man impersonating Ozzy Osbourne pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot a convenience store clerk in Canada on Christmas Eve. 

Puhlease…we all know that Ozzy’s weapons of choice are bats. 

Get a look at this guy here.

[digg=http://www.digg.com/celebrity/Ozzy_Impersonator_Uses_Wrong_Weapon]

Technorati Tags: bat, canada, gun, impersonator, ozzy osbourne

TMZ is reporting that Brandy Norwood may not be facing criminal charges for last year’s car crash that resulted in a woman’s death.  TMZ also claims that Brandy may not even be at fault.  It turns out that the other driver may have struck the vehicle in front of her before Brandy made any contact and that she (the other driver) had traces of weed in her system.

To celebrate on Brandy’s behalf, sing along to her 1998 hit, Top Of the World…

Bring Brandy back on America’s Got Talent!  She’s way better than Sharon Osbourne!

Technorati Tags: Brandy, criminal charges, law, marijuana, Norwood, pop culture, popsquire, russell wetanson, tmz, top of the world, vehicular manslaughter