A Summary of the John and Kate divorce:

John and Kate Gosselin were reality television stars; the married couple was thrust into media spotlight, when Kate Gosselin decided to chronicle her life as a mother of fraternal twins and sextuplets. The shot, Kate Plus 8, aired on TLC and became an instant hit as the Gosselin’s achieved national recognition for their reality show. 

Kate Gosselin gave birth to twin girls on October 8, 2000. After receiving treatments to overcome her polycystic ovary syndrome (the twins were born using fertility treatments) Gosselin became pregnant again and gave birth to sextuplets on May 10 of 2004 in Hersey, Pennsylvania. The birth of the couple’s six children ultimately led to their celebrity; John and Kate Plus 8 chronicled the couple’s day to day struggles raising 8 children.

The John and Kate divorce was announced on June 22, of 2009. The divorce was filed by Kate, which ultimately ended the couple’s 10 year marriage. The couple, who appeared happily married on their hit show, decided to end their relationship as a result of John’s promiscuous activities. In February of 2009, photos surfaced on the Internet showing Jon in the company of young women during a visit to see his mother. The couple quickly tried to deflate the rumors attached to these pictures; however, a scandal erupted again, when a 23-year-old female was photographed driving Jon’s car home from a bar late at night. When the fifth season of the hit show premiered in May of that year, the couple admitted to having severe marital problems.

The Terms and Conditions of the John and Kate Divorce:

Not surprisingly, the hot issue revolving around the Jon and Kate divorce revolved around child custody. Originally, the couple was awarded split-time with their children, meaning the 8 kids would share time with their parents; however, a California judge recently rescinded this ruling and gave majority custody to Kate. In response to this revised ruling, Jon, who was issued a court injunction that prevented him from talking to the media, issued extreme disappointment regarding his limited ability to see his children.

In addition to the primary custody ruling, Kate was also granted sole ownership of the family’s home in Pennsylvania. The financial terms of the divorce, meaning how the proceeds from the show would be divided between the two stars, were not expressed to the public. That being said, it is assumed, considering the previous rulings that Kate Gosselin was awarded the majority of the show’s revenue. Furthermore, the John and Kate divorce most likely placed a heavy burden on Jon in the form of considerable alimony or monthly payments.

The legal stipulations undertaken within a celebrity divorce – akin to those inherent within traditional divorces – express strict parameters with regard to the release of the specific divorce settlement to public record

The realm of public record allows the terms of a divorce settlement to be accessed within the realm of common law – a primary tenet of common law allows past cases to serve as legislative parameters taken into consideration by specific judicial review.

Overview of the Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston Divorce:

The Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston Divorce marked the dissolution of the marriage between Pitt and Anniston. The couple, married in a private ceremony in Malibu on July 29, 2000. For years, the couple’s marriage was considered a rare Hollywood success however, in the early part of 2005, both individuals announced their decision to formally separate after seven years together. Two months after this announcement, former Friends star and Hollywood actress, Jennifer Anniston, initiated the divorce process by citing irreconcilable differences. During the divorce process, Pitt’s involvement with fellow co-star, Angelina Jolie, during the filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, attracted vociferous media attention.

In April of 2005, one month after Aniston filed the divorce from pit, a set of paparazzi pictures emerged showing Pitt, Jolie and her adopted son Maddox at a beach in Kenya—these pictures were ultimately construed in the press as evidence of relationship between the two Hollywood megastars. During that summer, the two stars were seen with increasing frequency and the media eventually dubbed their relationship “Brangelina.”

The Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston divorce was finalized by the Los Angeles Superior Court on October 2, 2005—significantly beyond the date that Pitt started first seeing Jolie. Just a few months later, in January of 2006, Jolie confirmed to People, an American Entertainment magazine, that she was pregnant with Pitt’s baby—this statement ultimately confirmed the couple’s relationship status for the first time. Although this sequence of events hurt Anniston on a severe emotional level, the actress rebounded and to this day, maintains an amicable relationship with her former husband.

The Plea of ‘No Contest’ within the Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston Divorce

An uncontested divorce is one in which both parties have reached a mutual agreement with regard to the reasons behind filing for divorce, as well as the placement of fault in conjunction to the breakdown of the marriage. In the case of the Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston Divorce, both Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston opted to file for a divorce uncontested – or unchallenged – in nature, which retained the classification of the reason for the Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston Divorce as a result, a bulk of celebrity couples undertaking divorce proceedings opt to either settle outside of court or file for divorce in an uncontested fashion in order to avoid potential media coverage and publicity.

The Terms of the Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston Divorce Settlement:

A divorce settlement will typically include 3 primary facets with regard to the terms and conditions set forth by the presiding court official who was responsible for determining spousal support – in the form of alimony, child custody – and subsequent child support payments, and the division of assets. In the case of the Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston Divorce, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston undertook a simplistic approach as a result of the individual’s financial success and the fact that no kids were consummated during their marriage. Additionally, all joint assets, such as homes or bank accounts, were divided amongst the partners in an amicable fashion. The details of such transfers has been kept private.

Who was Elvis Presley?

Born January 8 1935, Elvis Presley was one of the most beloved American singers of the 20th century. Presley, as a cultural icon, is widely referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll.”

Presley, who was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, moved to Memphis, Tennessee (along with his family) at the age of 13. Presley’s career began at the age of 13, when the future King of Rock and Roll was discovered by Sun Records owner, Sam Phillips. From this moment, Presley sky-rocketed into the pantheon of the Rock and Roll industry.

Presley’s first single, “Heartbreak Hotel”, released in January of 1956, quickly transformed into a number one hit. Presley built-off this debut and ultimately became the leading figure of the newly formed rock and roll sound, through a series of sold-out concerts, television performances and chart-topping albums. Presely’s uninhibited style, his good looks, heartfelt, yet energetic lyrics and his bad boy image propelled him to legendary status. Like so many celebrities before and after him, Presley ultimately fell victim to the fast-paced and hedonistic celebrity lifestyle.

The Death of Elvis Presley:

By the early part of 1977, Elvis Presley had become a grotesque and morbidly-obese caricature of his once energetic and sleek former self. Overweight and dumbed-down through the perpetual use of drugs, he was barely able to perform even during abbreviated concerts. The tragic signs were omnipresent; during a performance in Alexendria, Louisiana, the star was on stage for less than an hour and barely coherent throughout the majority of his performance. During his downfall, Presley grew increasingly paranoid and became obsessed with spirituality.

On the evening of August 16, 1977, Presley was scheduled to fly from Memphis to begin another tour. That afternoon, he was found unresponsive on his bathroom floor. Numerous attempts to revive him failed and Elvis Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm at Baptist memorial Hospital. Presley, who was credited with changing American popular culture, ultimately died as a result of his celebrity and his complacency in a world filled with insatiable desires.

Presley’s funeral was held at Graceland (his now-famous estate) on Thursday, August 18 of 1977. Approximately 85,000 people lined the processional route to Forest Hill Cemetery, where Presley was buried next to his mother.

Who is Brett Favre?

Brett Favre is an American Football quarterback who has played professional football in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers, the New York Jets and most recently the Minnesota Vikings. Favre is often regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the league’s history; he holds the majority of offensive statistics has won multiple Most Valuable Player Awards and has one super bowl ring. Statistics aside, Favre is also regarded as one of the toughest and most competitive athletes in all of professional sports—Favre holds the record for the most consecutive games started at quarterback. Although the legendary quarterback is revered in the majority of football circles, he faced considerable scandal in 2008 for lewd activity which revolved around a female Jets’ employee.

Brett Favre Scandal Explained:

Brett Favre has been married to his wife, Deanna since July 14, 1996. Together, the couple has two daughters and a grandson. On October 8, 2010, the National Football League began an investigation regarding Favre and allegations of misconduct. Jennifer Sterger, a reporter for the Jets alleged that Brett Favre had repeatedly made passes at Sterger, by asking her out on dates and sending her text messages of his genital organ. Sterger, the host of “Jets Gameday” also accused Favre of leaving inappropriate voice messages on her phone.

The investigation initiated by the National Football League was made in response to the voicemail recording and photos posted by the popular sports blog, Deadspin. In late October of 2010, the Brett Favre scandal was well-known by the majority of football fans and the general population. During this time, the legendary quarterback was rumored to have admitted to the NFL league’s officials investigating the scandal that the allegations regarding the voicemails were indeed true, but that Favre had not partook in the picture messaging aspects of the scandal. On December 29 of the same year, Brett Favre was found not to in violation of the National Football League’s personal conduct policy; however, the quarterback was fined $50,000 for failing to cooperate with the investigation. In addition to the Brett Favre scandal, the quarterback has also been accused of mistreating female employees during this time; following the release of Sterger’s statements, numerous female employees with the Jets claimed that Favre had hit on them routinely. Sterger, who was ultimately awarded nothing for her allegations, was emotionally damaged as a result of the media’s unjust portrayal of her career and her overall intentions regarding the Brett Favre scandal.

Overview of the Britney Spears Divorce:

Pop superstar married rapper/dancer Kevin Federline in January of 2007. The Britney Spears Divorce marked the dissolution of the marriage between Spears and Federline; the Britney Spears Divorce was finalized in July 2007, which ended the 2-yearlong marriage between Kevin Federline and Britney Spears. Although the case of the Britney Spears Divorce, which was considered by various media outlets as a celebrity, the impact of the dissolution of a union is thought to be universal; amongst the events and undertakings within a divorce proceeding, a divorce has the potential to elicit heightened emotions, such as sadness and loss. Furthermore, the reasoning for the breakdown of a marriage – regardless of the degree of celebrity status – will typically provide a legal framework for the terms and conditions latent within a divorce settlement:

The Plea of ‘No Contest’ within the Britney Spears Divorce:

An uncontested divorce is one in which both parties have reached a mutual agreement with regard to the reasons behind filing for divorce, as well as the placement of fault in conjunction to the breakdown of the marriage. In the case of the Britney Spears Divorce, both Kevin Federline and Britney Spears opted to file for a divorce uncontested – or unchallenged – in nature, which retained the classification of the reason for the Britney Spears Divorce as a result, a bulk of celebrity couples undertaking divorce proceedings opt to either settle outside of court or file for divorce in an uncontested fashion in order to avoid potential media coverage and publicity.

The Terms of the Britney Spears Divorce Settlement:

As a result of Spears’ fortune and Federline’s relative modest finances, it was assumed that Spear’s would be crippled by the divorce settlement. Spears’ however, was shred enough at the time of marriage, to include a 65-page iron-clad prenuptial agreement that stringently limited Federline’s ability to assume the Spears’ fortune.

A divorce settlement will typically include 3 primary facets with regard to the terms and conditions set forth by the presiding court official who was responsible for determining spousal support – in the form of alimony, child custody – and subsequent child support payments, and the division of assets between the couple. Federline and Spears had two children together; the only details made public concerning the divorce was the fact that custody was divided equally among the parents. According to various reports, Spears’ lawyer, Laura Wasser, asked the judge who presided over the Britney Spears divorce hearing, to keep the details relating to the specific timetable and transportation arrangements regarding the children, private. Wasser claimed that the release of “such information will greatly increase the chance that the actions of the media could threaten the safety of the minor children, for example, causing a traffic accident or by exposing the minor children to criminals who might target the minor children for a financial gain.” As a result of the couple’s celebrity status the term of the divorce settlement was widely kept private, although, it is assumed that Federline was impeded from the majority of Spears’ fortune due to the couple’s comprehensive prenuptial agreement.

A Summary of the Lionel Ritchie Divorce

Lionel Ritche, born on June 20 1949, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and wildly successful entertainer. Since 1968, he has been the prominent member of the musical group, the Commodores; although Ritchie is probably best known for his solo career. On October 18, 1975 Lionel Ritchie married his college sweetheart, Brenda Harvey. Although things were perfect, according to close and family, during the onset of their relationship, Ritchie began a relationship with another woman, Diane Alexander in 1986. While separated, Harvey discovered Lionel and Alexander together in a Beverly Hills hotel room; a confrontation ensued between the couple and Harvey attacked both Lionel and Diane in a savage manner. For this incident, Brenda was arrested for spousal abuse, assault, and vandalism and trespassing. Lionel and Brenda divorced on August 9, 1993 following their 17 year marriage.

Richie married Diane Alexander on December 21, 1995; together the couple has a son, Miles (born in 1994) and a daughter, Sofia (born in 1998).

Divorce Settlement between Lionel Ritchie and Diane Alexander:

Lionel Ritchie had sold over 100 million records throughout his career; as a result of such success, the music icon earned an obscene fortune. Lionel has blamed his marital problems on his career; sighting his workaholic attitude as the reason behind the neglectful treatment of his wives. Lionel Ritchie divorced Diane Alexander in January of 2004. Similar to many celebrity divorces, the end of this relationship garnered enormous media coverage. That being said, the Lionel Ritchie divorce is somewhat unique, as a result of the lavish settlement that Alexander received.

The terms of the initial settlement, which was offered by Ritchie, awarded Diane the couple’s 5 million dollar mansion and alimony payments of $55,000 per month. Although these terms were initially agreed upon, Diane filed a demand, 5 months after the agreement, for $300,000 in monthly support. She claimed that the $245,000 increase per month was justifiable as a result of her following expenses:   

Vitamins: $500 per month

Gifts for friends and family: $5,000 per month

Jewelry: $5,000 per month

Laser Treatment for Hair Removal: $5,000 per month

Dermatology Treatment: $3,000 per month

Shoes, clothing and other accessories: $15,000 per month

Plastic surgery:$20,000 annually

Tuition for their son: $125,000 annually

Diane believed she was owed the $300,000 per month support as a result of the couple’s lavish lifestyle they shared together; she wanted to remain living the high life. While the couple was married, there was no limit on what she could spend, so after these demands were made, the Lionel Ritchie divorce settlement got particularly messy.  Ultimately, to maintain a close bond with his children, Lionel succumbed to his wife’s demand by offering her an estimated $20 million dollar sum. Although this figure is somewhat disputed as a result of the details of the divorce kept private, it has been reported by various outlets that Ritchie’s $20 million payment ranks as the 23rd most expensive divorce settlement in the history of the United States.

Who is Bob Crane?

Born on July 13 of 1928, Bob Crane as an American actor, best known for his performance as Colonel Robert Hogan in the hit television sitcom Hogan’s Heroes, which aired from 1965 to 1971. Crane was born in Waterbury, Connecticut where he was influenced by music, particularly jazz. On June 21, 1948 Hogan enlisted in the National Guard, but was honorably discharged shortly thereafter in 1950. When Hogan left the National Guard he started a career in Radio broadcasting. Although Hogan started out small, working for local radio stations, he was eventually picked-up by the CBS radio network. During this time, Crane married his high school sweetheart and the couple had three children together. Crane ultimately moved his family to California where he hosted the morning show at KNX radio in Hollywood. Crane filled the broadcast with wit, drumming and interviews with premiere guests such as Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. Crane’s show quickly surged to the top ranking in the LA area. Crane eventually parla

yed his successful broadcast career to various acting roles in hit television series.

In the spring of 1965, Crane was offered the starring role in a television pilot about a German P.O.W camp. The show, Hogan’s Heroes, quickly became a hit. Crane’s on-screen success propelled him to the pantheon of television stars. In addition to realizing an enormous pay increase, Crane went through significant personal changes as a result of the show’s success. The television star divorced his wife of 20 years and immediately re-married actress, Sigrid Valdis, whom he met on the set of Hogan’s Heroes in 1970.

During the mid-70’s Hogan’s Heroes was cancelled as a result of poor ratings. Disgruntled and frustrated by the cancellation, Crane was offered part-time and low-paying roles. With his career influx, Ben Crane’s life took a deadly turn in the late 1970’s.

Ben Crane’s Death:

During Hogan’s Heroes, illustrious run, costar Richard Dawson introduced Crane to John henry Carpenter, who worked with the video department at Sony Electronics. Crane and Henry over the next 4 years grew close as friends.

As a result of his position, Henry had access to early video tape recorders, which in later years, Henry used to photograph some of Crane’s sexual escapades with various women. On June 28, 1978 Crane, who realized what Carpenter had done, called the video technician to tell him that their friendship was over. The next day, Crane’s body was discovered in the Winfield Place Apartments in Scottsdale, Arizona bludgeoned to death with a weapon that was never recovered. Investigators on the scene described Crane’s body as savagely beaten; the body also had semen on it, which led investigators to believe that Crane’s killer had ejaculated on hm after the murder.

Bob Crane’s Death Investigation:

According to police officers on the scene, Carpenter had called the apartment several times and was not surprised that the police were there. Carpenter’s car, which he had rented the previous day, was ultimately searched where discoveries of blood smears were found that matched Crane’s blood type. DNA testing, which would have confirmed whether the smears were Crane’s or not, did exist during the late 1970’s. As a result of insufficient evidence, Maricopa County Attorney Charles Hyder declined to press any charges at the time of the murder.

Bob Crane Death Investigation Re-Opened:

The Bob Crane Murder case was reopened in 1990, where Carpenter was eventually placed on trial in 1994. Carpenter was ultimately found not guilty; he maintained his innocence until his death in September of 1998. Although authorities continue to believe that he was the killer, the murder of Bob Crane remains officially unsolved.

Who is Anna Nichole Smith?

Born November 28, 1967 Anna Nichole Smith was an American television personality, actress and model. Anna Nichole Smith first gained popularity in Playboy magazine, when she became the Playmate of the Year in 1993.

Anna Nichole Smith dropped out of high school and married when she was just 18 years of age. Her second marriage was highly publicized; Anna Nichole married oil tycoon, Howard Marshall, who was 62 years older than the Playmate. Widespread speculation mounted that Anna Nichole Smith had married Marshall for his money, allegations which Smith vehemently denied. Following Marshall’s death, Anna Nichole Smith was engaged in a lengthy legal battle over a share of Marshall’s estate. The case, known as Marhsall v. Marshall, was heard in the United States Supreme Court on a question of federal jurisdiction. Smith and her late husband’s son, Pierce Marshall, battled over her claim for half her late husband’s $1.6 billion dollar estate. The case lasted over a decade, producing publicized court battles and several judicial decisions that favored both for and against Smith during that time.

Smith claimed that her husband promised her half of his estate if she married him; in September of 2000, a Los Angeles Bankruptcy judge awarded Smith nearly $450 million dollars. This decision was ultimately appealed and eventually heard by the United States Supreme Court. The decisions; however, are now to continue in the name of Smith’s daughter, due to Smith’s untimely and unfortunate death.

Anna Nichole Smith Death:

On September 10, 2006 Anna Nichole Smith’s 20-year old son Daniel, tragically died from a lethal combination of Lexapro, Zoloft and methadone. Shortly after the death of her son, on February 8, 2007, Smith was found unresponsive in her room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. According to Seminole Police, Smith’s bodyguard administered CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene. Smith was rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital at 2:10 p.m. and was pronounced dead on arrival.

Following a seven week investigation, led by the county’s Medical Examiner and a Forensic Pathologist, it was announced that Smith died from a combined drug effort, with sleeping medication, chloral hydrate, acting as the major component. No illegal drugs were found in Smith’s system and Smith’s official report states that her death was not considered to be due to suicide, natural causes or homicide. The full report has been made public and can be observed online. Although there are rumors that Anna Nichole Smith’s death photos have been released online, there has been no evidence to believe such a rumor.

Who is Anthony Morrison?

Anthony Morrison is an Internet businessman who can be seen on various infomercials or online advertising videos. Morrison offers individuals a money making marketing system that requires little expertise and enormous rewards. Morrison’s pitch is somewhat unbelievable due to its simplicity and promise of exorbitant returns; Morrison claims that investors can make thousands of dollars working from home if they incorporate his system. To profit of the Anthony Morrison system the user is required to purchase books and various materials that are produced by Morrison himself.

Is Anthony Morrison’s Money-Making System really a Scam?

Anthony Morrison’s system revolves around the use of affiliate marketing, which is a marketing system that takes advantage of Google Adwords and keywords that people use to search for information or various websites. The user is required to pay thousands of dollars to access the Anthony Morrison scam; in addition to the cost, the user is required to satisfy monthly fees and other costs associated with the contract Morrison draws up. Following the payment to Morrison, the user is required to pay Google and other search engines who offer per clack advertising.

Although Anthony Morrison’s marketing strategy and business model is often regarded as a scam, the entrepreneur has not been charged with fraud, extortion or any other crime that would label his venture as a scam. That being said, investors who take notice of Morrison and take his words as the undeniable truth—meaning they will make thousands within minutes from following his simple steps—are susceptible to losing great sums of money. Similar to any other investment or business offering, those who undertake and invest in the idea are required to have a thorough understanding of the underlying mechanics and principals involved in the idea. 

It is possible to make a profit off the Anthony Morrison scam; however, similar to other start-ups or business ideas, the majority of investors lose money by partaking in such a risk. As a result of Morrison’s seeming omnipresent nature, the majority of investors believe everything he says. This is not the recommended course of action, for Morrison’s business model should be viewed like any other venture—with skepticism and reticence.

What is Fraud and is Anthony Morrison guilty?

Fraud is an illegal action that in regards to a broad definition refers to a deliberate misrepresentation, which directly or indirectly causes another person to suffer damages, typically in the form of monetary losses. The charge of fraud is typically attached to individuals who sell a product or service to the generic consumer base. If the underlying product is misrepresented or the selling party uses untruthful or devious means to sell the product, he or she will be committing fraud. Anthony Morrison has not been charged with Fraud because, in his contract and in the fine print of his infomercials, he labels his marketing strategy as simply a plan, which if followed, could result in great profit. As a result of the wording and the legal nature of the contract, Morrison has not been charged with any crime as of yet.

Who is Barry Bonds?

Barry Lamar Bonds is a former Major League Baseball player who holds the all-time Homeruns record; Bonds is viewed as one of the greatest major League Baseball players of all time—a label that is now deeply criticized for his involvement in the steroids scandal that rocked the core of the league’s morals and principals in the late 1990s and throughout the 2000s Bonds, who is regarded as a central figure in the steroid scandal, went from a rail-thin outfielder in the early 1990s (Bonds was a 3-time MVP and one of the game’s best players before the steroid scandal took place) to a 225-lb muscular slugger during the twilight of his career. While suspected of using steroids, Bonds evolved into the game’s most dangerous hitter; he routinely led the league in walks, intentional walks, on-base percentage and other offensive categories which demonstrated his ability to put fear in opposing pitchers.

On September 21, 2007, after breaking some of the game’s most hallowed records, the San Francisco Giants confirmed that they would not re-sign the slugger for the 2008 season. Bonds officially filed for free agency on October 29, 2007 but drew no interest from the other teams in the MLB.

Barry Bonds Steroid Allegations:

Since 2003, Barry Bonds has been the central figure in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) scandal. Bonds was under investigation by a federal grand jury regarding a testimony he gave in the BALCO case—Bonds was indicted on obstruction of justice and perjury charges on November 15, 2007. Bonds became embroiled in the scandal when his trainer, Greg Anderson was indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California for supplying anabolic steroids to a number of athletes, including many major league baseball players. This indictment led to widespread speculation that Bonds had used performance-enhancing drugs during a time when no formal drug testing requirements, nor rules which banned stimulants, were found in Major League Baseball’s policy. During his grand jury testimony, which took place in December of 2003, Bonds said that he had used a clear substance and a cream that he received from Anderson, who told the star that the supplements were used to fight against arthritis and other ailments.

On November 15, 200 Bonds was indicted on four count of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice for his testimony to the federal government concerning BALCO. The trial commenced on March 21, 2011 in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, with Judge Susan Illston presiding over the matter.

Although the jury’s verdict is pending, numerous individuals close to the case believe that Bonds will avoid prison time for his alleged role in the steroids scandal. That being said, Bonds’ role and the majority belief that the slugger took illegal substances to prolong and benefit his career, has ultimately tarnished his once-great legacy. Not only was Bonds black-balled from the league, but it is unlikely that the slugger will get elected to the Hall of Fame.