Friday, December 19, 2008
Maria Checa: Playmate Insider Trading
Maria Checa has been caught up in an insider trading operation. The 38-year-old Playboy Playmate of the Month in August 1994 received tips and insider information from her 27-year-old boyfriend, Jamil Bouchareb, a Miami-based daytrader. The source of these tips was Matthew Devlin, an ex-Lehman Brothers broker, who started snooping on his wife's travel schedules to uncover upcoming mergers and acquisitions.
Using two corporate accounts, Checa International and Playmate Capital, Maria Checa was able to trade on transactions related to companies like biotech firm Abgenix, beer company InBev, and gaming giant Electronic Arts before the information became public.
Nina Devlin is a partner at Brunswick Group LLC, a public relations ad international communications firm that represented large corporations, but was unaware that Devlin was committing a "violation of trust between husband and wife." Starting in February 2005 and ending last August, her husband passed information on more than a dozen M&As to friends and clients, who reaped $4.8 million from insider trading. He was rewarded with gifts a diverse as a Cartier watch, Porsche driving lessons, and a wide-screen TV.
Although Maria Checa has not been charged, she has been listed as a relief defendant, which means any illegal profits she made can be forfeited. Besides modeling, Checa is also an artist, having attended the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Maria Checa Photos
Maria Checa
Maria Checa on Facebook
Maria Checa in Playboy August 1994
Sherry Johnston Arrested
Sherry Johnston has been arrested on drug charges. The 42-year-old mother of Levi Johnston, former VP candidate Sarah Palin's future son-in-law, was charged with six felony counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance on Thursday and was released later on a $5,000 bail.
Naturally, Sarah Palin as Alaska's governor is empowered to grant a pardon to Sherry Johnston if she is convicted. Adding incentive, Palin's grandson is scheduled to be delivered by her daughter Bristol Palin this Saturday. A spokesman for Palin, however, has distanced the governor from the affair:
This is not a state government matter. Therefore the governor's communications staff will not be providing comment or scheduling interview opportunities.
The arrest of Sherry Johnston followed an undercover operation that may have been on-going since Palin was announced as McCain's VP running mate. She is suspected of manufacturing and possessing narcotics.
Sherry Johnston
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Christina Raines, Drew Peterson Engaged
Christina Raines is Drew Peterson's new fiancée. The 24-year-old waitress would be the suspected murderer's fifth wife after his third wife, Kathleen Savio, was murdered in March 2004 and his fourth wife, 23-year-old Stacy, went missing in October 2007. Peterson is a 54-year-old retired police sergeant and lives in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
First meeting at a coin-operated laundry several years ago, Christina Raines and Drew Peterson started dating months ago. He took her to see the Blue Man Group, promised to buy her a car, and got her roses.
Christina's father, Ernie Raines, heard of their engagement and drove to Peterson's house to deliver a message: "I (told him), 'You know me, I'd kill for my kids, you know that. He told me, 'I will never do nothing to hurt your daughter, that's why I didn't put her name out.'"
Ernie Raines is "doing everything I can to try to get her away from him."
Before meeting Christina Raines, Drew Peterson was dating a 22-year-old tanning salon worker, Kim Matuska. Their relationship ended because of media pressure and publicity, and she was even called to testify before a grand jury over Stacy's disappearance.
Christina Raines
Drew Peterson Interview Video
Sarah McLean-Levens: MMA Fighter's Wife (Photos)
Sarah McLean-Levens was the wife of Justin Levens. The 28-year-old mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and his wife, 25, were found shot at their Laguna Nigel home in California. Police believe it was a murder-suicide, but more details will soon be revealed.
The mother of Sarah McLean-Levens found them and called 911.
Justin Levens was born in Philadelphia, but moved to Newport Beach to begin martial arts training in Vale Tudo after a stint in the Navy. He was 5 ft. 11 in. and weighed 205 lb. He participated in multiple MMA competitions including Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), and Gladiator Challenge (GC) during his three year career.
At a fight in 2008, Levens tested positive for a prescription drug that netted him a 6-month suspension. Ironically, he was known as Justin "The Executioner" Levens.
Justin Levens WEC Video
Justin Levens Photos
Justin Levens
Justin Levens in Fight
Justin Levens Delivers Knock Out
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Nicole Buffett: Warren Buffett's Granddaughter (Photos)
Nicole Buffett reveals that Warren Buffett disowned her in an interview in "Marie Claire" magazine. The 32-year-old abstract painter is the granddaughter of the world's richest man, worth $58 billion at last count. She is the adopted daughter of Buffet's youngest son, Peter Buffett, who married Nicole's mother when she was four.
However, Nicole Buffett made the mistake of talking about her grandfather in public on a Cinemax documentary, "The One Percent", which interviewed the children of the wealthy about their childhoods. In the program, she expressed anxiety about speaking so openly about Buffett: "I definitely fear judgment. Money is the spoke in my grandfather's wheel of life."
Combined with doubts about her status as an heir after her mother was divorced from his son, Warren Buffett sent a final letter renouncing her: "I have not emotionally or legally adopted you as a grandchild, nor have the rest of my family adopted you as a niece or a cousin."
Now, Nicole lives on $40,000 a year from selling her own artworks and working in a boutique near her home in Berkeley, California. Reportedly, she cannot afford health insurance.
The One Percent Trailer with Nicole Buffett
Nicole Buffett Photos
Nicole Buffett
Nicole Buffett on Oprah
Nicole Buffett in Art Studio
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Isaiah Washington Gets Sierra Leone Citizenship
Isaiah Washington has been granted Sierra Leonean citizenship. The former "Grey's Anatomy" star has family roots in the previously war-torn West African country and convinced its President, Ernest Bai Koroma, to give him dual-citizenship and a Sierra Leonean passport.
For his part, Isaiah Washington is ecstatic: "I'm so moved right now that I am literally wiped out with the gravity of this new reality." He also cited the historic precedent with Koroma as the "'first' African President to issue an African-American full citizenship based on DNA."
On a similar note, neighboring Liberia was founded by freed slaves from the U.S. in 1822 and has also had its share of conflict and civil war. Liberians who had immigrated from America continued to refer to themselves as "Americans."
All Washington needs to do now is send in two photos to claim his passport in the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown.
Isaiah Washington
Brittany Zimmerman: Dead Coed Calls 911 & Waits 48 Minutes
Brittany Zimmerman called 911, but died while waiting for police to arrive. The 21-year-old University of Wisonsin-Madison student was stabbed inside her downtown apartment on April 2, but managed to call 911 at 12:20 p.m. The dispatcher, Rita Gahagan, hung up the phone after missing Zimmerman's screams and struggles for help and didn't call the number back in violation of policy.
By the time police arrived 48 minutes later, Brittany Zimmerman was dead. Her fiancé Jordan had already found her when they arrived. Until now, the details of the 911 delay had not been revealed.
According to a police report, Gahagan said the noises in the 911 call "didn't register as anyone in obvious distress" and proceeded to visit a restaurant and a news website after receiving Zimmerman's 57-second call. She also checked her email and sent personal messages while on duty. A job evaluation said that she "exceeded requirements in every category."
Since her apartment door was broken down, police think a stranger was involved, but no one has been identified.
Brittany Zimmerman
Monday, December 15, 2008
Megan Hauserman, Sharon Osbourne Catfight
Megan Hauserman was attacked by Sharon Osbourne. The 26-year-old reality star and model was filming "Rock of Love: Charm School" for VH1 when the wife of Ozzy Osbourne started pulling her hair and scratching at her. Security was needed to rescue her, and she was taken to the hospital.
Osbourne assaulted Megan Hauserman after she insulted her by saying that she was only famous for marrying a "brain-dead rock star." She has defended her husband on other occasions, once throwing a glass of water at a contestant joking about the Black Sabbath lead singer on "The X-Factor."
Now, LAPD is investigating the case of "minor battery", but Osbourne has yet to be charged. She has previously characterized Hauserman saying "Her brain is between her legs."
Megan Hauserman Photos
Megan Hauserman
Megan Hauserman Interview
Megan Hauserman Loves Money
Sondra Fortunato Video & Photos
Sondra Fortunato wore a skimpy Santa Claus outfit to a football game. The well-endowed, middle-aged woman known as Miss Football expressed her support for the New York Giants last week by wearing an outfit complete with tiara, fishnet stockings, and high-heeled boots. At her side were two signs with "Go Giants" and "Have a No Guns Christmas" printed and a suitcase with Christmas gifts.
Despite her 30-year long support for the Giants, Sondra Fortunato was quickly escorted out of the stadium and asked "Can't you come to the stadium dressed like a regular person?" She is notorious for wearing provocative outfits to support her team at home games and was arrested in 2006 for carrying a sign into a game.
Fortunato's niece, Paula, is divorcing media mogul Sumner Redstone.
Sondra Fortunato Video
Sondra Fortunato Photos
Sondra Fortunato
Sondra Fortunato & Signs
Muntazer al-Zaidi Shoe Attack Video
Muntazer al-Zaidi threw two shoes at President George W. Bush in Iraq. The journalist for a Cairo-based Iraqi TV station Al-Baghdadia lobbed both of his shoes at Bush as he gave a press conference and shouted "It is the farewell kiss, you dog" as he was taken away by guards. He missed. He further said, "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."
Today, Muntazer al-Zaider, who's Arabic name has also been translated as Muntadar al-Zeidi, is being held in an undisclosed location by Iraqi authorities. Saddam Hussein's former lawyer is offering his services to defend him in court. His release is being demanded by many in the Arab world.
The throwing of shoes is a sign of disrespect in Arab culture. When Hussein's statue was toppled in 2003. protesters hit his statue with their shoes.
Bush was unfazed by Zaidi's attack, I'm pretty good at ducking, as most of you know."
Muntazer al-Zaidi Shoe Attack Video
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Leighton Meester, Sebastian Stan Engaged
Leighton Meester is reportedly engaged to Sebastian Stan. The 22-year-old Gossip Girl actress met her boyfriend, a 25-year-old fellow actor, on the set of her hit TV show and have been dating for the past year. He played Carter Baizen in two episodes.
In a Gossip Girl-like twist, the news of Leighton Meester's engagement to Stan leaked after she posted the update to her private Facebook page.
Stan has had a limited acting career compared to Meester, appearing in movies like "The Covenant" and "Red Doors" and guest roles on TV shows like "Kings" and " Law & Order." Coincidentally, the two both got their start in Hollywood on the set of "Law & Order" although their appearances were four years apart.
Leighton Meester, Sebastian Stan Photos
Leighton Meester Looking Goth
Leighton Meester, Sebastian Stan
Leighton Meester, Sebastian Stan at Party
Leighton Meester, Sebastian Stan, & Friend
Demi Lovato Denies Being Cutter
Demi Lovato has denied being a cutter. The 16-year-old Disney starlet was spotted sporting a series of red marks on her wrists in photos taken at fellow star Miley Cyrus' birthday party this October which spawned speculation about their cause. Most cutters start in their teens out of a need to feel control over their lives or emotions, but they are also usually careful to hide their behavior, lending less credence to the Lovato self-injury theory.
In a quick rebuttal, Demi Lovato's publicist Allison Leslie explained the unusual marks: "Demi was wearing gummy bracelets just prior to her appearance on the red carpet and, because of how tight they were, they left indentations on her wrist."
First coming to fame in the Disney TV movie "Camp Rock", Demi Lovato also has a blossoming music career, releasing an album "Don't Forget" written in part by the Jonas Brothers.
Demi Lovato Cutter Photos
Demi Lovato with Strange Marks on Wrist
Close-up of Demi Lovato's Cuts
