The Smoking Gun

Mug Shots Of The Week 1/2/08	Fri 02 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST
Presenting TSG's inaugural booking photo collection of the new year.

Obama And That Other Ponzi Scheme	Wed 31 Dec 2008 12:10:00 EST
As if being linked to one high-profile criminal case weren't enough, President-elect Barack Obama's name may soon pop up in another federal prosecution, this one involving a massive Ponzi scheme (no, the other massive Ponzi scheme).

Charles Barkley In DUI Bust	Wed 31 Dec 2008 11:20:00 EST
Former NBA star Charles Barkley was arrested early today on suspicion of drunk driving after Arizona cops pulled his car over after he ran a stop sign.

Matt Dillon Speed Bust	Wed 31 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST
"Crash" star Matt Dillon was arrested by State Police after being clocked at 106 mph on a Vermont highway.

NY Times Sued Over McCain Affair Story	Tue 30 Dec 2008 18:20:00 EST
A Washington lobbyist charges that The New York Times smeared her in a February 2008 story that she claims gave readers the false impression that she engaged in an "Illicit and inappropriate romantic relationship" with Senator John McCain.

Not That There's Anything Wrong With It	Tue 30 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST
Even if she was wrong when reporting that Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead had a sexual encounter, the author of a book about Anna Nicole Smith contends that the claim is not defamatory.

Mug Shots Of The Week 12/26/08	Fri 26 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST
The year's final end-of-the-week mug shot roundup begins with an arrestee clearly in the holiday spirit.

Obama Interviewed In Blagojevich Probe	Tue 23 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST
President-elect Barack Obama and two of his top advisers were interviewed last week by federal prosecutors probing Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's alleged bid to sell Obama's vacated Senate seat, according to a report issued today by an Obama lawyer.

Celine Dion and AC/DC Backstage Riders	Tue 23 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST
The latest additions to TSG's concert rider collection are Celine Dion and AC/DC, both of whom are in the midst of world tours. Just not together:

Obama's $9 Million Vacation Retreat	Mon 22 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST
Here's the rental listing for the $9 million Hawaiian estate that President-elect Barack Obama is renting over the Christmas holiday.

Mug Shots Of The Week 12/19/08	Fri 19 Dec 2008 17:30:00 EST
With Christmas days away, this week's mug shot roundup begins with a dozen arrestees bearing a passing resemblance to Santa Claus himself.

2008 Mug Shots Of The Year	Wed 17 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST
Presenting The Smoking Gun's 2008 Mug Shots of the Year, 20 booking photos selected from among the tens of thousands reviewed this year by TSG's staff.

Heartbreaking Santa Letter Nets Alleged Perv	Tue 16 Dec 2008 10:50:00 EST
A Texas man is facing sexual abuse charges after a 9-year-old relative wrote a letter to Santa Claus wishing that the 55-year-old man would stop assaulting her.

Mug Shots Of The Week 12/12/08	Fri 12 Dec 2008 16:50:00 EST
This week's mug shot roundup kicks off with a 19-year-old Texas woman who was nabbed Wednesday on an assault rap. As for the remaining booking photos...

How To Get Busted In One Easy Download	Fri 12 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST
After a trio of Ohio women was busted earlier this week following a botched robbery attempt, cops searched the group's getaway car and discovered printed instructions downloaded from the Internet that detailed "How To Commit Armed Robbery In Six Easy Steps."

Van Halen's Legendary M&M's Rider	Thu 11 Dec 2008 11:40:00 EST
Since we began publishing backstage concert riders about 10 years ago, TSG has been searching for the most famous rider of them all, the one in which Van Halen famously stipulated that brown M&M's were to be banished from the band's dressing room. Well, the hunt is over.

"Not Tonight, Honey" Bust	Wed 10 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST
Early Saturday morning, a 19-year-old Louisiana woman wanted some sex from her boyfriend. But Todd Stewart, 35, was apparently not in the mood.

Obama Senate Seat For Sale?	Tue 09 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST
The criminal complaint filed today against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich contains a remarkable section detailing the Democratic politician's alleged attempt to cash in on his ability to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Van Halen 2008 Tour Rider	Wed 26 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST
While Van Halen no longer demands the provision of strippers and controlled substances backstage, the band's most recent concert rider still contains a few gems.