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The case against Harvey Weinstein suffered a massive blow when prosecutors had to admit the lead detective on the case advised one of the alleged victims to delete information from her phone.

Prosecutors sent a letter Wednesday to Weinstein's attorney, Ben Brafman, informing him that NYPD Det. Nicholas DiGaudio had a conversation with the alleged rape victim about the contents of her phone before she turned it over to the D.A.'s Office.

According to the letter, the woman was concerned about prosecutors seeing things on her phone. It's unclear if that info was relevant to the case -- but the problem for prosecutors is, according to the letter, Det. DiGaudio told her to delete anything she was concerned about, and added ... "we just won't tell [the assistant D.A]."

It's a huge setback for the prosecution, especially on the heels of the Lucia Evans bombshell. As we reported, DiGaudio failed to disclose a witness statement to prosecutors -- and, as a result, the sexual assault charge against Weinstein was dropped.

The D.A.'s Office says it's still moving forward with the case against Weinstein.

Vince Offer -- the guy made famous by the ShamWow infomercials -- apparently couldn't soak up the problems in his marriage ... and his wife has officially filed for divorce.

Offer married Melody Barney in Malibu in 2014, and she submitted divorce papers -- obtained by TMZ -- Wednesday in L.A. to start the process to make them legally single.

According to the divorce docs, Barney is asking for legal and physical custody of their 4-year-old daughter. She says Offer can have visitation time. She's also asking for spousal support.

Vince hatched the ShamWow idea back in 2006, and the commercial made him famous in 2009 ... and it only cost $20,000 to make.

Offer had some legal issues ... back in 2009, he was arrested for allegedly hiring a prostitute who bit his tongue during a hookup and wouldn't let go until he punched her. Both Offer and the woman were arrested for felony aggravated battery.

Offer hasn't done a whole lot since the ShamWow days ... with a few acting and voice acting credits to his name.

Cardi B is getting a ton of stuff off her chest ... railing on social media, baby pics and a TMZ post about her new music.

Cardi was hot as fish grease when she hopped on IG live -- taking issue with our story about whether she's going to diss Nicki Minaj on some new music she's recording.

She's also pissed about the photos of her and baby Kulture on a Miami hotel balcony. And, she's pissed because she claims that photogs were stalking her. For the record, we weren't involved in taking those pictures -- but they did come to us, and we did post them.

While unloading -- for nearly an hour from the backseat of her ride -- she said celebrities didn't sign up for this, but insisted she could handle it ... 'cause she's a "tough bitch."

She also ripped into fan blogs, some she's had to block, and compared the music industry to the strip club biz. She said stripping is exactly like being a rapper in many ways, but also made it clear ... "I don't want to go back to the strip club!"

And, then there was the sex talk ... LOTS and LOTS of sex talk. Cardi shared in graphic detail why she knows Offset's never leaving her. In a nutshell, "Cardi B got that fat bitch p***y." And, that's the tamest thing she said about her sexual skills.

Pete Davidson looks like a man down on his luck since his split with Ariana Grande ... and you can't blame him.

Davidson arrived to his mom's house Wednesday with a hood over his head and phone in hand. It's the first time we've seen Pete since the breakup, and you can't do anything but feel sorry for the guy.

TMZ broke the story -- Ariana was seen for the first time Tuesday night since calling off their engagement -- she performed at a pre-taping for the NBC "Wicked" special. Davidson was set to headline a comedy gig at Temple University but has since pulled out.

Hard to tell from the pic ... but Pete's still got his Ariana tattoo on his hand.

Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin appear ready to become L.A. homeowners -- but one of the houses they're checking out has some ominous vibes ... 'cause it's the one in which Demi Lovato nearly died.

The newlyweds were seen leaving Demi's old Hollywood Hills home Wednesday in a black SUV, with Hailey behind the wheel and JB riding shotgun.

This is the property where Demi overdosed earlier this year -- which she put on the market last month. You'll recall, she's currently in rehab and we've seen her out and about.

The home is listed right around $10 million with 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and 5,546 square feet. Pricey, but considering JB is plunking down $100k/month on a new rental he just snapped up in the valley, it ain't so bad.

The leader of the free world is a racist, and Donald Trump's history of prejudice against minorities dates back long before he became POTUS ... so says Rep. Cedric Richmond.

The U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus didn't dance around the subject ... saying on "TMZ Live" Wednesday Trump is a racist and racially challenged, and the terms are interchangeable when it comes to 45.

Check out the clip ... Cedric says Trump's racism stretches back over three decades to the Central Park 5, and continued through his Presidency with Charlottesville and his attacks against Maxine Waters, Don Lemon and LeBron James.

Cedric says Trump presumes guilt when any minority is accused of a crime, because DT views black people as criminals ... adding Trump's hypocrisy is evident to this day with his defense of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the Saudi Arabian Crowned Prince.

Canelo Alvarez says he's sick of watching Floyd Mayweather try to make fights that hurt the sport of boxing -- like Conor and Khabib -- and says if he really wants a challenge, LET'S REMATCH!

"He wants to continue hurting boxing by making fights that don't make sense ... and not giving boxing the credibility it deserves," Canelo tells TMZ Sports.

"If he wants to return, I ask him to look my way to give a great fight to the fans."

"Let's do the second fight. It's very important. We have something pending there, so let's make the second fight."

Of course, Canelo and Floyd fought back in 2013 -- but Alvarez has improved A LOT since then, and clearly believes he would smash Floyd if they met again.

Canelo just signed a brand new $365 MILLION contract with the DAZN streaming video service to have 11 fights over the next 5 years ... and a Floyd rematch would be a dream for the company.

But, if it doesn't happen, Canelo tells us he's down for a 3rd fight with Gennady Golovkin -- and in the meantime, he's prepping for his Dec. 15 fight against Rocky Fielding at Madison Square Garden.

As far as his new contract is concerned -- the richest in the history of pro sports -- Canelo says he's not about to go on a spending spree because he's already rich and has everything he wants.

... especially when it comes to cars!

George Lopez attacked a man in a Hooters restaurant who simply wanted a pic of the comedian and only used a Trump reference to get George to smile ... so says the man.

We spoke with the guy who Lopez grabbed by the neck in a shocking video taken at the wing joint in New Mexico. Sources close to George initially told us Lopez went off after the man had allegedly followed and egged him on all night with Trump references.

The guy in the video tells a different story, saying he only approached George at his table once that day to ask for a pic. He says George grabbed his phone and started filming his own crotch ... but never hit record.

We're told George eventually gave the phone back and, wanting to make him smile and ease an awkward situation, the guy said, "On the count of 3 say Make America Great Again!" Lopez clearly didn't find the comment funny ... because he was on his way out of the restaurant when our video starts.

As for why he chose a Trump reference, the guy says he was aware of Lopez's disgust for 45 and just wanted to crack a joke. For what it's worth, the guy in the video tells us he's a Democrat on paper.

Rihanna has used F.U. as a business card for her clothing biz, and now another company is firing back ... FU, Rihanna.

Freedom United Clothing claims in a new lawsuit it owns the 'FU' trademark ... something they've used since 2006.

As you know ... Rihanna did a deal with PUMA where she had the company slap F.U. on her sweatshirts, jewelry and sandals, and Freedom United says that's just stealing.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the company claims RiRi knew there was an existing FU logo, because she was photographed in one of their hoodies in 2014 and, even before that, then-BF Chris Brown attended Freedom United's launch party back in 2007.

The suit goes on to say PUMA touts Rihanna as a lawbreaker of sorts, noting on PUMA's website it refers to the singer as "most likely to break the rules." Well, they say F.U. is evidence of that.

This isn't the first time Freedom United lashed out ... they fired off a cease-and-desist letter demanding that PUMA and Rihanna back off.

10:05 AM PT -- Delta says Tara's got it all wrong. A spokesperson tells TMZ ... first class seats do not allow bags at your feet -- and, as a result, a flight attendant DID suggest Tara put her dog's carrier in overhead ... NEVER the dog itself.

The rep says Tara was told plainly she could keep her dog in her lap or by her feet.

Additionally, Delta says she didn't go quietly and was "very unruly and disruptive" ... according to flight attendants and other passengers.

Tara Reid is drastically changing her story on why she was escorted off a Delta flight -- now saying she was told to stow her dog in an overhead bin, and simply refused.

The actress posted a statement Wednesday clarifying what she says went down Monday when she deplaned a Delta flight from LAX to NYC with her pup. She says the dog is an emotional support animal -- for which she has paperwork -- but Delta's staff still wouldn't let her dog ride on her lap ... only offering overhead or cargo hold storage options.

She says she had pre-arranged to bring the 3-month-old dog on board, but after flight attendants made it clear they were not on board with the plan ... she says she calmly boarded another flight.

You can see and clearly hear from the video ... Tara didn't have a choice -- she was escorted off the plane.

Tara now says we got our reporting wrong, but the fact is ... we spoke directly to her Monday and she told us she was upset about not getting a window seat and feeling cramped in her seat because the person in front of her reclined theirs.

We reached out to Delta to comment on Tara's latest version ... so far, no word back.

You don't have to put on your detective hat and investigate too deeply to live like Mariska Hargitay ... you just need several million bucks to buy her incredible Manhattan townhouse!

The 'Law & Order: SVU' star and her actor husband, Peter Hermann, are listing their lavish home in the Upper West Side for $10.75 million, and it's got everything you'd expect from one of TV's highest-paid women.

This home is so unbelievable, you need an elevator to get around -- we're talking 6 floors, 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms and 7,000 square feet of modern luxury at its finest. The brownstone sits on a tree-lined street, with skyline views from the rooftop penthouse.

Click through the gallery and get ready, 'cause the place is amazing -- Mariska and Peter outdid themselves.

Master suite occupying the entire 3rd floor? Check. Powder rooms? How 'bout 3?! Gas fireplace for those chilly nights? Of course. Marble bath with separate tub and steam shower? How relaxing!

Mischa Barton's already sliding into the reality TV world with an assist from her new pals, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag -- the new 'Hills' amigos are kicking off their reboot season with raised glasses in hand.

The trio grabbed dinner and drinks Tuesday night for what appears to be the start of filming for "The Hills: New Beginnings." Cameras were rolling while they dined at Bottlefish in Brentwood.

Spencer was still holding a bottle of white wine as they continued chatting outside. Only time will tell what follows from this meetup ... fingers crossed for juicy drama -- or whatever the producers dream up for 'em.

Not too much drama though, for little Gunner's sake. Remember, Speidi are parents now.

10:15 AM PT -- Oli was found dead in a pond near his Connecticut home ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

We're told police were dispatched to Oli's Stafford Springs home Tuesday afternoon after someone reported him missing. Cops searched the area and found Oli in a nearby pond.

Police sources say the death does not appear to be suspicious, but an autopsy needs to be performed to confirm the cause and manner of death. The Connecticut medical examiner is investigating.

Oli Herbert, a founding member and lead guitarist of metal band All That Remains, has passed away at the age of 44.

The band confirmed Oli's death on its Facebook page -- "We were devastated to learn that Oli Herbert, our friend, guitar player, and founding member of All That Remains, has passed away."

No word on the cause of death yet.

The band's message continued ... "Oli was an incredibly talented guitarist and song writer who defined Rock and Metal from the Northeast. His impact on the genres and our lives will continue indefinitely."

Oli started the band back in 1998 in Springfield, MA alongside frontman Phil Labonte.

All That Remains has released 8 studio albums, with over 1 million records sold worldwide. The band is scheduled to release a new album, "Victim Of The New Disease," November 9.

Oli is survived by his wife, Beth.

RIP

Dennis Hof was the picture of health before his untimely death, and there are no obvious signs he was under the influence when he died ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us no drugs or alcohol were found near Hof's body Tuesday when paramedics arrived at his Love Ranch home in Crystal, Nevada. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

Sources close to the late owner of the famous Bunny Ranch brothels say Hof did not drink or take drugs of any kind -- and insist even his signature cigar was fake.

Also interesting ... we're told 72-year-old Hof was given a clean bill of health just 2 weeks ago after undergoing cataract surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Our sources say Hof appeared to be in tip-top shape last weekend during his birthday celebrations.

We're told friends became concerned Tuesday when they weren't able to get a hold of him, as sources say he was always up by 4:30 AM and easily reachable by cell unless he had company.

Since he wasn't answering Tuesday, his pals assumed that was the case ... until Ron Jeremy discovered his body at his home around 11 AM.

Hof was in the middle of a campaign for State Assembly in Nevada before he passed.

Ariana Grande is making an attempt to cover up any and all signs of Pete Davidson ... even if it means hiding a tattoo dedicated to Pete with a Band-Aid.

Grande performed "The Wizard and I" Tuesday in NYC during a pre-taped segment for the upcoming NBC special dedicated to the Broadway musical, "Wicked." Ariana has a "pete" tattoo on her ring finger, and you can see in this side-by-side, she made sure to cover it up for any close-ups.

The special is set to air October 29, meaning the split will be more than two weeks old ... so hiding the tattoo now does make a lot of sense.

TMZ broke the story, the "Wicked" performance was Grande's first public appearance since the split ... Davidson was set to headline a comedy gig at Temple University Wednesday, but dropped out last minute.

In a post that's apparently since been deleted, Ariana said, "time to say bye bye again to the internew for jus a lil bit. it's hard not to bump news n stuff that i'm not tryna see rn. it's very sad and we're all tryin very hard to keep goin. love u. and thank u for bein here always."

Ariana's also parted with the $100k engagement ring from Davidson, but will keep the couple's teacup pig.