Eddie Griffin is embroiled in a lawsuit in which he is accused of swindling one of the recipients of a career-building program for college graduates.      

       According to TMZ.com, it all started with a $150,000 gift Griffin presented to the “Jamaica 360″ program  which sends 100 African American college grads on a career building vacation to Jamaica.       

       The lawsuit, filed by a man who went on the trip, claims the check bounced.       

       The man, Samir Sayegh, claims he was then duped into lending Griffin his credit card to cover a hotel bill while they were in Jamaica — but according to the suit, Griffin took the card and secretly made a $150,000 charge to the main developer of J-360. Two weeks later, Samir got a bill from American Express with the six-figure charge.      

       AmEx is now suing Samir for the $150,000 charge, and Samir is suing Eddie and all the event developers to make them foot the bill.

“I told him (Kobe), ‘You’re hitting the wrong person. Don’t you know you’re hitting Ron Artest?’”

     *TNT sure does know drama. That’s why the LA Lakers vs Houston Rockets Western Conference semi-finals series is seen on the cable net … and ESPN/ABC. But last night’s game 2 was over-the-top drama. It was like watching a movie or at least part 2 of a miniseries on HBO.

     As usual Kobe Bryant played the good guy AND the bad guy, depending on your point of view. Let’s just say the Black Mamba gave his haters another reason to hate him. No matter how you see it he’s going down in history.

     If you missed it, Bryant elbowed Ron Artest in the throat area under the basket and got away with it. At least for now, if you get our drift. It turned out that Artest was the one who got tossed. We can only conclude that Kobe is actually crazy or he knows what he’s doing ’cause he, of all people, know that Artest is no joke.  

     “I knew I was going to get a technical foul,” Artest said. “The point was, hopefully, to let the ref know that I’m pissed. I’m getting tired of this guy elbowing me.

     “I know I went over there but no punches, no shoves to the face, just confrontation and I backed off, so that’s a technical foul I would think. I didn’t go over there with the intentions of being ejected.”     

     “I don’t think he (Artest) should have been ejected,” he said. “We were both fighting for position and shoving under the basket. I was just trying to establish position. It wasn’t anything malicious at all.”

     Oh, and we can’t forget about the usually quiet and reserved Laker point guard Derek Fisher. Last night he introduced the WWF and the MMX to the NFL. Seemingly out of nowhere he leveled the Rockets’ Louis Scola as he was advancing the ball down court. Of course that got him a flagrant foul and a trip to the shower. He might get a suspension as well.

     To say it’s a physical series is an understatement. Who can forget Houston’s Shane Battier’s bloody face in Monday night’s opener which was won by the Rockets 100-92. All we can say is that this has become a verrrry interesting series to watch. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a medical unit or two positioned to give immediate aid to the wounded.

     Bottom line: Kobe Bryant put in 40 points to lead all scorers and the Lakers won 111-98. Game 3 is Friday night in Houston. We can’t wait because after all, this series has drama written all over it.

      Kobe, being rather magnanimous, disagreed with the referee’s decision.

Yo love tell yall about different photographer. Sølve Sundsbø is a Norwegian fashion photographer living in London. He’s received a lot of acclaim from major designers such as Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Gucci, Hermès, and Armani.

Gisele Bündchen by Sølve Sundsbø   Shot out to Gossipjacker

Ok So I have to Stay Lawrence, one of Atlanta’s top hairstylist, has lost his mind. Please tell me what in the hell made you cut off all your hair and get a “Ventura”. I have say, this is starting to be almost like a cult … LOL…  He told me,”Sheree might even be thinking about doing it too….  Its all about being different” I told he that he already was…. lol …. Hummmmm I guess … Maybe Not

The girl from Michael Jackson’s famous “Thriller” music video is suing the pop king and his production team. TMZ.com reports Ola Ray is suing for breach of contract, claiming she never received royalties from the music clip. An attorney for the former Playboy Playmate confirmed the story to TMZ. It is not yet known exactly how much Ray is suing for. Now 48-years-old, Ray played Jackson’s love interest in the 1983 “Thriller” video. They share a few minutes of dialogue together in the beginning of the clip before Jackson turns into a werewolf. After a brief chase through the woods, the scene switches to the young couple watching a scary movie in a movie theater. Jackson then breaks into his hit song “Thriller” while walking Ray home through a dark street. 

Yo Mike Told me to post this pic and tell yall he anit got no money for ya …. LOL 

My girl Lisa  Wu Hartwell, unveiled her new clothing line, www.closetfreak.org a non profit organization. The event was held at 595 North Ave in Atlanta, Ga. Ok so I know your like lisa designs clothes lol if only I could tell yall.. One of her designers was Evelyn Lambert, who has made many of the dresses that you see lisa in.  Proceeds from the line helps women and children that are victims of domestic violence. Lisa told everyone that she had been in a domestic violence relationship, in her last relationship and that what made her start the line…. WOW I didn’t know that.

The show was well done. He’s got some hot lil pieces in the line. Congrats to Lisa, and Evelyn! Thanks to Melanie Mitchell & April Love for the invite! 

                        Lil’ Kim’s “Dancing” Days Are Over

Lil’ Kim is no longer competing on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” The rapper was given the boot on last night’s episode, after being in the bottom two with rodeo star Ty Murray. Kim got a chance to say goodbye before giving her final dance. Lil’ Kim had been a contender throughout her run on “Dancing With the Stars.” She earned this season’s first ten, and even topped the judges’ scoreboard on several occasions. The rapper’s departure leaves Murray, actor Gilles [[zheel]] Marini, Olypmic gymnast Shawn Johnson and “Bachelor” reject Melissa Rycroft as the final four. The remaining contestants will perform again on the next “Dancing With the Stars,” airing on ABC Monday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Jennifer Hudson Resets Several Concert Dates Due To Illness

Jennifer Hudson is rescheduling some shows due to a previously announced throat condition. According to “Access Hollywood,” Hudson has so far set three new dates for her concerts during her current co-headlining tour with R&B singer Robin Thicke. She was set to perform in Dallas, Texas on May 7th but that show will now take place on the 16th. The May 8th Houston stop has been moved to May 17th and her May 3rd show that was supposed to take place in Oakland, California has been rescheduled for May 19th. Hudson also cancelled her performance at Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona last night. A new date for that show has yet to be announced. The singer is resting her voice, following doctors orders

     50 Cent Changes “Before I Self Destruct” With Dre’s Help

What 50 Cent originally planned for his new album and what the public will eventually hear are two different things. The rapper told MTV.com that he made a lot of changes to his long-awaited CD “Before I Self Destruct” after working with Dr. Dre in the studio. Fifty admitted what he has now is, quote, “about 30 percent of what I had when I felt like I was finished.” He cited the fact that many of the tracks were recorded a while ago. Fifty added, quote, “I’ve been playing it for myself for so long, I’m no longer as excited as I was when I wrote it for the first time.” The rapper’s “Before I Self Destruct” was originally slated to hit stores last December. However, it was pushed back so Dr. Dre could wrap up work on Eminem’s CD “Relapse,” which will be released May 19th. Fifty Cent has yet to issue a new release date for “Before I Self Destruct.”

Singer Ciara is standing by R&B star Chris Brown when it comes to music. Brown is charged with felony assault after an incident with singer Rihanna back in February. He shares a song with Ciara on her new album “Fantasy Ride” due in stores today. Ciara tells MTV News it is more about the music for her, than anything else, and she has, quote, “kept it there.” The singer admits to initially debating over whether to keep the Brown song titled “Turntables” on the disc, but she came to the realization that the song simply made sense for the album. “Fantasy Ride” also features Ciara’s hit collaboration with Justin Timberlake, “Love Sex Magic.” The disc drops today. While Brown is still featured on Ciara’s album, he has been axed from plenty of other projects. Since the alleged domestic abuse incident, Wrigley suspended a Doublemint gum commercial campaign featuring the singer. He also backed out of the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards and several radio stations have refused to play his music.