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In the newsCompiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, Lucky for him, authority wins againAn Indianapolis home builder accused of double-billing John Mellencamp has agreed to plead guilty to theft and pay more than $98,000 restitution, prosecutors said. In exchange for the plea, they agreed to dismiss more serious charges against Timothy O. Eldredge, 53. Prosecutors say Eldredge falsified billing invoices so he could bilk the singer-songwriter and his wife, former model Elaine Irwin, after they hired him to build a $2.5-million home near Bloomington. Mellencamp attorney Alan Goldstein said another contractor built the house. Jacksons battle onRandy's in. Jermaine's out. And the rest of the Jackson Five is still in after the latest wranglings over a reunion for Michael's solo anniversary concerts in September. A statement last week attributed to Jermaine and Randy raised objections to several things about the concerts, including "exorbitant ticket prices." But both said they wanted to participate. "Randy has never ever seen the statement," brother Marlon said in a statement this week. "Randy will be a part of these evenings. ... We wish Jermaine all the best on his solo career." The concerts Sept. 7 and 10 at Madison Square Garden mark Michael's 30 years on his own. People newsThe Fiji watch is over. Tom Cruise and his entourage left the Pacific island Monday after a weeklong stay, and in the departing party was girlfriend Penelope Cruz, the Australian Associated Press reports. ... Demi Moore will marry martial arts boyfriend Oliver Whitcomb, the Sydney Herald-Sun reports. ... A security guard hired to watch Madonna and Guy Ritchie's empty-while-being-renovated London home says she had him fired because he went down the street for Indian takeout food while on duty. Denis Rafferty said he had the house keys with him, and she was livid when the couple arrived at the house while he was gone and couldn't get in. ... Clint Eastwood's wife, Dina Ruiz, moved out of their California home with their 4-year-old daughter in part because of his friendship with jazz singer Diana Krall, Britain's Sun says. Eastwood and Krall reps say the two are just friends. Contact use-mail: 2b@tampabay.com fax: (727) 892-2327 U.S. mail: P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731
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From the wire |
