Bruno Mars Cleared of Cocaine Charges

A Las Vegas judge on Wednesday dismissed the cocaine possession case against pop star Bruno Mars after he successfully completed court-ordered drug education classes and community service, even exceeding the amount of hours he was told to serve.

Clark County District Court Judge Jessie Walsh cleared Bruno of the charge, said Mary Ann Price, court information officer for the 8th Judicial District Court.

Mars, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, was arrested in September 2010 after a bathroom attendant at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel caught him with “a baggy of white powder,” later found to be cocaine, according to a police report at the time.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing cocaine and received a $2,000 fine, 200 hours of community service, drug counseling and was told to stay out of trouble during a year of informal probation. Bruno performed all the requirements and exceeded the 200 hours of service, his attorney told Reuters.

Judge Walsh took over Mars’ case after County Clark Deputy District Attorney David Schubert, who prosecuted Mars in early 2011, was arrested for buying cocaine himself a few months later.

Tim McGraw Released from Record Label

Country singer Tim McGraw is now free to sign with a new record label or record for his own company, releasing him from Curb Records.

After a long court battle, Davidson County Chancery Court Chancellor Russell Perkins ruled in favor of McGraw over the unreleased album “Emotional Traffic” that the singer completed but which the record label believed was not ready for release.

McGraw, a Grammy winning artist whose hits include “Live Like You Were Dying,” and “Something Like That,” signed with Curb Records in the early 1990s and has never recorded for another label.

Wednesday’s ruling means McGraw can now move forward with his recording career, and another hearing was set for July 2012 on the damages portion of the lawsuit.

Ironically, Curb released a new McGraw single on Wednesday from “Emotional Traffic” called “Better Than I Used To Be,” saying it is the first new music from the singer in 11 months.

McGraw’s prior single, “Felt Good On My Lips,” was a three-week No. 1 hit, and originally turned in as part of the “Emotional Traffic” album. However, the song, was released as part of a “Number One Hits” package.

Dr. Conrad Murray Gets Maximum Sentence for Michael Jackson Death

Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of Michael Jackson, was sentenced to the maximum four years in prison on Tuesday, putting the tragic saga of The King of Pop to rest.

As Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor chastised Dr. Conrad Murray for his “horrific violation of trust” while caring for Jackson, Murray sat stoically, unflinching.

Judge Pastor said one of the most disturbing aspects of Murray’s case was a slurred recording of Jackson that was recovered from the doctor’s cell phone.

“That tape recording was Dr. Murray’s insurance policy,” Pastor said. “It was designed to record his patient surreptitiously at that patient’s most vulnerable point.”

Michael Jackson’s family said in a statement, “We are not here to seek revenge. There is nothing you can do today that will bring Michael back.” The family expressed to Pastor that they only wanted the doctor who was responsible for Michael’s death to receive a stiff sentence that serves as a warning to opportunistic doctors.

Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter following a six-week trial that presented the most detailed account yet of Jackson’s final hours and stirred questions about Murray’s treatment of the superstar with an operating-room anesthetic as he battled chronic insomnia.

Christina Aguilera Signs On To Judge NBC’s The Voice

Well, there’s finally some good news in the world of Christina Aguilera. Aguilera has just signed on to judge NBC’s new reality singing competition called ‘The Voice.’ She will be joined by fellow judges Cee-Lo Green and Maroon 5′s Adam Levine. Carson Daly will host the new series that was created be reality TV mogul Mark Burnett.

“I am so excited to be part of such a wonderful project that celebrates music and the talent behind it,” Aguilera said in a statement. “To be given the opportunity to help shape new artists’ careers and mentor them to see their dreams come to fruition is a task I welcome with open arms.mI am so happy to be working with fellow Grammy Award winners Adam and Cee Lo as I feel there is so much we can all bring to The Voice.”

“When I decided to produce The Voice, I immediately knew that my first choice for a female coach had to be Christina Aguilera,” Burnett said. “Christina has a perfect voice and is an undeniable force in the music business. She is the epitome of The Voice.” [Via Entertainment Weekly]

And don’t think ‘The Voice’ is just like any other reality singing competition. The judges are not allowed to see the contestants when they audition, but rather judge them based on their voices alone. When they hear something they like, the will push a button to accept the singer and their chair will turn around to reveal who they really are. The winner will win $100,000 and a recording contract.

Will you be tuning in for ‘The Voice’?

Kara DioGuardi And Ellen To Spend Quality Time Together

Kara DioGuardi recently told Billboard.com that she and new Idol judge Ellen DeGeneres are planning to spend some quality time together in December to get to know each other before the new season of Idol begins.

Kara says of Ellen:

“She’s really excited…She can’t believe this is happening…we’re going to meet up in December and get to know each other better. I think she’s going to be a great addition. I can’t even imagine sitting next to her.”

Check out Kara’s entire Billboard interview –

Justin Timberlake Granted Restraining Order

A judge has ordered a woman to stay away from Justin Timberlake for the next three years.

Timberlake wrote in court filings that Karen McNeil repeatedly showed up at his house and trespassed on his property last month.

McNeil, who represented herself in the case, opposed the court order, writing in a court document that she thought she was destined to marry Timberlake and “to rule” with him.

During the hearing on Monday (Nov. 9), Judge David S. Cunningham III ordered a five-minute recess after an outburst by McNeil when the judge issued the order.

Outside court, McNeil said, “That was all lies. I did not break into Justin’s house. I was let on the property.”

Yeah right, lady…