Liberace's Ex- Lover -- I'M A DRUG ADDICT ... Please Don't Send Me to Prison

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Liberace's Ex- Lover
I'M A DRUG ADDICT
Please Don't Send Me to Prison Liberace's ex-lover Scott Thorson -- famously portrayed in "Behind the Candelabra" by Matt Damon -- caught a HUUUGE break in court today when a judge agreed to send him to rehab instead of prison after failing a drug test.

It's a big deal considering Thorson is currently on probation stemming from a burglary and ID theft conviction -- and if his probation was revoked, the judge could send him to prison for up to 20 years.

But during the hearing in a Nevada courtroom, Thorson admitted he's a hardcore drug addict and begged the judge for a second chance to complete a court-ordered rehab program. 

The judge made it clear he's not impressed with Thorson's "so-called celebrity status" -- but agreed to spare him from the big house this time, if he completes treatment.

However, the judge also warned Thorson that this will be his last chance -- and if he screws up again, he's going straight to the slammer. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

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Michael Vick -- Prison Made Me a Better Person

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Michael Vick
Prison Made Me a
Better Person
Michael Vick tells TMZ ... his involvement with a children's charity is not a publicity stunt to fix his image -- claiming he truly is a changed man ... thanks to his 2-year prison stint.

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback just called in to "TMZ Live" to talk about his involvement with the Team Freedom Outreach -- a charity that recruits volunteers to play sports with children who are incarcerated.

During the conversation, Vick told us he's truly passionate about the cause -- and claims it's all because of an epiphany he had during his time in prison for running an illegal dog fighting ring.

"Sometimes it takes this ... for a person to go through certain hardships ... to realize what their purpose really is," Vick said.

"I think God placed it on my heart when I was incarcerated to come out and be the best person I can be and to help as many people as I can help."

As we previously reported, Vick is taking his role with the organization so seriously, he already went to D.C. and met with Rep. John Lewis in the hopes of helping more kids.

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Lauryn Hill to Aaron Hernandez -- My Prison Food Is WAYYY Better Than Yours!

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Lauryn Hill to Aaron Hernandez:
My Prison Food Is WAYYY Better Than Yours!

Lauryn Hill is living the PRISON HIGH LIFE ... at least compared to Aaron Hernandez -- and TMZ has the menu to prove it.

Let's start with their first meals ...

When Lauryn checked into Federal Correctional Institute in Connecticut on Monday to serve her 3-month sentence for tax evasion, she was served up with some tasty BBQ pulled pork with a side of carrots, peas and sweet potatoes. To wash it down: she was able to choose from an array of juices or milk. WHO'S HUNGRY?

Compare that to Hernandez ... whose first meal at Bristol County Jail included scrambled eggs and grits, and chop suey with green beans and bread. Prison chop suey? No thanks.

As for day-to-day life, Hill will do menial work like cleaning the grounds, educational department help, yard work, or working in the religious services department. At night, she's housed in barracks with other inmates so she can laugh and talk and have fun!

Hernandez is being kept in a 3x5 cell for 21 hours a day, only allowed out for three hours a day, allegedly for his own safety. Oh ... and he's all alone in solitary confinement. Boooooring! 

So, what's the lesson here? If you're gonna break the law ... try not to (allegedly) murder a guy (or three) ... it's better that way.

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Jerry Sandusky Letters from Prison -- 'I'm Trying to Get Better'

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Jerry Sandusky
Letters from Prison
'I'm Trying to Get Better'
Convicted child rapist Jerry Sandusky says he's having a "very challenging" time behind bars but insists he's "trying to get better" ... this according to prison letters obtained by TMZ.

Just like Aaron Hernandez, Sandusky has been communicating with multiple pen pals he's made from inside his Pennsylvania prison cell over the past 9 months ... and it's clear, the 69-year-old is struggling.

"I've been quite confined, always searching for purpose," Sandusky writes ... "It is very challenging."

In the letters, -- one sent in May, another in June -- Sandusky is still playing the victim ... calling his conviction a grave injustice. He vows to continue battling the case "until the last whistle."

Sandusky also touched on his "personal battles" -- and while there's no specific reference to pedophilia -- Jerry ensures his pen pal, "I'm trying to get better."

Sandusky is currently serving a 30-60 year prison sentence for raping between 10 to 15 young boys ... and will most likely die behind bars.

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Rapper Fat Joe -- 4 Months In Prison For Bilking Uncle Sam

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Rapper Fat Joe
4 Months In Prison
For Bilking Uncle Sam So much for a carefree summer ... Fat Joe has just been ordered to spend 4 months behind bars for failing to pay more than $1 MILLION in income taxes.

As TMZ previously reported, Joe (real name Joseph Cartagena) pled guilty back in December to stiffing Uncle Sam on a boatload of taxes for the years 2007 and 2008.

He originally faced up to two years in the slammer for the crime -- but today, the rapper was sentenced to just 4 months in prison, a $15,000 fine, and one-year supervised release. He's scheduled to report to prison by August 26.

Not so bad all things considered.

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Dolce & Gabbana Will Look FABULOUS In Prison After Tax Evasion Convcition

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Dolce & Gabbana
They'll Look FABULOUS In Prison!

Prison just got classier -- and gaudier -- because both Dolce AND Gabbana are headed for the big house.

An Italian court sentenced Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana to 1 year and 8 months in prison for illegally dodging taxes.

They were also ordered to pay $665,000 in fines -- about the cost of 4 pair of D & G sunglasses.

They were accused of creating a phony company in Germany in 2004 and 2005 where they transferred control of D & G to avoid paying taxes.

They're both appealing the conviction so they're free to continue making really bad, overpriced schmatas.