Rihanna’s dad comes to her defense. Saying the rumor is a smear to discredit his daughter, singer Rihanna’s dad denies that he’s homeless. Ronald Fenty rebuked media outlets that reported he lives out of a car in Barbados, though he admitted that he runs a mobile market from his vehicle “on the side…to keep me happy.” Fenty was in the news recently assuring fans and the public that Rihanna is OK after an alleged beating at the hands of singer Chris Brown. TV clips revealed Fenty selling goods from the trunk of his car, but he says he has a home and that his daughter takes care of her family. “It’s an attempt by them to shift the focus from Chris Brown,” Fenty says of the media. “Rihanna has done really well as a person from a small island and I know that she is up against the heavyweights, so they will do anything to discredit her.” Rihanna has been in seclusion since the alleged incident between her and Brown over a week ago. She was said to have sustained “horrific” injuries, but the reason for her conflict with Brown hasn’t been confirmed. Brown issued an apology on Sunday without directly addressing Rihanna. It wasn’t enough for some, though: Backlash against the pop star continued on Monday as a number of radio stations took him off their playlists.

Alleged cop perps: “Swallow this. You’re going to see Jesus.” At least three Houston cops have been taken off patrol duty after they were accused of beating the dad of Green Bay receiver Donald Driver. Marvin Driver Jr., 56, was allegedly struck in the throat and forced to swallow a pill last week after he was arrested for outstanding traffic tickets. Officers Bacilio Guzman, Gilberto Cruz and M. Marin were all re-assigned to administrative work, pending an investigation, says Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt: “We take allegations such as these very seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and be transparent in our findings, whatever the conclusion.”  Hospital officials say the alleged victim was struck with a blunt object and had a bruised abdomen, possibly from a knee. A family spokesman says the alleged victim reported that cops forced a pill into his mouth and said, “Swallow this. You’re going to see Jesus.” Driver was in good condition, but connected to a ventilator. Donald Driver recently re-joined the Packers after being at his father’s bedside.

Stephon Marbury sits out seven-player New York loss. Depending on whom you believe, Stephon Marbury either turned down a half-hour of playing time this past weekend, or was benched again. Marbury, who’s been on New York’s inactive list all season, says he taped his ankles to suit up versus Milwaukee, but Coach Mike D’Antoni claims the guard chose the bench. Following a three-player trade that left the Knicks with just seven players, D’Antoni says he told Marbury that 30 to 35 minutes of action was available in what would’ve been Marbury’s first appearance. “When the trades went down this afternoon, I said, ‘Look Steph, one of the principals are gone, Jamal Crawford…Are you ready to go?’” D’Antoni recalls. But Marbury, the coach claims, said he wasn’t comfortable and took his usual spot on the bench. Counters Marbury: “The only thing I’m at liberty to say is that I was told that they were moving forward, and I’m not the person who chooses who plays or doesn’t.” The Knicks went on to lose versus Milwaukee after avoiding a near-forfeit because of the short roster.