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Big-time court drama

Notorious hand doc is headed to jail: Ex-wife and Jeff Bagwell celebrate verdict by canoodling

Michael Brown will have six months to think behind bars. Photo illustration by Jan-Pieter Zuiderveen
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Dr. Michael Brown, in jail, jail cell
Rachel Brown and Jeff Bagwell, pictured here at Una Notte in Italia in November 2011 Rachel Brown, Jeff Bagwell Photo by Gary Fountain
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Dr. Michael Brown, pictured here on Wednesday, was sentenced to 180 days in a Harris County jail on Friday. Photo by Tyler Rudick
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Dr. Michael Brown, in courthouse, March 2013

After a week in court, Dr. Michael Brown met his maker Friday morning as district judge Sheri Dean sentenced him to 180 days in a Harris County jail, effective immediately.

The hand doc was held in contempt of a March 2011 court order that limited his notoriously lavish spending habits during divorce proceedings with estranged wife Rachel Brown, who, surely elated by the verdict, was spotted canoodling with boyfriend and former Astros player Jeff Bagwell after the announcement.

Outside the courthouse, Rachel took to Bagwell's lap for a mini-makeout session before her personal security guards escorted her to a black SUV. 

In two years, Brown has purchased three Miami mansions and acquired two yachts to explore his i nterest in nude photography.

Though the doctor's finances were restricted to only "reasonable and necessary" purchases, Michael Brown made the best of the arrangement for nearly two years.

He bought three south Florida mansions, acquired two yachts to explore his interest in nude photography and purchased millions in clothing and jewelry for ex-girlfriend Bridget MacTavish . . . who has since sued Brown for giving her herpes.

But the spending spree came up short when it came to alimony payments. And Brown made a habit of missing family court hearings.

To make sure he'd make this week's court appearances, Judge Dean ordered the doctor to a Harris County jail on Monday with a $500,000 bond.

He made bail by Wednesday, during which Rachel Brown's legal team grilled him about 97 extravagant "business-related" purchases he made on a credit card for the Brown Hand Center, the doctor's multi-million dollar carpal tunnel empire.

Rachel Brown's attorney David Brown (no relation) offered only three words following the verdict — "Actions have consequences."

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