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Craig Hill
Oracle of DelphiSenator and Tourism Minister Arrested Over Travolta Extortion Attempt
January 24th 2009 23:12
The nature of the alleged extortion plot against John Travolta remains a mystery as of Saturday night. The plot, reported to be $20 million, followed the death of Travolta's son, and so far has included a senator, the tourism minister (and former close friend of the Travoltas) and a paramedic.
The plot was related to the circumstances surrounding Jett Travolta's death and photos weren't involved, TMZ reported Saturday. Travolta filed a complaint of attempted extortion, but authorities did not reveal details of the allegations.
Former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater resigned Saturday, saying she is innocent but needs to fight what she calls "untrue and unfair charges." Police arrested her Thursday on charges of abetment to extort and conspiracy to extort. She was released Friday on $40,000 bail.
Bridgewater on Saturday called the ordeal a "nightmare" and said her "innocent actions" as an attorney were misconstrued. She did not provide details.
Police also detained an ambulance driver, Tarino Lightbourne, and a former tourism minister and friend of the Travoltas, Obie Wilchcombe, who has since been released.
Several tabloids quoted Lightbourne describing efforts to revive the celebrity's chronically ill son Jett, who died of a seizure this month at their family vacation home on Grand Bahama.
Wilchcombe appeared on the Larry King show the day Jett died, and talked about the details surrounding Jett Travolta's death. He was also recently quoted regarding the plot, saying "I thought it was a despicable act. One person should not destroy the character of the country."
Wilchcombe was released late yesterday pending further investigation. Bridgewater was charged with abatement to extort and conspiracy to extort and released on $40,000 bail. Lightbourne was still in custody as of Saturday morning.
The actor and his wife Kelly Preston returned home to Florida with the ashes of their 16-year-old son. Travolta's publicist Paul Bloch said Friday that Travolta has no comment.
The plot was related to the circumstances surrounding Jett Travolta's death and photos weren't involved, TMZ reported Saturday. Travolta filed a complaint of attempted extortion, but authorities did not reveal details of the allegations.
Former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater resigned Saturday, saying she is innocent but needs to fight what she calls "untrue and unfair charges." Police arrested her Thursday on charges of abetment to extort and conspiracy to extort. She was released Friday on $40,000 bail.
Bridgewater on Saturday called the ordeal a "nightmare" and said her "innocent actions" as an attorney were misconstrued. She did not provide details.
Obie Wilchcombe and Pleasant Bridgewater
Police also detained an ambulance driver, Tarino Lightbourne, and a former tourism minister and friend of the Travoltas, Obie Wilchcombe, who has since been released.
Several tabloids quoted Lightbourne describing efforts to revive the celebrity's chronically ill son Jett, who died of a seizure this month at their family vacation home on Grand Bahama.
Wilchcombe appeared on the Larry King show the day Jett died, and talked about the details surrounding Jett Travolta's death. He was also recently quoted regarding the plot, saying "I thought it was a despicable act. One person should not destroy the character of the country."
Wilchcombe was released late yesterday pending further investigation. Bridgewater was charged with abatement to extort and conspiracy to extort and released on $40,000 bail. Lightbourne was still in custody as of Saturday morning.
The actor and his wife Kelly Preston returned home to Florida with the ashes of their 16-year-old son. Travolta's publicist Paul Bloch said Friday that Travolta has no comment.
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