05:42 PM EDT 04/13/2013
Blackmail
 |
Justin Bieber to Take DNA Test Over Fan's Paternity Claim
Originally posted 11/07/2011 11:25AM
Justin Bieber is set to take the next step – a DNA test – to prove he isn't the father of Mariah Yeater's baby.
Bieber, 17, has already vigorously denied the 20-year-old fan's claim that he got her pregnant, saying he never even met her. He will take the test once he returns to the U.S. from Europe next week, a source tells PEOPLE.
The pop superstar is also likely to sue Yeater and the people representing her to show there are consequences to making false accusations.
"It's disappointing that people would stoop so low, but somebody needs to stand up to them," says the source.
 |
Cindy Crawford Thanks FBI for Nabbing Blackmailer
Originally posted 03/10/2010 03:00PM
A would-be blackmailer accused of targeting Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber in an unsuccessful extortion plot has been sentenced by a German court to two years behind bars.
Edis Kayalar, 26, was convicted of threatening to sell what he called a "sexy" photo of the couple's then-7-year-old daughter tied to a chair with a gag in her mouth. The child apparently was playing when the photo was taken, according to authorities.
In a statement Wednesday, Crawford and Gerber said, "We want to express our gratitude to the FBI, the U.S. District Attorney's Office in Los Angeles and the German law-enforcement authorities for their coordination and efforts in this case."
 |
David Letterman Thanks Authorities in Blackmail Case
Originally posted 03/10/2010 08:00AM
David Letterman spoke briefly on his CBS Late Show Tuesday to thank authorities who handled the $2 million extortion attempt against him, which earlier in the day had resulted in Robert "Joe" Halderman's guilty plea and sentence to six months behind bars.
Just as the case ended, Letterman released a statement through his attorneys, saying of prosecutors, "When they became involved with this case, I had complete faith that a just and appropriate result was inevitable. On behalf of my family, I am extremely grateful for their tireless efforts."
He added on the air, "It was handled professionally, skillfully and appropriately."
 |
Accused Blackmailer Pleads Guilty in David Letterman Case
Originally posted 03/09/2010 02:50PM
David Letterman avoided a potentially messy trial that would have shed light on his relationship with employees of his CBS Late Show as a former CBS News producer, Robert "Joe" Halderman, pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted grand larceny in a Manhattan courtroom.
He was sentenced to six months in prison for attempting to extort $2 million from the late-night host in exchange for keeping quiet about Letterman's affair with a staffer.
Halderman, 52, had originally pleaded not guilty in October but accepted a plea bargain. In addition to the jail time, he received 5 years of probation and 1,000 hours of community service.
"I have great remorse for what I have done," Halderman told the court.
 |
INSIDE STORY: How Celebs Thwart Their Blackmailers
Originally posted 12/20/2009 10:00AM
In an industry where privacy is hard to come by, celebrities prefer to keep their dirty laundry behind closed doors. But a recent string of extortion plots against Hollywood players has them coming out swinging – no matter the risks of humiliation or hardship.
Larry Stein, an attorney who represented actor Rob Lowe and his wife in an alleged extortion plot by their former nannies, says, in fact, more celebrities are willing to face down their blackmailers.
"Celebrities have to let people know that they’re not going to be extorted, or that they’re not going to be threatened," Stein says. "It’s important to distance yourselves from these people and tell them you’re not going to be bullied by them … People are prepared to stand up to it now."
 |
Mistrial Declared in John Travolta Extortion Case
Originally posted 10/22/2009 07:00AM
After nearly four weeks in a courtroom, a Bahamian judge declared a surprise mistrial late Wednesday in the John Travolta extortion trial, leaving the actor and his attorneys mystified and upset.
Senior Supreme Court Judge Anita Allen declared a mistrial because of juror misconduct following an announcement from a local politician that one of the defendants had been acquitted – before the jurors came back with their verdict. Allen ordered a retrial, but did it remains unclear when, if ever, the case will be retried.
"This came out of the clear blue; this was so weird," Mike Ossi, one of Travolta’s Florida lawyers told PEOPLE.
Top 5 Most Voted Stories
-
sad
Robert Pattinson Moves Belongings Out of Kristen Stewart's House
-
wow
Kellie Pickler on Flawless DWTS Freestyle: 'I Let All of My Walls Down'
-
love
Brad Pitt Recalls the Moment He Decided to Stop Wasting His Life
-
love
Oklahoma Tornado Survivor Reunites with Missing Dog On-Camera
-
love
Teacher Saves Several Students During Oklahoma Tornado by Lying on Top of Them
Top 10 News Categories
The most buzzed about stars this minute!
Treat Yourself! 4 Preview Issues
More On People.com
Got a News Tip?
Send it to our People.com editors!
News Archive
