TRAVOLTA BLACKMAIL CAUGHT ON CAMERA

The two men accused of trying to extort millions of dollars from Hollywood star John Travolta, in return for handing over papers connected to the death of his son in January, were reportedly caught on camera bargaining out a deal with the star's lawyer. Paramedic Tarino Lightbourn and his lawyer, Pleasant Bridgewater, have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion, but new evidence, obtained by People magazine, could put the couple in jail. Videotape recorded secretly by the Royal Bahamas Police show Lightbourn and Bridgewater attempting to secure a multi-million payment from Travolta for the return of a form the star signed just before his son was pronounced dead. Reports are suggesting the document, concerning where Travolta’s son Jett should be taken after suffering a seizure at the family’s holiday home, fell into the paramedics hands. In the footage, Travolta’s lawyer, Michael McDermott, asks Lightbourn why he’s proposing the deal via a phone conference, to which the paramedic replies, "I was poor all my life. You know, me and my family, were struggling all our life. I wanted to do things for charity all of my life." The two men then appear to discuss payment options, while Bridgewater listens in. According to a People magazine reporter, who has seen the hidden camera footage, Lightbourn eventually agrees to a price of $15 million for the papers and then protests when Travolta’s lawyer suggests the cash is handed over in installments, stating, "I can’t do installments. I want to get this behind me. I want to put this to rest. I don’t want to see you anymore." The 44-minute phone meeting ends after a deal is done, prompting Lightbourn to reportedly state, "Case closed. Case closed… Once this is closed, it’s buried deeper than the Titanic." A month after the alleged negotiation, Travolta met with Bahamas police officials to file a complaint that led to the current Nassau trial, which began earlier this week. The actor has already testified and is expected back on the stand sometime next week.
Photo By: Sara De Boer/Retna

Comments

Anonymous said…
Pleasant Bridgewater is a woman. The second "man" that was arrested was obie withcolme. He is a politician of the bahamas and was immediately let go. He also was a good friend of the Travoltas. Sad.