Caught on Video: $20 Mil John Travolta Extortion Attempt
Credit: Rogers and Cowan via Getty Images
A hidden camera secretly taped negotiations between a former Bahamian senator who was trying to extort John Travolta for $20 million, it was revealed in a Bahamas courtroom Monday.
The tape shows politician Pleasant Bridgewater explaining to Travolta's lawyer that a paramedic who treated the actor's son Jett wanted $20 million to not release a medical document to the media.
See touching photos of Jett and his family
Bridgewater and ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne pleaded not guilty to extortion charges at the trial, which began on Sept. 21.
Lightbourne was the first responder to Travolta's Bahamas vacation home after the actor's 16-year-old son, Jett, suffered a seizure on Jan. 2. Jett died later that afternoon at the hospital.
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The medic threatened to go public with a document Travolta, 55, signed to have Jett taken directly to the airport -- to be flown to the United States for care -- instead of the hospital. The release never came into play because Travolta changed his mind and had Jett taken to the local hospital.
Travolta testified in the case on Sept. 30.
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2This is a shame...what kind of people are there in the world? I do not understand how people would take a child's death as a cash cow.This picture is beautiful of a father and son.RIP Jett My prayers go out to the Travolta family
This is one of the saddest stories to read.. I can't believe people will do anything like hurt or kill a child for money! This picture is so precious!! RIP Jett!