Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber Speak Out on Extortion Attempt
Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber are the latest celebrities to be ensnared in an extortion drama involving a bizarre photo of their eight year-old daughter, Kaia.
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TMZ reported that an odd photo of Kaia (taken when she was seven) was stolen from a former nanny by an acquaintance named Edis Kayalar. The photo depicts her "bound to a chair and gagged," TMZ notes, as part of the nanny's "cops and robbers game." (The parents were unaware of this "game.") Kayalar subsequently threatened to sell the photo, thus beginning a blackmailing plot.
A rep for the couple has released the following statement to Usmagazine.com:
A criminal complaint was filed today in federal court in Los Angeles by the U.S. Attorney's office and the FBI stating that Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford have been the victims of an on-going extortion scheme. This crime has been committed by Edis Kayalar, an acquaintance of a former nanny employed by the family. Mr. Kayalar threatened to sell an image taken of the couple's then-seven-year-old daughter. There was no previous awareness by Mr. Gerber and Ms. Crawford of the existence of the photograph when they were contacted by Mr. Kayalar. The photo was taken by the former nanny as part of a purported game without the knowledge of the parents. The couple reported the extortion threat to the police and the FBI began a criminal investigation in the matter. Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford intend to pursue any and all available legal action against anyone who aids the perpetrator in the distribution or sale of the photograph of their daughter.
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9sounds like the nanny probably set up the "game" in the first place and is in for some share of this money
jenny, were your parents hollywood stars who were never home?
Tons of non celebrities have nannies! Where do you live "B"? I had one all growing up and they never tied me up!
@ Cari -- While I agree that celebrities are not the only ones with nannies, I also agree with B that they need to take care of their own children more. I would never deny them children, but it does seem unfortunate that it became trendy for Hollywood stars to have children, but not to actually raise them. Sure, they trot them out when necessary for photo ops that could further their public image, hence their careers, but it really is not a career which is conducive to being with one's children very much. Movie stars from way back maybe had one child, or adopted later in life, or had no children at all, knowing they were not available to actually raise a child. Katharine Hepburn said "you bloody well better choose" which is more important to you: children or your career. I know that times have changed, but the care and needs of a child have not.
Celebrities are not the only ones with nannies. I live in a neighborhood where there are working mothers and stay at home moms who have nannies and cleaning ladies.
It's a shame that Cindy Crawford and her husband, Rande Gerber, are being targeted in an Extortion Plot, and it's especially sick that there is a photo of their daughter, Kaia, involved! I'm just so sorry to hear this!
They are both gorgeous, normal people, with pretty children, money, fame, happy family,... Envious? Me? Nooo...
Maybe these celebs need to start taking care of their own children. Pretty sad that they had no idea the nanny did this to their child. I guess that's what happens when you let a stranger into your house to take care of your children.
i wish these people would stop trying to take money away from celebrities it is there money leave it alone and leave the children alone