Is Oksana Grigorieva Guilty of Extortion?
Oksana Grigorieva definitely tried to flat out bilk Mel Gibson. But what constitutes extortion, a felony offense, and what's simple negotiating for her own future?
The L.A. County Sheriff's Department is trying to answer that.
The central issue in the Oksana Grigorieva-Mel Gibson extortion case is that simple. Did she cross a legal line in her efforts to secure cash from the angry star?
We've established that Oksana Grigorieva tried to score major ca$h and that she would quash the Mel Gibson tapes in exchange. But was a crime committed?
An L.A. County Sheriff's Department spokesperson says "One of the challenges ... is what is considered a legal negotiating tactic and what constitutes extortion."
A couple of recent celebrity shakedowns as examples of each:
- Tiger Woods paid Rachel Uchitel a reported $10 million to never speak of him, or their affair, ever. Ever. Gloria Allred brokered the mammoth settlement.
- Robert "Joe" Halderman offered to "sell a screenplay" to David Letterman about his scandalous affair with Stephanie Birkitt. He ended up behind bars.
The Oksana Grigorieva extortion investigation is currently focused on the contents of her iPhone, as well as text messages and emails between herself and Mel.
Lawyers Eric George and Sonia Lee, who repped Oksana in the mediation to secure $15 million and destroy the taped Mel Gibson rants, may be questioned.
The only person who is the target of the investigation is Oksana. Whether she is charged with a crime at the end of it is anyone's guess, but she's a target.
Related Posts
- Mel Gibson Jokes About Latest Rant With Jay Leno: I've Got a Bit of a Temper ...
- Mel Gibson to Sue Over Secretly-Recorded Rant?
- Mel Gibson Rant: Star RAGES at Joe Eszterhas, Bashes Oksana Grigorieva
- Mel Gibson Glad John Lennon is Dead, Wants to Stab Oksana Grigorieva, Screenwriter Claims
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September 30th, 2010 12:12 PM
She saw the dollar signs as soon as she met him, used him, got pregos on purpose, what more can be said. big time golddigger
September 29th, 2010 10:43 PM
Mel Gibson worked hard during his career, and has made some very intense movies. He made a bad choice when he left his wife, and he got more than he bargained for in this twit who blackmailed him. Yes she should spend time for blackmail.
September 29th, 2010 3:18 PM
She's a gold-digger and an extortionist. They do that in Russia all the time; but if you get caught in the U.S., it's a felony and you get prison. Well, she wants someone to pay her way in life -- let me recommend a 4-walled, everything you need in place, 8'x 6' room; meals for free; for about 5 years.
September 29th, 2010 2:05 PM
Oksana is a gold digger, but Mel deserves it for ditching his wife of many years for some young butt.
September 29th, 2010 1:46 PM
Mel doesn't deserve what this woman has done to him. She is an opportunist of the worst sort. She sought out the opportunity, had a child and uses the child as a weapon. I hate to admit I am of the same gender she is.
September 29th, 2010 1:07 PM
OKSANA IS A GOLD DIGGER FROM THE WORD GO AND SHE WILL DO ANYTHING TO RUIN ONES LIFE. SHE THINKS THE WORLD SHOULD REVOLVE AROUND HER, BUT IT DOES NOT AND I HOPE SHE LOSES EVERYTHING AND MEL GETS CUSTODY OF THE BABY.
September 29th, 2010 11:01 AM
yes she is a gold digger...