John requests Bahamian court to halt the case, stating 'This matter continued to take a heavy emotional toll on my family causing us to conclude that it was finally time to put this matter behind us.'
- Sep 7, 2010
AceShowbiz - John Travolta has decided to drop charges against a former paramedic and his attorney who were accused of trying to extort $25 million from the actor following his son's death in January 2009 in the Bahamas, People reported. Due to the actor's request, the case was halted on Monday, September 6, in a Bahamian court.
John has since issued a statement about his decision. "I am grateful and appreciative of the dedication, hard work and support provided by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Royal Bahamas Police Force while handling matters associated with the attempted extortion that targeted my family in January of 2009," he said.
"Throughout the investigation and prosecution, my staff and I remained fully supportive of all requests for assistance from law enforcement representatives even though this cooperation was at a great emotional cost to my family," John continued. "Unfortunately, in early October of last year the first trial of this matter resulted in a mistrial."
"Almost a year later, the long pending status of this matter continued to take a heavy emotional toll on my family causing us to conclude that it was finally time to put this matter behind us," John explained. "Therefore, after much reflection I concluded that it was in my family's best interest for me not to voluntarily return to The Bahamas to testify a second time at trial."
The case itself centered on former Bahamian Senator Pleasant Bridgewater and her client, Tarino Lightbourn, who were charged with conspiracy to extort $25 million from the actor and his wife Kelly Preston after their 16-year-old son Jett died of fatal seizure. The two suspects threatened to go to the media with a Refusal of Treatment/Transportation form, signed by John.
