Bahamian Suspects Plead Not Guilty In John Travolta Extortion Case
Two suspects who allegedly conspired to extort $25 million from John Travolta pleaded not guilty in a Bahamian court today, which means that Travolta may have to testify against them during a September trial.
Like a good lawyer, Popsquire already updated the Travolta timeline:
Jan. 22: (a) TMZ confirms that Bahamian police are investigating an alleged $20 million extortion plot against John Travolta, involving the circumstances of his son’s death; (b) Bahaminan Senator Pleasant Bridgewater is arrested on charges of extortion and conspiracy to extort.
Jan. 23: (a) Ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne is arrested on charges of extortion and conspiracy to extort; (b) Bridgewater is released on $40,000 bail; and (c) Obie Wilchcombe is detained by Bahamian cops for questioning and then released.
Jan. 24: (a) Wilchcombe denies any involvement in an extortion plot and says only one person was involved, likely referring to Lightbourne; (b) Bridgewater tenders her resignation from Parliament and asserts her innocence.
Jan. 25: TMZ reports that Bahamian police have recordings of conversations in the alleged plot.
Jan. 26: (a) Lightbourne is taken into police custody for alleged attempted extortion and conspiracy to extort; (b) Prosecutors file a list of 14 witnesses, including John Travolta, his Bahamian lawyer Allyson Maynard, and his U.S.-based lawyers, Michael Ossi and Michael McDermott.
Jan. 27: (a) Bahamian police reveal that the case revolves around Lightbourne’s efforts to allegedly sell a one-page “refusal to transport” document that Travolta signed when Lightbourne was treating Jett; (b) Lightbourne remains in police custody. If sold and leaked, this document might have misled people to believe that John did not do everything to save his son, even though witnesses confirm and Bahamian authorities insist that he did.
Feb. 16: Lighbourne released from jail after posting bond.
April 28: Lightbourne and Bridgewater plead not guilty at arraignment hearing. A trial is on calendar for September 21, 2009.
