Pleasant Bridgewater was accused of trying to extort John Travolta and Kelly Preston for over $20 million in connection with the death of their son, Jett Travolta. Bridgewater was taken into custody and held for questioning on January 22, 2009, in the town of Freeport along with paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe. Bridgewater was charted with trying to extort and conspiracy to extort in January 2009; she was released on $40,000 US bail and resigned her Senatorial seat the next day.CBC News: Bahamas senator charged in alleged Travolta extortion plot resigns (January 24, 2009)
The case against Bridgewater ended in a mistrial in October of 2009, as a result of alleged juror misconduct.http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20314252,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines
"Sensitive" Phone Conversations
The FBI is alleged to be assisting Bahamian police with the Travolta extortion case by supplying voice-analysis experts. The hone conversations took place between Travolta's lawyers and Bridgewater, allegedly discussing potentially embarrassing documents obtained by Lightbourne and now in the possession of Bahamian authorities.E Online: FBI Joins in "Sensitive" Travolta Extortion Case (January 26, 2009) Website TMZ has refuted this account saying that the FBI is not investigating the case.TMZ: Alleged Extortionist May Have Backstabbed Obie (January 27, 2009) Bahamian police have debunked rumors that the extortion plot centered around photos of Jett.E Online: FBI Joins in "Sensitive" Travolta Extortion Case (January 26, 2009)
Pleasant Bridgewater Background
- The Bahama Journal: Bridgewater Wraps up Testimony In Court (March 11, 2008)
References
Fast Facts
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Born
September 26, 1960
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Birthplace
Freeport, Grand Bahama
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Fact:
Former Bahamian Senator
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Senior partner of the Freeport-based law firm Bridgewater and Co.
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An attorney
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January 22, 2009
Arrested for suspected extortion of John Travolta and Kelly Preston following the death of their son, Jett
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Also detained
Tarino Lightbourne and Obie Wilchcombe
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Jett Travolta's death
January 2, 2009
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Fact:
Jett Travolta suffered seizure on January 2, 2009 at Grand Bahama Bay Hotel
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Pronounced dead hours later at the Rand Memorial Hospital
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Extortion plot involves a "refusal to transport" document signed by TravoltaTMZ: Details in Mystery Travolta Extortion Doc (January 27, 2009)
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Travolta signed the document after considering flying Jett to Florida for treatment instead of having him transported to a hospital by ambulanceTMZ: Details in Mystery Travolta Extortion Doc (January 27, 2009)
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Travolta opted to have Jett transported to a hospital 45 minutes away instead of flying him to Florida where he believed he'd get better treatmentTMZ: Details in Mystery Travolta Extortion Doc (January 27, 2009)
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Wilchcombe was released by authorities without being charged, pending further evidenceGuardian.co.uk: Paramedic charged in Travolta extortion plot... (January 26, 2009)
