STEVIE WONDER’S FAMILY TRIED TO BLACKMAIL HIM OUT OF MILLIONS

A judge ordered Stevie Wonder’s cousin to stand trial on an extortion charge after hearing testimony that the man and his girlfriend attempted to sell a film ranting against the singer’s treatment of his family for millions of dollars.

Superior Court Judge Ray Jurado says prosecutors presented enough evidence for a jury to decide whether Alpha L. Walker and his girlfriend Tamara E. Diaz extorted Wonder by threatening to sell it to various media outlets if they weren’t paid by the Grammy-winning musician.

The pair has been jailed since May 2, when they were arrested during a sting organized by Wonder’s attorney and Los Angeles police. The pair was given a $10,000 down payment on a $500,000 agreement to hand over the film footage and keep its contents confidential.

Attorneys for Walker, who is Wonder’s cousin, and Tamara argued that his client had made a movie about his own life, was marketing it for sale and his actions were protected by the First Amendment.

A police detective described the film as an 80-minute rant against Wonder. Portions of it were filmed in the former home of the singer’s late mother, which is now dilapidated, and it also shows Wonder’s son, who the musician is protective of. 38 year old Walker, accused the musician of being “a slumlord” and made derogatory comments about the singer’s mother, two witnesses said.

Wonder’s attorney William Briggs II said he watched much of the film but stopped when it showed footage of Wonder’s son, who has mental issues that were not described in court. He said Walker initially told him he wanted $5 million for the footage, but later agreed to a $500,000 payment.

Briggs said Walker also made claims that Wonder had “possibly engaged in an incestuous relationship.”
Both Walker and Diaz, return to court on July 26 for an arraignment hearing.

SCOOP: CBS
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