FBI Joins in "Sensitive" Travolta Extortion Case

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FBI Joins in "Sensitive" Travolta Extortion Case

Mon., Jan. 26, 2009 1:53 PM PST by Gina Serpe and Ken Baker

Courtesy of Travolta Family

The FBI is lending a hand—or, more accurately, ear—into the alleged extortion plot of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, with special voice-analysis experts assisting Bahamas police with the case.

The specialists were needed, sources told E! News, because the police inquiry is now centering on "sensitive" phone conversations that allegedly took place between Senator Pleasant Bridgewater, who quit her parliament post after being charged with abetment and conspiracy to extort over the weekend, and lawyers for Travolta.

The conversations revolved around documents obtained by ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne, the paramedic who claimed he was present when 16-year-old Jett Travolta died on Jan. 2.

According to sources, Lightbourne, who pleaded not guilty today to attempted extortion and conspiracy, believed that the mystery documents would have caused embarrassment to the Travoltas and possibly left them open to criticism and questioning over how they addressed the seizure that resulted in Jett's death.

Bridgewater became involved in talks with the Travoltas' local attorney, Bahamian Senator Allyson Maynard-Gibson, after being retained as Lightbourne's lawyer.

The third person hauled in for police questioning last week, Bahamian MP and close Travolta family friend Obie Wilchcombe, does not appear to be a suspect, sources told E! News.

"He was the one who told Pleasant to tell her client to 'go to hell,' " said an insider familiar with the investigation. "He was never a part of any discussions pertaining to extortion. There could be no discussion of Wilchcombe or any tape or anything like that."

Bridgewater, who also happens to be facing hefty legal bills after unsuccessfully challenging general election results last month, faces up to eight years in prison if convicted.

Her arraignment is expected to take place on Wednesday.

Lightbourne, meanwhile, remains in custody after prosecutors objected to his bail.

The Travoltas have not commented on the case beyond a statement from their lawyers last week lamenting "a few individuals who attempt to make false claims in hopes of making millions of dollars."