Shameful

A Bahamian paramedic pleaded not guilty and was held without bail on Monday
on charges he conspired to extort US$25-million from John Travolta after the
actor's son died in the Bahamas earlier this month. Bahamian police said last
week they were investigating a complaint by Travolta of an extortion plot
against him. Prosecutors allege the paramedic, Tarino Lightbourne, tried to
extort Travolta by means of threats. They also charged him with forgery.
Magistrate Carolita Bethel adjourned his hearing until today, when a former
Bahamian senator, Pleasant Bridgewater, is due in court to face charges of
conspiracy to extort and abetment in connection with the case. Jett Travolta,
16, was found unconscious on Jan. 2 at his family's home in the Old Bahama Bay
resort on Grand Bahama Island. On the death certificate, Bahamian authorities
listed "seizure disorder" as the cause of death.