Bruce Willis sues former friend
(AP)
Updated: 2006-08-09 19:17 LOS ANGELES - Bruce Willis
has sued a childhood friend, claiming he tried to extort at least US$100,000
from him by threatening to release private photos of the action star.
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Bruce Willis poses in Cologne, Germany, in
this Wednesday, June 28, 2006 file photo. Willis has sued a childhood
friend, claiming he tried to extort at least $100,000 from him by
threatening to release private photos of the action star.
[AP]
| The lawsuit claims that Bruce DiMattia
was "overcome by greed" and was "jealous of his former friend's success," so he
threatened to disclose personal information about the actor unless Willis bought
him a car and paid him at least US$100,000.
DiMattia worked for Willis - and lived rent-free in a house owned by the
actor - from 2002 until 2006, the lawsuit said.
He was responsible for maintaining Willis' personal items and memorabilia and
organizing photographs and videos of the actor and his family.
DiMattia's employment ended this year, but he has refused to move out of the
house and still has Willis' private photos and other property, according to the
suit.
Willis is seeking at least US$1 million in damages, according to the suit
filed Aug. 1.
Willis' attorney, Martin Singer, said the suit was served to DiMattia "within
a day or two of being filed," adding that the case would likely go to trial in a
year.
DiMattia has not yet named a defense attorney, according to a court clerk.
There was no telephone listing for him in the Los Angeles
area.
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