*New York City police arrested three men in 2004 after a sting operation uncovered a $3 million extortion scheme targeting NBA star Carmelo Anthony.
According to Police 1, the investigation lasted several months before authorities arranged an undercover meeting in Manhattan. A detective posed as Anthony’s representative and delivered what the suspects believed was payment for a videotape tied to a nightclub incident involving Anthony’s then-fiancée, La La Vasquez.
Rodrigo Sanchez, Jason Pabon, and Joubert Santos were taken into custody at the scene. Police charged the three men with attempted extortion, grand larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property.
The alleged scheme involved a videotape from a September 13, 2004 incident at a Manhattan nightclub. The footage showed a man known as “Sugar Ray” spitting on La La after a drink struck her during a confrontation. According to prosecutors, the suspects demanded $3 million from Anthony in exchange for keeping the video from becoming public.
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Reports at the time said the videotape also showed Anthony involved in a physical altercation as he defended his fiancée during the incident. Despite being the target of the alleged extortion attempt, Anthony had no direct role in the sting operation. He said he did not know the men involved. His team turned the matter over to law enforcement.
“I’m glad the police handled it the best that they could. I’m just glad to be back in good spirits. I’m glad to be back to myself,” Anthony said after the three men were arrested.
His agent later addressed the case, saying, “This incident was a private matter between two individuals (Anthony and Sugar Ray), and it has been completely resolved. When these individuals, who had absolutely nothing to do with that incident, demanded money, Carmelo chose not to give in to these demands, and we turned the matter over to the authorities. This is a desperate attempt by ill-intentioned people trying to cash in on a random brush of fame.”
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