andPOP » John Travolta

Travolta Extortion Case Twists and Turns

Emma Renda — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:21:37 +0000

As if the Travolta courtcase wasn’t cinematic enough already, his lawyer has adopted some choice moves from the movies to help move the trial along.

According to TMZ, the defense attorney tried to claim Travolta’s lawyer Michael McDermott was the one behind the extortion plot to which – and this is when it gets good – McDermott responded, “You can’t handle the truth! You can’t handle the truth!”

The line is straight out of A Few Good Men starring Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Demi Moore, and the defense lawyer didn’t miss the reference.

The lawyer for the alleged extortionists replied, “You’ve watched ‘A Few Good Men,’ huh?”

The twist in the case came when a transcript was released of a conversation between McDermott and Pleasant Bridgewater, alleged extortionist and attorney for paramedic Tarino Lightbourne. The document shows the two haggling over what the Travoltas would pay to prevent the release of a “Refusal of Treatment” document Travolta allegedly signed the night of Jett’s death. In the transcript, McDermott complains that the demands for $25 million would mean Travolta would have to come up with “like a pickup truck full of money,” and proceeds to offer property instead of the cash.

The whole tragic ordeal started when Travolta’s son, Jett, was taken to hospital via ambulance after suffering a massive seizure in the Bahamas, despite Travolta’s urge to have him flown to Florida where he thought he might get better care. In the end, Jett was driven to hospital, and paramedics tried to revive him on the way with no result. Allegedly, Lightbourne and Bridgewater demanded $25 million if they were to keep quiet about the document authorizing Jett’s transport to the hospital via ambulance.

Travolta claims the two threatened to release a “refusal of treatment” document he signed after Jett was found unconcious following a seizure. Then, in a last-ditch excuse, Bridgewater told McDermott her client wanted to keep the document because it was signed by a celebrity.

Travolta gave a heart-wrenching testimony on Sept. 23 and the case is still developing.

John Travolta Plans to Testity

Vanessa Baker — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:10:34 +0000

John Travolta will testify in next week’s extortion trial involving the death of his son, Jett. TMZ reports the actor will be travelling to the Bahamas, the location of Jett’s death, to testify on behalf of the prosecution.

Paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former politician Pleasant Bridgewater are being tried for allegedly demanding $25 million in exchange for not going public with documents authorizing paramedics to take Jett to the hospital via ambulance following a seizure.

Travola and wife Kelly Preston are reportedly outraged by the alleged extortion plot.

Jett, 16, died of a seizure in January during a family vacation to the Bahamas.

John Travolta’s Son To Undergo Autopsy

Jeremy Singer — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:24:42 +0000

Two U.S.-certified pathologists will be flown in from Nassau to perform an autopsy on John Travolta’s son, Jett, on Monday in Grand Bahamas.

According to E! News, one of Travolta’s attorneys told reporters that it’s likely Jett’s body will be flown back to Florida, where the 16 year old will be buried.

Meanwhile, E! News has learned more about the “caretaker” who found Jett’s body on Friday morning. He is Jeff Michael Kathrein, a close family friend and professional photographer.

John Travolta’s Son Dies At Vacation Home

Eva Lam — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:56:29 +0000

John Travolta’s 16-year-old son, Jett, has died after apparently suffering a seizure at his family’s vacation home in the Bahamas, local authorities say.

According to police, a house caretaker found Jett unconscious in the bathroom late Friday morning. Attempts were made to revive the teenager, but he was pronounced dead at Rand Memorial Hospital on Grand Bahama Island.

Police say Jett, who had a history of seizures, apparently hit his head on the bathtub. An autopsy is planned.

He was the oldest child of Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston. They also have an eight-year-old daughter, Ella Bleu.

The family had been vacationing at the Old Bahama Bay resort community since Tuesday.

Miley Cyrus and John Travolta Singing Partners?

Irene Ogrodnik — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:54:57 +0000

Teen superstar Miley Cyrus will be making music with—no joke—John Travolta.

“Johnny may sing with Miley,” said Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston at a Step Up Women’s Network’s Inspiration Awards luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
Travolta’s daughter, Ella, is a long-time Cyrus fan. Both met the “Hannah Montana” star two years ago when Cyrus opened for Cheetah Girls during their concert tour.

“We [now] know Miley very well,” Preston said, “and she’s a sweetheart.”

Travolta and Cyrus will be voicing characters in the upcoming animated movie “Bolt,” scheduled to come to theatres in November 2008.

Voice of Bart Simpson is a Scientologist

andPOP Staff — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:42:57 +0000

Everyone knows that Lisa is Buddhist buds with Richard Gere, but who knew Bart was skateboarding off to the Church of Scientology?

The voice of the infamous 8-year-old cartoon character, Nancy Cartwright, donated $10 million to the church last year, reports PageSix.com.

In comparison, Tom Cruise donated $5 million over the year in an “instalment plan.”

The money goes toward spreading the church’s anti-psychology message. “It was all part of Scientology’s Global Salvage effort, which aims to ‘de-aberrate’ Earth ? meaning to rid mankind of psychology ills and other ‘aberrant’ behavior,” the site reported.

Kirstie Alley matched Cruise’s donation, while John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston pitched in $1 million each. They all reportedly received awards recognizing their contributions.

Why Was John Travolta Not at TomKat’s Wedding

andPOP Staff — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:38:28 +0000

Looks like Oprah has more influence than anyone thought.

TMZ.com reports that because she was not invited to TomKat’s wedding, she had her pals, and Scientologists themselves, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, skip the big day last weekend in Italy.

Rumours have been running rampant as to why Travolta did not attend, considering he is a big name Scientologist and one of the first celebs to see baby Suri after her birth earlier this month.

“We weren’t privy to the invite list,” was the response from the Travolta camp as to why he did not attend when TMZ.com contacted them.

Celebrities that attend the nuptials included Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Victoria Beckham and Brooke Shields, as well as fellow Scientologists Leah Remini and David Miscavige, who is the head of the Church of Scientology and was Cruise’s best man.

John Travolta Cools His Jet in Hamilton

andPOP Staff — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 08:47:40 +0000

Well that’s one way to avoid long security line ups.

The Hamilton Spectator is reporting that actor John Travolta has been flying his plane “in and out” of the Hamilton airport over the last couple of weeks.

The Spec reports that Travolta flew back to Hamilton on Sunday, and that his plane remained at the airport all day yesterday. Travolta is in Canada to film “Hairspray.” Filming begins next Tuesday.

“He waved at us and seemed to be in great spirits the whole time he was here,” Lee Thomas, an employee of Glanford Aviation Services, said about Travolta’s demeanor after he landed.