BROCKOVICH'S BOSS TAKES STAND.Byline: David Greenberg The creator of this article, or someone who has substantially contributed to it, may have a conflict of interest regarding its subject matter. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. Staff Writer VENTURA - High-profile attorney Ed Masry testified Wednesday that a Century City lawyer, representing two clients, tried to extort To compel or coerce, as in a confession or information, by any means serving to overcome the other's power of resistance, thus making the confession or admission involuntary. To gain by wrongful methods; to obtain in an unlawful manner, as in to compel payments by means of threats of $310,000 from him and his research assistant, Erin Brockovich. During a preliminary hearing for the three blackmail suspects, Masry testified that attorney John Reiner John Reiner is the artist of the following comic strips: The Lockhorns, Laugh Parade, and Howard Huge. He has received the National Cartoonist Society Gag Cartoon for his work for 1994. External links
n. Informal A bribe paid to keep something secret. hush money Noun Slang money given to a person to ensure that something is kept secret Noun 1. was paid. ``It was clearly blackmail,'' said Masry. ``(The accusations) would be extremely detrimental to us.'' Brown and Halaby also threatened to say that Brockovich was a bad mother, Masry said. Masry testified that Reiner called him in April to talk about the difficulties he was having in selling the rights to Brown's life story to Universal Studios, which produced ``Erin Brockovich,'' the blockbuster movie starring Julia Roberts in the title role. The movie detailed how Brockovich, a legal researcher, helped Masry win a $333 million settlement from Pacific Gas & Electric for residents of Hinkley, Calif., where the groundwater had been contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. . But then Reiner turned the conversation to a possible affair between Masry and Brockovich. ``His purpose was to discuss if Erin and I were chaste chaste adj. chast·er, chast·est 1. Morally pure in thought or conduct; decent and modest. 2. a. Not having experienced sexual intercourse; virginal. b. ," he said. ``I was very concerned where the conversation was going.'' The talk set off a series of conversations - all of which Masry said he tape-recorded - and faxes by Reiner, in which he proposed a money-for- silence settlement of $310,000. The agreement was signed and money exchanged during an April 26 meeting at the office of Brockovich's family attorney, Cathleen Drury - a meeting that prosecutors taped before arresting the three men. During the meeting, Brown also gave Masry a check made out to Brockovich for $100,000 for back child support, Masry said. Brown, 38, Halaby, 46, and Reiner, 53, were charged with attempted extortion. They have been free after posting $50,000 bail each. Reiner's attorney, Gary Lincenberg, focused on Masry's earlier statement that April 11 was the first time a proposal for hush money was made. He then pressed Masry to recall a conversation he had in March with another Brown associate. Masry acknowledged that John Reilly John Reilly can refer to:
But Masry repeatedly said he could not recall the details of the conversation, or whether he threatened to go after Brown for $100,000 in child support the latter owes Brockovich should any reports appear in the media. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. if I made any threats,'' Masry said. The hearing is scheduled to continue today. |
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