Extortion plot claim as Hollywood scandal entangles James Packer

Billionaire James Packer’s lawyer has accused a British actress of a multimillion dollar ‘honey trap’ extortion plot.

James Packer, left, and actress Charlotte Kirt. Picture: Aaron Francis/Getty Images

A lawyer for billionaire James Packer has accused British actress Charlotte Kirk of a multi-million dollar extortion plot after she filed an explosive petition in a Los Angeles Court seeking to lift a gag order relating to a Hollywood scandal involving Mr Packer and former Warner Bros chief executive Kevin Tsujihara.

Ms Kirk’s petition, filed on September 3 in the Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks to allow her to speak publicly about the scandal, including making an allegation of non-consensual sex against Mr Tsujihara, who resigned from his role last year after following an investigation by the company into his relationship with Ms Kirk.

“This so-called legal filing is simply the latest element of their “honey trap” scheme to extort my clients with ever-evolving, outlandish false allegations of misconduct unless they are paid millions of dollars. The sum they are demanding has now reached a mind-boggling $335m,’’ Mr Packer’s lawyer, Martin Singer, said in a statement.

Mr Tsujihara’s personal attorney, Bert H. Deixler, said in a statement that any claims made against Mr Tsujihara relating to Ms Kirk were “legally and factually baseless, manufactured many years after their brief consensual relationship to unjustly seek the payment of money.

“The relationship was pursued by Ms. Kirk and at all times understood by Kevin to be entirely consensual. While Kevin continues to regret the relationship and the impact it had on his family, he will pursue all legal remedies available to protect himself from extortionate claims and prevent false accusations against him,” he said.

Mr Packer was drawn into the affair last year after hundreds of messages allegedly sent between the billionaire and Ms Kirk were released to The Hollywood Reporter.

According to the messages, Mr Packer, who had a short relationship with Ms Kirk, had first introduced her to Warner Bros chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara, promising her the “opportunity of a lifetime”.

Ms Kirk became involved in a sexual relationship with Mr Tsujihara. But The Hollywood Reporter reported that Ms Kirk became frustrated she was not landing enough roles, which resulted in accusations of “extortion” by Mr Packer’s business partner, Brett Ratner, and a draft settlement agreement.

There was never any suggestion by Ms Kirk of inappropriate behaviour by Mr Packer.

In his statement Mr Singer, who also represents Mr Ratner and film producer Arvi Lerner, revealed his clients commenced an arbitration proceeding against Ms Kirk, her former boyfriend Joshua Newton and her latest paramour Neil Marshall in June for civil extortion and related claims.

“In July, after reviewing the evidence, an Arbitrator granted a Preliminary Injunction against them. That injunction expressly prohibits them from filing any lawsuit against my clients in violation of agreements that they entered into. Kirk, Newton and Marshall have now, of course, ignored that order and filed this suit,’’ Mr Singer said.

“Enough is enough. My clients are done with these scheming opportunists and their threats to attack them with malicious, defamatory smears. They welcome the news that the FBI is investigating these individuals’ extortionate conduct – and look forward to putting an end to this menacing shakedown plot once and for all.”